I'm sorry to hear about the struggles you've faced with depression, but I'm glad you're feeling better. However, I want to provide some critical context regarding your recent use of mephedrone. Not even for your specific case, because I don't know a lot of the background data. But for those who will read this and might think that mephedrone can be used as a medicine.
While it's understandable that the positive change you experienced feels profound, using mephedrone or similar substances as a way to self-treat depression can be risky, and the effects you are currently experiencing may be temporary or come with long-term consequences.
Mephedrone affects the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine—brain chemicals that influence mood, energy, and pleasure. This sudden surge can produce temporary feelings of euphoria, enhanced social connectivity, and reduced depressive symptoms, which might explain why you're feeling much better right now.
However, prolonged use of mephedrone can lead to the depletion of these neurotransmitters, as the brain struggles to restore balance. This often leads to a "crash" or "come down" phase that can be accompanied by severe depression, anxiety, and mood instability.
The relief you're feeling may be temporary due to the nature of how mephedrone impacts the brain. After a stimulant binge, users often experience a brief window of elevated mood as their brain compensates for the depletion of neurotransmitters, but once this effect wears off, symptoms of depression or anxiety can return, often more intensely.
I understand the frustration of trying multiple antidepressants without success. Depression can be very resistant to treatment, and it's not uncommon for individuals to feel disillusioned with traditional approaches. However, there are alternative treatments and lifestyle approaches that may be more sustainable and less harmful than mephedrone, such as:
- Therapies: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, or psychodynamic therapy might help address some of the underlying issues that medications alone may not target.
- Lifestyle: Regular exercise, structured social interaction, and mindfulness practices are proven to positively impact mood.
- Novel Approaches: Treatments like ketamine or psilocybin therapy, under medical supervision, have been gaining traction for treatment-resistant depression. These substances work differently than traditional antidepressants and may offer a more controlled and therapeutic avenue for relief.
Given how you’re feeling now, it might be helpful to talk to a mental health professional about your experience. While it might be tempting to continue using it, a therapist or psychiatrist can help you develop a safer, long-term plan for managing your depression and preserving the positive aspects you’ve rediscovered. It is worth taking advantage of the moment and moving on to a long-term strategy.
