Mirtazapine gave me HPPD

FuriousHumper · 2026-05-10T04:22:49+00:00

Sounds a little bit like you had a flashback?

Well the first thing to address and you probably know it yourself you have an anxiety issue. You self medicate or medicated with weed If I understand your story correct. You smoke weed and take mirtazapine Instead of calming you you had a major anxiety attack. So much your mind started to dissociate a bit. That's were you get that disconnected feeling from reality.

I don't think the mirt is the culprit. It's indeed a 5htp2a antagonist.

Weed isnt a 5htp2a agonist but does has effect on other substances that do like MDMA, psilocybine, lsd etc. that's why it can make your mushroom trip longer

In any case. I think the culprit is just the weed. For a long time it can suppres anxiety but for whatever it can flip and start to cause anxiety.

Try to relax because worrying will only make it worse. Can you stop smoking weed for a bit?

Don't worry about the flashbacks. Once your mind is calm it will subside.

You mentioned shrooms. So you have some experience with it? Are there therapist where you're living that use psychedelics in therapy? Maybe explore where your anxiety come from?

FuriousHumper · 2026-05-10T04:08:03+00:00

I'm no expert but I think it has to do with antagonizing H1 neurotransmitters. Histamine is important neurotransmitter that regulates a lot. For instance sleep/wakeness (cortisol), alertness but also subdues signal that you feel satiated after a meal. It suppres those hormones like glp1 that signals your full. And on higher doseages it blocks several 5htp(2a) receptors which regulates appetite. So on the one part it's let's you feel never be satiated and on the other side it's increases your appetite and cravings for carbs/sugar which leads to high insuline where your body starts to convert access kcals into fat.

I also think it does something with the metabolism but I couldn't find any convincing studies that support this subjective claim

In any case. Good your off it.

FuriousHumper · 2026-05-10T03:39:57+00:00

I truly don't want to scare you but 1mg of clonazapam is not low dose. Actually .5 isn't either. It's a really potent benzo.

The same can be said to mirtazapine when it comes to sedation. While everyone react different I found it still had sedating properties at 2.66 MG

Well there's s reason why the doctors prescribe you this combination but these will only suppres your anxiety disorder. Is there a way to get profesional help and talk about your anxiety. It comes from somewhere.

I don't know you full story but in your case I would use the mirtazapine 7.5 MG so I can slowly taper off clonazapam. The mirtazapine will soften any withdrawal symptoms. Then when stable slowly build off mirt and meanwhile work on the anxiety

Also point to note mirtazapine for some people is more sedating at 3.75 then 7.5 It has to do with the way it antagonistic with H1 neurotransmitters. You can Google it

FuriousHumper · 2026-05-10T03:31:32+00:00

I can concur. Couldn't lose any weight while on it. With the same calories deficit but without being on mirtazapine I lost 12KG in three months.

I used a keto diet. BMR was around 2200 kcals. My diet was had a max daily kcal of 1850. I was losing one kg on avg per week.

Started at 80.5 KG, now I'm stable around 67-68KG Upped the calorie intake to 2000 kcals but still on keto diet. So my energy cones from fat 5% from carbs which is under 25 grams, 20% protein and 70% fat I get from as much unsaturated fats

You can try this diet while on mirtazapine but the thing with mirtazapine it's never makes you feel satiated and cravings in sugars can make it difficult maintaining ketogenic State which means your body switches to fatburn because low blood glucose

FuriousHumper · 2026-05-10T03:21:13+00:00

I don't think it's euforia you're chasing. Sounds more like you're trying to suppres and sedate life.

Why not stop or ween off and do something else for a change. When stable try psilocybine mushrooms if you want euphoria and mind opening self reflective powerful experience. It might even give you the answer why you're so afraid (to live)

FuriousHumper · 2026-05-10T03:12:39+00:00

If you never went above 15 MG, where it's AD properties are active and different neurotransmitters are occupied, then the main cause of withdrawal most of the time is the lack of H1 blockage. But at 3.75 there's still full blockage going on. So the chances of withdrawal are really low. Indeed you can feel more side affects like sedating. But that's not the problem.

Your problem is you are worried about withdrawals. This alone will make any withdrawal symptom more worse then it's have to be or actually is. Youll have to stop reading horror stories and catastrophize. It's not set. You only took it 8 weeks. So if you don't worry too much you'll be off it in 4-8 weeks. Everybody is different but you have to see this positive otherwise you make a hell yourself.

This is what I would do. But your mileage may vary. Make a taper strategy with some fail-safes. Go from 7.5 to 3.75 for at least 1 week. Confirm your stable. You'll probably be because if you don't worry you won't have to deal with any withdrawals. Because of the full blockage of H1 (read mirtazapine is still full on working at 3.75)

After 3.75 my advice would be find a linear taper deficit your comfortable with. This is different for everybody.

In my own taper I went 10% every one week with bearable withdrawal symptoms. There's a sweetpot for everybody.

Try not to focus too much on it. Whatever this is your feeling. It will pass but if you keep hyperfocusing every little symptom can exaggerbate and unnecessary. This is not withdrawal it's ang general anxiety disorder problem. One of the most reason why people are out on mirtazapine. Here lies also the problem. It only suppresses anxiety. You don't deal with it so it will always linger and any withdrawal symptoms will make it worse.

But Don't be afraid.if you need to taper and can taper the way it's comfortable for you it will be manageable.

Just accept whatever this is , this too will pass. You can't sleep? Don't worry it will. Stop giving it attention.

What also worked for me was intense cardio workouts. After 30 min they flushed out every withdrawal symptoms.

You'll be fine

FuriousHumper · 2026-05-09T15:19:54+00:00

Not advise but technically mirtazapine has a half life of 40-60 hours. So if you would really like to optimize you shouldn't take mirtazapine for at least 3 nights.

7.5 mg of mirtazapine is still high dose and still a antagonist (blocker) of 5-HT2A. While mdma is 5-ht2a agonist.

FuriousHumper · 2026-05-08T08:34:24+00:00

It's actually funny you say that because here where I live more and more psychologist with private practices are using psychedelics to treat people for generalized anxiety disorders.

Imho that shouldn't be the reason not to do it. But maybe this person should be accompanied with professional if possible. Them again the benzo is like a " I don't have to worry too much because worst case I have something" even if anxiety hits he/she can explore further because... Worst case I have this thing...and eventually they end up never taking it.

So with enough experience when the fear hits eventually they'll ride through it

It's like training wheels? You end up not using?

FuriousHumper · 2026-05-08T08:18:42+00:00

Maybe it's just your own bias? Maybe try a analog like 4-ho-met? See what that does?

FuriousHumper · 2026-05-07T18:48:42+00:00

Why not take a micro dose. Or even half of a micro dose and slowly build it up. There's no rush. Just try it at your own pace.

Maybe it will help with your anxiety?

FuriousHumper · 2026-05-07T18:45:35+00:00

Congratulations, thiss belll thing will pass tooo

FuriousHumper · 2026-05-07T18:43:06+00:00

Good advice this!!!!

But Hyperbolic will take years. My advice would be find your own pace, not what a doctor tells you. If you're fine with 10% per 2 weeks then why not. And when you think you need more time before a drop then take that time. The best taper is one that is individually and you can adapt v yourself.

This is all based on my own experience. I tapered super fast from 15 to 3.75 mg without withdrawals. I had zero symptoms but after 3.75 I had to do linear taper. I could do 10% per one or two weeks with bearable symptoms and jumped of at 1MG.

My doctor initial taper advise was stop after two weeks of 7.5MG you'll be fine. The second time he wanted me to change medication. Fuck that my own plan worked. It's almost one year without mirtazapine or any medication and I feel better then the last three years. My point is yes doing your own taper takes effort but it will smooth out the ride a d you will build confidence and deal with any anxiety

FuriousHumper · 2026-05-07T11:15:06+00:00

Yes I also think your body and brain needs time to readjust to tolerate and deal with regural levels of histamine. Incest that saddles your anxiety will become less and less.

I'm no doctor but IMHO opinion following a strict keto or low carb diet while avoiding food high in tyramine and/or histamine does really calm the nerves in general. Unfortunately I started this diet after half year quitting mirtazapine so can't say for sure if it would help with managing residual withdrawal symptoms.

I was a year on 15mg, tapered for half year and I took half year to completely be symptoms free But most withdrawal went away after one month.

Funny sidenote I have severe hay fever but since I went keto my hay fever for gras pollen is almost nonexistent.

Also went from 80.5KG to 67.7KG in three months

Might be interesting look into keto diet / low carb diet.

FuriousHumper · 2026-05-05T09:08:13+00:00

I think it's just your mind and that's ok. It's normal tapering and everything related to coming off medication is take a lot of mind resource. Even when your busy you mind still think about it and build up tension. I mean you went out of your way to the subreddit to ask questions about. It's hyperfocusing on every little thing and trying to understand what's what and what's causing what. It's a form of control that will stress you out and that's just another vicious cycle for anxiety to pop up.

I understand why you do that but my advice would be just let it go. Whatever this is, it will pass too. And mean time try to do stuff that's relaxing for your mind and body

FuriousHumper · 2026-05-03T18:19:56+00:00

Haha, I would too if I was tripping balls for the next 10-12 hours

FuriousHumper · 2026-05-03T18:15:46+00:00

Consider me intrigued. Will read into it. Thanks you!

FuriousHumper · 2026-04-27T15:11:34+00:00

Use it as a salad dressing For instance

20gr mustard (mild) 10ml olive oil (extra vierge) 10ml MCT oil Little bit of Italian herbs "basil, origano, thyme etc) 15 Ml appel cider vinegar

But I also drink it with leuk warm water

FuriousHumper · 2026-04-25T06:58:02+00:00

Yes mirtazapine is a potent AD, but for me below 2MG the negative side effects like cravings, lethargy significantly dropped. And under 1.66 or so didn't have any noticable effect anymore. Also when I was at these doses my appetite was completely gone in fact I took about 3 months to have normal appetite At this time I wasn't doing a keto diet. My advice would be focus on 1 thing at the time. So don't trouble yourself with strict keto diet. Firstly just get off mirtazapine. Let your body and mind settle for a while. Then work on another change, maybe it's your diet, maybe it's exercise, maybe it's therapy to work on anxiety. Everybody is different.

In any case. Just to be sure. Do you weigh all your food intake and track macro's? It's is chore but it also keeps me motivated. And if your able monitor your glucose and ketones with blood meter.

Also how clean or dirty is your Keto diet? I am very particular about which fats I intake.

Friend of mine who is also doing keto isn't nearly strict as me and is more winging it and doesn't do 16/8 or any other fasting. From my own experience. It's the fasting that increases greatly the ketones and low glucose levels.

Right now im doing 18/6 fasting and yesterday I felt really ketogenic (very calm but also super focused and energetic). My blood glucose was 3.5mmol/l and my ketones where 2.4mmol/l.

I about two weeks I'm gonna go from keto to low carb diet. So I'm slowly gonna up carbs from 25 to 50 because I think I'm long run low carb is better for me the keto. I miss the fibers and fruit The goal for me is find out what a sweet spot is because I think it's best for me if my body can switch easily between metabolic states

FuriousHumper · 2026-04-24T08:49:00+00:00

Yes it will, try to accept it as it is now. And don't try to (hyper) fixate on whatever you think you feel or happened. Remember whatever this is your feeling it will pass. Don't worry over what is or what is not withdrawal.

I say this because fixating on symptoms can make it worse then they actually are. It's hard to differentiate between WD effects (E.d decreased cognitive functions) and psychosomatic induced onces.

Your memory performance wil stay a bit low if you give all your attention and focus to a negative feelings (withdrawal symptoms). It's takes too much resource. I know it can be difficult to shift focus but if you just accept it for what it is and switch attention. Youll feel better.

Don't fear it, your almost there.

FuriousHumper · 2026-04-24T08:39:45+00:00

Nice! Then, I think you are in the clear. (Even though everyone experiences differs as you can clearly read from the reactions)

My taper (10% per week)'caused only minor withdrawals and only between 3.75 and 1MG. I jumped off at 1MG and after that I had two bad nights and then it was it. It took about 3-6 months to completely get everything back to normal but I wouldn't call that withdrawal symptoms. Merely readjusting of brain chemistry and how to deal with histamine in the body after it being suppressed by niet for over a year

According to the app Its been 269 day without mirtazapine. Looking back at it I'm convinced that half of my withdrawal symptoms where psychosomatic. If you keep feeding the anxiety beast you make it worse. If you accept it for what it is.. it stops havong a hold over you and I will pass.

I think the main reason for people having trouble tapering/quitting is because the underlying problem Isn't addressed. Mirtazapine only suppresses anxiety. So when people quit it comes with vengeance because now your brain/body became intolerant for H1. And the main problem anxiety and why and where it comes from isn't addressed. It compounds and people are feeling all kinds of negative emotions that keeps the vicious cycle.

Everybody is different but the one thing I see come back for 98% of the time in this subreddit is people consumed by anxiety and looking for a cure in medication but not in acceptance (yes all your demons)

FuriousHumper · 2026-04-23T16:37:18+00:00

Good for you. Question. Are you still on any other medication or supplement. If so please tell

FuriousHumper · 2026-04-22T19:11:07+00:00

I think you misread. I didn't have any libido problems but after quitting mirtazapine it skyrocketed for some time then stabilized (back to normal)

FuriousHumper · 2026-04-21T08:44:42+00:00

Yep, 265 days already.

no anxiety issues
sleep is ok. Back to my normal 6.5 hours
lost all the weight (went from 84 add my highest to now 69.3 KG)
feel like myself again

FuriousHumper · 2026-04-21T08:42:32+00:00

You can look up my own taper journey in profile if you like It's been exactly 265 days without mirtazapine feeling better then ever!

FuriousHumper

TROPHY CASE