Taking Anxiety medicine with LSD or Ecstasy

[sanctuaire]

I developed anxiety from a have a collapsed lung about a year and a half ago, and since I haven't been able to roll, up until this past month, but I got pretty bad anxiety from it. My questions is what would be the possible side effects if I were to take anxiety medicine with ecstasy, and also what would happen if I took it with LSD?

 

[debaser]

Hi sanctuaire (nice name )

In my opinion, you shouldn't take an anxiolytic to mask probable symptoms caused by another drug. Especially combining ecstasy or LSD with a benzodiazepine isn't a good idea, as you won't fully be aware of what could be happening to your body and your mind while intoxicated by two drugs with two totally different and non-complementary profiles. Furthermore, you'll be in the presence, with the case of MDMA (ecstasy) and any benzodiazepine or assimilate, of an upper and a downer at the same time.

This isn't a good idea. If you want to take a drug, fine, but taking another one to block the effects of the first one is pointless and is asking for trouble imo

 

[Psychonauticunt]

Hi sanctuaire (nice name )

In my opinion, you shouldn't take an anxiolytic to mask probable symptoms caused by another drug. Especially combining ecstasy or LSD with a benzodiazepine isn't a good idea, as you won't fully be aware of what could be happening to your body and your mind while intoxicated by two drugs with two totally different and non-complementary profiles. Furthermore, you'll be in the presence, with the case of MDMA (ecstasy) and any benzodiazepine or assimilate, of an upper and a downer at the same time.

This isn't a good idea. If you want to take a drug, fine, but taking another one to block the effects of the first one is pointless and is asking for trouble imo

I (partially) disagree, or would phrase it differently. I would say that deciding to take LSD/MDMA and an anti-anxiety drug such as a benzodiazepine together from the get-go is, while not manifestly bad, not the best idea. It gets you used to the feeling that certain drugs and experiences SHOULD be accompanied by an anxiolytic by default (and that without them, they will be unpleasant or terrifying - spend your first few trips with an underlying sedative dose and that may just happen).

However, I think there are many instances in which combining the two would be beneficial - namely, using the anxiolytic to reduce unwanted anxiety, paranoia, fear and other such unwanted psychological effects (a "bad trip" or elements of such). Barring a paradoxical reaction or the effects from excessive amounts of sedatives, it is unlikely that the combination of a psychedelic/empathogen with a benzodiazepine would result in greater aggregate cognitive impairment or confusion. In most cases it will simply mitigate the extremes of the drug's effects, for better and worse (less anxiety and fear, but also reduced euphoria and insight etc.).

Benzodiazepines are fairly well known as a possible treatment for psychotic states induced by stimulant and/or psychedelic use, including use in the hospital environment, and their combination with psychedelics is safe, in my opinion. They do not specifically reduce hallucinogenic action, but make the trip less intense and involving, so I think that if you find yourself having taken LSD or MDMA and being unable or unwilling to handle the experience due to anxiety and related sensations, a benzodiazepine may be an excellent way to still enjoy the rest of the trip.

Using them as a combo to begin with is stupid, as the benzo simply inhibits the psychedelic/empathogen from generating its full range of effects. However, using a sedative to counteract unwanted side effects is, in this case, a safe and perfectly reasonable idea.

 

[laCster]

i love xanax with some dank beans. it increases the rolling experience for me.

sometimes i will take .25mg xanax 30-60minutes before i dose LSD to help relax my body and mind for the trip to come

 

[jookie]

Benzos tend to dull the effects of MDMA and LSD for me. For MDMA it's mainly the empathy although I feel I get a reduced high as well. For LSD, the mental aspect is largely missing - good for some.

 

[muvolution]

I notice no one has asked what kind of anti-anxiety medication yet.

Are you on SSRI's or Benzos? SSRI's are frequently prescribed for anxiety and should NEVER be taken with MDMA. They will also significantly dull the experience of LSD.

Benzos are not dangerous per se, but it will dull your trip markedly.

 

[Jktm]

SSRI/SNRI's are also dangerous when concomitantly used with LSD, Psilocin, and other psychedelics as well though. It's not as dangerous as mixing it with MDMA, but the risk of serotonergic toxicity still exists.

 

[effie]

^ indeed, serotonin syndrome is definitely possible with LSD and a SNRI (a friend had it) so do be careful if thatr's what you are taking..

I presume you mean benzos, but muv makes a good point! As others said they can dampen the experience and while not actually dangerous as such, they may well reduce the overall experience for you. Sometimes just knowing you have them there should you need them is enough to dampen down your anxiety so you can enjoy the experience Have you been anxious taking MDMA/LSD in the past or is it a new thing for you?

Sorry to hear about your collapsed lung!

 

[sanctuaire]

I notice no one has asked what kind of anti-anxiety medication yet.

Are you on SSRI's or Benzos? SSRI's are frequently prescribed for anxiety and should NEVER be taken with MDMA. They will also significantly dull the experience of LSD.

Benzos are not dangerous per se, but it will dull your trip markedly.

not too sure whats an SSRI or Benzo haha I'm taking hydroxyzine 10mg, so its not strong at all, and barely works on me, but I have a pretty small frame so I have to be careful of how much I take, I think my main concern when rolling is if my lung will collapse, I used to roll frequently, and never once had a problem with anxiety, I try not to notice how fast my heart beats, if my breathing sounds weird because it will trigger my anxiety for sure. As for LSD Im worried Ill have a bad trip because I start thinking something is wrong with my lung, etc... And if I were to take the anxiety medicine, once that wares off will the anxiety come back?

 

[sanctuaire]

Ive never been anxious while taking MDMA or LSD before my lung collapsed, and thank you!

 

[Jktm]

oh, that should be completely fine...that's just an anti-histamine IIRC...

SSRI/SNRI's are a family of drugs that are mainly used for depression, but a few of them have been indicated for the treatment of anxiety...

benzo's (benzodiazepines) are a family of drugs indicated for a wide variety of problems ranging from alcoholism to seizures to muscle spasms to anxiety to insomnia, but are mainly used for anxiety...popular examples of these drugs include Xanax (alprazolam; aka 4-bars, bars, handles, footballs, basketballs), Valium (diazepam), Klonopin (clonazepam), Ativan (lorazepam), Restoril (temazepam), and Halcion (triazolam)...

benzo's, for the most part, have relpaced the use of barbituates for many problems as they're a lot safer and have a smaller abuse/dependence potential...they're very hard to OD on in any prescribe-able amount (as in, most people could swallow a bottle of them and live assuming they take nothing else) and, though tolerance/dependence is inevitable with prolonged usage, if you don't use them for longer than 2-3 weeks, you'll be fine...

dunno if you're going to bother reading all this, but thought I might add my input...

 

[sanctuaire]

oh, that should be completely fine...that's just an anti-histamine IIRC...

SSRI/SNRI's are a family of drugs that are mainly used for depression, but a few of them have been indicated for the treatment of anxiety...

benzo's (benzodiazepines) are a family of drugs indicated for a wide variety of problems ranging from alcoholism to seizures to muscle spasms to anxiety to insomnia, but are mainly used for anxiety...popular examples of these drugs include Xanax (alprazolam; aka 4-bars, bars, handles, footballs, basketballs), Valium (diazepam), Klonopin (clonazepam), Ativan (lorazepam), Restoril (temazepam), and Halcion (triazolam)...

benzo's, for the most part, have relpaced the use of barbituates for many problems as they're a lot safer and have a smaller abuse/dependence potential...they're very hard to OD on in any prescribe-able amount (as in, most people could swallow a bottle of them and live assuming they take nothing else) and, though tolerance/dependence is inevitable with prolonged usage, if you don't use them for longer than 2-3 weeks, you'll be fine...

dunno if you're going to bother reading all this, but thought I might add my input...

haha no I read it, thank you!

 

[effie]

Hydroxyzine is indeed an antihistamine - it's a sedating 1st generation one and has been found to have a degree of anxiolytic (anxiety-killing) action in some people, so it is sometimes prescribed for anxiety. People vary in how effective they find it. However, as well as it's antihistamine action it shows some 5HT-2A antagonism (this means it inhibits the release of serotonin from 5HT-2A receptors in the brain) and this can cancel out the effects of something like LSD or MDMA. I remember someone on here saying they took it with LSD and it stopped their trip dead.. so actually, I don't think it would be a good choice in this situation..

Have you tried taking LSD/MDMA since your collapsed lung or do you just think you might become anxious when you take them?

 

[sanctuaire]

Hydroxyzine is indeed an antihistamine - it's a sedating 1st generation one and has been found to have a degree of anxiolytic (anxiety-killing) action in some people, so it is sometimes prescribed for anxiety. People vary in how effective they find it. However, as well as it's antihistamine action it shows some 5HT-2A antagonism (this means it inhibits the release of serotonin from 5HT-2A receptors in the brain) and this can cancel out the effects of something like LSD or MDMA. I remember someone on here saying they took it with LSD and it stopped their trip dead.. so actually, I don't think it would be a good choice in this situation..

Have you tried taking LSD/MDMA since your collapsed lung or do you just think you might become anxious when you take them?

ah damn, ill make sure not to do it then haha, Ive rolled once since and I started feeling anxiety when I was coming down, but I haven't done LSD since.

 

[Wsolstice95]

With E, benzos have always decreased the experience and i do not recommend it, but with LSD I find that a dose of xanax or Valium etc... prior to the trip or taken with the acid promotes a more relaxed, less manic hallucinogenic state, where I can just lay back and feel nice and mellow and still trip balls. It takes that ball of tin foil out of my stomach.