I take Venlafaxine (37.5mg 2 tablets per day). Can I take cannabis occasionally (either CBD spray or smoked THC)

Question

I also drink a little alcohol almost every day, but I always wonder how much it might affect my antidepressant. Although I have never taken it before, I also wonder if hallucinogens such as psilocybe could be considered.

Simon Moretti · Accepted Answer

Hello, venlafaxine (as well as other antidepressants) is a drug that works by modulating neurotransmitters in the Central Nervous System (CNS). Alcohol, cannabinoids (whether CBD or THC) and other drugs (including psilocybe) are known CNS depressants. Mixing all of these substances (at least 2 of them) can lead to increased CNS toxicity or depression (which could range from drowsiness or confusion to coma and death) depending on the dose of each agent. It is therefore desirable to avoid mixing these substances with venlafaxine. In your case, given the small dose of venlafaxine (75mg), I believe that reasonable alcohol consumption (1 or 2 drinks) should not cause any really serious side effects. It is more difficult to predict the effect of taking other substances at the same time, since there is a big difference in tolerance from one person to another In any case, if you decide to try it, I would recommend that you take only one substance at a time in small quantities to start with, so that you can react in case of an adverse reaction. Good thinking!