Hello everyone,

First of all this moment was like a dream to me, I would have never imagined to reach this point and get any better, but here we are. I suggest you actually fully read this post, I tried to put my heart into it because I know the pain very well!

PSSD started with me around 8 years ago, I was taking sertonin and sertalin daily for GAD and IBS for around a year. It started with a dead libido and good sexual functions, then turned into dead libido, weak erections, no imagination, and weak orgasm, as well as many other symptoms that I would never know the cause of. PSSD made me extra anxious, and I can seriously say for the first 4-5 years, PSSD has crossed my mind every day a few times, and was a serious cause of depression at many times… making things worse; I couldn’t vent about it to anyone, and to this day no one knows my story and how much I have suffered, and I really wish everyone here truly believes that if I did it then so can you!

So I lived for years and years in this griefing victim mentality, reddit helped to see that I am not a lone, but tbh this subreddit has usually given more negativity than hope. It’s understandable, since pssd can drive us to depression and anger given its nature. Anyways I don’t need to explain to most of you the pain, if you are here you probably are living something similar.

Let’s get to the useful part, my pssd recovery guide is not a simple do this and you will recover, it’s like a package plus a lifestyle, that will help pssd symptoms fade away with time, as well as give you other life wins.

First step to me was accepting; I know it’s hard and it’s not a switch you’ll click, but focusing on other lifestyle factors, staying busy, and actually succeeding in life, apart from the pssd part will help you accept and be more positive about recovery. Overthinking this will only cripple you so start helping yourself.

Second thing for me was the physical health part, which actually is different for everyone. I was always searching for a problem, hoping that treating it would also treat my pssd fully, but it doesn’t exactly work this way. I did find a few health issues along the way. First was varicocele. Many people online claim that it kills their sex drive and erection quality. I have treated it, and still had pssd. Then I focused on physiotherapy and trying to improve my posture and reduce my pelvic tension, also not a switch that will fix all things. Then bloodwork and supplements, same scenario.

All that being said, these things WERE useful. Having pssd means you can’t really afford to lose your performance from many factors. Lets say if my varicocele treatment would enhance my hormones and sexual functions by 5%, then I need that. Learning to relax my pelvic floor would also improve by 5%, I also need that. Basically what I mean is that we can’t afford to lose more performance in addition to pssd. So yes; being healthy, good weight, eating clean, good sleep, no alcohol/smoking, treating deficiencies, cardio, etc. All these factors will pile up and show you a real difference, as well as giving your brain more space to heal (because natural healing is already slow)

Next thing is also related to the previous point. Gut microbiome. Although I had no obvious symptoms, I decided to do an accurate “gram negative” full gut microbiome analysis, and it came back with an obvious dysbiosis. I started a year of treatments including very limited food, no sugar, no dairy and no gluten. I took an antibiotic as well as tried natural antibiotics before that. I am no expert in treating this, but If you test and find out you also have that, you’ll need to do your research, and maybe follow up with someone specified with sibo and similar disease. Months after the protocol, I have been seeing real progress as well. My diet has totally changed since this period of my life, because I educated myself a lot about actual good food.

Another VERY important one was nofap. I don’t claim nf will give you super powers, but for sure the amount of exposure that your brain has been getting for sex and nudity is unreal. The generation is sexual and the way we masturbate not only affect our sensitivity, but also our brain and arousal. Especially for pssd sufferes like my self, I have had the habit of masturbating or watching porn just to “check” things work; which is actually damaging more and giving me more performance anxiety. It’s a loop, and you have to work on breaking it. No nudity, no masturbating, and no porn, morning wood and wet dreams might also come after a very long streak, which would be a sign of healing.

Then comes other things that all fall under healthy living, like maintaining your stress, having sunlight walks, and most importantly prioritizing your sleep. Everything I have said in this post contributes to healing, but none is enough by its own, and don’t expect to do this all and overwhelm yourself, but start a journey. Maybe a note or a journal, set your goals, take it step by step, make it better. Relapse, come back, lose hope, see progress, keep pushing… it’s all very random and never a consistent run. Just keep pushing and things will eventually improve.

For myself, improvement wasn’t always consistent, and a year ago I wasn’t even close to how I am now. Now I get inconsistent morning wood, my erections are hard again, and my ejaculation has regained some power, not the same but better. Libido works differently now, idk it’s still partially affected by pssd or that’s how the mature brain works, but I get aroused when something sexual is happening, but I wouldn’t feel crazy horny out of now where (I was a teenager when I go pssd), so yeah I have no reference, but what I can say is that I can fully enjoy sex now.

I’m sorry if that was super long, but I hope it can change a thing or help some people. PSSD is a terrible thing to have, but I need you to believe in recovery and work towards it. It’s not 0 or 100, you can definitely see progress along the way! And if you do recover, please comeback and tell the community how you did it and your story.

All the best ✌🏼

Hi guys I’m looking for some feedback from anybody that has managed to treat their blank mind or anhedonia with meds.

Main problems for me is severe anhedonia and blank mind, has anybody tried any meds that helped? Please let me know, thanks

I constantly blame myself for taking Zoloft for months although it blunted me completely. I had fear of relapsing into depression so I took a high dose 150mg+ for months until I tapered down and still have severe anhedonia + genital and orgasm numbness after 1 year of withdrawl.

.

(25 Male) a long time, I never understood what had happened to me, awareness of PSSD has helped me realise that it was likely connected to the medication.

I’ve now been off them for two years, and unfortunately, my desire still hasn’t returned. I have to admit that it’s really frightening. Sometimes I feel like I’m looking down the barrel of a long, lonely life, and that scares me.

I always thought love and intimacy were such important things to experience in life. Now I can’t have that I’m feeling so depressed.

I don’t think there’s someone out there for me that would want only an emotional relationship but I have no desire for anything more, I hate that this drug has done to me and that they pretend it’s not a problem.

New account posted this. Claiming 100% cured from 3.5 years of PSSD.

Im highly skeptical but it seems like something with little to no risk so figured it’s worth reposting.

Has anyone tried HBOT?

I’m currently on cycle rn and I need to ask someone who’s ran a cycle with PSSD some questions so please message me if that applies to you. Thanks.

I'm a PSSD sufferer of 6-7 years. Severe case. Complete genital numbness, full cognitive range inc SFN sypmtoms. However my Anhedonia was manageable - I could still watch movies and game on PS5 etc. Life was liveable.

Unfortunately I caught Covid a couple of months ago. The virus was very mild but what it has done to my Anhedonia is a living nightmare. Near complete, almost all of the time. Seems to be at its very worst after eating. I can't watch anything, can't game, can't read, can't listen to music. Everyone says, give it some time it will get better, but it has been 2 months and it hasn't even lifted a little bit.

I'm looking for any hope, of any cases, where anhedonia has waned, maybe even a little, over time?

Thanks!

This shit is unbearable, it constantly reminds how fucked i am . Not to mention emotional blunting…

Tengo pssd severo. Síntomas:

Tinitus

Vision borrosa

Deterioro cognitivo

Fatiga

Disautonomia

Anhedonia

Embotamiento emocional

Apatia

Insomnio

Anestesia corporal

Sin sensación de hambre ni sed

No reacción a sustancias

Bueno, esto apareció al reintroducir el antidepresivo, fue abrupto, no ha desaparecido.

Resulta que tengo una enfermedad genética, ataxia cerebelosa sca6, muchos síntomas se solapan con el pssd, no sabiendo cual pertenece a cual.

Digo esto, por si puede ayudar a alguien, que no descarten que sea neurológico y que se hagan las pruebas que se tengan que hacer.

Esta situación en mi caso cambia, hay línea de tratamiento experimental, el cual no se si tomaré.

Asi que háganse todas las pruebas genética que puedan.

This is another supplement that some people with post-drug syndrome take.

Here is the risk assessment by the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment:

'RIVM has examined whether herbal preparations containing Mucuna pruriens seed extract are harmful to health. Very little scientific information about Mucuna pruriens is publicly available. Accordingly, it is not possible to determine a safe dose for this extract. However, there are indications that the extract has negative effects on the liver, kidneys, and the development of unborn children.

As a precaution, RIVM advises not to use these herbal preparations during pregnancy and breastfeeding, or in case of liver or kidney problems. In other cases, it is advised to be cautious. RIVM advises to be alert to side effects and to stop using the product in case side effects occur. If people choose to use herbal preparations containing Mucuna pruriens, they have to use it in accordance with the instructions on the packaging. And discuss the use with their doctor or pharmacist in case of medicine use.

In addition, it is known that one of the substances in Mucuna pruriens (levodopa) is the active substance in medicines used to treat Parkinson’s disease. The quantity of levodopa that someone ingests from these herbal preparations is comparable to or higher than the quantity for people with Parkinson’s who are starting to take these medicines. The side effects of these medicines, such as gastrointestinal symptoms, involuntary movement (dyskinesia) and psychological symptoms, can also occur in users of the herbal preparation.'

Source: https://www.rivm.nl/publicaties/risk-assessment-of-herbal-preparations-containing-seed-extracts-of-mucuna-pruriens

There is an Adelaide, Australia based company called Alyra Biotech. They’re developing an IUD to treat pelvic pain, but the real secret ingredient is a slow release of the genetic antidepressant amitriptyline.

https://alyrabiotech.com/

https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=384790

Here is a risk assessment of St John’s wort conducted by the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM):

'People use herbal preparations (food supplements and herbal tea) with St John’s wort, amongst others to feel and sleep better. However, these herbal preparations can reduce the effect of medicines, or enhance their effect. These interactions can have serious health effects. Herbal preparations with St John’s wort, for example, reduce the effect of certain medicines prescribed for fungal or viral infections and for cancer (chemotherapy). The effect of certain consciousness-lowering agents, e.g. sedative medicines, and consciousness-stimulating agents, e.g. antidepressants, is actually enhanced.

The use of herbal preparations with St John’s wort may also pose health risks when used alone and not in combination with medicines. For example, the skin can be damaged faster (sunburn) if people sit in the sun after using St John’s wort. Other effects such as dizziness, diarrhea and anxiety have also been reported after the use of herbal preparations containing St. John's wort. It is not known what effects occur after people use these herbal preparations for a long time. There is also insufficient information available to determine whether the use of St John’s wort during pregnancy is safe for the unborn child. Moreover, the composition of herbal preparations containing St John’s wort can vary greatly, and it is often not known what exactly is in it. This makes it difficult to estimate the effects of a product. RIVM draws these conclusions based on a risk assessment on behalf of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS).

RIVM advises consumers to be cautious with the use of herbal preparations containing St John’s wort, and to not use these products in combination with medicines. RIVM advises VWS to draft legislation on the use of St John’s wort in herbal preparations.'

Source: https://www.rivm.nl/en/bibcite/reference/339211

Good Evening everyone,

Here is your reminder to join the biggest and coolest post drug syndrome server ever.

https://discord.gg/HuUhy9Qy3

Discord can be easily downloaded from the app store or google play store.

Right now we have 350 members. I want to get to 1000.

The more we band together the more we can get accomplished

Welcome to the Weekly Open Discussion thread! This is your place to ask quick questions, post memes, or leave one-sentence comments that might be too short for their own posts.

Please follow the subreddit rules when participating in this thread. For posts related to suicidal thoughts or if you need emotional support, please use the Monthly support Requested and Venting, Thread.

Withdrawal symptoms following long-term SSRI use appear far more pervasive and serious than previously realised. Now medical bodies are rethinking how and when to stop taking them.

generalization of benefits and minimization of dangers. It's not only pssd, withdrawal is pretty common. It's ridiculous at this point that despite all of this there's no proper warning

It’s something that’s popped into my mind a few times to see if it could help my symptoms. Now that I know it’s PSSD I looked up if bee acupuncture could help. There wasn’t anything specifically for PSSD, but there’s report in the National Library of Medicine about a man with sexual dysfunction getting the treatment and essentially becoming symptom free.

When I first started college at age 18 I began having panic attacks. I always went to a functional medicine doctor for check ups growing up, so that’s there I went for this issue. My doctor suggested I try these supplements by Sanesco rather than going the SSRI route. I took the ones called Prolent, Lentra, and Contegra. I quit taking them for after about 8 months because I was no longer panicking. Once I quit taking them I lost my sexuality entirely. It hasn’t returned since and this was in 2019.

The active ingredients include 5-htp, so I guess maybe that’s what caused it. I continued on to have my symptoms get worse and worse over the several months to a year after I quit taking them. I got extreme insomnia, heart palpitations, brain fog, and a lot of other things that joined my 100% loss of sexuality. Eventually I got so bad that I ended up taking SSRIs and SNRIs because I didn’t know that PSSD existed or that that was what was happening to me. I took them for 2.5 years and they completely eased my insomnia and mental troubles. Once I quit taking those in 2023 (I did taper) I got really bad for a while (extreme anhedonia and inability to process emotions joined me). I’m doing a little better now mentally, but still no sexuality.

I guess I’m just wondering if anyone else got PSSD from taking these supplements and if that might narrow down which mechanism may have caused my problems.