Two Hours, One Chair, and Permission to Be Comfortable.

One of the most common questions we hear before someone starts Spravato is simple: "What actually happens in there?" It's a good question. Not knowing what to expect is one of the biggest reasons people hesitate to try a new treatment, especially when they're already tired from years of trying things.

So here is an honest walkthrough of a Spravato session at Inner Journey,  and why we think the way a session feels matters just as much as what's in the device.

Why Comfort Belongs in the Treatment Plan

Medicine often treats comfort as optional. A hard chair, a bright overhead light, a waiting room TV playing something nobody chose. We see it differently. For people living with depression, especially those whose capacity for pleasure has been dulled, a calm, pleasant environment isn't a nice extra. It's part of the care.

There's a line of thinking sometimes called neo-hedonism that argues pleasure — real, grounded, sensory enjoyment — is worth taking seriously as a human good. We bring a version of that into our Spravato room. If your brain is being given a chance to register good experiences again, it helps to give it some good experiences to register: a soft blanket, quiet light, music you like, and people who aren't rushing you.

Before You Arrive

Spravato is given in-office, under medical supervision, and every session follows a safety program set by the FDA called REMS. A few practical things help sessions go smoothly. We'll ask you to avoid eating for about two hours beforehand and to avoid drinking liquids for 30 minutes before, since nausea is a possible side effect. You'll also need a ride home, because you can't drive or operate machinery until the next day after a restful night's sleep.

We also encourage you to think about what makes you feel at ease. Some people bring a favorite playlist and headphones, an eye mask, cozy socks, or a sweater. Some bring nothing and let the room do the work. Either is fine.

When You Get Here

We'll check you in, take your blood pressure, and ask how you've been since your last visit, how you're sleeping, how your mood has been, and whether you've noticed any changes, including small ones like enjoying something you'd stopped enjoying. Those small observations matter to us; they often show up before larger shifts in mood.

Then you'll settle into a reclining chair in a private, quiet treatment room. You'll self-administer the nasal spray under the guidance of our staff, usually in two or three devices spaced a few minutes apart. It takes only a few minutes.

The Two Hours After

This is the part most people are curious about. After dosing, you'll stay with us for at least two hours while we monitor you. It's a REMS requirement, and it's also, honestly, one of the most valuable parts of the visit.

During that time, many people notice changes in perception. Sounds may feel different, time may stretch, or you might feel a little detached or floaty. Others feel sleepy, a little dizzy, or briefly nauseated. Our staff checks your blood pressure and how you're doing throughout, and someone is always nearby.

We encourage you to let this time be restful. Lie back. Listen to your music. Close your eyes if you want to. You don't have to process anything, accomplish anything, or make it meaningful. For many of our patients, it becomes one of the few stretches in their week with no demands at all, and that alone can feel surprisingly good.

Before you go, we check in again to make sure you're steady, and then your ride takes you home.

What the Schedule Looks Like

Spravato follows a structured schedule. Typically, sessions happen twice a week for the first four weeks, then once a week for the next four, and after that weekly or every other week depending on how you're responding. Your care team reviews progress with you along the way so the plan fits you, not a template.

That rhythm can feel like a lot at first. Many patients come to think of it as protected time, a standing appointment where their only job is to rest and be cared for.

Coverage and Collaboration

Inner Journey offers in-network billing for Spravato with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana, PacificSource, and Aetna, and our team helps with the prior authorization process. If you already have a therapist or psychiatric prescriber you trust, you don't have to leave them; we're glad to collaborate so your care stays connected.

Treatment can be serious and still be comfortable. In our office, it's meant to be both.

Have questions about starting Spravato? Call 406-541-2012 or email connect@innerjourneyhealthcare.com. Learn more at www.innerjourneyhealthcare.com.

Education only, not medical advice. Spravato isn't right for everyone — talk with a qualified care team about your individual situation.