Music can help set the tone of your ketamine infusion. Here are recommendations from our patients.
Music Helps Ketamine Infusions
Finding the right music
There is no ‘best’ music to listen to during a ketamine infusion – the best music is typically music that you enjoy, and preferably music without words.
In general, we recommend music with minimal or no lyrics, as they can be distracting. Instrumental music, or music with words that are nonsensical are good choices for most people. However, music with lyrics may be preferable for people who like to stay more grounded during their infusion and prefer the distraction. Some people will listen to music that reminds them of a particular person or of a particular time in their life. Music choice is very personal.
It is important to listen to your playlist in its entirety before using it for a ketamine infusion to ensure that there isn’t a song that is distracting or annoying or upsetting. It can be very difficult to change the music mid-way through the infusion. It is similarly important that you listen to music on an ad-free platform, and that you put your device on do not disturb. While you might prefer to arrange these details for yourself, we are also happy to help and can provide music for you if needed.
Just as an unexpected shift in music during your infusion may be frustrating or take you out of the experience, an intentional change in music can help you change the tone or color your infusion. If a you find that the experience isn’t quite as comfortable as you’d like, whether it’s melancholy or bittersweet or you’re just having a difficult time sinking into it, one of the first things we can do is change the music.
Once you have found a playlist that you like, you may develop an attachment to that playlist and begin to find it comforting or useful. In a sort of Pavlovian way, this playlist itself can become calming or relaxing. In moments where you are struggling outside the clinic, for instance, it can be helpful to take a few minutes to listen to your infusion playlist.
While there is no ‘right’ playlist, music can be a very important part of the ketamine experience. We encourage our patients to seek out music that they enjoy and that works well for them, and to try it out outside of the clinic before their infusion.
Music recommendations
There are many playlists on YouTube, Spotify, and other platforms that have been curated for psychedelic journeys, and which may be useful for ketamine treatments.
Here is a brief list of some of the artists and genres our patients prefer most frequently:
- Enya
- Gregorian chants
- Native American or Andean pan flute music
- Nils Frahm
- Johns Hopkins Psychedelic Therapy Playlist
- Acoustic guitar, such as Andrew York
- Lofi or ambient
- Spa music
- 528 Hertz
- Binaural beats
- Brown noise
- Nature sounds
About Us
Wells Medicine is a Houston-based practice designed to provide meaningful care for mental health. Providing targeted interventional treatments for Depression, Anxiety, OCD, PTSD and other conditions, with Ketamine Treatments, Stellate Ganglion Blocks, TMS, and Nitrous-Oxide Treatments. Focused on comprehensive care and integration with Psychiatry, Psychology, and Support Services. We are evidence-based, patient-focused and mission-driven.
The content here is for informational purposes and should not be relied upon for medical decisions. For the details of your specific medical conditions and treatments consult your doctors or other qualified healthcare professionals.
