Theo Von Explains What Ketamine Therapy Was Like 

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"I am always 30 percent sad" ... Man I love Theo so much.

It takes guts to talk about any of this with anyone, but to put it out there for the world is on another level. Respect, Theo.

I had something like the experience Theo had about his dad once when I did shrooms by myself. The whole trip was a rollercoaster, but there were moments when I felt the same happiness I did when I was a kid, and before then I didn't realize how dead I was inside. Like, I felt the same feeling of being five years old on your birthday, when birthdays really meant something. It was a very primal happiness that I never thought I would feel again as an adult.

It’s so depressing to me that upon finishing my 4 ketamine treatments on Friday, I’m now in a TERRIBLE mood on Sunday. I was so hoping for relief and it seems I’m even worse. Feeling very tired and somewhat foggy and very irritated. I put all my chips on this treatment working. I’m feeling so disappointed. So much despair ***UPDATE!!! ***** The ketamine DID end up working for me! 🥰 I did have a lul for a couple of weeks. This may also be due to the fact that I had tapered off of Lexapro for one month prior to my ketamine treatments. The improvements began in very subtle ways and it took me a couple of weeks to realize that I wasn’t freaking out anymore. I still get the anxiety and the feelings that rise up but they don’t explode. It’s like I get a little 2 second gap to think about how I want to react. It’s been very helpful! It is not an earth shattering, night and day difference but I am no longer on Lexapro and I’m doing pretty good so to me, that’s huge!

"A conduit for joy to pass through." Very insightful and touching, brother.

Peak Theo mullet. It’s glorious.

Psychedelics are just an exceptional mental health breakthrough. It's quite fascinating how effective they are against depression and anxiety. Saved my life.

I turned my back on pharmaceuticals a very long time ago. Movement is the secret for me. Long walks, jogging, working out in the morning, meditation, prayer. I am able to sit with sadness and accept it, even understand it has a purpose and value it.

Theo actually changed my mind about ketamine, like a year or two ago he touched on it a little bit. And so my fear dwindled. And I tried it at a festival no pro setting because life you know. But I never knew I was holding so much tension. For the first time in my life. I felt everything un tense. My jaw itself loosened on the skeletal level. So intensely I cried like Theo. I just felt all of the weight leave. For the first time in my entire life I went to the bathroom. And didn’t think. About anything. Just about how nice the days been. No looking at myself in disgust. It helped me so much with believing I’m okay. My heart has returned to my throne. It was pure relief and return.

Theo man… so much respect, your choice of words, how you take responsibility for your own life, and the way you reframe your life experience is very admirable

I just finished my 6th ketamine infusion. It’s amazing how much it’s helped my PTSD.

What an amazing guy . On 1 hand hes the funniest guy in the planet...then to hear him talk about real shit hes so god damn smart n relatable

I’m always at least 90% sad. Being always 30% sad sounds wonderful

Had a series of six ketamine infusions about two years ago for decades of chronic depression. It wasn’t a cure all but it did significantly raise my baseline of depression so that the bouts weren’t nearly as severe for a long time. I wish it wasn’t so damn expensive though. (@2400 dollars for 6 treatments)I couldn’t afford to have more treatments at the time so now I’m kind of where I started again. Someone has blessed me with another series though which I start tomorrow though, so I’m hopeful it will be as beneficial as it was before, or even more. Prayers to all that are suffering from anxiety, depression, or anything else.

I’m getting ketamine treatments for depression right now too, on my 8th appointment and it helpings me a lot. Theo described it perfectly!

You're very emotionally intelligent, Theo and its brave to express your feelings openly in a society that judges men for it. You have reason to feel proud of yourself.

Ketamine therapy seriously works. Just finished my 3 infusion and it’s ground breaking in the field of mental health.

The ketamine trip experience is probably my favourite; i had a 5 sessions in a clinical setting, with a mixture of high dose (injected) and low dose (nose spray). The high dose trip is difficult to describe, but it’s the most amazing escape from reality. I personally didnt experience much therapeutic benefit afterwards, but i would do it again in a heart beat. I’ve had much better introspection/insight and long term benefits from shroom/psilocybin trips

Ketamine changed my life and gave me my life back.

This dude is so real and so aware. A TRUE HUMAN BEING. I relate so much. It's so comforting someone else has similar traits and for him to go threw this but have everyone see his life on display in a way while opening himself up and exposing the raw details of life is outstandingly courageously divine. I've never been able to hear someone with this much awareness and honesty I almost don't know what to do with it.

The saddest thing is that therapies like this, including having an actual therapist, is inaccessible and/or too expensive for the high majority of people… THAT is why we get stuck on useless pills… after 30+ years on useless pills for PTSD, depression, anxiety and panic attacks, I’m like, “what is the point? All you’re doing is prescribing pills, yet you don’t have one iota of a clue ABOUT me; my life”… but when you’re poor, that’s all you get and all the meds you take, you find have no impact, you become med resistant, and the meds screw you up more than they help… and then it’s 20, 30 years later and you’re just DONE - with life because it has never changed, never improved, you’re always in a funk from the meds - because the meds haven’t any clue what they’re supposed to address, ie childhood atrocities; abuse; abandonment; and any number of issues that REQUIRE talk therapy… If talk therapy was actually affordable and frequent enough, pills might not be necessary… but that’s how the US works. I’ve moved to Texas recently and can already tell getting health care is difficult, and mental health doctors want to take away the ONE med that works, for me and my panic attacks, which is xanax. After 16 months, I’m finally now getting access to a psychiatrist here, and I’m going to advise what “I” want… not what new pill they want. I’m sure I won’t get it, but I want the Ketamine therapy as I want to try what I’ve researched to be a breakthrough for PTSD and trauma, and if refused, then I’ll ask, “and after 30+ years being a Guinea pig for your unhelpful pills, what’s the point of yet another one?” If I’m med resistant; have suicidal ideation, why TF would I want to continue such a useless cycle? If they’re not willing to listen to what I’m telling them for decades and that it’s time to try it my way, then what IS the point of continuing to “exist” this way; I can assure you that it’s NOT living! I’ll just suggest that if they don’t want to LISTEN, then let’s just stop everything, because I truly am done at this point. I can’t function, work, no income, no insurance - nothing, thus always public services that are obviously as basic as they can make it, so I highly doubt they will provide ketamine therapy when shitty useless pills are cheaper and easier to fuck you up worse; and at 59, I just can’t do that anymore… not too many years left, yet whatever I have left, I actually want to know what all the fuss is about what a “precious gift” life is, because I’ve never experienced it… I’ve just existed… Your comment about being 30% sad all the time I totally get… mine is about 99.9% living in fear - afraid of what, I’m not sure, but almost 60 years of it - yep, I’m done and over it. Something’s definitely gonna give soon, because I definitely have no desire to look forward to several more years of the same. I feel ketamine therapy is my last option, yet unaffordable, thus watching you, and Joe Rogan and innumerable wealthy guests discuss all their experiences with psychedelics and other therapies is interesting, yet also depressing as the majority of us simply can’t afford the basics, let alone the actual expense of something like psilocybin, ketamine, or ayahuasca and other psychedelic treatments… I’m happy for those that have the means to access them and wish them well; but the older one gets, the more one realizes just how little this country cares for its citizens well being… yet they ensure they receive the best free health care for themselves, for life… no other job provides one with lifetime benefits after they leave their jobs, and that’s the only reason most of our government officials even bother getting elected as it’s certainly not to help the country… 🤷🏻‍♂️

"We should be a conduit of joy to at least pass through...". I felt that wisdom.✨

Man you can totally see how Theo puts up his defenses by trying to control the conversation and keep people and himself from confronting the hurt he has. Totally wants to keep the pain as he has identified it as being a part of him and he values it even though it hurts him. I think a lot of comedians want and think they need to be in this emotional pain to stay funny.

To hell with that shit, they just gave it to me after a broken leg. I was completely convinced I was dead and I still have PTSD from it. I never believed in PTSD until now. I was literally a piece of yarn flying through the universe at light speed for 10 minutes hearing myself scream.

I just spent 20 days full time on ketamine for chronic pain. It was the roughest 3 weeks man. I was dissociating and seizures… but it worked. My psych said to just ride with it and not try to control it. Which helped A lot. I just went with it.

Thanks for posting this dude. I am in the same place you were, I have been taking SSRIs and SSDIs for over 30 years. Just recently stopped (with dr. approval) about 8 months ago. Going to have my first Ketamine treatment here soon and what you shared helps. Thanks! GG.

At my third ketamine treatment I had to ask myself Is this what it feels like to die ? Am I dying? And if I'm dying I think I'm okay with it . After that everything was better and it keeps getting better .

I'm glad you're talking about this and sharing your experience with a therapist on your podcast. I was curious about Ketamine and how it works for depression. I don't think I would try it. It scares me. I too am in recovery from trying to escape from painful experiences from childhood. I've been in therapy all my life and back and forth in recovery circles. Now I'm only in therapy and not sure what's next. I am not on antidepressents and haven't been for years but I know there is still something going on in me that I can't deny that needs to be worked out. Relationships alude me. I don't know how to connect or stay connected. Most of my relationships have faded away. It's tough sometimes to deal with the isolation and not feeling well is a constant. Hearing your struggle and listening to your guests help me not feel like I'm out there alone. I hope you get through your pain and on to great relationships. I feel like its over for me and I need to learn to be content and not worry so much about the future. I enjoy hearing you share and love your humor and humanity through your honest struggle. It grounds me somehow. Thanks. I too just want to be loved and love. I don't know why that is so hard to do. You're on a fast track to getting well while you're still young and have time to enjoy the flip side of life. I wish joy for you and for me too. The hope for Joy makes it all worth while. Like children playing without a care in the world. I want that too. I too am not feeling sorry for myself. I'm just talking out loud. Keeping it real...

Keep going man!! You're not compromising your sobriety, your reaching for happy, joyous and free!

Theo made me cry when he said he never got to tell his dad he loved him. I started ketamine therapy maybe 6 weeks ago and my dad passed away in January. I did tell my dad that I loved him right before he went to the hospital. I didn't treat him great over the past few years. I became distant and rarely had conversations that lasted longer than a few minutes. I totally regret just simply not talking with him and I regret not spending even small quality time with him.

Thank you for your honest and vulnerable approach to life. You help people by sharing your perspective, good on ya ✌

Theo Von is one of the most introspective and philosophical guys out there.

Ket therapy is big here in the UK especially on a Friday and sat night On another level though can really help you get into a flow state and figure things out like other psychedelics, disassociating yourself from your troubles whilst you figure these things out, for me it can be like lucid dreaming but I'm able to process more of what's going on

I have literally never been happier...ketamine saved my life

I know I’m late to this video but thank you for sharing this. I have treatment-resistant depression and anxiety that is definitely situational, so I am considering taking ketamine therapy. I know that deep inside there is strong childhood trauma that causes a ton of issues in my current life and I feel powerless to change. I have taken meds, done talk therapy, even TMS, but nothing has helped. I really hope Ketamine therapy can help re-wire my brain to not be so afraid to confront issues in my life. It continues to cause me immense pain to the point of my beard hair falling out and turning white at 26 years old.

Theo gone Full Swayze Bruh!

I’ve done it. It significantly reduced the negative chatter in my head but I don’t really think it decreased my depression.

I feel what he said about not being sure how he was going to be able to get back to his chair. My first at-home session, I disassociated from reality and my body so hard that I wasn't sure if I was going to come back. I'm hoping my second session is better.

Thanks for this Theo. I am about to start therapy myself and to hear about it from someone i listen to so often - huge. Thank you.

“We should be a conduit for joy to pass through”- Theo Von

Theo should become a ketamine therapist... He would help others not only focus on the experience, but rather "use the experience". Well said by my man, Theo V.

Starting medication for ADHD and anxiety/depression tomorrow. Have tried before but never really committed to it completely. Hoping it can help with my apathy and overwhelming desire to off myself everyday. Therapy will come later! Gang gang.

Ketamine snorkeling, it's a turf war out there. Gang gang boi

Theo's thoughts really speak to me. The things that got me off anti-depressants was..... 1. Coming to terms with a bad childhood in therapy 2. Learning to grieve my mental pain 3. Quitting caffeine and alcohol 4. 1 year of weekly EMDR sessions. 5. Quitting a well paid career that i actually hated and doing something that brought meaning to my life.

Great interview, Theo and Dr. Pooler, thank you. I'm curious, Theo, about the setting you were in and the ROA you used (was this IV infusion treatment with therapist present or Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) with IM or lozenges?) and also the dosage (sounds like a higher dose session?). I am a KAP therpist at Polaris Insight Center in San Francisco, and we have seen such a range of responses to the medicine that really varies among individuals. Whether someone is more inwardly-focused and silent during a session or more talkative CAN be due to personality factors as Dr. Pooler mentioned, and often it is dose-dependent, as well. With lower doses of ketamine ("psycholytic" sessions) patients report mild dissociation from body but that they still have access to their languaging capacities and are often engaged more in interpersonal processing with the therapist. With higher doses (psychedelic sessions) patients report moderate - full dissociation from body and transcending limits of time, space, body, and ego, and having Non-Ordinary States of Consciousness (NOSC) experiences, including Out of Body, Ego Dissolution (which CAN be challenging and scary but also liberating), and Mystical and Spiritual Experiences. In these sessions, patients are largely internally-focused and relatively silent, immersed in the music and journeying through their inner world. Both types of sessions can be healing. We believe specialized psychological understanding and training around elements of set, setting, preparation, and integration, and knowledge of working with and navigating NOSCs are essential for KAP. Understanding and appreciation of the different paradigms of healing by therapists/facilitators, including the medical, psychological, and transpersonal/shamanic paradigms, is important. So, I just wonder whether, if you had discussed more with your therapist in preparation session, explicitly around the range of responses that you may have (and that being silent and immersed in your inner world can be a good think and part of the healing), you would have been able to surrender more fully and trust that no matter how far out you went that you would return to your normal state of consciousness within 60 - 90 minutes. Also, capacity to surrender is often cultivated over the course of a series of sessions as one becomes more familiar with the medicine effects and how to orient to and navigate through the terrain.

Ketamine infusions pulled me out a dark hole in December of last year. I haven't been depressed since then.

Love that you’re talking ab this. Thank you I am looking into treatment.

I’m doing my first rapid detox off fentanyl & methadone in Michigan & also doing the 3 hour Ketamine IV infusion afterwards for chronic pain & depression. I have been using since I was 14 I’m 29 now & I know this isn’t a quick fix solution but it’s a huge help especially not having to battle the mental cravings and withdrawals. I have a lot of work ahead of me after my procedure this week.

Ketamine is incredible. I had ketamine in a non-medical setting last weekend (after a rave) and the past week is the first time I’ve been truly free from depression in 10 years. Antidepressants just reduce everything to such an extent that depression doesn’t effect you, but it’s still there. After ketamine I feel like my whole system of thoughts and outlook on life has changed to make me more resilient and open, like the cobwebs have been blown away. This is after one 80mg dose.

Hahaha “they will never find me” I had to laugh out loud. Currently microdosing ketamine and I wake up with so much passion for life. Nothing like the last 10 years. They may not find you, but you will find yourself. Thanks for the insight

Theo is a genuine guy which is why I chose to watch this.

Wonder why it affected him this way - I take ketamine in a medical setting twice a week for depression and the hardest I've tripped was my first visit and all I remember is my vision being flipped horizontally every .25 seconds or so, like, it was impossible to tell what was going on. That and mega nausea. It's no magic bullet for me, but it did bring my "default" mood from probably a 2, to around a 4. That's a lot of improvement for a couple hours twice a week. You also feel like you are glued to whatever you're sitting on, and moving takes a lot of concious thought -- almost like you have to try to move with a weighted blanket on. I do dissociate sometimes, and it feels like I'm sitting next to myself? It's weird.

"I was running by some turkeys at this park" lol sorry but that cracked me up .

very few people get this wonderful experience. it can be abosultely amazing with a good caring theropist/Doctor.

I had some amazing sessions that lasted a long time but definitely I felt after a few months that I needed to get another treatment. It definitely works and I feel it could last if done right. Too much to go into but profound experiences.

I've never seen Theo like this. Very humble and well spoken. He's plugged into the human condition just like a lot of us. Good content Theo👌

"Me, I'm always probly 30% sad." Insight most of us don't have. Good job shining that light and being okay with saying it out loud.

My dad had me at 25 but died at 48. So different from what Theo experienced but I nodded when he said I never got to a point where I could tell him I love him. For me I was just never mature enough to experience life with him the way I see it now. Now I always think man I wanted to have a real deep connection with him. Wanted to see him as a grandpa, wanted to have beers with him, more or less just to be around each other as a mature adult. I wish joy was an often thing too. It's rare so I notice it as an extreme. I even run up to my wife and say omg I feel so happy today this is crazy. I never realized how dull I've felt as the norm. That makes me sad tho too. Knowing deep inside I'm just here not living. Just existing. Im aware of it and keep working on it. Have to.

I started ketamine treatments a couple weeks ago but I used guided meditation while doing it. This has been vital for me to be able to get the full effects of healing.

After 30 years of chronic depression, I finally beat it with Ketamine therapy. Like you, Theo, I wanted to get off the doggone Wellbutrin anti-depressants I'd been on for decades. Other times I had tried to get off it, I felt so horrible that I'd start taking it again. This time, I decided to try micro-dosing with Magic Mushroom & Lion's Mane capsules 3 times a week. (I live in Mexico, and this stuff is available at my local farmer's market.) Doctors will tell you to wean off the anti-depressant, but they have no idea how difficult it is for most people. With micro-dosing, I sailed through the weaning-off process with NO side effects. It was like a miracle to me. I now feel like my authentic, happy childhood self again. I can't guarantee that micro-dosing will make the weaning-off process for others as easy as it did for me, but it's worth a try.

That very real moment of connection with beloved ones that are no longer here, I always reach it with 2cb-fly, it's painfully nostalgic and beautiful at the same time. I'm looking forward to try ketamine as well.

Psychedelics, MDMA and ketamine therapies have been suppressed for far too long. The early trauma resolution in a single MDMA session can be a virtual reset for your internal sense of security in the world. So glad it's been approved for the third stage of trials and excited to quit barely holding back the damn of my own emotions with the splintering wood of my own comedy. I've used the prop of the gangrenous hole through my chest as a schtick for long enough. Just need a nurse to pack some cotton in tight and walk it off. I'm excited to see what my next bit will be, just need a safe place to irrigate the gunk. Wonder how much the Sacklers will charge for the prescription rave roll.

Theo, I can relate to u, thanks for sharing

Man im in the same boat as you theo. Been in anti doressants since my dad died when i was 21 and i had to identify the body. And then clean his blood out of his car. Just something i cant seem to get rid of. I never told him how much he meant to me.

I Like how he stopped himself and said “I agreed to be kn it. Nobody takes accountability These days It’s always “their” fault Food Job theo! Thats why people love you

Great stuff I’ve been looking into trying this myself for PTSD and all that. Theo we go way back even though you may not even remember me with all the people you meet. I ran all the gyms for basketball for John Boudreaux when you played for Celtics. I came to see you in Shreveport when you were just starting comedy. I’m coming to your show in New Orleans and I’m excited!

Don’t be surprised that you feel a good amount of anxiety at first , because it gets much much better if you keeping going for treatments

Really enjoyed this brother.....thank you

"Do I need this forever" is the # 1 reason I quit medicine and ended up back on it 6 months later, with 2 additional diagnosis. And yeh we're on it forever. My depression never ended because it was bipolar 1, so anti-depressants now may be making it worse.

I had 6 sessions over 3 weeks, IV fed. I’ve never used ketamine recreationally, so I had no way of anticipating what it was going to feel like. I went in with no expectation of it working, but was not skeptical or pessimistic about it either. Just went in open and prepared to surrender to whatever was to come. For me I can say it definitely helped. But I’d also encourage anyone interested to tread lightly and do their due diligence before pursuing Ketamine therapy. For anyone predisposed to schizophrenia or with history of that in their family to perhaps steer clear. But obviously I’m no professional and you should always refer to one.

I've been on Prozac for almost 25 years. I tried several times to go off it and had no success. Thanks for the video I am considering this.

Love that - if u break your leg u don’t got to wear a cast for the rest of your life. Damn pharmaceuticals.

Working with Ketamine patients. I’ve seen so many miracles. It’s amazing to see people get their life back. Since 2010 so many people keep taking Rx drugs that make you flat and uncaring. It takes forever to get that crap out of your system.

This is what yoga does, albeit at a much slower rate and without drugs. It takes you into the places you don't want to look at and it shows you how to let those go. In time, you become peace through the process of realizing that those things are not you.

12:08 “Electronic land, sides of walls” lol

It's properly maddening that here in Sweden all of these therapies are still illegal, not to even mention the substances. I've been in and out of therapy and done all the pharmaceuticals for over a decade, and I'm getting fucking tired of it. One night I had an mdma and ketamine experience with my old friends, and it was better than all those years of therapy and drugs combined. In just 6 hours time. Absolutely incredible. And the effects still haven't worn off, and now it's 6 months later. The only problem was, I was caught by the police and taken to jail for carrying a small amount of ketamine a few days after. While I'm in jail, I read that they're going to consider ketamine for depression in Sweden... Thanks government, you fucking psychos! Just leave us alone you bastards!

My ketamine therapy was the Drum n Bass 🔊 room at any rave in NYC in the early 2000's.......crazy lights , floor was literally shaking, and filthy hard D&B helping my "therapy" sessions........every weekend........for years! 🤣😂 it's amazing my brain 🧠 still functions at 40

I don’t know mang... god and the 12 steps is where it’s at.. all this new age shit is just changing addictions. I’m about to take the leap off Methadone this week after being on it 8 years and weaning from 140mgs to 1-2mgs currently.. the fog is finally fading and I’m having amazing breakthroughs with just finally having faith.

Electronic stuff going past you like code type numbers makes you feel like we're all just machines. Saw code was super weird

Ketamine causes dehydration. You need to drink extra water . Also it cleans the liver of the ketamine.more water the day before, the day of the ketamine, and the day after.

Ketamine therapy helped my depression significantly

How do you go about getting Ketamine therapy? Nothing has helped my depression. I’ve spent the last 40 years in therapy being prescribed every anti-depressant under the sun. My mind, body, and soul are exhausted. I’m in dire need of assistance.

Great feedback thanks for sharing.

I find that when I am down if I do something charitable it helps. For example sometimes I will go food shopping and then give it all to the food bank. Go to a shelter and donate $100. It helps me. When looking for purpose I always come back to the thought that we are here to help others in need.

Ketamine is not a psychedelic and does not require a “trip” to work. This type of disinformation is very dangerous for the treatment. It works neurochemically. I have been doing this for 2 years and I am still in therapy but not during ketamine sessions. I have incredible breakthroughs during my therapy sessions because of the neuroplasticity caused by ketamine. The mechanism is not the same as MDMA or psilocybin. It rebuilds neural networks so yeah, you’ll probably have improved memory, cognitive function, mood and impulse control. That’s my experience and what I’ve discussed with my doctor at my ketamine clinic. This “clinician” is selling a false narrative about how and why ketamine works. HOWEVER, ketamine therapy has literally saved my life and I am a staunch advocate for those that provide the treatment in the proper way. It needs to be FDA approved and provided in clinics where people are monitored by physicians.

Ketamine is out of this world and stilll in the world. It feels like i can do anything understand anything. I vibe with it.

a great podcast with 2 great guys, just the seating setup is a bit not so conducive

Love you man... UK 🇬🇧

The chair will never find me in Castlevania

wasn't this guy in something like Road Rules on MTV?

I did about 20 treatments as a veteran, it was okay, definitely out of body disassociation and flying through space kinda stuff. I recommend doing it with a ketamine assisted psychotherapy. So a counselor in the room, otherwise it's just a psychedelic trip.

Yup, it feels like you're on a roller coaster yet not moving at all. I thought I was a molecule last infusion and things started to get dark but this memory came from outta the blue of my best friends moms Macaroni and cheese from back in the day saved me...her Mac n cheese was exceptional 😮

30% sad 😔 I feel that one.

Theo would be an incredible poet

I was NEVER happy to be coming back to the chair. I always felt a deep sense of sadness when I started to return.

Ketamine has changed my whole outlook on life.

Ketamine is kinda like taking all the major common recreational drugs all at once. It's a must for the spiritual warrior type

My ketamine experiences were similar to Theos. I had the experience of getting stuck too. It was uncomfortable. I also felt like I visited other planets and went on roller coaster and other types of rides. I also thought I overdosed at one point.

I just enjoy the way theo talks I can understand him lol