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Catina

Tapering: Effexor

2,463 posts

USA

Things to Avoid (or Use Caution With) During Withdrawal

March 22, 2026··

Many people in withdrawal report increased sensitivity to substances that affect the central nervous system. Use caution with adding any of the following as they are known to cause issues: 1. Substances That Directly Impact the CNS Alcohol • Highly destabilizing to the central nervous system • Can worsen anxiety, depression, insomnia, and symptoms • Often causes delayed setbacks (next-day or multi-day crashes) Nicotine (Cigarettes, Vaping, Nicotine Replacement) • Stimulates the nervous system • Can increase anxiety, heart palpitations, and agitation • Withdrawal from nicotine itself can complicate symptoms PLEASE NOTE: Stopping/reducing smoking changes how Clozapine is metabolized, which can cause Clozapine toxicity & death. This can also apply to Olanzapine. (WARNING!) Recreational Drugs • Cannabis (THC in particular) • Cocaine • MDMA (Ecstasy) • Amphetamines (non-prescribed) • Psychedelics (LSD, psilocybin) Why avoid: Unpredictable effects on a sensitized brain; may trigger severe anxiety, depersonalization, or setbacks. 2. Psychiatric & Neurologically Active Medications • Benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam, lorazepam) • Z-drugs (zolpidem, zopiclone) • Antihistamines with sedating properties (e.g., diphenhydramine) • Stimulants (e.g., Adderall, methylphenidate) • Antipsychotics • Mood stabilizers • Gabapentinoids (gabapentin, pregabalin) Why: The nervous system is trying to recalibrate—adding new CNS-active drugs can worsen instability or create new dependence. 3. Caffeine & Stimulants Caffeine (major trigger for many) • Coffee (even decaf coffee contains a small amount of caffeine and other stimulants) • Energy drinks • Strong tea (black, green in high amounts) • Pre-workout supplements Effects: • Increases cortisol and adrenaline • Can worsen anxiety, insomnia, heart palpitations, and “wired but tired” feeling Other Stimulants • Guarana • Yerba mate • High-dose B vitamins (especially B6, B12 in some people) 4. Supplements That Can Aggravate Symptoms Even “natural” doesn’t mean safe during withdrawal. Common Problematic Supplements • 5-HTP • St. John’s Wort • SAM-e • GABA supplements • L-theanine (can be calming for some, activating for others) • Ashwagandha (can overstimulate some) • Rhodiola (stimulating adaptogen) • Ginseng • Tyrosine / DLPA Why avoid or be cautious: • Can alter neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine, GABA) • May trigger anxiety, agitation, or mood swings • Effects are unpredictable in a sensitized CNS 5. Over-the-Counter Medications Use caution with: • Decongestants (pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine) • Cough medicines (especially those with dextromethorphan) • Sleep aids (diphenhydramine, doxylamine) • Motion sickness meds (some are anticholinergic) Why: • Many affect the brain directly • Can worsen confusion, anxiety, or insomnia 6. Foods That Can Aggravate the Nervous System Not everyone reacts the same—but many in withdrawal become sensitive. Highly Stimulating or Triggering Foods • Excess sugar (blood sugar spikes → anxiety) • Artificial sweeteners (aspartame, sucralose) • MSG (monosodium glutamate) • Highly processed foods High Histamine Foods (important for sensitive individuals) • Aged cheeses • Fermented foods (sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha) • Processed meats • Alcohol (also listed above) • Vinegar-heavy foods Other Potential Triggers • Chocolate (contains caffeine + theobromine) • Spicy foods (can increase adrenaline response) • Large, heavy meals (stress on body) 7. Hormonal & Metabolic Stressors Fasting / Skipping Meals • Can destabilize blood sugar • Leads to adrenaline spikes → anxiety Extreme Diets • Keto (can be too stressful for some; others do find it helpful) • Very low-carb diets (can affect mood stability) 8. Environmental & Lifestyle Stressors These aren’t substances, but they strongly impact the CNS: • Sleep deprivation • Overexertion (physical or mental) • Intense exercise (especially early in withdrawal) • Emotional stress / conflict • Excessive screen time • Loud environments / sensory overload 9. Antibiotics & Certain Medications (Use Caution) Some are known to affect the CNS: • Fluoroquinolone antibiotics (e.g. Cipro, Levaquin) • Steroids (prednisone) • Certain antivirals Why: • Can cause anxiety, insomnia, or neurological symptoms • May trigger setbacks in sensitive individuals 10. Sudden Changes of Any Kind This is one of the most overlooked triggers. • Starting/stopping supplements abruptly • Changing diet drastically • Rapid medication changes • Travel, time zone shifts Why: The nervous system in withdrawal prefers consistency and predictability. Key Principle to Remember: “When in withdrawal, less is more.” The central nervous system is in a hypersensitive, healing state. Substances that were once tolerated can now cause exaggerated reactions. Stability, simplicity, and consistency are the safest approach. Please Note: Not everyone will react to all of the items listed above. If symptoms worsen after introducing something new, consider removing it and returning to a stable baseline. Disclaimer: This information is based on lived experience within psychiatric drug withdrawal communities and is not medical advice.

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 17.92 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Levothyroxine - 25 mcg

“Your brain and body know how to heal. Trust the process and keep going.”

Please Note: I am not a healthcare professional. Any advice given is based on personal experience and that of others in the lay withdrawal community.

25 Replies

JulesStaffMar 22

Community Anchor

So for those who are withdrawing from psych drugs, like antidepressants, but are also on benzos that affect the CNS, what are they supposed to do, because they’re already taking them and can’t avoid them?

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CatinaMar 22

Community AnchorEffexor

"what are they supposed to do, because they’re already taking them and can’t avoid them?" — @Jules

In that case, I would think they would need to keep taking it. Should I include a disclaimer for that? The list of things to avoid is to help people not add anything that could affect their CNS. Many doctors want to add a benzo to "help" people in AD withdrawal, but that can further complicate matters. P.S. I added a sentence at the beginning of the document to specify that this applies only to adding additional substances. Hopefully that will help to clarify things a bit better. Let me know if that helps!

JulesStaffMar 23

Community Anchor

Adding benzos to “help” with withdrawal is messed up. Then they have to taper from that too! Wft? And adding the word does help clarify. Thanks 😊

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BasedStaffMar 23

Community AnchorEffexor

"Adding benzos to “help” with withdrawal is messed up. Then they have to taper from that too! Wft?" — @Jules

The medications can be tapered one at a time! More than 1 drug being tapered causes too mcuh chaos, so the clinician should just choose which one to start with and then go one by one. Hope that helps

Creator of Taper Community, here to help you.

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CatinaMar 23

Community AnchorEffexor

"Adding benzos to “help” with withdrawal is messed up. Then they have to taper from that too! Wft?" — @Jules

Oh yeah, it's really jacked up! They prescribe benzos for AD withdrawal and ADs for benzo withdrawal. Adding another drug into the mix most always complicates matters, and then if people have issues they never know what's causing what. It's insane.

JulesStaffMar 23

Community Anchor

And the system says we’re the insane ones haha 😆

JulesStaffMar 23

Community Anchor

"The medications can be tapered one at a time!" — @Based Psychiatrist

Yes, I understand that. I’m saying it’s another one they’d have to taper off of, if/once they’re ready to.

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CatinaMar 23

Community AnchorEffexor

"And the system says we’re the insane ones haha 😆" — @Jules

Exactly! There's nothing more insane than doctors trying to taper and withdraw people from the drugs they prescribe. They don't know what on earth they're doing. 😖

Victor MAug 29

WelcomerWellbutrin · planning

Catina, I'll have to examine it further, but the community of those micro-dosing psilocybin, report that the process has helped some people get off taking psych meds. There is a noticeable increase in neuroplasticity. My marriage improved, and I procrastinated much less. I am taking .1 gr mushroom 4 days on and 3 days off. I follow this schedule for 3 weeks on and 1 week off. This is a sub perceptual amount. I experience no heightened perceptions. I don't take any of the other substances that are discouraged. I intend to get on a more regular exercise schedule (swimming, ice skating), and to improve my diet which is not so bad to begin with. I'm treating these changes like a kind of training camp to prepare for tapering off psych meds.

Wellbutrin — 300 mg. — 20+ yrs. — planning taper | Klonopin — 1 mg 2x/day — 20+ yrs. — planning taper | Lamictal — 200mg — 20+ yrs. — planning taper | without clinician

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CatinaAug 29

Community AnchorEffexor

Victor, I am glad you have had a positive experience. Everyone is different in how they react to things. Hopefully things will continue to go well. I think you're being very smart with approaching everything thoughtfully and doing your research. Keep us updated on how things are going for you. We care about your well-being very much! 🩵

Victor MAug 30

WelcomerWellbutrin · planning

Catania, Dr. Josef has talked about using an aqueous suspension of Klonopin for tapering the drug. The idea is to shake the suspension and ingest it immediately before the particles can settle. I came across a U Toob video in which this woman uses a solution of water and food grade ethylene propanol to dissolve Klonopin. I'll have to find out what compounding pharmacies use. He has said that Wellbutrin is water soluble and Lamictal is soluble in "Ora Plus." Both of these products can be bought online. . . . There is no published material about how to schedule tapering Lamictal. . . .The physician who runs the center in Oregon for psilocybin journeys has mentioned in a U Toob video that microdosing psilocybin facilitates cessation of psych med use. If I am fortunate enough to taper off psych meds, by the time I'm finished reputable centers may be set up closer to NY where I live. This is a priority item on my bucket list. I have a strong desire to have a transcendent experience before I pass away. P.S. thank you for your sympathy about the loss of my wife. It's over two years ago now.

Wellbutrin — 300 mg. — 20+ yrs. — planning taper | Klonopin — 1 mg 2x/day — 20+ yrs. — planning taper | Lamictal — 200mg — 20+ yrs. — planning taper | without clinician

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CatinaAug 30

Community AnchorEffexor

"There is no published material about how to schedule tapering Lamictal" — @Victor M

https://taper.community/drugs/lamictal https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/1122-tips-for-tapering-off-lamictal-lamotrigine/

"The physician who runs the center in Oregon for psilocybin journeys has mentioned in a U Toob video that microdosing psilocybin facilitates cessation of psych med use" — @Victor M

In all my years of being in the withdrawal community, using substances like this has never been recommended. Everyone has the right to choose their form of treatment though, and I certainly hope that it helps. Definitely keep us posted Victor!

"P.S. thank you for your sympathy about the loss of my wife. It's over two years ago now. — @Victor M

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Victor MAug 31

WelcomerWellbutrin · planning

Catania, your advice on not alienating my prescribing psychiatrist will be very helpful. It will require diplomacy on my part. I have a relationship with this woman and I want this to be cooperative undertaking. I'll admit that I am scared to go through with it, but I'm scared of the consequences that may come if I don't do it as I continue to age. . . . There is an online group headed by Dr. James Fadiman, the founder of the practice of micro dosing. I'll see if I can get some info on the subject of using the practice as an aid to tapering off psych meds, but I understand why you caution people tapering about taking other substances.

Wellbutrin — 300 mg. — 20+ yrs. — planning taper | Klonopin — 1 mg 2x/day — 20+ yrs. — planning taper | Lamictal — 200mg — 20+ yrs. — planning taper | without clinician

AzulSep 3

NavigatorKlonopin · active

@Victor M if you for it after proper research and make an informed decision keep us updated. As @Catina said I also read that using mushroom or psilocybin is not recommended in an already sensitized brain.

Klonopin — 1,75mg — 6 months — actively tapering

KlouSep 5

LighthouseLexapro

What do you think about Valarian root? My Psychiatric NP suggested it for sleep and to help reduce anxiety but I tried it one night and had a lot of anxiety the following day. I wasn't sure if that was the cause or if it was just a high withdrawal symptom day.

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CatinaSep 6

Community AnchorEffexor

"What do you think about Valarian root?" — @Klou

It affects GABA receptors so is not something that is generally recommended to take during psych drug withdrawal. If you noticed increased anxiety after taking it, that's probably the reason. These things can have a paradoxical affect in some people.

KlouSep 6

LighthouseLexapro

@Catina Thank you! I was looking at that and had a hunch that might be the case. Bugger. Thank you for confirming. I wish I could find an honest-to-goodness deprescriber in my area who could be aware of these things. Being on my own with it is hard.

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CatinaSep 6

Community AnchorEffexor

You're welcome @Klou! I'm sorry it didn't help. There is another member that took GABA and feels it's helping, but everyone is so different. Regarding your doctor, as long as you can keep getting your prescriptions then you have enough knowledge to taper successfully with the help of this community. We're all in this together!

MashaSep 6

LighthousePaxil · holding

I read these articles and it’s baffling that doctors or in my case, an NP, put me on such a rapid taper.

Paxil — 20 mg — 20 years. Went off now back on — holding
Trazadone 25 mg
Buspar 5 mg two times a day
Ativan .25 at night

MashaSep 7

LighthousePaxil · holding

Anyone do Genesight?

Paxil — 20 mg — 20 years. Went off now back on — holding
Trazadone 25 mg
Buspar 5 mg two times a day
Ativan .25 at night

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CatinaSep 7

Community AnchorEffexor

"Anyone do Genesight?" — @Masha

I did Genesight many, many years ago. According to the results, Effexor is a "good" drug for me. However, it has given me the most horrible withdrawal symptoms. I'm not sure it provides an accurate gauge of withdrawal symptoms for any of these drugs. That is just my own experience.

MashaSep 7

LighthousePaxil · holding

It gives you metabolizing information. So that may help have a better idea of how slow you need to taper.

Paxil — 20 mg — 20 years. Went off now back on — holding
Trazadone 25 mg
Buspar 5 mg two times a day
Ativan .25 at night

MashaSep 7

LighthousePaxil · holding

I thought genetic testing was a new thing…

Paxil — 20 mg — 20 years. Went off now back on — holding
Trazadone 25 mg
Buspar 5 mg two times a day
Ativan .25 at night

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CatinaSep 7

Community AnchorEffexor

"I thought genetic testing was a new thing…" — @Masha

It's been around for about 16 years (2010).

Cmoles122d ago

I know everyone is very different and will have different tolerance/reactions to supplements. Most things I have tried are a no go. What are some gentle things that have helped some of you? I’m okay with peppermint tea for a bit of calm. Chamomile has to be very light and occasional for me. I made too strong of a steep the other night and it went paradoxical.

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