Ketamine is a powerful treatment for mental health that can help individuals heal from trauma when used intentionally in therapeutic settings. People have reported that ketamine brings up repressed memories—those buried in the subconscious–which can play a crucial role in the healing process.
This article explores the science behind repressed memories, how ketamine can uncover them, and what to do if you experience resurfacing memories during ketamine therapy.
Key Takeaways
- Ketamine’s dissociative and psychedelic properties can facilitate the resurfacing of repressed memories during therapy, especially at higher doses, offering individuals a chance to confront and heal from unresolved trauma.
- Proper therapeutic support and post-session integration are critical to safely process any resurfacing memories, helping individuals make sense of these experiences and apply the insights to their personal healing journey.
- Patience, self-care practices, and building a supportive community are essential for navigating the emotional intensity that may follow memory recall, allowing for a healthier and more sustainable recovery process.
Understanding Repressed Memories
Repressed memories, also known as dissociative amnesia, are memories of past events that are buried in the subconscious and cannot be consciously recalled. These memories tend to be traumatic and can affect a person’s emotions and behavior in subtle ways.
The psychologist Sigmund Freud introduced the concept of repressed memories in the 1800s. He suggested that the mind represses distressing memories as a defense mechanism to protect individuals from emotional pain. He believed these hidden memories could also continue to shape a person’s thoughts, feelings, and actions, leading to psychological struggles.
Because repressed memories are difficult to scientifically verify, they remain a topic of debate. Many therapists believe in their existence and use specific techniques, such as guided therapy or hypnosis, to help patients retrieve them. On the other hand, skeptics argue that some recalled memories may be false.
The Science of Repressed Memories
Brain imaging studies suggest that repressed memories may be processed and stored differently from normal memories. In one study, researchers found specific brain network changes in regions associated with memory processing in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients experiencing dissociation, which includes memory loss.
Retrieval inhibition is a theory that suggests that when someone deliberately avoids thoughts of a traumatic event, the memory can become less accessible over time.
Repressed Memories and Psychedelic Therapy
The term psychedelic was coined in 1956 by British psychiatrist Humphry Osmond, who derived it from the Greek words psyche (mind) and deloun (to make visible or manifest). Osmond conducted therapy with LSD and mescaline in the 1950s and noticed how these drugs could bring up deep-seated emotions and memories in his patients.
Psychedelic researchers and therapists since Osmond have taken advantage of this unique “mind-revealing property” of psychedelics. The therapy encourages patients to allow repressed parts of themselves to emerge, encouraging self-awareness and healing.
While typically associated with classical psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin, altered states of consciousness can also arise through various means. Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic with psychedelic properties, similarly induces altered states where hidden emotions and memories may emerge. Ketamine-assisted therapy leverages these effects to enhance the psychotheraputic process.
Does Ketamine Cause People to Experience Repressed Memories?
Several anecdotal reports from ketamine users suggest that ketamine can bring about repressed memories. This recall is most associated with intravenous (IV) ketamine therapy, where patients are given a larger dose of ketamine in a controlled clinical environment.
A psychiatrist who had IV ketamine reported:
“No voices spoke to me. Instead, tears streamed down my cheeks, shedding a memory of a big body pressing heavily onto my 6-year-old self. I had repressed this experience for years as only an imagined nightmare and unreal. In the unscaled time that followed, I unveiled this memory – a tumor, so to speak, that I had clandestinely tucked inside my body….The psychedelic experience exposed my hidden tumor…
A few sessions of psychedelic treatments later, and I knew this was my path to healing myself and others. If I can reach the reprieve and source the root of my depression, why can this not be administered to so many suffering from even greater despair?”
Another IV ketamine patient shared on Reddit:
“I always kind of ‘knew’ it happened, but thought it was a dream. During the ketamine session though I felt the emotions viscerally and I knew it had really happened… Thankfully ketamine feels like a safe warm bubble blanket to remember these types of emotions so I knew I was ok, and that I would be OK. And I am.”
Ketamine and Memory Consolidation
Memory consolidation is how short-term memories become long-term ones. Ketamine may affect this process, but it’s uncertain how.
Animal research suggests that when a memory is recalled during ketamine treatment, it could become even stronger afterward. However, a study on patients with PTSD found that ketamine decreased the activation of the brain’s fear centre in response to certain memories, making them less distressing when recalled.
Navigating Repressed Memories During Ketamine Therapy
If you experience repressed memories coming up during ketamine therapy, it’s essential to approach these memories carefully and thoughtfully. The process can be overwhelming, but with proper support, it can aid deep healing.
Here’s how you can navigate this experience:
1. Seek Professional Support
The first step is to work with a therapist who is trained in trauma and psychedelic-assisted therapy. These therapists understand the complexities of repressed memories and can safely guide you through the process.
Look for someone with experience in ketamine therapy specifically or in trauma-informed care, as they will help you make sense of the memories and emotions that arise.
2. Integration Sessions
After ketamine therapy, it’s common to have integration sessions. These are therapy sessions designed to help you process and make sense of the memories and insights that emerged during your treatment. Integration enables you to bring these insights into your everyday life, making the healing process more meaningful and lasting.
Many therapists who specialize in psychedelic therapy offer these sessions, but you can also find integration circles or groups that meet regularly to support individuals going through similar experiences.
3. Self-Care Practices
While you are working through deep emotional experiences, self-care is crucial. Practices like mindfulness meditation, journaling, and physical activities such as yoga or walking can help you stay grounded and manage difficult emotions.
Journaling, in particular, is a helpful tool to process thoughts and feelings as they arise, giving you a safe outlet for expression. Mindfulness can help you stay in the present moment, reducing any anxiety or stress related to revisiting painful memories.
4. Build a Support Network
Having a strong support network is key to healing. Connecting with people who understand what you’re going through can be helpful—whether that’s trusted friends, family members, or support groups.
Some people find it beneficial to join peer-led support groups, specifically for those using psychedelic therapy for trauma, as you can share experiences with others who are on a similar healing journey.
Online forums, local groups, and even workshops can be good places to meet others and gain new perspectives.
5. Patience and Compassion
It’s important to remember that healing is not a linear process. Repressed memories can bring up intense emotions, and it may take time to fully understand and process what you’re going through. Practice self-compassion by allowing yourself time and space to heal without judgment.
Be patient with the process, as emotional healing from trauma can take time. Allow yourself to move through it at your own pace.
Final Thoughts on Ketamine and Repressed Memories
Ketamine’s potential to bring repressed memories to the surface is an intriguing aspect of its therapeutic use. By inducing altered states of consciousness, ketamine appears to facilitate the retrieval of deep-seated memories, particularly those linked to trauma.
This ability to access unconscious memories can be both powerful and healing, allowing individuals to process and integrate their past experiences in a therapeutic setting.
However, it’s essential that this process is approached carefully, with professional guidance, to ensure that individuals can safely navigate these revelations and utilize them for emotional healing.
