St Johns Wort and SRAs (specifically MDAI)

[MikeHawk]

I know that you shouldn't mix SSRIs and SRAs but I think this is a slightly more unusual case. St Johns Wort is a pretty poorly documented medication and I've only been using it for 2 days although I believe I've felt a change that is nice. I took my last dose about 18 hours ago and would like to take a low dose of MDAI (~75mg) just to give me a bit of sedation and a bit of happiness. I'm pretty sure I don't risk Serotonin syndrome given that SSRIs effects need to aggregate over at least 2 weeks to become bothersome but I could be completely wrong. Anyway, due to the HUGE amount of restrictions on what you can have on St Johns Wort, I may stop taking it. I can't even drink Caffeinated beverages or beer, it's a little insane, for a herbal medicine (although obviously a potent one).

Well, call me an idiot or whatever but hey, I want to catch a buzz for all the wrong reasons and unfortunately I don't think I can change that.

Thanks in advance.

 

[atara]

SSRIs prevent serotonin release from occuring by preventing the releasing agent from binding to the transporter. You'll likely feel nothing from MDAI if you haven't been off St. John's Wort for a while. The reason for the caffeine restrictions is that caffeine can act as a weak inhibitor of monoamine oxidase A, which puts you at more risk for SS. Though of course...

The exact mechanism by which St John's wort functions is unclear and subject to conjecture.

 

[MikeHawk]

Fair enough. I guess I'll give it a miss then. Yes, St Johns Wort is strange. There's almost no facts about it yet it's sold OTC. I wasn't asked anything and the woman claimed it was "Homeopathic" which is ridiculous as it's herbal, not homeopathic.

Anyhow, I may not take it anymore, seems there are far too many contraindicated substances. I can't take Benzos or Opiates, what a laugh!

Anyway, thanks for the help, I'll give it a rest for a few weeks.