u/Ecstatic-Mixture9333

Hi folks, I have just came across an interesting preprint (not a peer-reviewed article) that state:

“SSRI/SNRI use was consistently associated with reduced Clostridiumsensustricto1abundance.” (Bloemendaal et al., 2026, p. 3)

More quotes:

“Here, we show that antidepressant treatment is an important factor shaping gut microbiome alterations linked to MDD, underscoring the need to account for medication effects and potentially informing future microbiome-based strategies to improve treatment response.” (Bloemendaal et al., 2026, p. 3)

“the reduction in Clostridium sensu stricto 1 abundance among MDD patients appeared to be driven by SSRI/SNRI treatment: treated patients showed lower abundance compared to unmedicated patients, and the association with MDD diagnosis was evident only in the treated group.” (Bloemendaal et al., 2026, p. 8)

HOWEVER: “Clinical studies examining the impact of SSRIs and SNRIs on the gut microbiome show mixed results: some cross-sectional studies show decreased Clostridiumor Clostridiaceaeabundance with SSRI/SNRI treatment10,13,45, whereas others nd no such differences but report associations with other taxa16,17,46.” (Bloemendaal et al., 2026, p. 8)

“Mechanistically, SSRIs and SNRIs act by inhibiting the serotonin transporter (SERT) in the central nervous system, but they also exert unintentional effects in the gut that may directly or indirectly affect the microbiome. For example, SSRIs and SNRIs can in uence gut motility via serotonin receptor modulation, potentially causing diarrhea or constipation and indirectly altering the microbiome47. In addition, these antidepressants have direct antimicrobial effects: they can inhibit bacterial growth by penetrating bacterial membranes, disrupting e ux pump function, and compromising membrane integrity48–50. This may particularly affect Gram-positive bacteria, including Clostridiumsensustricto1, due to their membrane structure and limited e ux capacity in comparison to Gram-negative bacteria51. Supporting this, metagenomic analyses in clinical cohorts revealed that the SSRI escitalopram reduced the abundance of Clostridiumspecies and induced upregulation of bacterial survival pathways, including e ux pumps, antibiotic resistance, and sporulation genes, paralleling experimental ndings15. These antimicrobial actions may impact host-microbe interactions, including peripheral serotonin metabolism. That is, Gram positive spore-forming bacteria (such as Clostridiumsensustricto1) regulate gut-derived serotonin by producing metabolites that stimulate serotonin synthesis by the enterochroma n cells52,53. Reductions in the abundance of these bacteria during SSRI/SNRI treatment may therefore alter gut serotonin dynamics, as shown preclinically for the spore-forming Turicibactersanguinis52. Consistently, clinical studies have shown that SSRI/SNRI treatment induced decreases in spore-forming bacteria alongside shifts in peripheral serotonin metabolism15,54.” (Bloemendaal et al., 2026, p. 8)

Source: https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-8249952/v1

***

My quick uneducated search has shown that Clostridium sensu stricto 1 is part of the commercially available CBM588 (MIYAIRI 588) probiotics.

I am not arguing for any self-treatment. I am curious what you folks think about this.

Understanding Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction (PSSD)

by

Institute for Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal

Online event

Thursday, April 30  •  7 PM - 9 PM EEST

Overview

Panel discussion with audience Q&A. What do we know about PSSD, and what can be done to protect and support patients?

Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction (PSSD) is a serious and often misunderstood condition that, for some, can persist long after stopping antidepressants. It can profoundly affect sexuality, relationships, identity and happiness, and yet PSSD sufferers are often disbelieved or misunderstood by medical professionals, left without guidance and (for many, it can feel) without hope.

However, the topic of PSSD has received increased attention in recent years, with articles in mainstream media such as The Guardian and the New York Times, new warnings on Australia’s antidepressant labels and most recently, acknowledgement by the UK’s MHRA. Researchers in Italy are currently looking at possible biological mechanisms of PSSD, and a global patient advocacy network has raised public awareness through a successful social media campaign. Without doubt, the time has come for a public conversation on Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction.

This webinar brings together lived experience voices, clinical insight, research and advocacy perspectives to talk about the topic, offering an overview of PSSD – what it is, why it matters and what can be done to support sufferers and protect patients.

There will be an opportunity during the webinar to ask the panellists your questions.

The webinar will be moderated by IIPDW Board Member Stevie Lewis, and the panel will feature Professor David Healy, Yassie Pirani, Roy Whaley and Katie Collingwood. You can read more about these speakers in the line-up below.

If you can’t join us live, you’ll receive a link to the recording shortly after the event

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/understanding-post-ssri-sexual-dysfunction-pssd-tickets-1980548957246

Hi folks, I came across an interesting social scientist from the UK, who has extensively published on the malign logic of psychiatry and dangers of psychiatric drugs.

His name is James Davies. He is a Professor of Psychology and Medical Anthropology at the University of Roehampton, UK.

He is also a co-founder of the Council for Evidence-based Psychiatry, and secretariat and founding member of the Beyond Pills All-Party Parliamentary Group in the UK.

He looks like an ally.

https://pure.roehampton.ac.uk/portal/en/persons/onel-brooks-2/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B0034Q6YES