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Rolling on an SSRI

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johnsoceable

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Feb 15, 2011
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I have read an extensive amount about the diminished or even completely abolished effects of E while on an SSRI (such as Citalopram-20 mg, which I'm on). After all of my research, I've decided I may just wait until I've completely weaned off the SSRI (which I already decided to do/have been doing, with no relation to wanting to roll, just because I'm convinced I no longer need it. I say this because I anticipate concern from others about going off of my meds).

In the meantime, I'm just curious if anyone HAS rolled while on an SSRI like mine. I didn't find too much information out there regarding people who had, and I felt like at least some people must have. If so, had you rolled before? Was it different this time? I'm just interested after all the research I've done. A few people seem to have 'rolled', though many just attribute that to impurities.

Thoughts?

PS I'm new and quite enjoying bluelight :)
 
I believe the outcome of taking MDMA when on SSRI's is very hard to predict. Some people will report a decent roll, some people might even experience increased effects, while there will also be a big portion of people that will not notice any effects at a normal dose. That said, I believe the majority of people that have tried report a diminished experience, where the required dose for a decent effect might - in some cases - be double or even triple of what is typically taken. Citalopram is generally bad news if you're talking about taking MDMA...

If you already started to reduce your SSRI intake, it is the very best decision to wait until you are completely off. Binging on MDMA might just be that push in the direction opposite to where you wanna go, where a harsh comedown will get you feeling depressed or anxious again. Secondly, there are tons of other substances that are fairly easy on the serotonin but still can leave you euphoric. I will not suggest any substance, since this thread is not about that kind of advice. But if you are interested, feel free to contact me.
 
Rolling ON an SSRI is completely stupid in my book and can be dangerous.
One of my bestfriends rolled with me once (well tried, i didnt know she was on an SSRI) and she felt completely nothing.
Also after coming off an SSRI, you can to wait till your brain is completely off of it. Some SSRIs can change your brain chemistry. Some SSRIs might take a month, some might take 6 months.
 
I tested the SSRI + MDMA thing last summer, and it was one of the most disappointing drug experiences of my life. My appetite was practically nonexistent and I couldn't sleep, but felt absolutely NO euphoria/empathy/tactile stimulation. I had quit Prozac 8 days before the roll after only taking it on an irregular basis before that. FAIL.

That said, Prozac is one of the longest-acting SSRIs, so I doubt the citalopram will be in your system nearly as long. Unless you have an endless supply of E, I'd suggest saving it until the antidepressant leaves your system for a bit. But that's just me :)
 
Lady Codone said:
Unless you have an endless supply of E, I'd suggest saving it until the antidepressant leaves your system for a bit.
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I would give the same advice in case of endless supply, but that's just me. =D

About the fluoxetine...you are right about the half-life, and fluoxetine is definitely nightmare for MDMA too. But half-life is not the only thing you should look at, the receptor binding profile (affinity for different (sub)types of receptors) and the original indication also matter, as does the relative height of the dose. A higher dose is more likely to alter brain circuitry permanently, although it would take only one day extra for your metabolism to clear the higher concentration. :)
 
I have a friend who rolled while still taking Prozac (he didn't tell me he was on it) and he didn't really feel too much. He got a slight mood life, but that was about it. He definitely did not get to experience the magic of MDMA. He wasn't on Prozac for long though, maybe 4-5 months.

Overall, it wasn't a very special experience for him. IMO having a special experience is the whole point of MDMA. :)
 
I'm on Prozac, only 20mg a day. But whenever I roll I stop taking it about a week before.

The way I understand it, most SSRI's bind to the reuptake pump that MDMA enters through. This ensures nothing(specifically the seratonin, but possibly MDMA as well) can be re-absorbed, keeping seratonin floating around longer. Obviously I can only speak for Prozac, and I can't claim this to be authoritative by any measure. Just what I understand from reading/research on my own. I haven't tried rolling while I was on it however, I put too much effort into planning rolls just because I try to keep it at 2 month or greater intervals. I'd hate to waste the drugs:)

I do find Prozac helps the crash, and supposedly helps with neurotoxicity through the same mechanism discussed above (in theory, the oxidized dopamine that is thought to damage your brain can't enter the cell because the SSRI is binding to it/blocking it.

Basically, if you feel you will be ok without the meds, stay off em for a week or so before you roll. Many people will be hesitant to recommend anyone with depression issues try MDMA, but the crash is much more manageable when I know I'm depressed because of the ecstasy and that it WILL pass within a few days.

Feel free to correct any errors/misunderstandings of the physiology I may have:) Just my 2 cents.


EDIT: I assumed it was for depression, as that's what I take it for. Although I suppose it could be anxiety or bi-polar disorder as well.
EDIT: Possibly stoned, incoherent ramblings.
 
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Thanks for the input guys!

@Heh?!-I was on it for a long time for anxiety, which I feel ceased LONG ago. I just kept taking it cuz, well, the withdrawal symptoms suck and it was just habit. I finally realized how fucked up it was to be taking something constantly that messed with my seratonin levels/brain chemistry and may permanently affect them. So I decided to get off it. Also, you say you can indeed roll while on Prozac? Interesting!

It is probably best to roll once I'm off SSRIs fully. I hope that I'm able to experience it correctly someday! It may take a few months of being off it; but hopefully my brain chemistry returns to normal. :(
 
Heh?! said:
I do find Prozac helps the crash, and supposedly helps with neurotoxicity through the same mechanism discussed above (in theory, the oxidized dopamine that is thought to damage your brain can't enter the cell because the SSRI is binding to it/blocking it.
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Check out this site: http://www.thedea.org/neurotoxicity.html
It is a really great article on MDMA induced neurotoxicity and talks about people using prozac post-roll. It may clarify everything you've ever wanted to know :)

My wife takes 10mg Lexipro (escitalopram) and can roll quite effectively. I imagine she is dosing slightly more than she would without her SSRI but the magic is definitely there.
 
Quote:MDMA/Ecstasy (includes MDA, MDEA etc): It is NOT POSSIBLE TO ROLL while taking an SSRI! It is a COMPLETE and UTTER WASTE OF YOUR MONEY! Basically, SSRIs 'block' the part of your brain where the MDMA needs to go in order to get you high; and since MDMA can't get in there, you won't be able to get high. You might experience some weak 'speedy' effects from high doses of MDMA, but you will not be able to truly 'roll'.
 
junkie skumbag said:
Basically, SSRIs 'block' the part of your brain where the MDMA needs to go in order to get you high; and since MDMA can't get in there, you won't be able to get high. You might experience some weak 'speedy' effects from high doses of MDMA, but you will not be able to truly 'roll'.
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Although I agree that the general mechanism of SSRIs is likely to produce a diminished rolling experience, it is not entirely as simple as you state it here. Unless you are talking polypeptide poisons or covalently binding molecules, receptor 'blocking' under physiological conditions is competitive at its best. This means there are a lot of factors, including very complex pharmacodynamics and more basic pharmacokinetcs, that influence the effect of MDMA.

So while it is generally true that people on SSRIs will experience diminished effects, it is a bit oversimplified to state it as you previously did. There is difference from SSRI to SSRI, between different dosages of the same SSRI and surely also between different indications (although different indications usually mean different dosages automatically). There are numerous reports of people on (heavy) SSRIs, able to roll like normal or in rare cases even with enhanced effectiveness. Based on personal experiences and some dirty math, I would say this 'lucky few' constitute about 10 per cent; would be nice to see the influence of different SSRIs here, but I guess that's a route most scientists wouldn't wanna take when researching MDMA + SSRIs. ;)
 
johnsoceable said:
Thanks for the input guys!

@Heh?!-I was on it for a long time for anxiety, which I feel ceased LONG ago. I just kept taking it cuz, well, the withdrawal symptoms suck and it was just habit. I finally realized how fucked up it was to be taking something constantly that messed with my seratonin levels/brain chemistry and may permanently affect them. So I decided to get off it. Also, you say you can indeed roll while on Prozac? Interesting!

It is probably best to roll once I'm off SSRIs fully. I hope that I'm able to experience it correctly someday! It may take a few months of being off it; but hopefully my brain chemistry returns to normal. :(
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I've been considering the idea of getting off meds. Like you said, I'm just not huge on the idea of consistently putting something like that in my body. I should clarify I haven't tried rolling WHILE on it. I stop taking it 5 to 8 days before I roll and haven't really noticed a huge difference compared to when I wasn't on Prozac. I'm also on a fairly low dose, but I know Prozac has a longer half-life than other SSRI's, and that's why it's generally easier to gradually(or abruptly) come off Prozac compared to others. I have a bit of experience with other SSRI's, but not with others+MDMA.
 
Don't stop your SSRI so you can roll. Either try to wean off the meds and assess, with your doctor, if your condition is improving given that you have now experienced the benefits from your meds. Use your new perspective to help you find strategies to overcome the reasons causing you to be on an SSRI in the first place. This is why psychotherapy plus SSRI is the most effective model for treatment.

If you are a depressed person by nature be careful with MDMA as the comedown and successive crash could be more for you to handle since you feel depression even at baseline. Be safe
 
I am actually discussing with my doctor coming off the meds and have started the coming off program. I haven't felt like I've needed them for a long time (and my doctor agrees), but I am monitoring how I feel as I come off. I would say I am FAR from a depressed person by nature. Not even when I started taking it a long time ago. I was just mildly anxious, and looking back, I feel it was about normal things that make EVERYONE anxious. So I'm a little annoyed they were so quick to prescribe. Cuz coming off is a bitch.
 
johnsoceable said:
I am actually discussing with my doctor coming off the meds and have started the coming off program. I haven't felt like I've needed them for a long time (and my doctor agrees), but I am monitoring how I feel as I come off. I would say I am FAR from a depressed person by nature. Not even when I started taking it a long time ago. I was just mildly anxious, and looking back, I feel it was about normal things that make EVERYONE anxious. So I'm a little annoyed they were so quick to prescribe. Cuz coming off is a bitch.
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I am glad to hear you are working with your doctor about stopping medication! I wish you the best of luck with this process.

I think it is safe to assess levels of anxiety by how it affects daily activities. If your response is disproportionate to a life event or situation and it is affecting your ability to sleep, work, or maintain a relationship, etc then this is when you should be seeking help.
 
My girlfriend takes citalopram 30mg and is still able to roll with MDMA or methylone. She says the effects seem diminished, compared to how she perceives other people rolling (she hasn't ever rolled without the SSRI), but she still has a good time.
 
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