Welcome to Vitalis PROJECT!
We're here to guide you through a transformative experience designed to nurture your mental and emotional well-being. Whether you're new to our approach or returning for further growth, thorough preparation ensures you get the most out of your journey.
Explore our comprehensive preparation guide below, crafted to support you every step of the way. From practical tips to insightful resources, we're committed to fostering a safe, empowering environment for your healing process.
TRUST. LET GO. BE OPEN.
TRUST.
At Vitalis, trust refers to making the commitment to have faith and confidence in yourself, the process of healing, and the medicine you receive.
Trust that you are safe and can handle the experience, regardless of what it may entail.
Trust in your inner wisdom and resilience to guide you through the psychedelic journey.
Trust that healing will become clear in time, even if it may not be immediately evident.
LET GO.
Letting go involves a commitment to courageously relinquish control and allowing oneself to peacefully surrender to the experience without resistance, fear, or expectation.
Let Go of expectations or preconceived notions about how the experience should unfold.
Let Go of the desire to control the experience and surrender to it without resistance
Let Go of the beliefs, stories, wounds, emotions, and habits that no longer serve you
BE OPEN.
We approach each moment of the healing process with an open mind and a willingness to work through whatever thoughts, emotions, memories, or insights are revealed.
Be Open to the possibility of profound healing, transformation, and growth.
Be Open to experiencing the full range of emotions and sensations that may emerge.
Be Open to embracing new perspectives and insights about yourself, relationships, and life.
OUR TRADITIONS
UNITY
We believe that unity is the foundation of our community, where we find strength and support in our shared journey.
We draw courage from our interconnectedness to face and process whatever arises.
We embrace newcomers, sharing our spirit of courage, resilience, and hope.
We honor our shared experience, avoiding discussion of external controversy and previous psychedelic experiences.
MINDFULNESS
We ensure our interactions are guided by a deep sense of care and respect, making certain every exchange honors the individual's journey and contributes positively towards our collective healing.
We listen with compassion and without judgment, honoring each person’s unique path to healing.
We do not offer unsolicited advice, suggestions, or wisdom, avoiding a hierarchy of knowledge.
We speak with kindness and consideration, mindful of the impact our words may have on others.
ANONYMITY
We cultivate safety by abstaining from revealing personal identities, assuming professional personas, or engaging in self-promotion during our Psychedelic Assisted Therapy Preparation and Sessions.
We choose to identify only by our first name and honor the privacy of others.
We do not promote our external affiliations, philosophies, or ventures within our community.
We are free to explore our true inner-selves, free from external expectations.
CONFIDENTIALITY
We uphold the privacy and trust of all information shared within the group to promote a safe and supportive environment for open expression and growth.
We keep what we hear at Vitalis within the walls of our sessions.
We speak freely, knowing that our shares remain strictly confidential.
We do not disclose identities of those within our community.
Join Us: These traditions reflect our deep commitment to fostering a supportive and transformative environment. We warmly invite you to become a part of our tribe, where together, we can embark on a journey of healing and growth. Embrace these traditions with us, and discover the profound impact of unity, anonymity, mindfulness, and confidentiality on your path to healing.
INTENTION SETTING
Setting an intention is a vital step every traveler should consider as part of their session preparation. Crafting and setting intentions not only bring clarity to our motivations but also empower us to chart the course of our journey. So, how does one set an intention, and how specific should it be?
We believe in the wisdom of our inner healer, the inner depths that know what needs to surface. Trusting this wisdom is essential in psychedelic work. While setting intentions is a crucial part of the process, our core belief in psychedelic medicine is that our inner healer will ultimately guide us to where we need to go. Embrace this trust, and allow the journey to unfold as it is meant to.
Start With an Honest “Why?”: Why am I doing this? Avoid passing judgment on anything that comes up; all responses are valid. If something doesn't seem right, keep exploring along those lines.
Ask yourself:
What are you looking for?
What do you want to change in your life?
What seems to be working and what isn't?
What do you want to do that you're afraid to do?
What do you want to understand more about?
What do you want to learn?
What truths are you telling only yourself?
Use the Why’s to Dig Further: Consider the underlying meaning of your answers. What does your "why" reveal about your motivations behind it all? Really explore the multiple meanings it might have.
Refine your intention: Now, distill your "why" into a single sentence that captures the key points and reasons behind it.
Keeping an Open Intention: The journey you want may not always be the journey you get. Trust your internal healer. Everything happens for an important reason. Sometimes this reason is clear and obvious; other times, it may be confusing and opaque. Unpacking and integrating your experiences, especially in the latter cases, is essential.
EXAMPLE 1:
Why am I doing this? I want to quit smoking.
The patient dug deeper into the why and identified a desire to be healthy, both for themselves and as a parent. They wanted to be healthier for their own well-being and to be present for their children.
In the end, the intention was: “I want to be healthier, not just for myself, but to be there for my children as they grow.”
EXAMPLE 2:
Why am I doing this? I want to stop feeling afraid.
The patient dug deeper into the why and identified feelings of not being good enough, fear of rejection, and the prospect of living life alone.
The patient felt they wanted to start with: “Improving feelings of self-love and acceptance.”
PRE-FLIGHT INSTRUCTIONS
PREPARING FOR KETAMINE ASSISTED THERAPY
Intention Setting: Prepare your intention for your journey. Setting a clear intention can guide your experience, helping to focus your mind on specific areas of growth and healing.
Recovery Period Planning: Plan ahead to reduce stressors and responsibilities post-session. Allow time for rest, reflection, and gentle self-care practices. Limit social media and multimedia use and focus on integrating your experience through journaling and mindfulness. Arrange follow-up sessions with your therapist to discuss and integrate your insights. Avoid substance use and maintain a healthy lifestyle to support emotional well-being.
Traditions: Read up on our Traditions: Unity, Anonymity, Mindfulness and Confidentiality. These traditions reflect our deep commitment to fostering a supportive and transformative environment. Honoring these traditions, we warmly invite you to become a part of our tribe, where together, we can embark on a journey of healing and growth.
Trust. Let Go. Be Open: Familiarize yourself with these core concepts and work to integrate them into your awareness and intention to embrace the process and maximize the therapeutic benefits of your journey.
Attire: Wear comfortable clothing, preferably in layers, to maximize your comfort. Ensure your clothing provides easy access to your upper arm for the administration of the medicine. Additionally, please choose attire that is not revealing or distracting, to maintain a comfortable and respectful environment for all participants.
Diet: We encourage you to mindfully craft your diet in the days before and after your journey, seeking healthy, nutritious options.
Fasting: You must refrain from eating solid foods for the 4 hours preceding your journey to protect against nausea and associated vomiting. This typically means finishing a healthy lunch by 1pm, followed by a fast before your journey.
Hydration: You are encouraged to mindfully hydrate your body the morning before your journey, tapering off your fluid intake after lunch and limiting it to small sips of water. This practice can help protect against nausea and ensure your journey is not interrupted by the need for a bathroom break.
Medications: Hold medications if instructed to do so, and report any changes to your medication and/or use over-the-counter medications the day of your journey.
Substances: Refrain from using any illicit or recreational substances, including cannabis or alcohol, on the day of your session.
Nicotine and Caffeine: Do not deviate or increase your intake of these substances, with the exception of avoiding caffeine after lunch.
Rest: Ensure you get plenty of rest, both before and after your journey.
EFFECTS OF KETAMINE
Type: Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic/psychedelic.
Administration Route: Intramuscular (arm) Injection
Onset: Within 5 minutes of administration.
Duration: Psychedelic Effects are typically experienced from 30 to 60 minutes.
Experience: Participants often feel a separation of mind from body, leading to profound introspective experiences. The body may feel very relaxed, and individuals can encounter a range of emotions, from euphoria to discomfort.There can be unusual physical sensations, intense emotions, vivid visual effects, and mystical experiences.
Nausea: Nausea can be a side effect of Ketamine. It is usually mild and manageable, often subsiding as the effects of ketamine wear off. To minimize nausea, avoid eating for at least 4 hours before your session, stay hydrated with small sips of water, and practice deep, steady breathing during the session. If preferred, nausea medication can be provided to aid in your comfort.
DURING YOUR JOURNEY
Comfortable Bed: A soft bed, fit with linens, will be provided for your comfort. There will also be a trey next to your bed, where any small personal items can be stowed.
Eye Coverings: You will be provided with custom eye-coverings, allowing for your eyes to be open or closed, while being fully masked from light. We recommend the use of eye coverings to facilitate an inward and immersive experience.
Music: Noise-canceling headphones will be supplied, providing a custom-curated playlist of evocative songs intended to facilitate the movement of energy, thoughts, and emotions. If at any point the music prompts uncomfortable emotions, we encourage you to first sit with these emotions for a moment before removing the headphones, understanding that they may be bringing up important feelings and that the song will soon transition.
NAVIGATING CHALLENGING EXPERIENCES
Understanding Challenges:
Reframing Experiences: Difficult experiences are not necessarily "bad trips." In psychedelic-assisted therapy, experiences are considered "non-specific amplifiers," meaning they can intensify a wide range of emotions and sensations without being inherently good or bad.
Welcoming Challenges: We embrace challenging psychological and physical experiences as they can lead to deeper healing and integration. These experiences help us address suppressed issues and foster growth.
Support and Techniques:
Therapist Presence: A therapist will be with you to provide extra support if needed. They can help you navigate through challenging moments and ensure a safe environment.
Neutral Witnessing: As much as possible, adopt a stance of neutral witnessing. Observe your experience without judgment, allowing whatever arises to unfold naturally.
Music as an Anchor: Use the music played during the session as an anchor. Let it guide you through the experience like a wave, providing a focal point and emotional support.
Breathing and Voice: Your breath and voice are powerful tools. Deep, mindful breathing can ground you during challenging moments. If necessary, use your voice to call for support or to help release tension.
Embrace the Process: Remember that difficult experiences can lead to significant breakthroughs. Trust the process and know that you are in a safe, supportive environment.
By integrating these elements, participants can better prepare for and navigate any challenging experiences they may encounter during their ketamine session, leading to more profound and meaningful outcomes.
TRANSPORTATION
Session Location: Unless otherwise established by our team, sessions will be facilitated at Casa De Luz which is located at 1701 Toomey Road, Austin TX 78704 (Map)
Recommended Lodging: The Carpenter Hotel, housed next to Casa De Luz, makes for a cozy austin vibe, and only a short walk from your appointment, and Barton Springs!
No Driving: Driving is not allowed until the next morning or typically 12 hours post-ketamine.
Arrange a Ride: Ask a family member or fiend to pick you up. Alternatively, arrange a ride service like Uber or Lift. For your first session, we recommend having a family member or friend be your ride, or have one available that you can contact for support.
Comfort and Safety: Ensure you are comfortable with your ride, considering you may still experience some effects after leaving the session.
Support and Boundaries: This can be a significant and emotional journey. Choose a person who will respect your boundaries regarding whether you want to talk about your experience or not. Inform them in advance that you may prefer not to discuss the session, and if you do share, often just listening is all that you request.
Hotel Options: In most cases, our team can support the booking of nearby hotel options, should you wish to enjoy a relaxing nights stay.
RECOVERY PERIOD
The recovery period after ketamine-assisted therapy is a crucial time for integration and reflection. While individuals may feel alert and able to drive after approximately 12 hours, the ongoing actions and practices to support recovery should continue for several days to minimize unhealthy influences and maximize therapeutic benefits.
Rest and Relaxation: Allow time for rest and relaxation. Ketamine sessions can be mentally and emotionally intense, so giving oneself the opportunity to rest and recover is important.
Reflect on the Experience: Spend time reflecting on the insights, emotions, and experiences that emerged during the ketamine session. Consider journaling to capture thoughts and feelings.
Integration and Therapy Sessions: Schedule follow-up integration sessions with therapists or mental health professionals. Discuss the experiences, insights, and challenges encountered during the ketamine session and work on integrating them into daily life. Continuing regular therapy sessions as part of a broader therapeutic plan can help address ongoing challenges and explore further insights.
Self-Care Practices: Engage in self-care practices such as mindfulness, meditation, or gentle exercise. These activities can help promote emotional well-being and support the integration process.
Connect with Support System: Share experiences with trusted friends, family members, or support groups. Connecting with others can provide emotional support and help process the therapeutic journey.
Artistic Expression: Express thoughts and emotions through artistic means, such as drawing, painting, or writing. Creative expression can be a valuable tool for processing and integrating the ketamine experience.
Healthy Lifestyle Choices: Focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle by prioritizing proper nutrition, regular exercise, and sufficient sleep. Physical well-being can contribute to emotional resilience.
Follow Professional Recommendations: Adhere to any recommendations provided by therapists or healthcare professionals regarding post-session care, medications, or lifestyle adjustments.
Avoid Substance Use: Avoid using other substances, including recreational drugs and alcohol, during the recovery period. Substance use can interfere with the integration process and may have unpredictable effects.
Set Realistic Expectations: Understand that the effects of ketamine-assisted therapy may continue to unfold over time. Set realistic expectations for the integration process and be patient with oneself.
Continue Therapy: Consider continuing regular therapy sessions to address ongoing challenges and explore further insights. Ketamine therapy is often part of a broader therapeutic plan.
Monitor Mental Health: Pay attention to mental health and seek professional help if any distressing symptoms or challenges arise. Promptly addressing concerns ensures timely support.
It's important to note that the recovery period is individualized, and people may have varying needs and responses to ketamine-assisted therapy. Open communication with therapists and healthcare professionals is essential to tailor the post-session care plan to the individual's specific circumstances and goals.
