A Note from our medical faculty
Understanding Intramuscular (IM) Ketamine for Leadership Coaching
Welcome to our resource page on the transformative potential of Intramuscular (IM) Ketamine in leadership coaching. Here, we will explore the unique properties of Ketamine, the specific type used in IM applications, and why it is especially well-suited for group settings.
What is IM Ketamine?
IM Ketamine involves the administration of Ketamine directly into the muscle with a syringe, allowing for a controlled and steady absorption into the bloodstream. This method is chosen for its precision in dosing and rapid onset of effects, making it a preferred approach for coaching settings.
The Type of Ketamine Used
The type of Ketamine typically used in IM applications is racemic Ketamine, which contains equal parts of two mirror-image molecules: R-Ketamine and S-Ketamine. This form is known for its balanced and comprehensive therapeutic effects, providing a holistic experience that supports both psychological and physiological aspects of growth and healing.
The Timeline and Experience of a Ketamine Session
A typical IM Ketamine session lasts about 1 to 2 hours, with the most intense effects occurring within the first 30 to 60 minutes. Here's a general timeline of what to expect:
Throughout the session, two medical faculty will be present to assist and advise you, ensuring a safe and supportive experience.
The Science of Ketamine in the Brain
Ketamine's unique effects on the brain make it a powerful tool for growth and healing. Scientifically, Ketamine works by:
Ketamine as a Tool for Leadership Coaching
Ketamine, a gentle dissociative anesthetic with the potential for powerful psychedelic properties, has been increasingly recognized for its capability to facilitate profound personal insights and emotional breakthroughs. When used in leadership coaching, Ketamine can help individuals:
Why Ketamine is Especially Well-Suited for Groups
Group settings offer a unique dynamic that can amplify the benefits of Ketamine-assisted coaching sessions. Here are some reasons why Ketamine is particularly effective in group environments:
Potential Side Effects, Risks, and Contraindications
You will be asked to lie down during the KAP session, as your sense of balance and coordination will be adversely affected until the medicine has cleared. Other possible adverse effects include: blurred and altered vision, slurred speech, mental confusion, excitability, diminished ability to see things that are actually present, diminished ability to hear or to feel objects accurately (including one’s own body), anxiety, nausea and (in rare cases) vomiting. If nausea/vomiting is a concern for you, you can talk with the Lead Embodied Medical Faculty about anti-nausea medicines to use during the dosing sessions.
Visual, tactile, and auditory processing are affected by this medicine. Familiar music may appear quite different to you, even unrecognizable. Synesthesia, a mingling of the senses, may occur. Ordinary sense of time may become distorted. Ketamine generally causes a significant increase in blood pressure and in some cases elevated pulse rate (tachycardia), and agitation and anxiety may occur. Some people experience headaches after the sessions, and ketamine has in some cases caused and/or stopped migraines.
You may experience changes in personality, mood, and cognition during group coaching, and in the days and weeks that follow. Ketamine has been shown to worsen certain psychotic symptoms in people who suffer from schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders. It may also worsen underlying psychological problems in people with personality disorders and/or dissociative disorders. If you have been or are presently diagnosed with these disorders, you may not be a candidate for Ketamine-assisted coaching. Repeated, high dose, chronic use/abuse of ketamine has caused urinary tract symptoms and even permanent bladder dysfunction. Pregnant women and nursing mothers are not eligible because of potential effects on the fetus, or nursing child (the effects of ketamine on pregnancy and fetus are undetermined). Untreated hypertension is a contraindication to ketamine use, as it causes a rise in blood pressure. Similarly, a history of heart disease may make you ineligible to participate. Ketamine should not be taken if you have hyperthyroidism. Lead Embodied’s Medical Faculty will assess you for any medications you are already taking and any possible adverse interactions. You should never discontinue the use of medications that you are already taking or add any new medications without first consulting with Lead Embodied’s Medical Faculty.
How Long Might It Take to See Beneficial Effects?
Some people report feeling immediate beneficial results after a first Ketamine-assisted coaching session; for others, it takes longer. You may not be able to identify shifts or learnings right away. Some of what arises may feel temporarily distressing. The ketamine experience itself is designed to open you, while at the same time to enable and access your own healing wisdom. The coaching support you will receive will aid you in making your experience(s) more valuable and understandable to you. Not everyone feels strong benefits; as with traditional coaching, results can vary widely and there are no guarantees.
Potential for Ketamine Abuse and Dependency
Ketamine and other hallucinogenic compounds do not meet official criteria for potential chemical dependence, since they do not cause tolerance and withdrawal symptoms. However, “cravings” have been reported by individuals with a history of heavy use of psychedelic drugs. In addition, ketamine can have effects on mood/emotion, thinking and perception that may make some people want to use it repeatedly. Therefore, ketamine should never be used except under the supervision of a prescribing medical professional, and as directed by that professional.
Voluntary Nature of Ketamine-Assisted Coaching Participation
Please be aware that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet established the appropriateness of Ketamine-Assisted coaching and its use is considered “off-label.” The only uses of ketamine officially approved by the FDA are as an anesthetic and (more recently) a nasal spray for depression. This awareness is important in understanding any liability associated with your use of ketamine.
Your decision to undertake Ketamine-Assisted Coaching is completely voluntary. Before you make your decision about participating in Ketamine-assisted coaching, please ask any questions you may have about the process.
Even after deciding to undertake Ketamine-assisted coaching, you may decide to withdraw from the ketamine experiential portion of coaching at any time prior to the IM injection.
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IM Ketamine can be a powerful tool in leadership coaching, offering unique benefits that can assist in deepening personal and professional growth. Its suitability for group settings can further enhance its potential, creating a supportive and dynamic environment for transformative experiences. By integrating Ketamine into leadership coaching, individuals and teams may unlock new levels of insight, emotional intelligence, and resilience.
We hope this information provides a clear understanding of how IM Ketamine can be a valuable addition to leadership coaching. Should you have any questions or wish to explore this approach further, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Your Dedicated Medical Faculty,
Dr. Crystal Dawn, MD