Anhedonia

[Samwell21]

Hi guys;

Swim is a Long time reader but first time poster.

Swim would like a bit of assistance with what I feel is mdma 'abuse'

Swim found mdma in 2015 and swim fell in love with the drug. At first swim was being sensible and only using once every 3 months. But the more swim went to raves the more people swim met. meaning swims frequency went up. Swim was often going every month doing athe least 250mg mdma or pill equivalent. Some times swim had binges over a weekend often with alcohal and coke. Nye 2016 was swims last roll where he too 2 high strength pills.

Swim understands he has been have been highly irresponsible with his use and has learnt his lesson. Swim doesn't plan to touch anything for at least 7 months

Problems:

In the last 6 months swim noticed the following symptoms of mdma abuse but didn't put 2+2 together

-Low libido
-Premature ejaculstion ( only close to roll so must be low seretonin)
- Slight depression lasting longer than the normal week post mdma
- no motivation

But the one that has caused swim to panic and put all the symptoms together is Anhedonia. Swim just doesn't feel joy towards anything anymore which is soul destroying as he was always a happy positive person who people loved to be around

I suppose swim is looking for people who have experienced the same and recovered.

Swims diet is being changed massively now and is trying to get back into cardio and weights which he used to love.

Supplements swim has began to take

-Omega 3
-Vitamins d3
-L-tyrosine 1gram in morning
-high dosed general multi vit
-5htp 50mg and 100mg l-tryptophan before bed
- zma ( zinc, mag, vb6)
- 100mg gaba supplement

Any advice on what to do or timescale would be a great help as swim feels he can't talk to anyone about this as none of his mates feel same.

Thank you so much

 

[Goodwalt]

First, welcome to Bluelight! We don't SWIM here. We know it's you.
Regarding your problem, it seems that you did some damage to your serotonin receptors. Supplements are fine, and I would add some healthy food and a good amount of exercise. Try to give your brain some time to recover, I think you will be fine.
If the anhedonia persists after some months of eating healthy and working out, don't be afraid to seek medical assistance.

 

[JBrandon]

I went through a similar experience, albeit due to polydrug abuse.

IMO, only exercise and sobriety are going to help - and that sobriety is from essentially everything, but *absolutely* no stims in your case.

I would be cautious about dabbling again after "7 months" or even outing a time frame on it period. You need to decide based on your own recovery from anhedonia, which may be faster or more protracted than 7 months.

A side note about the supplements - they're not hurting anything nor are they a bad idea, but I'd have absolutely no expectations for them to produce a noticeable change in and of themselves.

 

[Londonscouser]

symptoms are more consistent with a dopminergic issue

 

[Samwell21]

Thanks for getting back to me guys. I read so many different forums that I thought swim was used everywhere ?.

London scouser... I did think low dopamine which I'd why I'm looking at supplementing that as well. Do you have any other recommendations. I have also stopped porn as that is related to dopamine to.

It's strange... I feel normal ish but no sense of joy.. but the joy comes and goes. I plan on being abstinent for a long time as I want to be my fun self again.

 

[Londonscouser]

too be honest, i don't think substances like l-tyrosine and 5-htp supplements help in the long-term...and you could suffer some negative effects, for instance, 5-htp is associated with heart valve damage.

Known up-regulators of dopamine receptors include exercise, caffeine, bacopa and antidepressants

There are substances which can increase receptor density as well such as uridine, although people with high levels of choline may get depressive symptoms etc

I think if you sort out diet and exercise, and wait another 6 months, you will be fine. And you need to take vitamin B (specifically B6 and b12)

 

[Justchillz]

hi, also try lithium orotate. I've read this to upregulate dopamine receptors.
How are you doing now 6 months after your post?
I too have a lot of problems with anhedonia due to drug use!
My latest experiment is low dose 3-meo-pcp. So far, it seems to help.

 

[Samwell21]

I did 5 months without pills and tried a half again.. I now still to half a pill witj my partner every few months and I we mucj happier. frim 2019 I move in with her and we plan on stopping for 9 months any drugs

 

[indigoaura]

IMO, sublingual methylcobalmin (b12) is a must. For dopamine receptor density, try CDP Choline.