Mixing MAOIs and Drugs: What You Need to Know

The Power and Peril of MAOIs

MAOIs, or monoamine oxidase inhibitors, are potent medications used to treat severe depression and other mental health conditions. However, they come with significant risks, especially when combined with certain drugs or foods.

Dangerous Interactions with Psychoactive Substances

For individuals with substance use disorders, MAOIs can pose serious threats. Combining them with substances like amphetamines, MDMA, or opioids can lead to dangerous reactions, including:

• High blood pressure
• Serotonin syndrome (a potentially life-threatening condition)
• Fatal outcomes in some cases

Substances That May Be Safer (With Caution)

Some substances, such as:

• Low-tyramine alcohol
• Caffeine
• Cannabis may be tolerated with careful monitoring. However, dosage and method of consumption play critical roles.

MAOIs and Substance Use Disorders: A Promising but Unproven Approach

There was hope that MAOIs could help treat substance use disorders, but current evidence remains insufficient. With rising substance use and the emergence of new drugs, further research is essential to determine the safety of MAOIs for these individuals.

The Bottom Line

MAOIs can be life-saving for some, but they require extreme caution, particularly for those using other psychoactive substances. Balancing their benefits with their risks is key.