Can I take microdoses if I am taking antidepressants?

Can I take microdoses if I am taking antidepressants?

The question of combining antidepressants and microdosing is a common one. A significant number of people are attracted to this practice because of the reported benefits of microdosing in reducing symptoms of depression. Many people hope to use microdosing to avoid, reduce or stop taking antidepressants.

While it is beyond the scope of this article to extensively delve into the science of why psychedelics are effective in treating symptoms of depression, it is important to note that most psychedelic drugs work by binding to serotonin receptors in the brain and triggering a process of neuronal avalanching similar to the domino effect of intense neural network activity in the brain. This mechanism is similar to how many modern antidepressants, namely SSRIs, work by binding these receptors.

Excessive stimulation of serotonin receptors can be risky and, in extreme cases, serotonin overload can lead to a fatal condition called'serotonin syndrome'. Therefore, it is generally not recommended to mix most psychedelic drugs with pharmaceutical antidepressants. With this in mind, a serotonin injection from a true microdose is unlikely to be sufficient to cause serious risk, instead, in most cases, combining antidepressants with microdosing negates the benefits of microdosing and has no tangible effect.

Although most antidepressants show the opposite interaction, there are categories of antidepressants that do not and can be safely combined with microdosing practice under the care of a psychiatrist. Many clients choose to work closely with their doctor to safely engage in microdosing practice as a way to reduce or eliminate antidepressants. Not all individuals are good candidates for this approach. Below is a brief overview of the different types of antidepressants and potential risk factors in combination with the most commonly microdosed substances psilocybin and LSD:

Can I microdose SSRI drugs?

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly prescribed drugs for depression and many other psychiatric disorders. This category includes Prozac, Lexapro and Zoloft, among others. Because this class of drugs works by modifying the uptake of serotonin in the brain, theoretically combining with psychedelics may be associated with a risk of serotonin syndrome, although no reported cases were identified in our study. New studies are beginning to emerge that challenge this understanding. Until we better understand how this class of drugs interacts with psychedelics, it is recommended that this combination be avoided or only used under professional care. Can I microdose SNRIs? Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are a class of antidepressants that work by increasing serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain. As with SSRIs, we do not yet fully understand their interaction with psychedelics. Cymbalta and Effexor XR are two examples of drugs in this class. According to anecdotal reports, they are more likely to reduce the effects of psychedelics than cause serious harm. If you are currently taking an SNRI and are considering working with psychedelics, it is best to make sure you do so under professional care and guidance. Can I microdose MAOIs? Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are a class of drugs sometimes prescribed for depression. They increase levels of monoamine neurotransmitters (dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine) by preventing their breakdown in the brain. Nardil and Parnate are the two most commonly prescribed MAOIs. Because MAOIs also alter serotonin levels in the brain, combining them with high doses of psychedelics is not recommended. As with SNRIs, combining with a microdose is unlikely to have any measurable effect. Can I microdose NRIs or NDRIs? Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (NRIs) and norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs) are a class of drugs commonly prescribed for depression and anxiety. They work by increasing levels of norepinephrine (+ dopamine in the case of NDRIs) in the brain. Common examples are Wellbutrin, Strattera and Ritalin. We do not know how NRIs and NDRIs interact with psychedelics. Psilocybin does not interact with norepinephrine and dopamine receptors, whereas LSD does, so theoretically there may be different risk factors for combining this class of drugs with these two commonly used psychedelic substances. However, until the interaction mechanisms for each are better understood, it is best to avoid combining psychedelics with this category of pharmaceuticals.zgu, it is not recommended to combine them with high doses of psychedelics. As with SNRIs, combining with a microdose is unlikely to have any measurable effect.

Can I microdose NRIs or NDRIs?

Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (NRIs) and norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs) are a class of drugs commonly prescribed for depression and anxiety. They work by increasing levels of norepinephrine (+ dopamine in the case of NDRIs) in the brain. Common examples are Wellbutrin, Strattera and Ritalin.

We do not know how NRIs and NDRIs interact with psychedelics. Psilocybin does not interact with norepinephrine and dopamine receptors, whereas LSD does, so theoretically there may be different risk factors for combining this class of drugs with these two commonly used psychedelic substances. However, until we better understand the interaction mechanisms for each, it is best to avoid combining psychedelics with this category of pharmaceuticals.

Can I microdose TCAs or TeCAs?

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and tetracyclic antidepressants (TeCAs) are older classes of antidepressants that are not commonly prescribed. Their action is to increase serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain. Anafranil, Elavil and Norpramin are the most commonly prescribed drugs in this class.

In addition to increasing serotonin and norepinephrine levels, this class of drugs also affects a wide range of actions in the brain and cardiovascular system, making them particularly risky when combined with psychedelics. TCAs and TeCAs should not be combined with psychedelics.

Can I microdose SMS or SARI?

Serotonin modulators and stimulators (SMS) and serotonin antagonists and reuptake inhibitors (SARIs) are a class of antidepressants that increase serotonin levels in the body by both stimulating and inhibiting various serotonin receptors. Examples of this class of drugs include Desyrel and Trintellix.

While SSRIs and SNRIs often interact with one or two serotonin receptors, SMS and SARIs are designed to target as many as 15 different serotonin receptors, making their opposing interactions unpredictable and risky. Therefore, combining psychedelics with this class of drugs is not recommended.

Can I microdose lithium?

Lithium is a salt and is not classified as an antidepressant, but is sometimes prescribed for bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. We do not fully understand how lithium works, but there are reports of serious interactions with psychedelics, causing seizures.

Combining psychedelics with lithium can have extremely dangerous consequences and should be avoided at all costs.

Can I take microdosing if I have recently stopped taking antidepressants?

If you have recently stopped taking antidepressants, you may be wondering if you can benefit from microdosing. Depending on the type of antidepressant, the dose and the length of time you have been taking the drug, you will probably need a period of resetting and detoxification to restore your serotonin receptors back to a state where microdosing will be effective. Although each case is unique, in general, two months of brain recovery should be included for every year of antidepressant intake. However, there are integrative detoxification protocols that can accelerate this process.

Conclusions

As mentioned above, combining antidepressants with psychedelics can be risky, but in some cases, under appropriate medical and expert supervision, it can be done safely. Further clinical studies are needed to better understand how each drug interacts with different psychedelics.

Although we have some limited understanding of psychedelic interactions with antidepressants, almost all of our observations are limited to higher doses of psychedelics. The practice of microdosing due to consistency of administration and low doses can have very clear implications when combined with different classes of antidepressants.

It is imperative to note that any changes in doses of antidepressants or in combination with any mood-altering substance, whether microdosing, minidosing or macrodosing, must be done under the direct care of a licensed psychiatrist. Fortunately, as the field of psychedelic therapy continues to evolve, more and more open-minded psychiatrists are emerging, willing to work in conjunction with psychedelic medications and allow their patients to safely explore these alternative options.