Breaking the Loop: How Ketamine Interrupts Unhelpful Thought Patterns
If you've ever felt stuck in a cycle of self-criticism, worry, or hopelessness, you're not alone. These loops can feel impossible to break, especially when they’ve been reinforced over years of stress, trauma, or emotional pain. Traditional therapy can help untangle these thoughts, but sometimes, the patterns run so deep that it’s hard to even see them clearly—let alone shift them.
That’s where ketamine-assisted therapy can make a profound difference.
The Loop: What We’re Really Talking About
These “loops” aren’t just negative thoughts—they’re deeply ingrained mental pathways. They’re the default stories our brains return to under pressure: “I’m not good enough,” “Nothing will ever change,” “I always mess things up.” Over time, these narratives can become automatic, running in the background without us even noticing.
Ketamine offers a powerful interruption to that cycle. It creates space between you and the thought. It softens the edges of those rigid stories, allowing new perspectives to surface.
What’s Happening in the Brain
During a ketamine session, your brain becomes more flexible—it’s a state scientists refer to as heightened neuroplasticity. This means your brain is more able to form new connections and release old ones. It’s like switching from a rutted dirt road to fresh, open terrain.
For many people, this opens a window where deeply held patterns can be examined—not through analysis or logic—but through a felt sense of insight. The experience isn’t about fixing yourself. It’s about seeing yourself differently, with curiosity and compassion.
My Approach: Lozenge-Based Sessions Blended with Somatic Work
In my practice, I use ketamine lozenges (troches), combined with somatic therapy. This means we don’t just focus on what you’re thinking—we pay attention to how those thought loops live in your body. Where do you feel tension? Where do you go numb? What happens in your chest or your gut when that old story plays out?
By bringing the body into the process, we anchor new insights more deeply. You might notice that something shifts—not just in your mind, but in your posture, your breath, your energy.
It’s Not About Erasing the Past
This work doesn’t erase your history. It doesn’t magically make hard things easy. But it does give you a chance to experience yourself outside of the loop. Even one moment of clarity—a breath of fresh air in a space that once felt tight—can begin to change everything.
Over time, with support and integration, new patterns start to form. You begin to respond instead of react. You get more choice. More self-trust. More space.
What Happens After the Session Matters
Integration is just as important as the session itself. Afterward, we take time to reflect, to ground the experience, and to help you translate those insights into daily life. This might include gentle somatic practices, journaling prompts, or simply allowing more time for rest and reflection.
These moments of insight aren’t just fleeting—they can become the foundation for lasting change.