Any combined use of drink, drugs and pills is risky, as the effect is difficult to predict. This also applies to the combination of stimulants and antidepressants.
Antidepressants affect the brain and regulate the absorption and reabsorption of a number of neurotransmitters. These are substances that influence our mood. One of these is serotonin. People who are depressed often show a lack of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin plays a major role in mood and emotions. By regulating the availability of serotonin in the brain, antidepressants help to improve mood.
Risks of combined use
Stimulants (speed, cocaine and ecstasy) disrupt the same neurotransmitters that are also affected by antidepressants. This can lead to too much serotonin in the brain and to serotonin poisoning. Symptoms include overheating, cardiac arrhythmia, blood clotting, loss of consciousness, increased blood pressure and heart rate, and increasing the risk of heart attack or cardiac arrest.
Using an antidepressant to prevent depressive symptoms is strongly discouraged! Some antidepressants slow down the breakdown of speed and ecstasy in the liver. These substances then remain in the body much longer than usual. Someone who uses a lot of speed, cocaine or ecstasy in one evening and also takes antidepressants can accumulate life-threatening doses of these drugs in their body. If you are prescribed antidepressants, it is better not to take speed, cocaine or ecstasy.
People who use speed, cocaine or ecstasy and visit their doctor with symptoms of depression should inform the doctor of their use before prescribing medication.
