Interactions between classic psychedelics and serotonergic antidepressants: Effects on the acute psychedelic subjective experience, well-being and depressive symptoms from a prospective survey study.
Jessica Barbut Siva, Tommaso Barba, Hannes Kettner, Joanna Kuć, David J Nutt, Robin Carhart-Harris, David Erritzøe
J Psychopharmacol January 27, 2024 DOI: 10.1177/02698811231224217 via PubMed Central
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA prospective survey study examined how serotonergic antidepressants affect the acute subjective experience of classic psychedelics and subsequent well-being and depressive symptoms. People taking antidepressants reported less intense mystical-type experiences and greater anxiety during psychedelic sessions compared to those not on antidepressants. Despite this blunting, both groups showed similar improvements in well-being and reductions in depressive symptoms after the session. The findings suggest that while antidepressants may dampen the acute psychedelic experience, they do not necessarily hinder long-term mental health benefits.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Prospective survey study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Adults who used classic psychedelics, some taking serotonergic antidepressants |
| Interventions | classic psychedelics serotonergic antidepressants |
| Keywords | Psychedelics Antidepressants Mental health Drug interactions Psychiatric treatment |
| Citations | 29 |
| Key finding | Serotonergic antidepressants reduce the intensity of acute psychedelic subjective experiences but do not prevent improvements in well-being and depressive symptoms. |
Abstract
Interactions between classic psychedelics and serotonergic antidepressants: Effects on the acute psychedelic subjective experience, well-being and depressive symptoms from a prospective survey study.