Dysthymia and psilocy...
 

[Solved] Dysthymic and psilocybin session: Is this possible with mirtazapine, quetiapine, losartan, amlodipine, and allopurinol?

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I suffer from dysthymic disorder. I have already received help from various psychologists and psychiatrists with different treatments and various antidepressant medications, but so far without results.
I am currently undergoing treatment with a psychologist, and she came up with the idea to see if psychedelic substances could help me.
Right, at the moment I am taking antidepressant pills: 30 mg mirtazapine and 25 mg quetiapine. Furthermore, for blood pressure I take losartan 50 mg and amlodipine 10 mg, and for gout allopurinol 300 mg.
Is treatment with psilocybin in combination with these medications possible at all, or are they incompatible?


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Dystyme and psilocybin

Psilocybin has received increasing attention in recent years, and there are growing studies into whether this substance, which is also found in magic mushrooms, can alleviate conditions including depressive disorders such as dysthymia. Dysthymia, also known as persistent depressive disorder, is characterized by a long-lasting, mild to moderate depressed mood that persists for at least two years.

Scientific research into psilocybin and its effects on depressive symptoms are promising. Studies have shown that psilocybin can contribute to reducing symptoms of depression through various mechanisms. One of the main ways in which psilocybin works is by stimulating the release of BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor), a protein that is crucial for the growth and maintenance of neurons. Elevated levels of BDNF are associated with improved neuroplasticity, which can help restore brain functions that are often impaired in depressive disorders.

In addition, has psilocybin anti-inflammatory properties, which may also play a role in the treatment of depressive symptoms. Research suggests that inflammation in the brain may contribute to the development and persistence of depressive disorders. By reducing this inflammation, psilocybin may potentially improve mood and alleviate the symptoms of dysthymia.

There are also indications that psilocybin activity in certain brain areas can change, which can lead to new perspectives and insights during therapeutic sessions. This can be particularly helpful for people with dysthymia, who are often stuck in negative thought patterns.

Psilcoybin with mirtazapine, quetiapine, losartan, amlodipine and allopurinol

Combining psilocybin with the medication you are currently using requires careful consideration and consultation with a medical specialist. Let's look at the various medications you mention in relation to psilocybin.

Mirtazapine:

This is an antidepressant that acts on various neurotransmitters, including serotonin. There is some concern about the combination of mirtazapine with psilocybin, because the use of serotonergic medication can affect the effects of psilocybin.

Research from 2022 did demonstrate that SSRIs, another group of medications with similar effects, are safe in combination with truffles. These new findings have suggested that TCAs such as mirtazapine could theoretically be safely combined with truffles and magic mushrooms. However, due to the lack of rigorous research, combining TCAs with psilocybin is currently still advised against.
 
Some individuals who use TCAs choose to taper off in consultation with their treating physician and wait a week before having a psilocybin session. Another option is to switch to an SSRI, as SSRI use and psilocybin are considered safe.

Quetiapine:

No specific studies have been conducted into the interaction between psilocybin and Quetiapine. It is possible that Quetiapine may reduce or influence the effects of psilocybin, but this has not been well studied. This is because Quetiapine blocks activity at various dopamine and serotonin receptors, while psilocybin primarily affects serotonin receptors.

To prevent interaction with psilocybin and a reduction in its effects, it is better, if appropriate, to taper off Quetiapine and wait at least 48 hours after the last dose before having a psilocybin session.

Amlodipine and Losartan:

Both medications are used to treat high blood pressure. Although no direct interactions have been reported between amlodipine and psilocybin, psychedelics can affect heart rate and blood pressure. This can be potentially problematic for people who are already taking medication for cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure. Specifically, psilocybin can slightly increase blood pressure at the beginning of a truffle session, while it often lowers it somewhat after the session.

For these reasons, it is often advised not to take blood pressure-lowering medications such as amlodipine for the use of psilocybin to take. This reduces the risk of fainting and fainting. However, the half-life of amlodipine is long, averaging about 30 to 50 hours. This means that it may take some time for the medication to completely disappear from the body.

To calculate when amlodipine is completely out of the body, the five times half-life rule is often used. This implies that it takes approximately five times the half-life for a medication to be considered completely eliminated. For amlodipine, this would mean that it can take about 150 to 250 hours for the medication to completely disappear from the body. This corresponds to about 6 to 10 days. For Losartan, the half-life is shorter, and simply not using it for two days is sufficient.

It is important to have your doctor assess whether having lower blood pressure after the psilocybin session could become a problem and whether this outweighs not using the medication for a few days.

Allopurinol:

This medicine is used for the treatment of gout and has no known interactions with psilocybin. Nevertheless, it is always good to verify this with your doctor.

 

Finally

Given the complexity of your medication and the potential interactions with psilocybin, it is crucial to have a detailed discussion with your treating physician during which you can review this text. They can best advise you based on your specific medical history and current medication. It is important never to stop medication abruptly without consulting a doctor, especially if you are taking antidepressants or antipsychotics.