At Vital Reset, many people ask us if they can still benefit from psilocybin journeys while taking antidepressants. It’s a good question—and an important one.
We’re sharing what we know so far about psilocybin and antidepressants, based on research and our experience working with clients across Oregon.
Here’s what we know.
How Antidepressants and Psilocybin Work
Psilocybin is the main ingredient in certain mushrooms. Once you take it, your body turns it into a substance called psilocin. Psilocin affects a part of the brain called the 5HT2a serotonin receptor. That’s the same area most antidepressants affect.
If you’ve been taking antidepressants for a long time, your brain may become less sensitive in that area. This could mean that psilocybin doesn’t work as strongly for you—or it might take longer to feel the effects.
This is part of what makes the topic of psilocybin and antidepressants so complex.
What The Research Says
One survey study from Johns Hopkins found that people who took antidepressants for a long time sometimes had a weaker experience with psilocybin. But people who had been on antidepressants for only a short time (like two weeks) didn’t see much difference.
Another large study from a company called COMPASS Pathways found something surprising. People on SSRIs (a common kind of antidepressant) did seem to benefit from psilocybin just as much as people who were not on those meds, even if their psilocybin experience was not very visual, mystical, or magical.
Because the results are mixed, many research studies ask people to stop their antidepressants before joining a psilocybin trial. If you’re researching psilocybin and antidepressants, it’s important to understand that findings are still evolving.
Is It Safe To Combine Them?
So far, the research says it’s mostly safe to take psilocybin while on antidepressants. There haven’t been big problems like serotonin syndrome or other dangerous effects. But every person is different.
If you are thinking about combining the two, it’s important to:
Talk to your doctor
Tell your facilitator what medications you take
Listen to your body
Whether or not psilocybin and antidepressants can safely be used together depends on your personal health, history, and support system.
Should I Taper Off My Antidepressant?
Great question!
Some people want to lower or stop their antidepressant before a psilocybin session. That may help the journey feel stronger. But don’t do this on your own. Tapering needs to be done slowly and carefully, with a medical provider.
At Vital Reset, we work with you to create a safe plan. We can talk to your doctor (with your permission) and make sure everything is done with care. If you do taper off your antidepressant, it’s essential to monitor yourself after your psilocybin experience. Some clients have a return of depression symptoms and need to work with their doctor—or a specialist in psilocybin and antidepressants—to find the right medication.
For more information, we recommend this blog post by a leading psychiatrist in Portland, Oregon.
What Clients Care About Most
If you’re feeling stuck on antidepressants or wondering if they’re still working, you’re not alone.
Many of our clients come to us:
Feeling flat, numb, or disconnected
Still dealing with depression even on meds
Wanting to try something natural and legal
Wondering if psilocybin could help them feel again
We offer legal, guided psilocybin experiences in a safe setting. Whether you stay on your meds or taper off, we’ll help you decide what’s right for you. We take a thoughtful and personalized approach to psilocybin and antidepressants.
