1 April 2024 18:34
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Can paroxetine be used for a truffle ceremony?
Yes, recent scientific research shows that there is no increased risk of complications such as serotonin syndrome when using SSRIs for a truffle ceremony. A truffle ceremony with psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms/truffles) has been found to be safe if SSRIs are used before the truffle ceremony, including Citalopram (Cipramil), Escitalopram (Lexapro), Fluoxetine (Prozac), Fluvoxamine (Fevarin), Paroxetine (Seroxat), and Sertraline (Zoloft).
The sedative effect of SSRIs such as paroxetine on the truffle ceremony
Scientific studies suggest that combining SSRIs with psilocybin during the truffle ceremony the effects of psilocybin would diminish, but that combining SSRIs with psilocybin does not result in dangerous interactions. Although SSRIs may slightly reduce the effects of the truffle ceremony, it appears that the therapeutic effects of psilocybin are still present, albeit possibly less intense. While more research is needed to understand the exact interaction between SSRIs and psilocybin, we can state that the emotional response and depth of the trip are slightly reduced.
Stopping the SSRI for the truffle ceremony?
If you are currently using SSRIs and are interested in using truffles or magic mushrooms, it is important to discuss this with your treating physician. You can discuss whether tapering off psilocybin, and thereby achieving a stronger effect from the psilocybin trip, is more important than the withdrawal symptoms caused by tapering off the SSRI. A choice must be made from the following three options because a psilocybin session is less effective if withdrawal symptoms are present, such as dizziness, nausea, headache, fatigue, mood swings, or electric shocks:
- No psilocybin session, but choose other forms of therapy (EMDR, CBT, etc.)
- Continue taking the SSRI medication and accept the potential reduced effect of psilocybin, or try a higher dosage during a possible second psilocybin session.
- Taper off the SSRI (in consultation with a doctor) and do a psilocybin session after the withdrawal phase.
It is always important to ask your treating physician for advice regarding your specific situation. At Triptherapie, we do not provide medical advice, but you can discuss our non-medical suggestions.
More info: Psilocybin and SSRI | Truffle ceremony
1 Answer
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3 November 2025 12:10
This is indeed an important consideration for anyone using antidepressants and interested in a truffle ceremony. It is essential that the decision regarding whether or not to continue paroxetine is made in close consultation with the treating physician.
Experiences regularly emerge from practice involving participants who have adjusted their medication for a ceremony. One person who stopped taking paroxetine a few weeks before the ceremony under the supervision of a doctor reported that depression and anxiety disorders did indeed return during that period. This underscores the importance of preparation and guidance. However, the same person noticed significant improvements in both symptoms after the ceremony, suggesting that psilocybin can indeed be of therapeutic value for some people—even after discontinuing SSRIs.
Regarding serotonin syndrome, the existing scientific evidence is reassuring: studies have shown that there is no increased risk of this complication when SSRIs are used together with psilocybin. This therefore makes paroxetine relatively safe in combination with truffles, although the effectiveness of the truffle ceremony may be reduced.
The choice between continuing paroxetine or tapering off before the ceremony should be based on various factors: the current stability of your condition, the reason why you are interested in the ceremony, and your personal wishes and goals. It is not strictly necessary to stop, but it is important to carefully weigh what is best for your health.
Related review:
https://tripforum.nl/review-janneke/truffle-ceremony-schiedam-august-26-2023/#post-1066