As someone who has used an SSRI for 25 years to ward off depression, I'm always puzzled by articles on psychedelics for depression that mention SSRIs but fail to discuss the challenge we, who use them, have - that we have to stop our SSRI's to use most psychedelics.
I suspended my SSRIs for several weeks before trying psilocybin therapy, and the result was that some weeks after the therapy, I fell back into a deep depression.
I would like to hear about any research being done to determine if stopping SSRIs is really necessary. I know of one such study - done in Switzerland, regarding very short term use of Lexipro (I believe). Are there others?
I was on an SSRI for a short period of time many years ago. I was going through a divorce and felt very anxious and depressed. The SSRI didn't get rid of the depression. It just removed me from it, but my life experience didn't change. I was still very sad about losing my best friend.
I believe psychedelics can have a major role in reducing depression but not as it's being used in the new world of psychedelic therapy seen today. Herzberg is the first person I've heard in this conversation addressing psychedelic treatments within the Pharma capitalist system. The problem isn't always chemical and in fact, I believe the brain chemistry is altered by our life experiences. The problem is most likely societal and that's why people have depression. I was hopeful for the re-emergence of psychedelics because if enough of us changed the way we see the world around us, we could change it. It's been disheartening to see Wall Street take the lead. The saddest part is seeing people within the psychedelic scientific community not see the problem with that.
I have successfully used both IV Ketamine and Nasal Esketamine (brand name Spravato) to treat my depression and PTSD. I also take an SNRI. SSRI's didn't work for me. I have done some other psychedelic treatments, but Ketamine has been the most effective. My history includes severe trauma going back to childhood. I have also been on a journey with a Kundalini awakening that happened initially when I was 16 years old, 51 years ago. I work with the wonderful Dr. Edgar Celis who has a practice in San Rafael, California. I live in Berkeley, but was not able to secure a good provider in the East Bay. I have documented my treatments with video and am happy to share them for educational purposes. While not a cure, these treatments have saved my life. I publish my own work as a fine artist and healer on this forum.
That was strong truth-telling. I was going to say "awesome", but Hertzberg laid out in a clear way how non-awesome reality is, compared to the advertised experience.
As a provider who used to offer ketamine, I have become very disheartened by the direction psychedelic therapy is going (the direction of profit and maintaining the power structure of behavioral health). I've written a blog post about the "Shadow Side of Psychedelic Therapy": https://aromagnosis.com/2021/08/25/the-shadow-side-of-psychedelic-therapy/
The interviewee’s tone came off as overly dismissive and eager to advance an agenda. I don’t doubt Prozac has issues. But no way someone on team prozac takes these words seriously, which imo should be a major consideration.
As someone who has used an SSRI for 25 years to ward off depression, I'm always puzzled by articles on psychedelics for depression that mention SSRIs but fail to discuss the challenge we, who use them, have - that we have to stop our SSRI's to use most psychedelics.
I suspended my SSRIs for several weeks before trying psilocybin therapy, and the result was that some weeks after the therapy, I fell back into a deep depression.
I would like to hear about any research being done to determine if stopping SSRIs is really necessary. I know of one such study - done in Switzerland, regarding very short term use of Lexipro (I believe). Are there others?
It is not necessary to stop your SSRI medication to receive Ketamine treatment.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00213-022-06083-y
This study does not directly address the question of stopping SSRIs, but I found it to be useful.
I was on an SSRI for a short period of time many years ago. I was going through a divorce and felt very anxious and depressed. The SSRI didn't get rid of the depression. It just removed me from it, but my life experience didn't change. I was still very sad about losing my best friend.
I believe psychedelics can have a major role in reducing depression but not as it's being used in the new world of psychedelic therapy seen today. Herzberg is the first person I've heard in this conversation addressing psychedelic treatments within the Pharma capitalist system. The problem isn't always chemical and in fact, I believe the brain chemistry is altered by our life experiences. The problem is most likely societal and that's why people have depression. I was hopeful for the re-emergence of psychedelics because if enough of us changed the way we see the world around us, we could change it. It's been disheartening to see Wall Street take the lead. The saddest part is seeing people within the psychedelic scientific community not see the problem with that.
I have successfully used both IV Ketamine and Nasal Esketamine (brand name Spravato) to treat my depression and PTSD. I also take an SNRI. SSRI's didn't work for me. I have done some other psychedelic treatments, but Ketamine has been the most effective. My history includes severe trauma going back to childhood. I have also been on a journey with a Kundalini awakening that happened initially when I was 16 years old, 51 years ago. I work with the wonderful Dr. Edgar Celis who has a practice in San Rafael, California. I live in Berkeley, but was not able to secure a good provider in the East Bay. I have documented my treatments with video and am happy to share them for educational purposes. While not a cure, these treatments have saved my life. I publish my own work as a fine artist and healer on this forum.
That was strong truth-telling. I was going to say "awesome", but Hertzberg laid out in a clear way how non-awesome reality is, compared to the advertised experience.
What an insightful series of answers.
Really useful.
As a provider who used to offer ketamine, I have become very disheartened by the direction psychedelic therapy is going (the direction of profit and maintaining the power structure of behavioral health). I've written a blog post about the "Shadow Side of Psychedelic Therapy": https://aromagnosis.com/2021/08/25/the-shadow-side-of-psychedelic-therapy/
The interviewee’s tone came off as overly dismissive and eager to advance an agenda. I don’t doubt Prozac has issues. But no way someone on team prozac takes these words seriously, which imo should be a major consideration.