A couple of weeks ago I tried my first SSRi to help treat anxiety and depression. SSRi stands for Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor, and the idea is to increase the level of Serotonin in the brain, which in turn can create feelings of well-being and happiness.
SSRi usually take 1-2 weeks to start working, but I noticed already on the first day that a fog was lifting. After a slight nausea I got a feeling that reminded me of the scene where Gandalf exorcises the king Theoden:
Blood came flooding into my veins and the cold, Dementor-like mood was replaced by life.
In many ways the SSRi reminds me of the benefits of psychedelics, giving me a stronger sensory experience and making the world seem like a warmer place. It also removes some of the social anxiety I have, making me dread less the prospect of socializing.
As for spiritual matters I feel that the mood elevation is in another direction entirely. Aside from giving me slightly more patience with spiritual inquiry, nothing much has changed.
I can’t say what the future holds for my SSRi use. So far I treat it as an interesting experiment that gives me an opportunity to make personal changes.