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  • N&PD Moderators: Skorpio

Alcohol,SSRIs and serotonin syndrome

Not a very informative article...

I doubt alcohol has much of direct effect, but perhaps an indirect one.
MDMA acts upon the SERT transporter, a protein that removes serotonin from the synapse.
This transporter is NOT a neuron - but part of the GLIAL brain.

Your glial cells make up more than HALF of your entire brain, and the next frontier in brain research may be here.
Rather than communicating in chains with electrical impulses, glial cells communicate with each other through ions that scatter outward.
Scientists have also found that these glial cells can listen in on neuron activity - and influence it in some cases.

Glial cells can destroy connections by killing neurons, with glutamate for example.
They can also save neurons by spraying anti-oxidants like gluthianone onto them.

Alchohol is known to shrink the size of the glial brain in long-term drinkers. It also wipes out several nerve growth factors...
Perhaps an indication that alcohol is toxic to glial cells.
And high serotonin levels (from MDMA or other sources) can DAMAGE the SERT transporter...the glial mechanism designed to regulate the level of synaptic serotonin.

This combination of events doesn't sound good.
I have seen many studies showing alcohol does indeed increase the toxicity from MDMA.
Although the article you posted is uninteresting, a relationship between serotonin and alcohol cannot be dismissed.

It is hard to believe that SSRIs and moderate alcohol use can really result in Serotonin Syndrome...but who knows who MUCH alcohol these kids are drinking.
I, for one, was NEVER tempted to drink on nights when I rolled.
Maybe the next night...maybe.

I agree that alcohol must have a very MILD influence on serotonin, MOST of the time.
But if it diminishes the transporter's function...an indirect influence could contribute to the level of risk.
 
SSRIS can be consumed with alcohol and you wont have problems, this makes sense pharmacologically and its also what doctors have admitted to me. Many many people do this and never have problems with anything besides negating the effect of their antidepressant medications. As far as alcohol effecting serotonin, it does do this yes and to a major degree but the ability of the brain to clear serotonin is still intact so it wont lead to serotonin syndrome. Another example would be mdma, people mix that with ssris all the time and have no issues with serotonin syndrome. On the other hand if you mixed an ssri with an
maoi you would have serotonin syndrome as the brain cant clear the excess serotonin.
 
I slightly disagree.
I have read too many case reports on acute MDMA intoxication that involved alcohol.
A single beer is unlikely to cause a severe interaction, but being 'drunk' in my opinion DOES increase the risk of SS or other toxic effects from MDMA.

I recall one report about a young man that took 3 tabs after drinking a six pack - he died in the ER.
All the typical symptoms of SS, too.

So it can also be argued that, although rare, alcohol consumed in large amounts with SSRIs can increase the risk of SS - esp. if any other serotonergic substances are unwittingly present.
 
Alcohol never gave me Serotonin Sydrome on SSRIs, just made me unihibited to the extent of being anti-social, more likely to partake criminal activities such as harrassment and vandalism; I was much younger then and now I am a civilised high functioning opioid addict!
 
I think alcohol decreases serotonin levels.
Ive read it quite a few places now.

As for SSRI with Alcohol.. Lmao i drunk 4 ciders whilst on citalopram 20mg, and everywhere looked like slow motion it was kind of like being on ketamine then i passed out on my mates sofa!!!!!! LOL
 
All I notice on my prozac with drinking is an even lower tolerance... not sure if this is a serotonergic effect or something unrelated
 
First Bad Comedown said:
MDMA acts upon the SERT transporter, a protein that removes serotonin from the synapse.
This transporter is NOT a neuron - but part of the GLIAL brain..
Click to expand...

Eh? SERT is not a neuron, it's a transporter protein in the membrane of the neuron. I don't think any glia possess SERT proteins?
 
I have been taking 300 mg a day of Effexor for the past 2 years. I drink sometimes and get hammered occasionally. All I have noticed is the next day after getting hammered I am extremely depressed and dont feel like getting off the couch. This could also be because of the hangover too though.
 
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