• MDMA &
    Empathogenic
    Drugs

    Welcome Guest!
  • MDMA Moderators: Esperighanto

MDMA Recovery: SSRI or All-Natural?

HarrytheHead

HarrytheHead

Bluelighter
Joined
Mar 14, 2013
Messages
194
Location
East Coast USA
I am only asking this question because three doctors urged me to take an SSRI for my post-X effects. I am two months into recovery and two weeks into SSRI use. I am starting to feel better but don't know if its me or the medicine working.

I know everyone has an opinion but I am looking for some first-hand experience FOR or AGAINST using SSRIs as a post-X recovery strategy. I am on a very low dose of SSRI and don't plan on using it more than a month or two. Is it a band-aid that will ease things while my brain heals.. Or will it make things worse? Thanks.
 
Mmm... I'm curious about this too though I have no experience.

My bird's eye view understanding would be that, on the one hand, SSRIs will make possible the serotonin in your brain available for a longer period of time, perhaps leading to improved brain functionality (making you feel better). On the other hand, SSRIs do downregulate serotonin receptors like MDMA does, and some of the "side effects" and withdrawal issues sound eerily very similar to post-MDMA symptoms.

SSRIs are "the default" anti-depressant prescription as of now, so it's not surprising to see a doctor script something for post-MDMA depression. But I wonder, would an SSRI merely be a "band aid" over a problem that only time, exercise, and eating right can cure? I instinctively think the natural approach would be better unless absolutely necessary, but perhaps someone with more knowledge on this sort of thing can chime in.
 
I would recommend all natural, although I don't have experience with using SSRI in any facet ever. I've been recovering from chronic MDMA use for about six months now and I went the all natural route... lots of vitamins, working out, even eating a little better than I used to. I'm doing a lot better now and it's an added bonus to be proud of your own hard work.

Someone on here once mentioned that the working out helps to stimulate stem cells in the brain which in turn does a lot of good as far as fixing the changed brain chemistry that MDMA abuse causes (probably not a direct quote, but something along that line) and I'm only about two and a half months into a solid workout routine but that's about par for the course when things took a turn from just "getting better" to actually feeling optimistic about my chances of beating this thing. So I'd definitely try to mix in some exercise. It should help. Even if you can't get to the gym, just start jogging. It's all about baby steps and just making sure none of the steps go backwards.
 
i think the depression with mdma is not related with the natural depression, i mean, the effect is the same but not the cause. In mdma is more related with serotonin dopamine axons, in natural depression is the concentration of this chemicals. maybe you are right in concentration but not in the "channels-axons" but sometimes this ssris can help linkin axons in some research...the way they help is not known, so we can imagine a higher concentration on this chemicals and maybe a higher number of bonds between neurons.
 
Although SSRI's make you feel like everything is alright, and all negative thoughts go away. I would say go natural, it's a pretty annoying feeling having to rely on a pill every day to be normal. Missing a prescription refill leading to all kinds of side effects. Because the SSRI is keep recycling the serotonin you do have the receptors are working harder picking them all up leading to down regulation. Although in my opinion you can still recover while on SSRI's it'll take longer and you may get the sense that you are feeling perfect. But once you decide to get off the pill, and the half life completely exits your system. You will slowly fall back into a depressive mind set, not to mention the withdrawals you cannot dodge.

Go natural bro, It'll be a rougher ride but you're already 2 months in. It can't be that much longer, btw are you the guy that only rolled once and had a bad reaction. If you are, screw the SSRI's you'll be better in no time.
 
Did you tell these doctors that this depression was related to MDMA abuse? Even then, if you go to them saying how depressed you are, of course they are going to urge you to get onto an SSRI. It's the only thing they've been trained to do in that scenario.


MDMA-induced depression feels almost EXACTLY like "normal" depression, but it is not the same thing. This is only short term, while other people who have to deal with this their whole lives may really need that medication to deal with their symptoms, you really just need to learn to overcome them and get back to your life before the abuse. I know it seems hard.. I've been there. But really, you just need to soldier through this on your own. You got yourself into this mess, the sooner you get yourself out of it the sooner you can go back to living :)
 
Folley said:
I know it seems hard.. I've been there. But really, you just need to soldier through this on your own. You got yourself into this mess, the sooner you get yourself out of it the sooner you can go back to living :)
Click to expand...

Take this advice to heart, OP. Taking ownership of my addiction and the problems it created for me was really the first step. Then you gotta take ownership of improving yourself. I've worked all kinds of little mental games into my recovery to help give me extra "feel good" moments when I usually wouldn't get them. Like for instance how I quit smoking cigarettes. You could even say I was an addict to video games a few years back as well. Was late to work all the time, never slept... finally sold my PS3. Recovering from that was a lot like recovering from drugs. There was this big void in my life that needed to be filled because I didn't have all those hours to devote to gaming anymore. So when I quit smoking, I told myself I was just playing a game. Each day you don't smoke, you get a point. And the object of the game is to have the highest score. Now that may not work for everyone but for the gamers and competitive types, it might. For instance as of today I have 86 points in the No Smoking game. Everyone else that's still smoking has zero, so I'm winning like Charlie Sheen as far as I'm concerned. And any time I think about how long it's been since I've smoked, or get a whiff of some great smelling food (pre-quitting I could only smell things if I practically shoved them up my nose) I just get this brief good feeling that makes it all worth it.
 
I went the natural route, too. You have to put in the effort to get better. That includes a positive mindset. I spent too much time reading online for a magic cure instead of putting in the work I needed to fix my mental well being.

It sucks that the doctors really know nothing about this and there is such a stigma about being "fried" due to drug use. The good news is that the anecdotal evidence shows that the vast vast majority of people either fully recover or adjust enough to live happy meaningful lives.
 
I am going through all natural atm. I believe that there's no shortcut way to anything and this will include hard work and dedication for the most part. I thought I fucked myself up real good that I am not gonna recover and thought of going through SSRI's and thank God I didnt!. yes Dawglaw you are right it's frustrating for the most part that doctors do not know anything about this. The only doctor who was able to help me was this lady doctor I went to who read so much about serotonin etc. Her son had a bad comedown so she understood about my symptoms but other than done did not specifiy any recovery time period whatsoever. I went to so many doctors and none could really tell me how to manage this. But reading through Bluelight and the knowledgeable people such as you Folley man had made me more positive in fighting this battle. Plus FBC's posts as well were really educational btw where the heck is he? :)
 
So just an update: I have been doing cardio twice a day in the sunshine, eating amazingly (proteins, omega 3, complex carbs, etc.) and forcing myself to go out an socialize like I normally would. Therapy is also helping me dig deep into my underlying anxiety. All of this has completely changed my mindset. I am optimistic I CAN BEAT THIS THING. I am still symptomatic so there's still a whole marathon to run. But at this rate.. I may come out even better than before I took the drug.

The amazing thing is I am starting to feel better while I lowered my dose of ssri (I informed my doc). I'm practically off of it. I chose to lower it because as I get better I do not want to make the excuse that its the medication and not me and my hard work. Thanks for everyone's input. Fuck yea!
 
glad you are improving, good you ditched the SSRIs, this is an interesting topic and has been discussed a few times on bl.

SSRIs can support axon growth, but downregulate the receptors as already stated in this thread.

i had great success with stablon, which is an SSRE (reuptake enhancer)

all the best
 
Last edited:
im at my fourth week of stablon and , besides some signs at the beginning, unfortunately i have not yet noticed any major change...
 
i think SSRI's destroyed my brain personally... My euphoria on mdma is never the same feeling or as intense. None of my drug highs are as good tbh, and i feel zombified afterwards

SSRI are shit
 
im at my fourth week of stablon and , besides some signs at the beginning, unfortunately i have not yet noticed any major change...
Click to expand...

Hello magnil re the stablon i would suggest you are patient. I know with cope he didnt feel anything until maybe 3 months in and then all of a sudden the stablon did its thing.

He was convinced it was the medication that helped him i would recommend you give it more time at least 3 months. Stablon is the only AD that seems positive for MDMA abuse.

Re the SSRIs Op I would steer well clear. I was on Effexor for a while 100mg dose so effectively an SSRi and it did nothing other than make me feel very spaced out and gave me loads of sexual dysfunction side effects.

The temptation when suffering from such awful anxiety etc is always to find something more to cure you put I promise natural road perhaps with a few suppliments is the way to go.

I have had two long term comedowns the first I went natural recovered in 6 months the second i decided on various psychiatric medications and here I am 18 months later more fucked up than when it started.
 
magniloquentcunt:

stablon didn't do anything major while taking it but as futura (glad to see you) mentioned, after 3 months i tapered off quickly (1 week half the dose) and after some days i began improving rapidly - life started over again.

now i'd say i am stuck at 95% recovery but i dont know if that number is accurate, cause life is everchanging.

my main goal was to be able to enjoy life again and get my cognitive skills back, which has been reached.

in short, stablon saved my ass.

futura:

hope you are doing good - i would be happy to chat with you again sometime :) ... you know where to find me

all the best guys
 
Hey guys. I just started on Stablon as well. Hasn't quite been a week yet. Cope, I had read a few of your posts and that's what made me decide to give it a try. Man, I'd love to get anywhere close to 95%.
I've noticed some really subtle effects since I started. One of them being anger. Yesterday I just kept going over in my head all the people and circumstances that led me to this situation and I started to feel really angry. I thought it might be attributed to low serotonin levels from the stablon. Other than this and maybe feeling slightly more sleepy throughout the day (which seems contrary to what stablon is supposed to do for you) I haven't noticed too much of a difference. As Futura suggested, I'm gonna keep at it for a few more months and see what happens.
Cope, I actually had wrote you a pm before but as I am not a bluelighter I had trouble sending it. I was wondering what emotional/psychological issues did you struggle with most? And did you have any sexual issues as well? How have those improved? It'd be great to hear if you have the time.
I feel pretty emotionally empty most of the time which really sucks. I never even imagined this state of existence was possible. What I wouldn't give to just look at a sunset and be enraptured by its beauty again. Or to be able to feel love/sadness/joy/hope/loss on a level anywhere near like I used to. I feel like an emotionally blank automaton. Anyways, here's to keeping up the good fight and I hope we all continue to improve. Best of luck guys
 
Cope!!! Been a while!! Glad to hear from u as well! Btw I've survied the first 5 months now on month 6. You are one of my inspirations on my recovery.. I hope you reach the 100 percent but like as u said it takes a lot of patience
 
Hey guys. I just started on Stablon as well. Hasn't quite been a week yet. Cope, I had read a few of your posts and that's what made me decide to give it a try. Man, I'd love to get anywhere close to 95%.
Click to expand...

hello xyak

i was on stablon for a while initially i got insant results from it then about a week in or so it kind of pooped out. 3 weeks in I knocked it on the head and regret doing this now.

Cope continued with it and is reaping the rewards now.

Interesting you feel anger i sometimes used to feel anger a few days after an mdma session. Hopefully this and the tiredness will reside after a while. I dont think the stablon would cause you to to be any lower on serotonin. Perhaps start keeping a diary so you can monitor your progress.

Just out of interest when you started taking it did you get a euphoric buzz from it cause I did. This feeling resided after a week or so.

I feel pretty emotionally empty most of the time which really sucks. I never even imagined this state of existence was possible. What I wouldn't give to just look at a sunset and be enraptured by its beauty again. Or to be able to feel love/sadness/joy/hope/loss on a level anywhere near like I used to. I feel like an emotionally blank automaton. Anyways, here's to keeping up the good fight and I hope we all continue to improve.
Click to expand...

Yeah I know exactly how you feel. If only we had known this prior to taking drugs huh? All I can say is from my first comedown experience you can reverse it and you can feel normal again.

I hope that the stablon works out for you. Keep up the exercise and keep up the diet / routine.

Good luck
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top