[The_rationalist]

Don't disregard scientific knowledge like that. Many (albeit not all) drugs have been extensively tested at least by close to exhaustively testing receptor binding sensitivity. Except for the extremely rare drugs that have very atypical action mechanism it allows to understand to a decent extent what it does pharmacologically. But also, understanding how a drug work isn't necessary for taking the risk of trying it given that most CNS (except DRA) drugs are "safe" especially if combined with potent neuroprotectors (anti oxidants, NMDA antagonists, etc) However even if the risk is low, I don't understand your motive to try it. The only one would be to advance scientific knowledge by self testing. But if the motive is for egoistic and not altruistic then there are much more proved antidepressants out there with small side effect profiles.

[bigmattystyles]

Oh - I muddled my phrasing - I agree with you, I was saying I would try a medication with historical, industry and regulatory backing even if we didn't understand exactly how it worked - not the saffron. That being said, I'm now planning to make paella...

[inter_netuser]

why aren't DRA safe?

[The_rationalist]

Well it was a simplification. I know that many dopamine releasing agents are safe, such as amantadine. However when a drug is a DRA + a dopamine reuptake inhibitor or worse reverse the transport of dopamin reuptake through TRAAR and / or is a dopamin agonist then there is a risk of neurotoxicity and of durably lowering dopamin receptor density in the brain. This also apply for other monoamines but to a lesser extent. Most of drugs that have this combination of action are https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Substituted_phenethylamine Some are safe such as D-amphetamine (Adderall, Vyvanse) but most have an unknown risk. Note that you can regrow lost receptors to some extent with e.g Uridine.