14 February 2019 23:32
Topic starter
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I am taking Citalopram on the recommendation of my psychiatrist. I am walking around like a numb zombie now, and that actually makes me even more depressed, but strangely enough, I can live with it. I have started looking for a better solution for this numbness! I don't think this will eventually help me anymore either. Can I still do a trip therapy session with you, since I know that this medication and drugs don't mix well? Help me! #desperate
2 Answers
1
15 February 2025 21:52
There are now new studies showing that SSRI and psilocybin We can safely be together, but the effects of the trip are slightly less intense. Here is the message we wrote about it.
The old advice about combining psilocybin with antidepressants
In general, the combination of psychedelics such as psilocybin, MDMA and LSD with psychoactive medication is advised against. In a number of cases, the combination can be harmful to health, and in other cases, it is done out of caution. While filling out the intake via our site, I came across this message:
Please note! Fill out the form below if you do not have one of the following contraindications.
– Pregnancy
– Schizophrenia
– Borderline
– Psychosis susceptibility (or history of psychosis)
– Severe blood pressure/heart problems
– Brain hemorrhages
Furthermore, the following medications cannot be combined with psychedelics:
– SSRI, SNRI, TCA and MAO inhibitors (serotonergic medication)
– Lithium
– Benzodiazepines (Valium, Oxazepam, XANAX, etc.)
– Heart and blood pressure medication
– Opioids (tramadol, morphine and codeine)
Never stop taking your medication abruptly, but consult your doctor. who prescribes that medication to you. In some cases, you can taper off and then, two weeks after tapering off, still fill out the form and start your process.
According to the schedule below, we previously advised against the combination of SSRIs and psilocybin because it would reduce efficacy and make outcomes unpredictable.
SSRI and psilocybin
New studies now show that combining SSRIs and psilocybin can indeed be done safely. From the schematic results, it can be deduced that there is not much difference between placebo with psilocybin and esitalopram with psilocybin. In general, however, it can be stated that a slightly greater effect is achieved when no SSRI is used, and that the effects of psilocybin also kick in sooner without an SSRI. Furthermore, there is no difference in the increase of BDNF, the neurotrophin responsible for neuroplasticity. The flattening of emotions caused by the SSRI can also result in negative and positive feelings being experienced less intensely, which can be both an advantage and a disadvantage.
Read the here full investigation
So no more tapering off SSRIs before a psychedelic session?
Therefore, there is no real need to taper off SSRIs. In the past, we have helped many people after they had tapered off their SSRIs. A large number of these individuals stopped taking the medication after the session, and that seems better to us than continuing to use the medication. From now on, you may therefore choose for yourself whether to continue using SSRIs or to use the psychedelic session as an opportunity to try to live medication-free. If you wish to taper off the medication, please ask your treating physician how best to do so in your specific case. Consequently, as of June 2022, we are also admitting people who use SSRIs.
Undergo a psilocybin session?
You can sign up for our services via the intake. We will then check if you can safely undergo a session and provide advice regarding the dosage. After that, it is possible to reserve a date for your session.