What you need to know about SSRI tapering | Meadow Podcast

In this episode, we dive into one of the most important topics for anyone considering psychedelic therapy: SSRI tapering. Dr. Tracy Townsend (Harvard-trained orthopedic surgeon, now psilocybin facilitator and co-founder of Meadow Medicine) and Mike Townsend explore what it really takes to safely reduce or discontinue antidepressants before a psychedelic journey. You’ll learn about: • Why tapering is essential before macrodosing • How micro-dosing can be helpful for SSRI tapering • The challenges people face when reducing antidepressants • What the science and our clinical experience tell us ✨ Curious if psilocybin therapy might be right for you? Visit www.meadowmedicine.org/apply to schedule your discovery call today 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 00:16 Understanding Medication Tapering 02:56 Challenges in Deprescribing Psychiatric Medications 05:28 The Role of Psychedelics in Tapering 08:06 Microdosing as a Bridge Therapy 13:40 Experiential Components of Microdosing 18:17 Proper Dosing and Safety Considerations 23:16 Alternative Methods and Personal Stories 28:41 Support and Resources for Tapering 30:47 Conclusion and Invitation to Connect Whether you’re preparing for psychedelic therapy, supporting someone who is, or simply want to understand this growing field better, this conversation will give you practical insights and guidance. — Dr. Tracy Kim Townsend, M.D., is a licensed medical doctor and licensed psilocybin facilitator, and the Co-Founder of Meadow Medicine, a doctor-led psilocybin service center based in Portland, Oregon. Meadow provides legal, medically informed psilocybin services for adults seeking healing support for depression, anxiety, burnout, PTSD, substance abuse, grief processing, and life transitions. Our programs combine rigorous safety screening, structured preparation, guided journey sessions, and integration support to help clients unlock meaningful, sustained change. If you’re interested in learning more about legal psilocybin services, visit: 👉 https://www.meadowmedicine.org Subscribe for more down-to-earth education about psychedelics. — Disclaimer: This channel is for educational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Psilocybin services are currently legal in Oregon under state regulation. Always consult your own healthcare provider before making decisions about medications or mental health treatment.