i dont have a ton of information on the SSRI or anti-psychotic i was just perscribed.

[Athena777]

Im about to start two medications: Zoloft (SSRI) and Risperidone (anti-psychotic). im not sure how ill react or if ill still feel like me..... im kind of lost in the dark here..... i mean will i feel happy or just numb? please im begging for some insight on these drugs. and will i not be able to use psychedelics? im a psychonaut and not only did i find myself with hallucinogens but they made it easy for me to love myself and be myself in front of people, with none of my usual anxiety. They also played a key role in bringing me to stop using heroin. i need some insight please.

 

[aced126]

http://www.bluelight.org/vb/threads/108959-Antidepressants-and-Recreational-Drugs-(long!)?s=&r=10

^^contains a lot of relevant information.

Combining serotonin releasing agents like MDMA and SSRIs could lead to serotonin syndrome which can be fatal, so this wouldn't be advised. Not to mention that for the people who do combine them, the SSRI seems to block most of the effects.

For most other psychedelics, (e.g 2cx family, tryptamines like dmt and shrooms, LSD etc), the combination is relatively safe.

Don't use ayahuasca while on SSRIs as this contains harmaline, an MAOI which could cause serotonin syndrome when combined with an SSRI. Don't use DXM as this could cause serotonin syndrome as well.

 

[persuasoria]

Hey Athena, don't worry! No matter the effects of the medication you take, there is always an option to discontinue use. Obviously this should be done with the advice of the doctor prescribing the medication, but if you experience any negative effects that you feel outweigh the benefits of the drug, you do not have to take that drug.

As for the effects themselves, nobody on any forum could predict that for you unfortunately. We don't know your brain chemistry, so any speculation will be unhelpful. Definitely speak to your doctor about your concerns. I suppose that because you are asking this here, your doctor may have not been able to alleviate your anxiety about the medication, but I don't think that anyone here has that capability either. Some psychedelics + SSRI's and antipsychotics is a combination that is usually unadvised, especially if you are just beginning treatment, but don't let that stop you from pursuing this new method of therapy. Hallucinogens are very therapeutic, yes, but discontinuing your use of them does not mean that you forget the things they've taught you. Always remember what you've learned, and most importantly apply it. This will help you gain more confidence. Everyone has the ability for emotional self-regulation, and it seems like you're already on that path. Keep going, no worries.

 

[Athena777]

Thank you both so much, i feel a lot better about the whole situation. i just have never really taken meds besides antibiotics (although ive put tons of chemicals and RCs in my body) but i just want to be better than ive been lately and hopefully these meds can help

 

[SixBuckets]

If they work, you won't really feel happy OR numb - you'll just feel like a normal human who isn't depressed. It doesn't sound very exciting, but I'm sure you can appreciate how good it feels after living with symptoms for so long.

I can't give you much feedback on those two medications - I haven't been on risperidone and Zoloft didn't work for me, but I've heard good things from other people.

Remember that you can always stop taking them (under medical supervision) and you can always try something else if you don't like these medications. Good luck!

 

[Dresden]

I would suggest not taking either prescription unless absolutely necessary. If you choose to ignore that advice, you can expect to experience prolonged blunted emotions from the sertraline and sometimes dramatically large weight gain from the risperidone. These are not wonder drugs.

 

[Cotcha Yankinov]

Hi there, Zoloft is an inhibitor of some of your liver enzymes (CYP2D6 and CYP2B6), if you did choose to use a RC or whatever I would advise caution not only because SSRI's and serotonergic RCs are not a good idea (serotonin syndrome and other bad effects of too much serotonin, ALSO interfering with the potential therapeutic effects of the SSRI, the whole point of you being on it yknow) but because the RC could be in your system a lot longer so if you did happen to use an RC I'd be really careful on the dosage and choose one with a short half life so you're not stuck with a little in your system forever. As for Risperidone it is mostly an antagonist (inihibits your brain cells) so it can leave you feeling tired and calm (good for insomnia and schizo spectrum type stuff though) so between Risperidone and Zoloft I wouldn't be surprised if your normal level of drug use didn't get you very high, I think some people have a hard time feeling the effects of psychedelics while on these sorts of meds, specifically SSRIs. Good luck man hope you feel better. Remember drugs aren't always the long term solution though psychedelics have helped me loads too.

 

[homesickghosts]

I found that taking SSRI's numbed me in a way that I lost all my sense of creativity. I couldn't draw or paint anymore because I just wasn't inspired and I couldn't write because I literally wasn't feeling any kind of emotion! I understand if some people enjoy that feeling but it makes me feel like a robot and sometimes I wonder if suffering through the effects of not taking it (Zoloft atm) is worth the 'real' feeling. I also felt that I lost the ability to love/ care for people, as well as showing sympathy
anyway, I've been taking 40mg of dexamphetamine with Zoloft and i prefer taking Prozac (Lovan in aus) with it for some reason. Idk why but I feel like it lasts longer and I get strange symptoms with zoloft x dex, like flushed face, sweating, sudden bursts of anxiety and anger, etc.
My doctor told me that most SSRI'S shouldn't affect other drugs, including amphetamines, but I'm not sure about anti-psychotics
dont feel lost though because your probably going to feel much better when u start ur meds (btw if u do wanna stop taking zoloft, don't go cold turkey!!!)

 

[serotonin2A]

I found that taking SSRI's numbed me in a way that I lost all my sense of creativity. I couldn't draw or paint anymore because I just wasn't inspired and I couldn't write because I literally wasn't feeling any kind of emotion! I understand if some people enjoy that feeling but it makes me feel like a robot and sometimes I wonder if suffering through the effects of not taking it (Zoloft atm) is worth the 'real' feeling. I also felt that I lost the ability to love/ care for people, as well as showing sympathy
anyway, I've been taking 40mg of dexamphetamine with Zoloft and i prefer taking Prozac (Lovan in aus) with it for some reason. Idk why but I feel like it lasts longer and I get strange symptoms with zoloft x dex, like flushed face, sweating, sudden bursts of anxiety and anger, etc.
My doctor told me that most SSRI'S shouldn't affect other drugs, including amphetamines, but I'm not sure about anti-psychotics
dont feel lost though because your probably going to feel much better when u start ur meds (btw if u do wanna stop taking zoloft, don't go cold turkey!!!)

SSRIs can certainly produce emotional blunting in some patients. Use of any drug is a tradeoff between the risks and benefits. For someone who is depressed, emotional blunting may be a good thing.