Your Complete Spravato Session Checklist
Before your first session — or your fiftieth — this checklist covers everything that makes the difference between a disorienting appointment and a therapeutically productive one.
Why preparation matters
Spravato (esketamine) induces a dissociative state that heightens sensory sensitivity and emotional openness. What you bring into that state — your music, your mindset, your physical comfort — shapes the entire experience.
Patients who arrive prepared consistently report more positive, more meaningful sessions. This checklist is built from the collective experience of Spravato patients and the clinical guidance of treatment providers.
Step 1
Before your appointment
Choose your music in advance
Do not leave this to the morning of your appointment. Download the LTS playlists or prepare your own instrumental playlist — no lyrics, emotionally appropriate, 90-120 minutes long. Having your music ready removes one source of anxiety on the day.
Charge your device and headphones
A dead battery mid-session is a real disruption. Charge your phone or music player and your headphones the night before. Download playlists for offline playback so you are not dependent on the clinic's WiFi.
Arrange your ride home
You cannot drive after a Spravato session — not until the following day. Arrange a ride with a trusted person or a rideshare service before your appointment. Do not assume you will feel fine to drive.
Eat lightly beforehand
Avoid a heavy meal for at least two hours before your session. Nausea is a common side effect of esketamine, and a full stomach makes it worse. A light snack two to three hours before is fine.
Wear comfortable clothing
You will be reclined in a chair for two or more hours. Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Layers are helpful — clinic temperatures vary.
Set your intentions loosely
Arrive with an open mind rather than fixed expectations. The first session is often more about orientation than breakthrough. Pressure to have a profound experience can itself become an obstacle.
Step 2
What to bring
Over-ear headphones
The single most important item. Over-ear headphones create an immersive sonic environment that blocks clinical ambient noise — HVAC, hallway sounds, other patients — and allows the music to serve as a consistent psychological anchor. Earbuds work but provide less isolation.
Your music, downloaded and queued
Have your playlist open and ready to play before you sit down. The LTS playlists are available on Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube Music at listenspravato.com/free-spravato-playlists. Download them for offline use.
An eye mask (optional but recommended)
Blocking visual input helps the brain turn inward during the dissociative state. Many patients find that an eye mask significantly deepens the experience. A simple sleep mask works well.
A light snack for after
The monitoring period lasts at least two hours. Having a small snack for afterward helps with grounding and re-orientation.
A journal (optional)
Some patients find it helpful to write briefly after the session while impressions are still fresh. A small notebook or your phone's notes app works fine.
Step 3
During your session
Put on your headphones before the dose
Get your music playing and your headphones on before the esketamine takes effect. Trying to set up your music after the dissociative state begins is difficult and disruptive.
Let the music guide you
Resist the urge to analyze or control the experience. Let the music carry you. If a track feels wrong, skip it — trust your instincts. The LTS playlists are sequenced to match the three phases of the session, so following them in order is a good default.
Keep your eyes closed
Visual input during the dissociative state can be disorienting. Keeping your eyes closed — or using an eye mask — helps the brain process internally rather than reacting to external stimuli.
Breathe slowly and deliberately
If you feel anxious or overwhelmed, slow deliberate breathing is the most reliable anchor. Inhale for four counts, hold for two, exhale for six. The music and your breath together are your two most powerful tools.
Step 4
After your session
Stay for the full monitoring period
You are required to remain in the clinic for at least two hours after your dose. Do not rush this. The integration phase — the gradual return to baseline — is itself therapeutically valuable.
Do not make important decisions
Avoid significant decisions, important conversations, or demanding tasks for the rest of the day. Your judgment and emotional state may be altered for several hours after the session.
Hydrate and eat something
Drink water and have a light meal or snack after the monitoring period. Grounding physical activities — eating, walking slowly, being in nature — help with re-orientation.
Reflect on the experience
If you journal, this is a good time to write down any impressions, images, or emotions from the session. These notes can be valuable to discuss with your treatment team or therapist.
Ready to choose your music?
The LTS playlists are free, curated specifically for Spravato sessions, and available on every major platform.