When preparing for an IV ketamine treatment at our Bend, Oregon clinic or a home oral ketamine treatment at home, most people focus on clearing out their work day and emotional readiness. But there’s another simple, powerful way to support your mind and body before treatment — exercise. Even gentle movement on the day of your infusion can help calm the nervous system, enhance mood, and optimize your body’s response to therapy.
1. How Exercise Prepares the Body for Ketamine Therapy
Ketamine works, in part, by helping the brain form new neural connections — a process known as neuroplasticity. Exercise also stimulates neuroplasticity, increasing the release of growth factors like BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) that promote brain healing and resilience. When combined, the two can work synergistically to strengthen the brain’s ability to reset and adapt.
In addition, exercise increases blood flow and oxygen delivery throughout the body, helping your cardiovascular system function efficiently. This can promote more even circulation during treatment, support optimal oxygen delivery to the brain, and help your body process the medication smoothly.
2. Exercise Helps Relax the Body Before Treatment
It might sound counterintuitive, but movement is one of the best ways to relax. Here’s why:
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Reduces muscle tension: Physical activity triggers the release of endorphins and natural muscle relaxants, which can reduce body tension and physical restlessness.
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Balances the stress response: Exercise lowers levels of cortisol and adrenaline — the “fight or flight” hormones — which can make the transition into a ketamine session calmer and more comfortable.
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Encourages mindful breathing: Activities like yoga, stretching, or a brisk walk promote slower, deeper breathing — helping you arrive to your session grounded and centered.
For many patients, light movement such as a short walk, stretching, or yoga before treatment can help settle the body and mind, making it easier to surrender to the experience.
3. Exercise and the Mind: Strengthening Mental Health Beyond the Infusion
Exercise is one of the most effective natural antidepressants available. Regular movement has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD, and to increase overall emotional resilience. Studies show that consistent physical activity can:
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Increase serotonin and dopamine, improving mood and motivation.
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Regulate sleep cycles, which are often disrupted in mood disorders.
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Decrease inflammation and oxidative stress, both linked to depression.
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Build confidence and strengthen the mind-body connection — reinforcing the sense of control and self-efficacy that supports ongoing recovery.
Many patients find that incorporating movement into their weekly routine helps extend and deepen the benefits of ketamine therapy. Exercise becomes another layer of healing — promoting neuroplasticity, improving self-esteem, and giving structure to the integration process that follows treatment.
4. Choosing the Right Kind of Movement
Before treatment, the goal isn’t to exhaust yourself — it’s to gently activate your system and release physical stress. Try:
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A 15–20 minute walk outdoors for fresh air and light exposure
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Gentle yoga or stretching to loosen muscles and calm the nervous system
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Breath-based exercise, such as tai chi or mindful movement
Avoid intense workouts right before your infusion, as they can leave you feeling dehydrated or fatigued. Please complete any exercise before your treatment session, as ketamine may temporarily affect your balance. Exercise should not be performed during or immediately after treatment.
5. Supporting Integration Through Movement
In the days following your treatment, light exercise continues to play a role in integrating the insights and emotional shifts that ketamine can bring. Movement reconnects you to your body, helps regulate mood, and encourages the grounded awareness that many patients describe as key to sustaining the benefits of treatment.
Exercise and ketamine therapy share a powerful common goal — to restore balance to both mind and body. Gentle physical activity before treatment helps relax the body, regulate stress, and prime the brain for the neuroplastic changes that ketamine can initiate. As part of a comprehensive wellness plan, movement becomes more than just a habit — it’s a form of self-care that amplifies healing.
Flow Wellness encourages patients to approach ketamine therapy as part of a holistic mental wellness plan that includes movement, nutrition, mindfulness, and ongoing support. If you’re preparing for a ketamine treatment, talk with your provider about how gentle exercise can fit safely and effectively into your treatment day.
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Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider for personalized medical advice. IV & oral ketamine treatments are not FDA approved and are used off-label.
