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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Economist on February 26, 2010, at 8:54:33
Has anyone experimented with using ecstasy during their depression?
I remember before I was suffering from anhedonia, ecstasy used to give me a very nice feeling and a strong desire to socialize. Depressed people often are anhedonic and don't experience pleasurable emotions. But what about when they experiment with ecstasy? Would that possibly make them feel better?
Posted by em_kath on February 26, 2010, at 8:54:33
In reply to Experiences with ecstasy during depression?, posted by Economist on February 23, 2010, at 18:07:36
> Has anyone experimented with using ecstasy during their depression?
> I remember before I was suffering from anhedonia, ecstasy used to give me a very nice feeling and a strong desire to socialize. Depressed people often are anhedonic and don't experience pleasurable emotions. But what about when they experiment with ecstasy? Would that possibly make them feel better?
I have never used ecstasy, although I have been curious because I also struggle with anhedonia. The reason I haven't is tried it is because I have read that it depletes serotonin during the comedown and in the following days, causing depression even in normal people, and with repeated use it can create serotonin deficiencies long-term. With my depression I feel like it would be a bad idea to mess with my neurotransmitters since they're already all out of whack.
Even more of a concern would be the risk for serotonin syndrome (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serotonin_syndrome). I don't know for certain but if you're on antidepressants that affect serotonin and/or dopamine I would not advise using ecstasy. Of course if you're not on antidepressants it probably wouldn't be especially dangerous, but if you already have depression you might feel so miserable afterwards that it wouldn't be worth the good feeling at the time.
Posted by gman22 on February 26, 2010, at 8:54:33
In reply to Experiences with ecstasy during depression?, posted by Economist on February 23, 2010, at 18:07:36
I wouldn't mess around with X, or any other street drugs, since they can really mess with mental illnesses. If you insist on using a recreational type of drug for immediate relief, the only choice would be GHB. It is illegal, however unless you have narcolepsy and a prescription. If it was legal, I would still use it as a crisis med.
Posted by Economist on February 26, 2010, at 8:54:33
In reply to Re: Experiences with ecstasy during depression? » Economist, posted by em_kath on February 23, 2010, at 19:17:08
Using ecstasy may cause a depletion in serotonin during the comedown, but that's something I'm willing to work around (serotonin levels do go back to normal after several days, at least in my past experiences). I've read that taking E with an SSRI simply blocks the effect of E.
Anyway, I haven't been able to get a hold of some MDMA but as soon as I do I suppose I'll post about my findings.
I feel my anhedonia is related more to negative symptoms of schizophrenia than depression.
Posted by em_kath on February 26, 2010, at 8:54:34
In reply to Re: Experiences with ecstasy during depression? » em_kath, posted by Economist on February 23, 2010, at 23:11:28
> Using ecstasy may cause a depletion in serotonin during the comedown, but that's something I'm willing to work around (serotonin levels do go back to normal after several days, at least in my past experiences). I've read that taking E with an SSRI simply blocks the effect of E.
> Anyway, I haven't been able to get a hold of some MDMA but as soon as I do I suppose I'll post about my findings.
> I feel my anhedonia is related more to negative symptoms of schizophrenia than depression.
Well in my case I'm on an MAOI right now, not an SSRI, so if I took ecstasy I would probably end up in the hospital. But I hope all goes well for you, good luck!
Posted by TriedEveryDrug on February 26, 2010, at 8:54:34
In reply to Re: Experiences with ecstasy during depression? » em_kath, posted by Economist on February 23, 2010, at 23:11:28
> I've read that taking E with an SSRI simply blocks the effect of E.Yes, allegedly. Also:
What I have read about SSRIs and E is that taking an SSRI 6 hours or so into an E trip would block the entrance of dopamine (mistakenly) into serotonin terminal vesicles, which E leaves wide open. Dopamine getting into serotonin vesicles results in neuron damage from the H2O2 byproduct of MAO-B deamination of dopamine.(there is a slide show kicking around the net illustrating the mechanism of neurotoxicity of mdma)
Anywho, I'm not recommending any of the above, nor do I have any experience with it.
I'd love to try MDMA, but how can you know what you're really getting? MDA, which is often in street E is definitely toxic.
Posted by rnny on March 19, 2010, at 22:01:21
In reply to Experiences with ecstasy during depression?, posted by Economist on February 26, 2010, at 8:54:33
There was a big story about a T who treats patients by having them come stay at her retreat and they are on ecstacy for the whole weekend. T claims it really helps people and the people seem to agree. But I think the story was shown because it was frowned upon and she may have been closed down but the T still insisted it had helped people. I took acid once and that was enough to convince me to never take it again.
This is the end of the thread.
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