Combinations - Mushrooms and SSRIs

[pacamohu]

I am just wondering if taking mushrooms and while prescribed to an SSRI (such as Lexapro) is Dangerous.
I know that it is dangerous to take certain things while on an SSRI
Does anyone have any personal experience or knowledge on the subject?
Also, swim who would be taking this is only prescribed 2.5 mg (daily)
if that matters at all.

Thanks

Happy New Years tomorow

[Phungushead]

Generally, taking mushrooms while on an SSRI will weaken/alter your trip
a little. You definitely do not want to stop the SSRI to trip and then start
it up again either.

[blockhead]

SWIM takes 150 mg of Zoloft a day and has tripped shrooms twice. SWIM has eaten a 1/16 oz and 2 g and did not trip very hard. SWIM is wondering how many g he should take for a good trip. SWIM is not sure of the quality of the shrooms around here.

[Nature Boy]

As an SSRI, Zoloft can greatly reduce the strength of a trip. SWIM would suggest waiting until one has stopped using Zoloft before they decide to use magic mushrooms.

[blockhead]

Originally Posted by Nature Boy

As an SSRI, Zoloft can greatly reduce the strength of a trip. SWIM would suggest waiting until one has stopped using Zoloft before they decide to use magic mushrooms.

SWIM is not planning on stopping soon. Is SWIM just wasting their money buying shrooms?

[Nature Boy]

More than likely, yes. One could consider upping the dose but that may carry some risks.

[blockhead]

Originally Posted by Nature Boy

More than likely, yes. One could consider upping the dose but that may carry some risks.

How far should SWIM that weighs 160 lbs. eat for a good trip?

[nonee_desul]

Swim would like to add on to this question: how would it take after one has gone off their ssri's for the trip strength to return to normal?

[Zee]

In reference to the previos post:

Swim would like to add on to this question: how would it take after one has gone off their ssri's for the trip strength to return to normal?

Two weeks should be enough time for the tripper's serotonin system to return to a baseline or until the withdrawl effects disappear.

[barrett092]

SWIM is thinking about taking some shrooms but is worried about a few things:

1. Swim aison both clonzepan and lexapro and am wondering if it will affect me.

2. Is it possible to take shrooms just for a body high? If so how much

3. Will swims anxiety highten during the trip?


THANKS!!!

[Nagognog2]

SSRI medications can block much of the effects of psychedelics. And benzodiazepines mitigate them somewhat. So yes to that. Regards anxiety - if one is feeling anxious prior to taking a psychedelic, this effect may be magnified. One should always wait for a calm and peaceful frame of mind (and surroundings) before choosing to embark.

[barrett092]

Considering everything you said, SWIM was wondering how much SWIY usually consume of magic mushrooms to just get a body high?

[upperdecker]

Originally Posted by barrett092

SWIM is thinking about taking some shrooms but is worried about a few things:

1. Swim aison both clonzepan and lexapro and am wondering if it will affect me.

2. Is it possible to take shrooms just for a body high? If so how much

3. Will swims anxiety highten during the trip?


THANKS!!!

Definitely don't take the Lexapro for a day or two and then take them. SWIM has had experience with SSRI's and shrooms and the shrooms did absolutely nothing at all from the SSRI's. SWIM doesn't know about the Clonazepam, that probably wouldn't effect the trip. Might make it more intense or something though.

[fnord]

a half to a full gram should be fine for a body high/light trip.but no one can say for sure.the potency of mushrooms vary greatly from strain to strain

[Remedy]

Read about vistaril here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vistaril

Basically its an anti-anxiety medecine that is to be taken for panic attacks and whatnot. SWIM wants to try shrooming while on it because swim's last try was unpleasant for a very simple reason that swim has an extraordinary talent of inducing anxiety attacks on himself.

The question is, is there any danger mixing SSRIs and psylocibin? Shouldn't be, but just checking with the pros.

No one has tried anti-anxiety medication?

[SkullPlot]

I believe many have tried it. I do not believe many have tried it in combination with 'shrooms'.

I'm guessing SWIY will attempt it anyways so maybe you can write out SWIY's experience for SWIY here for any future reference?

SWIM says they popped two (total of 50mg) just a minute ago for the first time and I will document their experience in this post for you if you'd like... Currently SWIM says they can feel a real sense of calmness and relaxation (10 minutes have passed).

That effect is either the knowledge of it's anti-anxiety and just placebo for now or the vistaril kicks in fast.

[Synesthesiac]

Someone who isn't me has been put on an SSRI and has been on for about a week. He's also got the chance to try magic mushrooms (psilocybe) for the first time in a few days. But he's wondering if the SSRI will blunt the effects, or if it will work the same as it would normally. He's presuming that since shrooms effects are related to serotonin function (in some way unknown to swim) that the effects will be changed by his SSRI.

So, any ideas about what different type of effect swim might experience if he does try it? Or should he avoid even trying it at all? Swim is experienced with psychedelics so is not scared of a bad trip as such even with his depression.

Any advice appreciated.

[Potter]

Yes, SSRI will blunt the tripp. Since you've only been on them a week, you can choose to stop for a few days and let them flush, or hold off on the mushrooms. Why are you taking an SSRI? What has your mental state been like recently? Are you willing to hold off on the medication for 4 or 5 days?

Don't mix them, it won't be worth it. Even a large dose of mushrooms will only get mediocre results.

You can always pick them up and put them away. Put them in a box with some silica gel packets and they'll keep for some time. Give your self a few months and plan out a block of time you can stop the meds for a bit.

Reputation Comments on this post:

You SO know what you're talking about

[Synesthesiac]

What has your mental state been like recently? Are you willing to hold off on the medication for 4 or 5 days?

Things is that swim already layed off his medication twice so he could use some methylone, some MDMA and some mephedrone. Even then their effects were still blunted. So swims gonna stick to his meds and save the shrooms for a few months until he decides if the effects of SSRI's are for him or not. Stopping and starting so many times is just gonna end up with swim never finding out if SSRI's are gonna help him or not.

He's gonna have to be patient with this one. But thanks, swim suspected that tripping on shrooms while on a SSRI would not work.

And if anyone reading this has tried this combination, please post what happened. I would be interested to see which certain aspects the SSRI blocks and which aspects of the trip will remain. It surely will not block everything.

Originally Posted by Potter

Why are you taking an SSRI?

Depression, social anxiety, lack of motivation, depersonalisation, .... I better stop. Lets just say general depression.

[Decstar]

Originally Posted by Synesthesiac

Things is that swim already layed off his medication twice so he could use some methylone, some MDMA and some mephedrone. Even then their effects were still blunted. So swims gonna stick to his meds and save the shrooms for a few months until he decides if the effects of SSRI's are for him or not. Stopping and starting so many times is just gonna end up with swim never finding out if SSRI's are gonna help him or not.

He's gonna have to be patient with this one. But thanks, swim suspected that tripping on shrooms while on a SSRI would not work.

And if anyone reading this has tried this combination, please post what happened. I would be interested to see which certain aspects the SSRI blocks and which aspects of the trip will remain. It surely will not block everything.

Depression, social anxiety, lack of motivation, depersonalisation, .... I better stop. Lets just say general depression.

SWIY really shouldn't be experimenting with so many mind altering drugs especially considering his mental state. Has SWIY considered that maybe it is all the drugs that are making him depressed in the first place? All mind altering drugs interfere with the natural biochemical processes of the brain in some way.

Also SWIY should not be stop-starting with SSRIs in such a way without proper medical advise. SSRIs are powerful drugs and starting and stopping in such a way could lead to mood swings which can often be of a violent or suicidal nature. SWIM is actually talking from personal experience and he is glad he got off SSRIs, although they might work for some people. Although SWIM is not medically qualified, he would recommend trying psychotherapy first and only use SSRIs as a last resort. There is quite a high success rate for treating SWIY's condition with this method. But if SWIY is going to take SSRIs, he should follow his doc's advice about dosage and how and when to come off them. SWIY might be interested in the following links:
http://www.naturalnews.com/antidepressant_drug.html
http://www.naturalnews.com/020394.html

[Lady Codone]

SWIM has mixed the two with no ill effects. I would NOT recommend quitting or taking a "break" from your SSRI for the sake of a trip, as the withdrawals from quitting SSRIs could cause serious mental/emotional issues to surface even without shrooms.

Most people who've been on SSRIs for more than a couple weeks report HORRENDOUS withdrawal effects upon quitting (myself included), so it's like asking for a bad trip in a way. Whether or not you feel like you need the SSRI in the first place has little to do with it, as even perfectly sane, stable people often experience things like suicidality, violent outbursts, feelings of "losing control" and other effects when quitting SSRIs. Add a hallucinogen into the mix and it could be a recipe for disaster.

SWIM would suggest maintaining SWIY's regular dose of SSRIs and taking the shrooms as far apart from the SSRI dose as possible. The ability to experience a strong trip will still be there...any weakening of the trip will be minor, if present at all.

Reputation Comments on this post:

very good safety advice regarding ssri withdrawls.

[10001110101]

i say nay. no experience personally with shrooms and ssri.

but i have taken an ssri, i absolutely do not recommend it, you might be one who benefits with little ill effect or you could end up just being a total headcase (w/d can make swiy a nervous wreck)

also i found that almost every intoxicating substance became less enjoyable and indeed slightly weird, i preferred to stay sober and clear headed as i was happier that way, it's not like you can't get a buzz, but it's like the buzz isn't deep, it's shallow and numb.

tryptamine psychedelics (mushrooms, lsd, dmt) are serotonin analogues and act on the 5ht-2a receptor (serotonin 2a receptor), i dont know exactly how ssri's interact with this receptor but i imagine they increase activity at it across the board. essentially you probably have a downregulated response at this receptor blunting the effects of psychedelics due to the ssri.

boiling it down:

psylocybin is a molecule that looks almost exactly like serotonin, and the body treats it as such, so essentially you are getting a megadose of exogenous serotonin that are specific to one type of receptor present throughout the brain causing all of the effects of psychedelics.

if you notice at the end of a trip you have that "still glass water" clarity and extreme peace of mind, that reminded me of prozac distinctly, that worry free sense of clarity and transparency.

so i'm thinking effects will be blunted. but you might trip balls. who knows really. let us know hwat happens

[Man5onite]

Nay.
Little to no effect for Swim...

[ianzombie]

SWIM has taken Shrooms while on Lexapro several times without any unwanted side effects. SWIM has noticed that the effects of the Shrooms are not as intense but that was all. But remember that we are all different, our bodys all react to medications and drugs in different ways.

SWIM would not recommend anyone taking SSRI medication to take ANY drugs unless they are in a good head space, and especially not if they have only recently started taking SSRI medication.

People don't take SSRI's recreationally, your on them for a reason and until you have managed to stabilise your condition (if possible) to a comfortable level ingesting drugs is not a good idea, you don't want to have any set backs or risk your mental health.

SWIM definitely does not recommend anyone stops taking any SSRI medication they have been prescribed so they can Trip/Roll, most SSRI medication takes a couple of weeks before its positive effects can be felt and you risk setting yourself back and ruining any benefits it has had.

Depending what reason you take the medication for in the first place you might be better off postponing any planned Trips.

[Coconut]

Originally Posted by ianzombie

SWIM definitely does not recommend anyone stops taking any SSRI medication they have been prescribed so they can Trip/Roll, most SSRI medication takes a couple of weeks before its positive effects can be felt and you risk setting yourself back and ruining any benefits it has had.

This is true, but an equally important point is that many anti-depressants (especially SSRIs/SNRIs) are known for their horrific withdrawal symptoms. Missing one dose of a drug with a short half-life, such as venlafaxine, can induce withdrawal.

Trust me, nobody wants to experience this.