SSRI Recovery Protocol

Many have been asking about tools for overcoming pharmaceutical anti-depressants and addiction withdrawal. It is important to know that withdrawal symptoms are largely misunderstood, and it's not just the resulting up/downregulation of receptors and transporters involved here. For SSRIs specifically (individual receptors will depend on the specific chemical and its mechanisms involved), but the main jist is upregulated SERT transporter (low serotonin availability), low BDNF, rebound inflammation, decreased agmatine production, and downregulated 5-HT1A (dynorphin may be implicated here, hence the common dysphoria involved) and 5-HT2B receptors. With specific SSRIs, low allopregnenolone production may also be an involved factor. All of these means low serotonin, high glutamate, low GABA, low endorphins, low neuroplasticity, high inflammation. These will be the factors we are addressing here.

You must know that the daily consumption of any potent isolated chemical will occupy liver CYP detox pathways, whichever are used to metabolize that chemical. This occupation results in decreased function of that detox pathway and results in accumulation of that substance and whatever toxins are bound to it. Withdrawal is ALSO the liver, kidneys, spleen, etc. functioning again, releasing those toxins into the blood and body. This can be VERY painful.

Tools such as black seed oil can be used to support the detox organs again and get them functioning properly again. You will also want to focus on nutrient-dense whole foods to nourish these organs and enable detox pathways with building blocks. The diet should mainly consist of meats, seafood, organs (beef/bison/cod liver once or twice a week), eggs, goat dairy/kefir, any vegetables you can tolerate, tubers, and fruits if you do not have insulin resistance.

Implement ZERO TOLERANCE for all forms of (minimum of 3-6 months)

 - Refined Sucrose, and artificial sweeteners
- Soy
- Corn, and all its derivatives
- Grains (gluten/bread, legumes/beans, nuts included)
- Industrialized vegetable/seed oils
- Low-quality commercial animals
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Smoke

This elimination protocol resets inflammation levels to a baseline and greatly reduces the discomfort experienced in ANY withdrawal process, which enabling proper neurotransmitter function.

With proper neurotransmitter function mentioned, you MUST know DAILY SUNLIGHT EXPOSURE is necessary for serotonin, dopamine, melatonin, and beta-endorphin production. Preferably at sunrise and sunset, but please see the Sun Protocols to learn more about best timing and how to go about building your solar callus. Even better if you establish this practice before tapering.

You will never want to go cold turkey off of these chemicals, a slow and preferably medically supervised taper is highly recommended to reduce the discomfort you may experience.

Oral and intranasal AGMATINE can be utilized to eliminate those painful BRAIN ZAPS. The dosage required can vary highly depending on the individual, you can start with 500mg oral, but I've worked with people who require as much as one full leveled teaspoon of raw powder.

An intranasal saline solution will get more of the agmatine directed into the brain, and can be made by the following:
1 gram to 10ml saline solution, gently warmed for 10 seconds in the microwave, dissolve and add to a pump style nasal bottle. 2-4 pumps per nostril, lasts up to 12 hrs vs 4 hrs with oral. You will want to cycle this with oral consumption as it can be very drying for the nostrils. Perhaps no more than 3-5 days on. After each administration, waiting 5 min and then rinsing with regular saline spray can be helpful in preventing dryness.

The other helpful tools we will be looking at here are Peganum harmala/Syrian rue (MICRODOSE), lion's mane (extract or full mushroom is fine), High Concentration Magnesium in multiple forms (Magnesium chloride oral and topical) and Magnesium glycinate with L-theanine), inositol in the form of IP3 (myoinositol) and IP6 (inositol hexaphosphate), black seed oil, and Styrian pumpkin seed oil.

The recipe for microdose Peganum harmala/Syrian rue is as follows...
2.5-5g of seeds measured and poured into 1 gallon of DISTILLED WATER (must be distilled to avoid bacteria accumulation), let steep for 24 hrs, then have 1/2-1 cup in the morning and 1/2-1 cup before sleep. You will not want to overdo this, but it will eliminate many withdrawal symptoms and you can potentially greatly reduce your dosage as it will potentiate some of the residual SSRI leftover or whatever you're taking. You will want to be mindful of the interaction to avoid potential serotonin toxicity. This is necessary to begin regenerating all of your receptors. If you are unsure of the pharmacokinetics, you may begin this after completing your taper.

Beta-Carbolines have major diverse roles in the body. Whereas Pharmaceutical Reuptake Inhibitors don't work very well and have detrimental side effects, plant-based Beta-Carbolines are found in thousands of plants and provide effective alternatives with little to no side effects when taken appropriately. 

The research for the past 50 years in Down Syndrome has focused on the Beta-Carboline Harmine and Harmala as the most preferential and most selective inhibitor of the gene DYRK1A that causes over growth in Down Syndrome, Autism, diabetes, various cancers, and other disorders. Thus pharmaceutical companies are trying to create an analog to patent, but they are less effective and have side effects 

This same Beta Carboline is the reference compound for the anti-depressant medications called MAOI or Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors. Harmine and Harmaline are Reversible MAOI category A, which means they are relatively short-lasting as opposed to staying in the body for days or requiring days of build-up. Category A also works on some neurotransmitters and category B on other neurotransmitters.

While Pharmaceutical MAOI are NOT reversible or category A, they have concerns over Tyramine causing hypertension and possibly severe enough for a hospital. However, Reversible MAOI-A Harmine and Harmaline do not interact with Tyramine and therefor do not cause this risk of Tyramine and do not require a person to abide by a Tyramine Elimination diet which happens to be a range of health foods. 

MAOI has neuroprotective effects by inhibiting the Oxidase enzyme from sticking oxygen molecules to your neurotransmitters and thus disabling them or converting them to acidic wastes. Thus you get to use your neurotransmitters for longer and they build up to appropriate levels to keep you working smoothly. 

In Ayurveda and the Middle East, they use Esfand or Syrian Rue (not to be mistaken with Ruta Graveolens) is used for many health benefits, and this plant is known to contain some of the highest levels of Harmaline and Harmine beta-carbolines. However, it also contains many other beneficial compounds and is shown to increase the pool of Neural Progenitor Stem Cell Pool in your brain. It is also Anti-Inflammatory to the brain, nervous system, and intestine.

Polygala Tenufolia is known to contain lesser amounts of beta-carbolines MAOI-A but also contains MAOI-B and thus is more well-rounded and balance in brain function support. Polygala Tenufolia has been used around the world for many benefits for thousands of years. In Chinese Medicine, it is considered to be the ideal SHEN Tonic which is the House of Your Spirit and the Heart. Stabilizing and strengthening the heart and reducing anxiety and cortisol while also enhancing brain function. It is also Anti-Inflammatory to the brain, nervous system, and intestine. 

Nigella Sativa Oil is Black Cumin Seed Oil. It contains Thymoquinone, which is a significant cleanse detox molecule that converts the inflammation molecule NADH to methionine and activates gene expression to make glutathione and Superoxide Dismutase, so brain fog is eliminated and your mind functions again. It is also Anti-Inflammatory to the brain, nervous system and intestine. Cumin regulates over 40 genes directly that control your immune system and growth factors for the brain, body, mitochondria, and bones. It contains Beta-Carbolines and many other beneficial compounds. Nigella sativa also contains an activator of the gene CHK1 and CHK2 which partly inhibits growth genes and counteracts the DYRK1A gene. It is also a significant benefit to the liver and cardiovascular system.  https://bmccomplementalternmed.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1472-6882-13-121

An important support list of cofactors to transition off of pharmaceutical anti-depressants or other addictive drugs is to understand about eliminating withdrawal symptoms caused by overactive NMDA Activity and underactive GABAergic system. This discussion reviews the cofactors for releiving NMDA receptors and nourishing healthy GABA-ergic receptors and neurotransmitters.
http://www.holistichelp.net/blog/how-to-increase-gaba-and-balance-glutamate/  

This is where the Magnesium and L-theanine come in. Topical magnesium chloride solution can be made with 100-250g salt flakes dissolved in 1/2 liter distilled water in a glass spray bottle, soak the back of the head, entire neck, and entire full upper body. Magnesium glycinate and L-theanine for daytime usage will want to remain in the 200-750mg range and can be had 1-3 times during the daytime, dissolved under the tongue if you need extra brain support/relief. 1000-2000mg of both before sleep. This is very important to remain comfortable.

Inositol can be had 1/2 tsp to 1 tbsp dissolved in a glass of water and drank or dissolved underneath the tongue for additional relief of brain discomfort, dysphoria, brain zaps, rumination, intrusive thoughts, racing thoughts, and suicidal ideation. You may consume up to 6 tbsp of raw powder during this recovery process if you feel necessary.

Information gets you 1/3rd of the way, the other 2/3rds is implementing it. 

Learn and do. Do and learn. You can do it.  Combine the other info above if it works for you tooooo.

As always, please let me know if you have ANY questions, especially with this protocol. I will be resuming coaching sessions by late August if you feel you may need help here.

Additional notes that just came to mind: Part of preventing downregulation is enhancing telomerase via Bacopa monnieri, Gotu kola (Centella asiatica), and Astragalus membranaceous. They also seem to be greater serotonin growth or at least stabilizing to tone down overactive dopamine, there by allowing/supporting more serotonins.

Serotonin is also released from white blood cells for macrophage immunity. The serotonin causes whatever it encounters to shrivel up and stop functioning to be carted off to the liver for bowel elimination.  Lewy bodies in the brain occur in sync with lewy bodies in the intestine, same for serotonin.

A major category of poisons is Serotonin type poisons like cactuses, poison ivy, psychedelics. The Peganum harmala/Syrian rue is the hot poison antidote, blend wth any poison to make its antidote.

So what do good biohackers eat to recover? Bananas, 5-HTP, SAMe, B vitamins, proten, and pumpkins (seeds as well). Be careful with 5-HTP and SAMe if still on the SSRI.

While that is the base standard for the majority, it will be down to the individual persons' genetics and best to test for serotonin genetics when the usual standard approach does not seem to work, then a further protocol can be created in that situation.