Discussion Alternative treatments for MDD and/or GAD

[grapevoid]

Has anyone tried alternative treatment for Major depressive disorder outside of the typical therapy and medication?

For example; psilocybin, ketamine, (other psychedelics), any type of neuro stimulation (not talk therapy)

If so, what have you used and how did it work for you?

 

[rs929]

I'm interested too. But you gotta realize most people in this forum haven't got results from pretty much anything. It's a sample bias

 

[grapevoid]

I'm interested too. But you gotta realize most people in this forum haven't got results from pretty much anything. It's a sample bias

I'm just curious if many people have even explored those options, and if so, what the effect was. Both psilocybin and ketamine have shown favorable results for TRD, MDD and PTSD when used in a controlled setting. I read psilocybin has even shown significant improvement in suicidal ideation in 1 or 2 treatments. I haven't seen any negative feedback on them outside of use by people who have BPD or mental disorders that entail "psychosis"

I'm wondering if there is negative feedback other than that? Or maybe they're magic mushrooms literally

To be completely honest … I'm afraid a lot of people on this site haven't tried much in the way of treatment. I've talked to multiple people here who have never even heard of neuro switching or any similar coping mechanisms for anxiety and self harm, which I think it's fair to say even a regular talk therapist would likely mention if the patient was expressing anxiety, suicidal ideation, self harm etc.

but alas, I am in the recovery section so hoping people over here are genuinely exploring options for recovery and may have insight lol

 

[rs929]

There are pretty much everything here. Some people have tried it all, even electroconvulsive therapy and didn't work, and others refuse (or cant afford) psychotherapy and meds altogether.

Im on meds and psychotherapy myself, but havent tried ketamine and psilocibin. Ketamine is kind of expensive here and there are no trials for "official" psylocibin. So you have to microdose yourself. Don't know where to get it but I'd try it

 

[http-410]

I received ketamine infusions and rTMS, unfortunately neither really worked for me.

Nevertheless, ketamine was a mind-blowing experience and I might consider trying it again. During the weeks I received ketamine therapy, there were a few moments when I felt less suicidal (but also the opposite), but I can't say for sure if it was because I was dealing with the aftermath of the trip/experience or if it was actually working. The anti-suicidal effects wore off a few days after each infusion.

Having felt like dying several times while K-holing, the long-term effect I got from it is that I generally care less about everything.

 

[grapevoid]

There are pretty much everything here. Some people have tried it all, even electroconvulsive therapy and didn't work, and others refuse (or cant afford) psychotherapy and meds altogether.

Im on meds and psychotherapy myself, but havent tried ketamine and psilocibin. Ketamine is kind of expensive here and there are no trials for "official" psylocibin. So you have to microdose yourself. Don't know where to get it but I'd try it

They just legalized psilocybin where I live and there are now a few clinics opening up. Though it is called something else as it is in the form of a legalized drug, not mushrooms. I think it's much less expensive than ketamine which is quite expensive here too and not covered by insurance because it's a newer treatment

I've tried mushrooms a lot of times, and microdosing but it was many years ago. Now I'm on a lot of meds and have been diagnosed with PTSD since then so I'm somewhat reluctant to self administer psychedelics out of fear of some crazy triggered flash back or something

I received ketamine infusions and rTMS, unfortunately neither really worked for me.

Nevertheless, ketamine was a mind-blowing experience and I might consider trying it again. During the weeks I received ketamine therapy, there were a few moments when I felt less suicidal (but also the opposite), but I can't say for sure if it was because I was dealing with the aftermath of the trip/experience or if it was actually working. The anti-suicidal effects wore off a few days after each infusion.

Having felt like dying several times during the K-Holes, the long-term effect I got from it is that I generally care less about everything.

See! That's why I refused ketamine while inpatient because I was afraid it would be an awful experience given the circumstances I was in. The psychiatrist marked me as "too combative to accept treatment" for it too haaaa

How long/how many treatments did you receive?

 

[http-410]

See! That's why I refused ketamine while inpatient because I was afraid it would be an awful experience given the circumstances I was in. The psychiatrist marked me as "too combative to accept treatment" for it too haaaa

I can only say that if I had to choose any antidepressant method (pills, ECT or whatever), it would be ketamine. It was the only thing that had any effect at all for me. However, as already mentioned, it also had the completely opposite effect at times so I was extremely suicidal. I think it also depends on your environment and how you process what you have experienced afterwards. There are ketamine therapies with follow-up counselling, but that's not available here, and I think I could have benefited from it afterwards rather than keeping all that crazy stuff to myself.

If someone in real life told me they weren't having any luck with the usual treatments, I would definitely recommend it. However, it was no walk in the park. Afterwards, I felt like I'd been run over, vulnerable, and my insomnia was way worse than usual. Oh, and I had a panic attack during the infusion once, but I was able to calm myself down again.

Edit: I should probably clarify that 'dying' / k-holing didn't necessarily feel bad. Maybe that was what made me more suicidal lol.

How long/how many treatments did you receive?

I had weekly (1) infusions for six weeks. After that, you normally only have a single "booster", but I had another six after a year.

 

[oneeyed]

I tried microdosing shrooms and once tried to get a light trip from it (I forget how many grams) I didn't notice any change but also because I'm on ssri's which interferes with psilocybin. So if you are already on meds be very very careful. If you have bpd or schizophrenia DO NOT try it unless it is in a controlled environment with medical professionals, and even then, that's risky. With those conditions you are at greater risk at going into psychosis... From what I've read.

 

[grapevoid]

I tried microdosing shrooms and once tried to get a light trip from it (I forget how many grams) I didn't notice any change but also because I'm on ssri's which interferes with psilocybin. So if you are already on meds be very very careful. If you have bpd or schizophrenia DO NOT try it unless it is in a controlled environment with medical professionals, and even then, that's risky. With those conditions you are at greater risk at going into psychosis... From what I've read.

Yessss there was a study on psilocybin and BPD and it was like a little over 50 percent were triggered into mania from it… so that's scary.
I don't take SSRIs so I'm not worried about that. My biggest concern is getting triggered while on the psychedelics. I have my triggers really under control right now and I'm worried about reopening some kind of hidden gem in the back of my mind

 

[vitbar]

I took LSD and psilocybin mushrooms as recreation not treatment. My mood would be better for a few weeks after a trip. Not done microdosing.

 

[divinemistress36]

Yessss there was a study on psilocybin and BPD and it was like a little over 50 percent were triggered into mania from it… so that's scary.
I don't take SSRIs so I'm not worried about that. My biggest concern is getting triggered while on the psychedelics. I have my triggers really under control right now and I'm worried about reopening some kind of hidden gem in the back of my mind

Thats why its best to microdose. A very low dose

 

[ChrisFromEarth]

I tried everything that is legal, to no avail.
Right now I am starting microdosing psilocybin truffles which are legal in Europe.
I tapered off Lithium and currently tapering off Sertralin and Amitriptylin and it is quite scary. But then again those meds did not help me and they will block psilocybin.

So it's only benzodiazepine that I am already dependent on for me. Nothing else helps and after a year I feel it is working less.
ChatGPT really helped me creating a plan for my mission.
If microdosing will not help, I will go for a macrodose. It is pretty much my last hope.

 

[angelz08]

i am currently enrolled in a clinical trial and am receiving ketamine infusions. ive completed 5 out of 8 sessions and have had a slight but noticeable improvement in mood however my suicidal ideation is just as strong as ever. ive done psilocybin about 5 times outside of a clinical setting and all it did was make me anxious during the trip. ill probably have to try ECT next.