Anti Depresants and Psychodelics - Help please

[Joshua30]

I take a smal dose of Anti depressants to balance me out. Does anyone know if I can still get the benifits of mushrooms pr LSD while I take them?
Can anti-depressants stop me from opening my chakras. What are your feelings on the subject.

[armedia]

Originally posted by Joshua30:
I take a smal dose of Anti depressants to balance me out. Does anyone know if I can still get the benifits of mushrooms pr LSD while I take them?
Can anti-depressants stop me from opening my chakras. What are your feelings on the subject.Joshua -

I'm not chakra expert by any means, but I can speak to the question of antidepressants and psychedelics.

The current line is that SSRIs dampen the effect of most psychedelics. A partial explanation is that SSRIs boost pre- and extra-synaptic serotonin levels, and since the tradtional psychedelics compete with serotonin at the post-synaptic membrane, they have a harder time binding.

With non-SSRI a.d.s, the question is harder to answer, but certainly if you are taking an MAO inhibitor then any combination needs to be considered with extreme caution, or avoided altogether. MAOIs can potentiate many psychoactive drugs, even to dangerous levels.

So, two things to consider: find out more about the med you are taking before you consider taking anything else, and approach the psychedelic with caution, starting low and working toward larger doses on subsequent sessions.

None of this takes into account the reasons WHY you are taking an antidepressant in the first place. You say 'to balance me out'. I'm not sure what that means, but if you are truly depressed, psychedelics _might_ help you, but they could very well make you feel worse, so please be careful, do your research, and be sure to have a guide along to help with any difficult turns.

- Armedia

[protopeach]

Yes, I have to agree with Armedia. Psychedelics can allow you to have breakthrough experiences. But you must start gently and build up to larger doses.

HOWEVER, it's important to do it properly and with reverence. I always have somebody "straight" for me. That means, I trip and the other guy stays straight and watches over me. That way, if I get into a bad place, I have somebody to remind me that I'm tripping and the feeling won't last forever.

I used to trip irresponsibly and ended up breaking my leg because somebody got me high on mushrooms and decided I should play "Follow The Leader". So, my first few trips were wobbly because I did not have the proper context.

Terrence McKenna was right. Take them when you can be private and silent and in the dark. Have blankets, food and water available for when you come down. Have a trusted friend straight for you. And, if possible, do it outside at night. If you go in with a question or mission, you are more likely to have a fruitful experience.

Since I started using these sensible guidelines, I have had great trips that changed my life.

I send you my best wishes that you find what you need in life.
Protopeach

[PuristLove]

Something I've noticed, and this may be coincidence, or just my personal biochemistry, is that SSRI's increase the body load during the trip, while decreasing the mental and visual effects.

[Jerzy]

Hello Joshua and everybody,

I've suffered from depression for most of my adult life. I've been on Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Paxil, Remeron, and hundreds hours of psychotherapy. After my first intake of ayahuasca (the traditional brew: 25g of B. caapi and 25g of Psychotria viridis) I stopped taking my pills. Two months later I'm still antidepressant-free, and feeling better than ever. No need to say more... smile.gif