Combinations - Taking SSRIs and Psilocybin

[TheCadaverousOne]

SWIM suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and is on Luvox(an SSRI) to relieve his symptoms. SWIM has been reading research that claims Psilocyben dramatically reduces OCD symptoms for months at a time. SWIM is worried about possible negative consequences that could result from mixing the two. If SWIY could share some insight, SWIM would greatly appreciate it.

[Nagognog2]

SSRI's will dampen the effect of psychedelics to a great extent. A good portion of how most common (an not so common) psychedelics work in the brain deals with serotonin. SSRI's diminish the serotonin available. So something like psilocybin will not have the desired effect.

Best to continue your research. Perhaps your monkey can find another approach.

[TheCadaverousOne]

But psilocybin is a seritonin receptor agonist. That means it activates the seritonin recepter independently of the neurotransmitter seritonin.

[Nagognog2]

Which means that they are busy like a switchboard overloaded. Hence psilocybin may get a few rings through - but remain largely ignored.

[raven3davis]

If you are willing to discontinue the use for a few weeks and try shrooms then maybe that would be worth a shot. Shrooms might be an alternative to ssri medications but SWIM does not think that is what you are looking to do.

SWIM would think shrooms could also do the opposite to someone with OCD. SWIM knows he and many other SWIMs have showed symptoms of loosing control and repetetive thoughts comparable to OCD. Shrooms might make you obsess over something meaningless for hours and have a horrible trip. On the other hand, SWIM also thinks if you just sit back and let the shrooms do their magic, it could make drastic changes in the way you think and help with the OCD. Just a thought, but it could go either way. If you had a bad trip you might start thinking obsessively about it but SWIM does not know if your OCD includes symptoms like that.

[Nagognog2]

"...but it could go either way..."

Or any and all points between. I reiterate: Try to find a different approach. At least for the time being. This is not a horse-race.

[Phungushead]

SWIM's roommate has pretty severe OCD (does not take SSRI's or anything
for it either)... now, for him psilocybin does relieve the OCD symptoms almost
totally. But not for months or any extended period of time, as soon as the
effects of the psilocybin wear off the OCD comes back. Great relief for him.
However, like said, just because that's the effect on him doesn't mean that
it'll be the same for everyone...

Sorry that didn't really answer any of your questions... just thought I'd
share that.

[Lehendakari]

shrooms have very powerful mood elevation properties when taken in small amounts for swim. I can definetly see its anti-depressive potential so I guess it would relieve or improve ocd and other disorders including anxiety and unipolar depression.

Swim has taken shrooms and paxil with no aparent harm but dosage was VERY low

[chemicaljustice]

SWIM used shrooms with venlafaxine(effexor) once. Half a normal dosage was used. The experience was very colorful, controlable and filled with euphoria. No negative side effects were experienced. SWIM used shrooms again later when he wasn't using meds anymore (same dosage) and found the experience much too strong with very heavy bodyload. SWIM thinks the combination should pose no physical threat and is probably very enjoyable.
Note: I wouldn't recommend combining SSRI's with any type of drugs as the effects are unpredictable (for the most part psychologically as one is most likely not to be mentally stable while on SSRI's). But if you do always start out with a low dosage and have somebody there to watch you.

Reputation Comments on this post:

good post