Can truffles be combined with methadone?

@leut 

Posted by: @leut

↑

Can magic truffles/mushrooms be combined with methadone?

It is strongly advised against combining opioids with psilocybin. However, little research has been done on the combination. methadone and psilocybin.

Methadone acts primarily on these (pain-related) receptors in the body:

• μ-opioid receptor (MOR)
• N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor
• κ- and σ-opioid receptors

Interaction with these MOR, NMDA, and opioid receptors is normally not a problem when using psilocybin. This is because psilocybin is primarily active on the serotonergic system, such as the SERT/5HT receptors. However, both methadone and psilocybin can interact with the serotonergic system and thereby increase the risk of serotonin syndrome:

• Serotonin-like activityMethadone can increase serotonin-like activity at the synaptic level through direct action on postsynaptic membranes, thereby mimicking the activity of serotonin. It can also release serotonin via an unknown opioid-mediated release process.
• Interaction with serotonin transporters (SERT): In studies with SERT-transfected human HEK293 cells, the synthetic opioids tramadol, meperidine inhibited, methadone, tapentadol and dextromethorphan the serotonin transporters. Influencing these serotonin transporters can inhibit the reuptake of serotonin.
• Interaction with 5HT receptors: Receptor-ligand binding assays demonstrated an interaction of meperidine, methadone, and fentanyl with 5-HT2A receptors and, to a lesser extent, with 5-HT1A receptors. These are also the receptors to which psilocybin binds.

Is the overlap of receptor activity between methadone and psilocybin a problem?

Methadone affects the serotonergic system, and therefore the use of psychedelics such as psilocybin, LSD, and MDMA is advised against until the harmful effects have been better researched. Serotonin syndrome is what we aim to prevent with this. In theory, the risk of serotonin syndrome is low when psilocybin is used in combination with methadone, but methadone will reduce the intensity of the trip (due to the inhibition of SERT), just as with SSRIs and SNRIs.

We do not wish to make a statement regarding whether it is safe to combine methadone and psilocybin. It is best to consult your treating physician, who can better assess your situation. Furthermore, the use of psychedelics such as magic truffles and psilocybin mushrooms is often accompanied by altered consciousness and intense emotions. This can be particularly stressful for people using methadone as part of their addiction treatment. We believe it is better to complete this treatment and taper off the medication before transitioning to psilocybin treatment.

More about: Psilocybin | Psychedelics and medicines