Naturalpath

Q: I was on antidepressants (SSRIs) for a few years, but I feel like I am ready to go off of them. This is my idea, and I haven’t spoken to my doctor about this yet. Throughout my time taking the antidepressants I have gained weight. I think this is a side effect of the pills I was taking. Along with the weight gain, my most bothersome side effects were abdominal pain and loss of sexual interest. What do you recommend I do when weaning of the pills to ensure that I will balance back to my weight prior to taking these drugs?

A: Congratulations on your progress! This is definitely something that you will want to discuss with your doctor and do under his supervision. As you have discovered, SSRIs have some tough side effects including weight gain, apathy, low sex drive and insomnia. Some of the side effects may be more difficult to deal with than the initial mood disorder.

SSRIs(selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) work by keeping serotonin around the receptor site but they do nothing to refuel your body’s gas tank of serotonin, the feel good brain chemical, OR replete any nutrient deficiencies of the cofactors needed to make serotonin in the first place. If you want to go off your SSRI you need to ensure that you have optimal levels of all of the necessary cofactors for making serotonin including B6, magnesium, SAME, Vitamin C, folic acid, copper and iron.

You also need to make sure that you have enough serotonin “fuel” in the tank. You get serotonin by eating protein that contains the amino acid trytophan. You need to ensure that you have adequate stomach acid to breakdown your protein so that your body can use its building blocks. You may also need to add some 5-HTP in supplement form. 5-HTP is the direct precursor amino acid to serotonin. You can actually test 5-Hydroxyindoleacetate(5-HIA)levels in the urine to determine your serotonin repletion needs. 5-HIA is an organic acid that is a marker of serotonin breakdown. If it is low it signifies a lower production of serotonin and the need for repletion.

I have successfully gotten clients off their SSRIs working in tandem with their medical doctor by adding in 5-HTP and gradually titrating it up while their doctor lowers their SSRI dose until they are off their SSRI completely. Over time as they replete their serotonin levels and their necessary cofactors they may not need 5-HTP at all.

You should also take advantage of all of the things that help raise serotonin naturally including lowering stress, getting sunshine, taking time out for fun, cross training exercise and the scent & flavor of vanilla bean .

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