DRUG WITHDRAWAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION

Psychiatric Medication Tapering Program

USA & CANADA

GOOD NUTRITION DURING WITHDRAWAL from psychiatric drugs is vital to safely and effectively come off the drugs, especially to help in five areas:

 

1. NEUROTRANSMISSION. Your metabolism and other functions depend on signals from nerves. These in turn depend on chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. Psychiatric drugs can severely disrupt these, so nutritional support to help restore healthy neurotransmission is a vital part of withdrawing from such medication. A deficiency in a neurotransmitter can cause feelings of anxiety, depression, agitation or a host of other symptoms.

 

2. INFLAMMATION. Feelings of depression and inflammation have been closely linked according to medical research. This type of low-grade inflammation—called chronic inflammation—is often undetected because it falls below the radar of pain and visible swelling. In the brain, such inflammation can affect the signalling between brain cells, which is why it can be so disruptive.

 

3. THE LIVER. This is the organ that detoxifies the body. Specialized cells break down toxins and convert harmful chemicals so they can be eliminated through bile or urine. If the toxic load from psychiatric drugs is too great, the liver’s detoxification process suffers. Damaging free radicals can form that cause harmful reactions in the body. This also causes a host of emotional reactions. Obesity is often a consequence of such toxic overload. The liver is the organ that produces all hormones and other components that the body uses to metabolize fat. As many as 25% of those who use antidepressants have substantial weight gain.

 

4. ENERGY is vital for all processes in the body. During stress, energy metabolism is changed not only in muscles but also in the brain. Concentrations of ATP—the molecule in cells that releases energy—drops in brain cells. Withdrawing from a psychiatric drugs adds another element of stress to the system. This is why you should take nutrients that help stimulate cellular energy production.

 

4. SLEEP. The body repairs and rejuvenates itself during sleep, especially immune, and muscular nervous systems. Muscle growth, tissue repair, protein synthesis, and release of growth hormones take place only during sleep. Some rejuvenating aspects of sleep are specific to the brain and cognitive function. Good sleep is critical for a successful withdrawal from psychiatric drugs.

 

ADDITIONAL NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT may be needed, especially if you are taking multiple drugs or your withdrawal symptoms are more severe.

 

See also:

NEUROTRANSMISSION >

WITHDRAWAL EFFECTS >