Peer Treatment Monitor (PTM) Overview

Please share this with your PTM prior to every ketamine therapy session. A PTM is required for all medicine sessions (including self-led sessions).

What is a Peer Treatment Monitor (PTM)?‍

Your PTM can be a partner, family member, close friend, roommate, or other trusted adult who will “hold space” for you during your sessions. This person helps create a safe, comfortable, and distraction-free environment so you can fully focus inward during treatment. 

While your PTM will most likely be a passive observer, this should be someone you can rely on to provide emotional support or get in touch with your Choose Ketamine care team if needed. We recommend choosing someone you have a positive and uncomplicated relationship with, because the feelings and energy this person brings to your treatment space can influence your experience.

What is the role of your PTM?

Prior to your session

• Be physically present and review these instructions
• Briefly join the virtual visit with you and your guide for training on how to support your treatment session (first session only)
  

During your session

• Stay within voice range and visually check in on you every 15 minutes, while being mindful to stay quiet and not disturb you
• Maintain an environment free from distractions, such as noises, kids, or pets
• Lend a hand if you need to stand or move around (e.g., use the restroom)
• Give you a gentle nudge to start journaling 1 hour after taking the medicine
  

After your session

• Pro tip: bring you fresh fruit and caffeine-free tea or sparkling water
• Remind you to re-join your guide and clinician on video at the scheduled time, or contact your guide if you need more time to process and recover
• Stay with you until you are alert and able to move around safely (generally about 2 hours after taking the medicine) 

What should your PTM expect during your treatment?

• The effects of the medication typically appear about 10 minutes after putting the tablet in your mouth, and peak effects last 30-60 minutes
• You’ll most likely lay calm and still in your moderately dissociated (disconnected from reality) and sedated state
• While less common, some of our clients laugh, cry, mumble, moan, make loud noises, or move their bodies in unusual ways, and some experience fatigue, nausea, dizziness, lightheadedness, drowsiness, or headaches
• Side effects, such as sedation or feeling “out of it”, can extend another 60-90 minutes after peak effects wear off
• Swallowing the ketamine can prolong the above side effects up to 4-6 hours after treatment and can (in rare cases) delay the onset of these effects 60-90 minutes

When should you reach out to your Choose Ketamine care team for help?

We're here for you! Don't hesitate to contact your Choose Ketamine Guide if:

• You’re concerned about the way the treatment is progressing, such as more disorientation or psychological distress than you think is normal or safe 
• You are experiencing physical discomfort/distress, such as vomiting 
• You wish to request additional emotional support  
  

While your Choose Ketamine care team should almost always be your first point of contact, call 911 if any of the following occur: 

• Lack of breathing 
• Lack of a detectable pulse
• Active suicidal or homicidal intent, such as threats of imminent violence to oneself or another person