[Solved] Clonazepam and psilocybin?

Posted by: @Anonymous

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Is a psilocybin session possible if I use clonazepam?

Yes, a psilocybin session is possible after having used Clonazepam (other names for this benzodiazepine are Rivotril, Klonopin, Ravotril, Paxam, or Clonex). Benzodiazepines are known to inhibit the effects of psychedelics like psilocybin. Therefore, Clonazepam can lead to reduced effects of psilocybin, making it less effective. psilocybin session.

In consultation with your treating physician, you can explore whether tapering off the medication, and thereby achieving a stronger psilocybin effect, is possible. Given the half-life of 18–50 hours of Clonazepam, there will be no further interference after one to two weeks. Another option to discuss is switching to a shorter-acting benzodiazepine such as Oxazepam (Seresta) or Alprazolam (Xanax), and then refraining from using these medications for 48 hours prior to the psilocybin session. As a final option, you can of course choose to continue with the medication and then test how strongly psilocybin works.

More info: Psilocybin session | Combining medication and psilocybin

Combining psilocybin with clonazepam (or other benzodiazepines) is not without risk and can significantly affect the effects of psilocybin.

How does Clonazepam affect psilocybin?

Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine who works on the GABA system, whereby it has a calming, anxiety-reducing, and muscle-relaxing effect. Psilocybin works specifically through the serotonin system (5-HT2A receptors) and stimulates neuroplasticity and expansion of consciousness.

🛑 What happens if you take psilocybin while using clonazepam?

• Reduced effect of psilocybin – Benzodiazepines suppress the psychedelic experience. This can mean that you hardly feels anything, even at a higher dose.
• Less emotional breakthrough – Psilocybin works through, among other things, to release deep emotional processes, but benzodiazepines can block this.
• Reduced neuroplasticity – Psychedelics promote brain changes, but benzodiazepines can disrupt that process.
• Less anxiety, but possibly a flatter effect – If you get anxious easily from psychedelics, Clonazepam can dampen that. But because of that you might also be missing important insights or breakthroughs.

Is it safe?

⚠️ Physically, the combination is not immediately dangerous., but you do run the risk of a:

• Blunted trip (less effect than expected)
• Disturbed experience (emotions are not fully released)
• Unexpected interactions when suddenly stopping Clonazepam

💊 What if you want to temporarily stop taking Clonazepam?
🚨 NB: Abruptly stopping benzodiazepines can be dangerous and cause withdrawal symptoms (such as anxiety, insomnia, or even epileptic seizures).

• If you are considering to stop using psilocybin, Never do this without medical supervision..
• A safe decommissioning usually takes weeks to months, depending on the dosage and how long you use it.

What is sensible?

✅ Do you take Clonazepam daily? Then psilocybin will probably be much less effective.
✅ Do you use it occasionally, for example only for anxiety or insomnia? Then psilocybin can still work, but possibly less intensely.
✅ Do you want to experience psilocybin to the fullest? Then is Tapering off under the supervision of a doctor an option, but this must very careful and responsible to happen.

What a detailed overview of Marcel and Research. I would like to add a few further points based on actual people's experiences.

The core problem described by Marcel and Research is very important: benzodiazepines effectively block the psychedelic experience. This happens because clonazepam strengthens the GABA system (which dampens anxiety and tension), while psilocybin attempts to achieve the exact opposite—activating serotonin and expanding consciousness. This is literally the opposite.

What I want to add is what happens when you consider the step of tapering off, because that is what many people really want to understand. It is valuable to know that this has already been done by others. Someone with chronic anxiety described that after years of daily use of Clonazepam (which can be highly addictive), a truffle session helped him to delve deep into his anxiety and truly process it. This was not in conflict with his tapering period—it was actually the catalyst. He described feeling "lighter, with more inner peace" after the session."

Another important insight comes from someone with ADHD who also struggled with anxiety. This person was using a lot of medication (antidepressants, ADHD medication, sleeping pills) and felt chronically stressed and rushed. After a psilocybin session without tapering off all medication (they had only temporarily avoided certain medications), they reported feeling "peace and self-confidence" for the first time in years that was much deeper than anything benzodiazepines ever offered. She described: "In the weeks that followed, I felt more connected to my surroundings and a calmness that I, as someone with ADHD, rarely knew.""

A third case describes someone who suffered from trauma for years—with phobias, fear of being confined, and fear of losing control. This person previously felt constantly tense. But through a psychedelic session (LSD), she felt deep sadness release from her body and was finally able to feel "safety and security." Her description: "The tension I continuously experienced in daily life has resolved. Through secure attachment, I finally felt happy." This is exactly what benzodiazepines are supposed to do, but which psychedelics can achieve in a much deeper, more lasting way.

The key here is guidance. You do not want to taper off your Clonazepam yourself without professional support—that could indeed be life-threatening (Research is right regarding withdrawal risks). However, you can speak with your doctor and psychedelic therapist in advance about a careful tapering plan and a scheduled session. This gives you the benefit of both worlds: professional medical support for a safe taper, and professional psychedelic guidance for the session.

Sources:
https://tripforum.nl/recensie-truffel-therapie-marcel/truffel-sessie-tegen-depressie-en-angst-review/#post-841
https://tripforum.nl/recensies-ronald/2-geweldige-psilocibine-sessies-met-ronald/#post-2409
https://tripforum.nl/recensie-truffel-therapie-marcel/lsd-trip-ervaring-ontlading-bevrijding-veilige-hechting/#post-948