What Celexa Taught Me About Antidepressants and Psychedelic Healing

I went on Celexa in 2017 when life was hardcore life-ing . My nervous system was shot, I wasn’t sleeping, and everything felt like too much. It helped me get through a difficult patch of life. A low dose was enough to soften the sharpness of everyday life. I could function again. I was grateful.

But what they don’t tell you — or at least, what no one told me — is how hard it is to get off. My life environment was much more manageable, I got into a good routine, exercising, managing stress. A nice time to take off my training wheels.

I noticed that if I missed even one dose, I’d get these strange electric jolts through my body — like static shocks in my brain. It wasn’t painful, but it was disorienting, like my whole system was glitching out.

When I decided I wanted off, I did it slowly. Thoughtfully. I weaned for months. And still, I got hit with a wave of darkness that felt deeper than anything I’d felt before the meds. I wasn’t just sad — I was disconnected. Emotionally flatlined. Like my ability to feel joy, creativity, or connection had been turned off.

No one tells you how physically addictive SSRIs can be. And no one tells you that the emotional fallout isn’t necessarily your “original depression coming back” — sometimes, it’s just your serotonin-starved brain screaming for balance.

The SSRI Trap

SSRIs like Celexa (citalopram), Zoloft, and Lexapro are prescribed everywhere. They're handed out like emotional Advil — especially to women, especially in moments of crisis. And sometimes, they *do* help. But they don’t come without cost.

- SSRI withdrawal is real — and often misdiagnosed as relapse

- The longer you’re on them, the harder they are to come off

- They impact your ability to work with psychedelics, both micro and macro

SSRIs work by increasing the amount of serotonin available in the brain. They block its reabsorption so more is floating around — but over time, your brain adapts. It stops producing as much naturally. And when you take away the drug, you’re left running on empty.

How This Intersects With Psychedelics

Many of the most promising psychedelics — psilocybin, LSD, DMT — also work on serotonin pathways, especially the 5-HT2A receptor. But if that receptor is already dulled by long-term SSRI use, the effect of psychedelics can be:

- Muted or totally absent

- Unpredictable

- Less emotionally or therapeutically potent

On top of that, combining SSRIs with certain psychedelics (like MDMA or ayahuasca) can increase your risk for **serotonin syndrome**, a potentially dangerous overload of serotonin activity in the brain.

That doesn’t mean you can’t ever work with psychedelics if you’re on or coming off antidepressants — it just means you need to be informed, supported, and slow. There are ways to build a bridge between these two healing worlds, but they need to be walked with care.

What I Wish I Knew

I wish someone had told me how hard Celexa would be to come off of.

I wish I’d had support for the dark days.

I wish I’d known that psychedelics might not work the way I hoped while the meds were still in my system.

And I wish I’d had access to a space — a platform, a community, a resource — that acknowledged all of this without judgment.

That’s part of why we created The Doserie. Not because we have all the answers, but because we know what it’s like to search for them.

If you're navigating SSRIs, considering psychedelics, or trying to find your way back to yourself — you’re not alone. And there are tools that can support your healing, even when things feel messy or nonlinear.

Supplements That May Help With SSRI Withdrawal

1. Omega-3 Fatty Acids (EPA/DHA)

Why Reduces inflammation, supports brain health, and may stabilize mood during withdrawal.

Tip: Look for high-EPA formulations (1000mg+ per day). Nordic Naturals or Carlson’s are solid.

2. Magnesium (Glycinate or L-Threonate)

Why: Helps calm the nervous system, supports sleep, and may reduce brain zaps.

Tip:Glycinate is great for anxiety; L-Threonate crosses the blood-brain barrier.

3. L-Theanine

Why: An amino acid that promotes calm and focus without sedation. Great for withdrawal-related anxiety.

Dose: 200mg as needed, or daily with morning tea.

4. B-Complex Vitamins (especially B6, B9, B12)

Why: These support neurotransmitter synthesis and energy metabolism. Withdrawal can zap your reserves.

Tip: Look for methylated forms if possible (like methylcobalamin and methylfolate).

5. 5-HTP or Tryptophan (with caution)

Why:These are serotonin precursors. Some folks find they help bridge the serotonin gap post-SSRI.

Warning: Do not take these while still on your SSRI — risk of serotonin syndrome. Best introduced weeks after fully tapering and when brain zaps have stopped.

6. Ashwagandha or Rhodiola (adaptogens)

Why: Help balance cortisol, support adrenal recovery, and buffer stress.

7. Lion’s Mane Mushroom

Why: Encourages nerve growth factor (NGF), supports neuroplasticity, and may help restore cognitive sharpness.

Lifestyle Add-Ons That Actually Work

- Daily movement (even just walks) to increase natural serotonin and dopamine

- Sunlight or red light therapy to help regulate circadian rhythms and mood

- Sauna + cold exposure (if you can access it) — builds stress resilience and nervous system adaptability

- Sleep hygiene rituals — withdrawal wrecks sleep, so anything to support that helps everything else

- Gentle journaling or mood tracking — so you don’t gaslight yourself when the lows hit

Optional Integration Add-On (Post-SSRI)

Once you've been off for a few weeks (or months) and things feel more stable, some folks carefully introduce:

- Microdoses of psilocybin or LSD

- Ceremonial cacao (for heart and dopamine support)

- Somatic or creative practices to reawaken feeling/sensation after emotional numbness