[swalling]

Thanks for sharing your experience.

I think in my part my negative reaction is, like many people, having observed the effects of SSRIs on young people. It's well known that risks like suicidal ideation are actually higher among those under 25, and in general it is awful to see the mental health crisis among young people dealt with primarily via instantly reaching toward semi-permanent medication, rather than considering other treatments.

[Karrot_Kream]

I don't know if reacting to current events to offer medical advice is the best way to go. SSRIs were of great help to me when I was in the throes of my anxiety disorder, but psychadelics had given me harrowingly bad trips before I started a meditation practice (the mental fortitude has really helped.) One particular trip made me feel like I just came back from hell and I didn't feel "back" for days afterward. Mental health is tough and nobody seems to have the answers. As with everything, following the beaten path will lead you to surfaces well-trodden, and answers at this point in time are more personal than known science.

[alwaysbeconsing]

The most reasonable conculsion (though tentative) seems to be that SSRI and the more "traditional" option may help some, while psychedelics may help others. (And we have to imagine other drugs in the future will be found.) The trick will to figure out which person will respond to which. But I think all can agree having more options is better.

[swalling]

Yes. My root comment is not giving medical advice, but stating the unspoken truth in the original article that people are reaching for psychedelic therapy because existing standard medications do not work for everyone. Real medical advice should be tailored to an individual's history and needs, which is what any good physician or psychiatrist would actually do.