DoctorXLogo

St John’s Ward interactions

DoctorXFiles

I got a quick question:

I’ve started taking St. John’s Wort extract with amazing results (treating a mild – moderate depression).Do you know how long before taking MDMA I have to discontinue St. John’s in order not to get into a dangerous situation like serotonin syndrome or spoil the roll?

What about Amphetamines? Are they dangerous whilst on St. John’s (I figured no because they are not acting on serotonin that much)? Are you aware of any other drugs that might be dangerous with St. John’s?

Do just the same rules apply to St. John’s as to any «regular» SSRI in regards to drug use? I have done an extensive research on the internet but couldn’t find an answer

Originally posted in SR 2.0 7/5/23 . Reviewed 4/2/23

St. John’s Wort is a popular herbal supplement often used to help with depression and anxiety. Some people think that because it comes from a plant, it’s a more natural and healthier option. But it can interact with other drugs and medicines.

St John´s Wort acts like a monoamine oxidase inhibitor. So, theoretically, it could induce severe adverse effects in combination with drugs whose mechanism of action is related to dopamine, norepinephrine and/or serotonin liberation.

This includes MDMA, LSD, amphetamines, cocaine, psilocybin.

The use of ketamine , GHB or cannabis is probably safe .No toxicity has been reported and according the pharmacological mechanisms an interaction does not seem likely. Anyway this combinations are no recommended, as they could worsen or trigger depressive symptoms.

To be safe, it’s a good idea to stop taking St. John’s Wort for a couple of weeks before starting any other new drugs

LSD and nitrous oxid combination

DoctorXFiles

I have a more specific question concerning N2O (mixed with other substances like LSD).Over the last couple of months it has become somewhat if a ritual for me to induce myself into an LSD trip once or twice a month, very often with the assistance of short nitrous oxide «flashes».Now I know the effects it creates: Next to light headedness, slight euphoria and halluzinogenic coloring, I get a strong visual and sonic «echoing». Visual in the case that it’s like you are only able to see one still picture, and after the effects of the N2O slowly wear off, more and more of your surrounding increasingly starts to move again, but in an «echoey» way.This lasts for around 1-2 minutes, as usual.The last time I did such a LSD-N2O session though, one of these echoing «flashes» lasted worryingly long… I’m guessing well over half an hour!Does anyone remember the movie Riddick, when the Lord Marshal had this ghosting effect on his body? Imagine that, but on everything that is moving in your viewing field, and at much stronger effect!During that time you begin to panic because the effect isn’t wearing off, until you settle down and consider that a) the LSD is prolonging the effect and it will slowly wear off with the drug, or b) you have caused yourself an irreversible amount of brain damage.Thankfully it did wear off and I’m feeling fine again, but obviously it made me reconsider this practise of mixing both drugs to that extent. We’re talking about 300-400ug LSD plus ten capsules of gas in a five hour time frame…I know that neither LSD nor N2O have been tested scientifically to an extent, or even combined, and that a high amount of nitrous oxide can cause brain damage and B12 deficiency.But I’m asking myself HOW dangerous this mix is, and if there have been reports of N2O effects lasting that long, and/or if the effects are «normal» and how dangerous they are…Sorry for writing down the whole story, but it genuinely scared me and I wanted you to have a detailed picture of the situation, maybe you can help me out with some insight!

Originally posted in SR2.0 5/4/14 . Reviewed 4/2/23

LSD, is a powerful psychoactive substance known for its mind-altering effects. Effects can vary widely, and this variability is wider if it is combined with any other psychoactive substance. 

LSD is generally considered to be non-neurotoxic, even at high and frequent doses. 

Long-term exposure to high doses of nitrous oxide (N2O) can lead to neurotoxicity. N2O is a potent anesthetic and can cause a decline in vitamin B12 levels, which can lead to nerve damage. Chronic exposure to N2O can also lead to other adverse effects, such as memory impairment, balance problems, and cognitive decline. However, occasional or low-dose exposure to N2O is not considered to be neurotoxic

However, it is important to be cautious when combining LSD and other substances, including N2O. While the combination of these substances may not have serious neurobiological effects, it can still trigger panic attacks or unpleasant experiences for some individuals, depending on the doses used and personal characteristics.

Tooth ache, LSD and 2C-B

DoctorXFiles

For tooth pain, would it be safe to use a topical cream such as Orajel when taking LSD & 2cb?

Originally posted in SR 2.0 4/6/22 . Reviewed 3/2/22

Topical creams and psychedelics usually do not interact with each other.

However, it is important to note that psychedelics can significantly affect pain and bodily sensations, potentially altering them, intensifying them, or even giving them a different meaning.

If you have previous experience with psychedelics, you may understand this concept.

When considering the use of psychedelics, it is important to take this factor into account. To get the most out of your experience, it is advisable to use psychedelics when you are in good physical health, if possible