SSRIs for MDMA induced depression

[StuChainz]

So I've been a little emotionally blank for most of my life (not the happiest childhood), and I think I was showing signs of depression from my very early teens (maybe even earlier).

From the age of 16-18/19 I was regularly going out clubbing and drinking heavily while taking stupid amounts of mdma. This was really nice stuff, most people were taking .2-.25 and having a great time, but for some reason I was banging .5-1g a night most of the time (I didn't realise quite how stupid this was for a couple of years.) This would happen at least once every 2 weeks, and I believe I did some lasting damage to my brain. Mandy barely does anything for me when I take it now (I get energetic but no love/empathy, kinda like speed). In my day to day life, my memory and concentration span are much worse, and I almost never feel "happy" - just blank except in rare cases. I'm not saying this is all due to the diz, but it's definitely a large factor. It has got slightly better since I massively cut down on my recreational drug use, but it seems to have stopped improving any more over the last year or so.

Anyway, I'm 21 now and have just been prescribed Celexa (Citalopram). I've read lots of posts on forums saying that SSRIs don't work for mdma induced depression. I was wondering if someone could explain if this is true and why?

To my (limited) knowledge, the drug abuse destroys SERTs so there's not enough seretonin getting to your brain. The SSRIs block seretonin reuptake, so it stays in your brain longer. I cant see why this wouldn't be a good a good way of treating the depression unless I'm missing/misunderstanding something.

 

[Nootropics]

If anything SSRI's would just exacerbate any symptoms induced by MDMA via low serotonin levels... I recommend taking the natural remedy route in your case, such as supplementation with vitamins, 5-HTP, and other essential amino acids and neurotransmitter precursors for a couple of months to snap you back into regularity. I know people who've taken much stronger doses in one night than you have, and used more often than you did as well. There are tons of regimens online you can look for to help you reach cerebral homeostasis as you had before your MDMA use, I recommend a few months to a year psychotropic cessation in combination with a good regimen over SSRI's, but ultimately the choice is yours to make..

EDIT: Serotonin in your brain longer means less serotonin in it's normal function. From the MDMA use, you've lost a good amount of serotonin, which is why you're feeling depressed. Opposed to blocking re-absorption of this essential neurotransmitter (brain-chemical), you should take vitamins which will help you build up your natural serotonin levels again instead. 5-HTP is a highly acclaimed precursor to serotonin used by ravers and serotogenic drug users alike. Often used in combination with magnesium, calcium, ad vitamin B6, this is really a worthy try before jumping the psychiatric boat of meds to fix your problem. Good luck!

 

[PriestTheyCalledHim]

SSRIs do work for MDMA related depression. I know people who binged on a lot of MDMA and they take SSRIs and the SSRIs do help them.

 

[StuChainz]

I recommend taking the natural remedy route in your case, such as supplementation with vitamins, 5-HTP, and other essential amino acids and neurotransmitter precursors for a couple of months to snap you back into regularity.

Thanks for all the info. I've heard a lot about 5htp, but not really sure how it works. It's a chemical that's easily broken down into serotonin, so it quickly increases the levels in your brain. However, this won't "heal" my brain from the damage I've done will it? Only temporarily increase my levels while I'm taking it regularly? I know SSRIs wont heal me either, I'm just trying to clarify.

 

[Rio Fantastic]

Thanks for all the info. I've heard a lot about 5htp, but not really sure how it works. It's a chemical that's easily broken down into serotonin, so it quickly increases the levels in your brain. However, this won't "heal" my brain from the damage I've done will it? Only temporarily increase my levels while I'm taking it regularly? I know SSRIs wont heal me either, I'm just trying to clarify.

Given time your brain can heal itself man. The best cure is total abstinence from drugs and a healthy lifestyle.