Kanna and anti depressants

[JKR123]

I ordered a small amount of kanna from a reputable vendor who I will share if possible, as I am new here. It's effects were really wonderful for anxiety and depression. I have just reordered a larger amount and then read that it interacts negatively with anti depressants.
My problem is that I have been steered into the pharmaceutical route by my family situation and because I am a veteran I am going thru the VA, which is a nightmare of an organization.

3 weeks ago for anxiety I was prescribed Xanax, 1 mg twice per day, and 3 days ago, Remeron and Effexor, both of which I had been on for 15 years earlier in my life when I knew nothing of alternatives.
I understand now that kanna should not be taken with SSRI drugs, and I assume the Effexor, which is a SNRI drug is close enough so that I should not take kanna with the Effexor. Remeron is something I will not do long term anyway, as it puts on weight like nothing else out there, so I will definitely stop that soon.

I really am seeking advice on how to proceed here; my goal is to replace the pharmaceuticals with kanna. In my situation this seems risky, but I feel it is the right thing to do.


If I lived alone, I would just switch to kanna only, which I only recently learned was so effective for anxiety and depression.

But since I have this family pressure to go the pharmaceutical route, since I have already had 3 days of the Remeron and Effexor, I could go through the motions of taking these and simply start the kanna. The Xanax I would have to wean myself off of slowly I understand.

My question is, is it dangerous to take the kanna at the same time with the anti depressants if it would be avoidable? Or must they be strictly kept separate?

I could honestly use some input as how to proceed with this issue.....

Any help would be greatly appreciated....any questions, please ask.

Thank you so much.

 

[herbavore]

While I can't offer any specif knowledge about drug interactions I will say this: its your mind and your body so you do get the final say. Make sure that you have a doctor that you respect and make sure that you are doing non-medical treatment as well (therapy, self-help, etc). Welcome to Bluelight!

 

[JKR123]

Thank you. I understand.

I have been doing Rolfing sessions and hypnotherapy and need a source that can provide an answer to the safety or danger in taking kanna with the anti depressants I started. This is my main concern; for my own safety.

I can find information that kanna is not to be taken in conjunction with SSRI or MAOI products, but Effexor is a SNRI. This is the problem; I don't know if SSRI and SNRI are close enough to prohibit use with kanna, but if it is, why is not listed with the SSRI and MAOI in every report I view?

I have a traditionally thinking spouse, who rejects all natural alternatives, works in the medical field, who would need to see first hand proof that kanna actually improves anxiety and depression. I need living proof that the kanna works and then I can be honest and share what I did.

I was prescribed Effexor for 15 years and stopped it thinking I did not need it; very painful and slow process that I acccomplished by titrating toward the end using Prozac because of it's longer half life. I worked with an open minded physician who has moved out of the area. I am in the VA system and each doctor has different opinions and I am having difficulty finding any doctor whom I can trust.

My wife has given me incredible support working through this PTSD acquired thru Viet Nam combat experiences. But I would prefer a natural alternative as Effexor did a number on our sex life. Bottom line is I need a reputable source for this basic question of compatibility between these two things and do not know where to find it.

Any help would be appreciated.

PS: Just found this posted on drugs forum, speaking of kanna:
Originally Posted by helikophis Well right. . . it is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor, but not a selective one. As far as I can tell the wikipedia article was perfectly accurate. It didn't claim that it was an SSRI, only that it is an SRI (true), and that kannais more selective than it (also true). But perhaps I am missing something.