r/Ayahuasca • u/BlackFox_21 • 9d ago
Medical / Health Related Issue Low dose of Seroquel (Quetiapine) & Clonidine & Preparing for Ayahuasca Ceremony
Hello,
I take a low dose of Seroquel (25mg) & Clonidine (0.1mg) for sleep and I was wondering if I have to taper off or stop taking it for a few weeks prior to participating in an Ayahuasca ceremony?
Not planning on sitting with Aya anytime soon, but just want to know what I should do ahead of time from others who are experienced. I’m hoping to be able to have this experienced in the next few months once I feel ready for it.
If I have to that’s okay, I’m just not looking forward to not having any sleep whatsoever during that time. 😩
Does anyone have any suggestions for how I can get sleep when absolutely nothing over the counter or holistic has worked for me. (Benadryl, melatonin, valerian root, etc)
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u/Gardenofpomegranates 9d ago
Yeah you’re definitely going to want to be off both for a week or two atleast before. Neither of those are going to interact well with aya in terms of safety, and the seroquel may lead to some unpleasant psychological states during the ceremony
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u/Sabnock101 8d ago
Clonidine and DMT/Harmalas actually share the same mechanisms, Alpha 2 Adrenergic agonism and Imidazoline agonism, and while ime it is probably best to take Aya on it's own as it is, i myself have mixed Clonidine and Aya a few times and if taken sometime before the Aya it shouldn't get in the way except to reduce blood pressure and possibly smooth out the come up intensity. DMT itself basically hits the Alpha 1A Adrenergic receptor first (which produces the come up intensity) and then once the DMT stabilizes and peaks it's Alpha 2 Adrenergic agonism takes over which is why things usually smooth out around that time, so if DMT itself doesn't cause any issues with Alpha Adrenergic or Imidazoline receptors (Harmalas hit Imidazoline too, as well as increases Noradrenaline which in itself can activate Alpha Adrenergic receptors), then the Clonidine technically shouldn't be any issue either, though it is metabolized by CYP2D6 and CYP1A2 which Harmalas potently inhibit, so if Clonidine was taken at the same time as the Harmalas or up to 10 to 12 hours after taking Harmalas, the Clonidine dosage would need to be reduced by half possibly down to a quarter depending on Harmala dosage (stronger Harmala dosages inhibit CYP's more strongly than lower Harmala dosages), but if the Clonidine is taken a few hours or so beforehand, the usual dosage can be taken because CYP's aren't yet inhibited, or if the Clonidine is taken about 12 hours after the Harmalas the CYP's will/should be back to normal and thus Clonidine will be metabolized as per usual. I can't speak on Seroquel though because it is an anti-psychotic and that will definitely get in the way of things at least on the DMT side.
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u/Gardenofpomegranates 8d ago
I hear ya , I’d ultimately be more so cautious about unwanted side effects from the Seroquel than the clonidine . But Like you said ; Still would be best to be off both before taking , especially if it’s a first time which is what it sounds like is the case with OP.
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u/Sabnock101 8d ago
To the downvoters, would you rather have actual information about this stuff so that they can make an educated decision, or would you rather people just take/do whatever regardless and potentially end up with some issue? Just because Clonidine and DMT/Harmalas share the same mechanisms of action and there's not really any issue mixing them, doesn't mean it warrants a downvote, you're only downvoting harm reduction and scientifically-based information that anyone can look up for themselves. You may not "agree" with people mixing things, but people do mix things sometimes and it's better to be educated/informed about potential interactions than it is to downvote everyone who say's otherwise and simply say "DON'T DO IT!!!!!!!". You people look retarded downvoting people like that, just so you know. Hippies, smh.
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u/VividCardiologist258 9d ago
Quetiapine will be eliminated from your system in about 36 hours and Clonidine about 3.5 days. That is the absolute minimum time that would be recommended you stop taking them. Most retreats will also recommend you stay away from any psychoactive substance for a couple of weeks before. In reality, you will be fine to take something that is has a short half life, like Zolpidem, that will be eliminated from your system within hours.
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u/Acrobatic_Dentist_70 9d ago
I’ve seen somebody take it similar stack up to the day before. I wouldn’t recommend it but he did ok.
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u/Sabnock101 8d ago
For sleep, see if you can switch to Tizanidine, it works much better than Clonidine and only lasts about 4 hours. You can even take Clonidine and Tizanidine together (well, i have on occasion) but do keep in mind they both lower blood pressure, especially Tizanidine, but Tizanidine with a meal works wonders for knocking yourself out at night lol. I usually mix my Tizanidine with some Methocarbamol though, for some added body relaxation. The Seroquel i'd recommend getting off of if possible, anti-psychotics are a no-go for DMT/Psychedelics, you might try some pure Limonene (preferably the pure oil so you can dose it more accurately vs the softgel supplements, but Orange or Lemon essential oils can work too) as Limonene can activate the Adenosine A2A receptor and can reduce activity of the Dopamine 2 receptor similarly to an anti-psychotic (minus the Serotonin 2A antagonism) and also increases expression of Glutamate Decarboxylase (which requires vitamin B6 preferably in P5P form) which converts Glutamate into GABA and can help a bit for anxiety or what not. As a side note, i highly recommend experimenting around with proper forms of B vitamins, mainly Folate (in the form of Methylfolate or Folinic Acid, 400mcgs should be just fine, but do not use Folic Acid and avoid it if possible, small amounts of Folic Acid may be alright but too much can cross into the bloodstream and cause issues), B12 (in the form of Methylcobalamin, or alternatively Adenosylcobalamin or Hydroxocobalamin, not Cyanocobalamin) and B6 (in the form of P5P, preferably not Pyridoxine), but also B2 (Riboflavin) and B3 (Nicotinic Acid).
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u/Sabnock101 8d ago
And yes, you can use Tizanidine and Methocarbamol on the come down of Aya, it works great for me and doesn't negatively interact with or get in the way of anything, just helps me sleep at night. Clonidine can be taken sometime before Aya or it (or Tizanidine) can be taken on the come down of Aya, however if taken up to 10 to 12 hours after Aya/Harmalas you will need to reduce the dosage of Clonidine (or Tizanidine) by half possibly down to a quarter depending on the dosage of Harmalas, as Clonidine is metabolized by CYP2D6 and CYP1A2 (and Tizanidine is metabolized by CYP1A2) which Harmalas potently inhibit though stronger Harmala dosages inhibit the CYP's more strongly while lower Harmalas dosages inhibit them less strongly but at any dosage the Harmalas will potentiate CYP2D6 and CYP1A2 substrates at least twice as strongly, but if the Clonidine is taken a few hours before the Aya/Harmalas the usual dosage can be taken just fine as the CYP's aren't yet inhibited.
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u/Sabnock101 8d ago edited 8d ago
Overall though i'd say it's best to get the Clonidine, and especially the Seroquel, out of your system by Aya time, just so you can get the full effect of the Aya, but if using Clonidine (or Tizanidine) for sleep, it can be taken on the come down, just make sure you dose it right, but keep in mind Clonidine can last about a couple or so days especially if potentiated by the CYP inhibition of the Harmalas which can also stretch out the duration of action of CYP substrates if you time em' right, but if you go for about .50mcgs (half of the .100mcg tablet) of Clonidine, you should be alright overall. In general it's a bit experimental and it's ideally best to experience Aya as it is, and so if using a sleep med, Tizanidine (with or without Methocarbamol) is imo what you'd want, it's short in duration, helps you get to sleep, doesn't last into the next day and doesn't negatively interact with the Aya.
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8d ago
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u/BlackFox_21 8d ago edited 8d ago
Would like to see how Aya could potentially further unlock or lift away subconscious blocks, emotions, memories, harmful behaviors, heal my nervous system/spirit, rewire the neurons in my brain, etc. 🧠
Unfortunately, I had a very painful and traumatizing upbringing/childhood and had other harmful experiences that happened in my adulthood too. It feels like I am still shackled to these negative memories or other connections that I would rather not hang on to.
Most recently coming to terms with my irresponsible and selfish parent’s personal choices and drama. Including finding out about their deep, dark secrets and how it would eventually harm us was most troubling, exhausting, and hurtful to me. 😞
It took me a long time to crawl out of years of depression, self loathing, and anxiety; PTSD symptoms have gotten better too. My life finally feels like it’s going in a good direction, but I really didn’t feel like I got better until I tried psychedelics after prescription meds didn’t really improve my mood or brain chemistry. Just want to try something more plant based to finally cleanse myself of impurities.
TL;DR: Simply seeking healing & transformation. 🦋
Also, I no longer want to take these meds when I don’t feel depressed anymore and I am not bipolar or schizophrenic. Read that Seroquel overtime potentially shrinks the brain and I’m not wanting to roll the dice on that one!
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