THE DANGERS OF AYAHUASCA & ANTIDEPRESSANTS?
As part of our screening process at Sowa Soma, our medical questionnaire will explicitly ask people about their use of antidepressants, in particular SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). Ayahuasca and SSRIs are a dangerous mix that should not be combined and due to the half life of SSRIs, which is to say how long they stay active in the body, there is a minimum buffer zone of 6 weeks between drinking ayahuasca and your last dose of an SSRI. This number can be higher if dosage and length of use is also high and prolonged.
WHY IS IT NECESSARY TO BE COMPLETELY OFF SSRIs in advance of ceremony?
Users of SSRIs have an increased buildup of serotonin in their system because SSRIs block the reuptake of serotonin. In much the same way the Banistepseris Vine known as Ayahuasca contains an MAOI (mono amino oxadase inhibitor) which blocks the breakdown of DMT in the Ayahuasca brew allowing it to cross from the gut into the brain. It also has the potential to block the reuptake of serotonin. This combination can create excess serotonin flooding the nervous system which is known as Serotonin Syndrome.
Serotonin Syndrome creates increased levels of agitation, sweating, temperature spikes, muscle rigidity and in some severe cases can even be a cause of death. It’s therefore a serious matter that facilitators and participants must handle with extreme caution. Hence the buffer period of six weeks. It’s also vital that SSRI use is reduced in a titrated manner for a period of time agreed with a licensed doctor. It can be harmful to stop taking them outright as opposed to tapering off them under medical supervision.
The overuse of antidepressants in Western culture
Since crossing the Atlantic the amount of people who want to work with us, but can’t because they’re on SSRIs, has gone up around 10 times.
There’s no doubt North America has a massive problem with the overprescribing of these drugs. And now we find out the studies showing adverse effects were buried along with multiple lawsuits claiming side effects were downplayed. Awful side effects, neurological damage, severe withdrawal, emotional blunting, suicide ideation and violence.
People are also using them long term sometimes from childhood, with the average being five years and none of the studies go past one year. As opposed to solving a problem, SSRIs seem only to create lifelong users with no resolution to the deeper issue at hand.
For many people, SSRIs can be a lifeline and the only one they have awareness of. In the short term, they will help to bring a numbing effect that can feel like the peace a person has been hoping and praying for. As written above the potential side effects and consequences of this use can be devastating.
This is why we’re putting together a programme with plant support, community support, nutrition information and 121 guidance that, in agreement with your doctor, will help you taper off these medications. Whether you want to work with Ayahuasca or not, we feel everyone should have the opportunity to move on from these drugs and find a true solution to their health ailments.
Both anecdotal evidence and clinical research has shown that Ayahuasca (and other psychedelics) is a fast acting and potential long term solution for people with depression and or anxiety. Not only do its compounds show clear antidepressant effects, the changes made during the experience and subsequent integration go much deeper.
Studies have shown that Ayahuasca causes neurogenesis or an enhancement of synaptic plasticity. This modulates the brain’s Default Mode Network which can reset the rigid negative thought patterns often associated with depression.
Why safety is our number one priority when working with Ayahuasca
In our 15 years of experience working with these plants, whilst the research largely supports what we have witnessed, the path is not always so simple.
For heavy long term SSRI users the pathways have often been dulled or damaged to the extent that it is difficult to connect with or feel the effects of Ayahuasca’s medicine. This is why each participant must be treated on a case by case basis. For some, six weeks may not be sufficient time for the brain to repair itself to a point where it is ready to receive the active compounds in Ayahuasca.
For others their depression may be largely correlated with their environment or day to day situation. Whilst an Ayahuasca ceremony or retreat may provide relief and even a change in outlook, this can be short lived. Returning to the same circumstances without making any changes can result in a full circle back to square one scenario after 6-12 months.
This may require more ceremonial work or deeper integration of what was received and experienced in the previous ceremonies to help bring about tangible and long term changes.
One thing that has become crystal clear during Ayahuasca’s explosion since the turn of the century. This work needs to be book ended with meticulous preparation and screening for the purposes of safety. And a clear plan of how the work will be integrated post ceremony or retreat. A plan that takes into account a period of months and years as opposed to weeks and days.
This process of preparation becomes all the more relevant for those suffering from depression or moving forward from SSRIs. It is an absolute necessity for success.
Are you feeling the call to come off SSRIs?
As mentioned above not all people feel SSRIs have damaged their life. In many cases, users believe they have helped to alleviate symptoms and bring an element of functionality back into everyday life. This can often lead to long term dependency which is where the risk of side effects and downside increases.
With around 75% of users reporting improved mental health and around 75% of long term users reporting adverse health effects, the odds do not seem favourable. Particularly with long term use.
To find our more about our upcoming SSRI container email us at Neil@sowasoma.com. This container is not exclusively for those who want to drink Ayahuasca, it is designed to help support anyone who would like to stop their reliance on antidepressants, and the process of tapering off the medications.