Back from the Abyss: Psychiatry in Stories Psychedelics, psychiatric meds, and the question of tapering
Jan 17, 2025
Dive into the intricate world of mental health as experts tackle the challenges of integrating psychedelics into treatment. Discover how psychiatric medications can interact dangerously with substances like psilocybin, ketamine, and MDMA. Hear about the critical need for careful medication tapering to enhance therapeutic outcomes. Packed with case studies, this discussion sheds light on the delicate balance of serotonin receptor dynamics and offers insights into navigating treatment-resistant conditions.
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Ketamine Interactions
- Ketamine has the lowest risk of medication interactions, affected by lamotrigine and opioids.
- Opioid interactions are tricky due to receptor downregulation.
Psilocybin's Mechanism
- Psilocybin, a "clean" drug, acts on the 5-HT 2A receptor.
- This is the same receptor used by other tryptamines like LSD and DMT.
Upregulation vs. Downregulation
- Receptor upregulation increases receptor density when antagonists block them.
- Downregulation decreases density when agonists activate receptors.