The Neurobiology of Dissociation
Dissociation isn't just a side effect of ketamine — it may be part of how the medicine creates therapeutic openings.
This page has been written and edited by the publisher. It has not been reviewed by a licensed clinician.
What changes during dissociation
- Default mode network: connectivity decreases — the "narrative self" quiets.
- Sensory cortices: become decoupled from association areas — input feels altered, distant, or symbolic.
- Thalamocortical loops: gating shifts, producing the characteristic perceptual changes.
Why this may be therapeutic
Reduced DMN dominance loosens habitual self-referential thinking. For many people, this creates space to see entrenched patterns from outside them — the cognitive analogue to the new synapses forming below.
Publisher and editor of Ketalux, based in Chicago, Illinois. Ira is a ketamine therapy patient, not a clinician. This is editorial review, not medical review: Ira is not a licensed clinician and does not provide diagnosis or medical care. Ketalux does not accept compensation from providers in exchange for favorable editorial coverage, evidence ratings, recommendations, patient referrals, or organic provider ranking. Read the full publisher disclosure →
Educational use only. The content on this page is provided for general educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Ketamine and related therapies carry risks and are appropriate only under qualified medical supervision. Always consult a licensed healthcare professional about your individual situation. Information may change as research evolves.