How to avoid Post SSRI Sexual Dysfunction (PSSD)

Introduction

SSRIs are the worlds most commonly prescribed and profitable anti-depressant, however, they can come with serious side effects like blunted emotions and Post SSRI Sexual Dysfunction (PSSD). Psilocybin offers a potential alternative that can be safer and a more effective treatment for depression and does not come with these severe side effects.

What is PSSD?

PSSD is Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction, a condition where libido in both men and women is severely reduced, if not completely vanished during and after cessation of medication. Often it simply never returns, even after years off the SSRI’s. Blunted emotions, another side effect can also remain diminished for many years after SSRI use.

SSRI’s commonly generate a lot of sexual side effects such as decreased libido, genital numbness, erectile dysfunction and difficulty in achieving orgasms. Even after cessation of the SSRI medications, these problems can persist for years if not for the rest of a persons life, resulting in PSSD and as reported by Medshadow, these can significantly effect the lives of adolescents and young adults.

Psilocybin, A Safer Alternative

Psilocybin is produced inside psilocybin mushrooms has shown great promise in medical trials for combating depression. It works differently from SSRIs, by promoting neuroplasticity, altering blood flow within the brain and facilitating emotional processing through trips. Due to a different processing, psilocybin in magic mushrooms does not lead to any sustained sexual dysfunction. Psilocybin does not occur in magic mushroom spores. This can lead to rapid and sustained reduction in symptoms of depression.

In contrast to SSRI’s which require daily dosage and can take weeks for effects to become apparent, medical studies have shown rapid and sustained improvements in depressive symptoms lasting months after a single dose.

Effectiveness of psilocybin in treating depression

Recent studies have highlighted the effectiveness of Psilocybin as an effective treatment for depression without the side effects of SSRIs. A JAMA Psychiatry study noted that psilocybin from magic mushrooms produced profound and sustained alleviation from depressive symptoms. Participants reported not only a lifting of symptoms fo depression but also an increase in emotional wellbeing and connection with no sexual side effects, the opposite of the emotional blunting effects of SSRIs.

A study by John Hopkins university showed a sustained improvement in depression and anxiety for patients with life threatening cancer. These benefits lasted for around six months, showing a sustained improvement as opposed to daily medication.

How does Psilocybin avoid PSSD?

Unlike SSRIs which increase serotonin in the brain, psilocybin from magic mushrooms binds to the serotonin receptors, altering the neural connections. This improves neuroplasticity and breaks old thought patterns, allowing new brain connections to form, resulting in improved emotional connectivity without disrupting sexual functions.

There are even hints that psilocybin could reverse the effects of SSRIs, but this has not been researched thoroughly and there are only anecdotal findings, such as how this Reddit user found.

Challenges and Considerations

Psilocybin is not yet approved for clinical use in most countries. There is still a stigma from society against its use and even from the scientific community. However, as society learns of the potential of psilocybin and magic mushrooms, scientific studies into magic mushrooms continue to show more interest and potential.

It is important to note that psilocybin therapy requires a professional and supportive setting to be used safely as it can be very difficult to dose accurately and can be an extremely powerful experience. Psilocybin found naturally in magic mushrooms will have varying psilocybin content, therefore dosage from magic mushrooms is very difficult to calculate exactly. Trained therapists will be able to get the most out of a psychedelic experience.

Conclusion

As ongoing research progresses and regulatory hurdles become overridden, psilocybin from magic mushrooms could revolutionise the way depression is treated, offering hope to those who might otherwise suffer from from PSSD. Psilocybin could offer a promising alternative to SSRIs and their associated problems.

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