Apology for Illegal Drug Question

[newyork1]

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Looking back I realize the error in asking a question about illegal drugs and anti-depressant medication.
I was aware that this is a site for pre-professionals and professionals.I would like to apologize for all of those who read my thread and were upset because they felt that my question alienated the purpose of this forum.
Sorry to make a long thread but please bear with me, I think there are people who would be interested in this topic.
I am here to defend my question because it challenges the opinions of the professional community and I shall argue that this topic is relevant to their field. There is no doubt that morally and ethically speaking there would be debate on this topic and the purpose is purely to engage in a dialogue and not to aid or encourage drug use.
I am upset that my thread was closed but I hold hope that it was because I worded it in a way that was inappropriate and again, I apologize, sincerely.

I will try one last time because this question challenges the thoughts of professional people who no doubt are revered and respected. After all, doctors of all kind (anyone in the medical profession, be it pharmacists, chemists, or physicians or etc..) were considered gods in ancient times. And for good reason.
Again sorry for a long post, I promise I will only try once more (just this time) so that I won't intrude on the integrity of an obviously professionally developed and well-run community.

The Question Is:
When a patient is taking anti-depressants(specifically SSRI s), what are the expected responses and reactions of the brain and body when taking illicit drugs such as ecstasy, mushrooms, and cocaine?

 

[JerryPharmD]

The Question Is:
When a patient is taking anti-depressants(specifically SSRI s), what are the expected responses and reactions of the brain and body when taking illicit drugs such as ecstasy, mushrooms, and cocaine?

They really don't teach that in school, and you would have a tough time getting an answer even if they did. I'll quote my favorite professor with my answer: "They can't be good." Adding mind-altering substances to those who are already taking medications that affect brain chemistry would not a good idea in my opinion.

 

[WVUPharm2007]

Exactly. Whenever they do clinical trials, they usually don't take people who are illicit drug users. Information about interactions between illicits and legit drugs are usually sketchy unless serious reactions are found in case studies. I have ideas based upon the pharmacology of each agent as to what would happen...but I think I'll pull the trick used by the poster ZpakSux and tell you that you could easily arrive at my conclusion by researching the receptor and resultant neurotransmitter pharmacology each agent produces and comparing it to what SSRIs do.

 

[JerryPharmD]

The illicit drugs that you mentioned can permanently alter brain chemistry (especially the first two). There have been many studies published about MDMA and its effects on the brain. The long term consequences vastly outweigh any potential medcal benefits, from what I have read. NOTHING is worth frying your brain for life, in addition to the criminal/social issues that surround these drugs.

 

[PharmaSynergy]

I seem to recall from toxicology class, certain mushrooms (the psilocybins/psilocins) have a chemical structure similar to serotonin (5HT), therefore they act on 5HT receptors. There is evidence that psilocybin inhibits 5HT reuptake ... so one can speculate that such mushrooms might potentiate the effects of SSRIs. On the contrary, the mushrooms might block SSRIs from working the way they should. Either way, it's a no-win situation when it comes to mixing legit drugs with illicit ones.

 

[confettiflyer]

After all, doctors of all kind (anyone in the medical profession, be it pharmacists, chemists, or physicians or etc..) were considered gods in ancient times.

I was under the impression that doctors were looked down upon until about the 19th century or so and that law was the "noble" profession to go into?

 

[newyork1]

I specifically had in mind primitive tribes where those that mastered the use of herbs as treatments (shamans and such) had a very revered status. I'm not too literate on the subject of how doctors were treated in the more developed countries of old times.

 

[Epic]

More information we gather, more questions arise.

Typical drug interaction studies and references look at 2 drugs and how they interact. That subject alone can produce a life long study.

How often do we see a study containing drug interactions between 3 drugs and 4 drugs? I haven't.

So, to answer your question... We don't know.

But here is an anecdotal statement from me. Alteration of neurochemicals and neurotransmitters can't be good. Unless benefit outweighs risk, stay away from drugs... including SSRI. 10 minutes of mood enhancement isn't worth irreversible damage to your brain.

There is no pleasure better than to experience the highs of life with a clear and sober mind.

 

[No1 Pusher]

^^ Word!

 

[sdn1977]

Well, having gone to school in the 70's in SF - there were drugs & drugs & drugs, altho no SSRIs. Those came waaaaay after I went to school there.

We may not have "studies" per se, but we do have cliinical experience because folks really do take these prescription drugs & dabble a bit in illicit drug use.

As for specific sx - they can run the gamut from neuomuscular issues which can be permanent to transient alterations in mentation & motor skills.

There is no way to actually predict the outcome. When a pt comes into the ER with this stuf on board, they are not treated in a "cookbook" fashion. They are treated symptomatically with the major emphasis on life support. Each drug takes its own time to leave the body - some have active metabolites & some don't.

There really is no cut & dried answer to your question. This falls into the realm of the "artum" of secundum artum of pharmacy or medicine - the actual "art" rather than the science of medicine.

Good luck & don't try to combine this stuff nor encourage your friends to combine.