If you, like me, are constantly on the lookout for some answers to what the hell is happening to your body and mind, this article may be interesting to you. It's a transcription of a podcast episode from Mad in America. The basic idea is that withdrawal may be related to how ssri's affect the mithochondria. I have NO way of telling whether this is true or not, but what really stands out to me is the time they spend arguing that ssri's don't only affect the brain and the brainstem but also serotonin receptors all over the body. This could go a long way towards explaining why so many of us experience very physical symptoms (muscle tension, appetite and digestion problems etc.).

 

https://www.madinamerica.com/2026/01/mitochondria-and-energetic-failures-new-understanding-antidepressant-withdrawal-chris-masterjohn/

 

Now, as usual: I'm not medically trained and furthermore I don't know if Mad in America is a reputable source. But so many of the thoughts in that article make sense to me and go some way towards (at least partially) explaining my own experience. 

Hey Peter

 

Thanks for posting this.

 

I haven't seen it and I'll take a listen to it. It is also available on their you tube channel for anyone who would prefer to listen that way.

 

Mad in America is most certainly a reputable source.

 

Chippy

Thank you for posting this @Tumultarisk. This is very interesting.
 

The man has a company where he offers mitochondria testing. The first test alone costs $700.

 

https://www.mito.me/science-testing

 

He advertises it also for SSRI withdrawal.

This is an excerpt from his website where he advertises this program.

 

"I (34M) was a previously healthy 32 year old before I started having a myriad of health issues relating to stopping long term SSRI use. My symptoms were severe and included tachycardia, shortness of breath, neuropathy, sexual dysfunction, anxiety, muscle cramping, numbness, excessive urination. The constellation of symptoms brought me to see dozens of specialists who could not tell me what was going on. I am so grateful I came across Chris' work. Through the analysis, we discovered significant impairments in my mitochondrial electron transport chain, particularly in Complex II and III.

After reviewing my genetic data and mitochondrial function tests, we identified several key areas where my cellular energy production was compromised. Through targeted support of my mitochondrial pathways based on these findings, I quickly began to recover. This is after almost 2 years of being constantly sick. 6 months later, I have regained quality of life and am able to do everything I used to be able to. I am so thankful for Chris and his ability to discern how mitochondrial dysfunction can undermine many medical conditions. When I received the final report, he provided a clear protocol on how to improve my cellular energy production. I continue to improve weekly and am so excited for the future."

 

Here is a discussion in SA about it.

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/forums/topic/8041-how-to-heal-your-mitochondria/#comment-13269

For everybody interested in the mitochondria question 

here from minute 28 on is an interesting debate about it

https://youtu.be/V-HNCiAlewY?is=q8IC7WyncDd0lgrd

 

I watched that same video that Nemina referenced in her post... Angie Peacock interviewing Brooke Siem. Well worth viewing.

Edited March 18Mar 18 by Treefrog

Hello @Treefrog, 

I agree with you, the whole interview is really Worth viewing. Two great women with high expertise and a lot of hard acquired wisdom. I love Angie Peacock , I watch a lot of her videos.

so what do you think about the whole mitochondria thing, @Treefrog?

I have also watched what Master John says in one of his videos and I actually have learned something. I’ve taken away for myself that the Circadian rhythm of the cells gets messed around with SSRI’s and that is important to try to win that back. So I have a daylight lamp for the morning (just lived through a dark German winter) and I try always to go to sleep at the same time. Maybe melatonin would be an idea, too. I am not taking all those supplements , I don’t think that is a good idea during withdrawal. What are your thoughts?

Edited March 18Mar 18 by Nemina

2 hours ago, Nemina said:

Hello @Treefrog, 

I agree with you, the whole interview is really Worth viewing. Two great women with high expertise and a lot of hard acquired wisdom. I love Angie Peacock , I watch a lot of her videos.

so what do you think about the whole mitochondria thing, @Treefrog?

This first came to my attention when I got an email from Brooke's Substack, an issue from her "newsletters" on Masterjohn's work, pasted in below. I'm not a paid subscriber so this is the only newsletter I've read, and I haven't gotten any further in my reading/viewing, though I intend to when I have a chance. So I'm not sure what to think, except that I suspect that his research on mitochondria might help explain why I (and I think, many others) suffer from such extreme and debilitating fatigue. In fact, that's my main motivation for trying to get off citalopram.

Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more The newsletter May Cause Side Effects is a reader-supported publication. I believe in an ethos of paying people for their work (especially in recovery spaces, where work is undervalued and, therefore, resources are limited). If it’s helped you navigate life’s windows and waves, would you consider becoming a paid subscriber? It helps ensure that I can keep doing this work. Upgrade to paid. 164. Protocols for Antidepressant Withdrawal: Red Light, Exercise, Creatine, Melatonin, and 5-HTP A field guide to Chris Masterjohn, PhD's SSRI Withdrawal Strategies Brooke Siem Mar 16     READ IN APP   The following newsletter, and issues 154-158 and 161-162, are a “translation” of Chris Masterjohn, PhD’s work on serotonin and antidepressants. In a world of rampant plagiarism and AI writing, it is important to me that credit is given where credit is due. I want to make it clear to the reader that the bulk of the hypotheses and data in this series are credited to Masterjohn and his noble efforts to untangle the mess we’ve been sold about antidepressants. My job is to translate PhD-speak into something even English majors, like me, can understand. Throughout the series, I also connect the dots by bringing in my knowledge on the topic, which has been gained over nine years of antidepressant withdrawal education and advocacy. Said another way, Masterjohn’s work is the original, and I am creating the CliffsNotes.

 

2 hours ago, Nemina said:

I have also watched what Master John says in one of his videos and I actually have learned something. I’ve taken away for myself that the Circadian rhythm of the cells gets messed around with SSRI’s and that is important to try to win that back. So I have a daylight lamp for the morning (just lived through a dark German winter) and I try always to go to sleep at the same time. Maybe melatonin would be an idea, too. I am not taking all those supplements , I don’t think that is a good idea during withdrawal. What are your thoughts?

I also use a SAD light, but only in winter, so I just put it away. Though I seem to recall Angie saying something about sitting in the sun first thing in the morning (though at this time of year, we don't see much of the sun where I live!) and in the evening. I wouldn't go near the supplements either without a lot more research behind them; it's hard enough keeping track of the 2 drugs I'm on.

 

Which videos have you watched? I'm planning to watch the Mad in America video interview(s) next.

 

Good to chat with you! 

Thank you, @Treefrog, this was really interesting to read! 
 

On 3/18/2026 at 7:21 PM, Treefrog said:

Which videos have you watched? I'm planning to watch the Mad in America video interview(s) next.

Concerning the light and mitochondria topic, I found something interesting on YouTube, I do not know whether this is a good channel. I just liked the video.

https://youtu.be/n2F24fK1uLY?is=bNsUlRi_yjQczHYZ

 

they also speak about the melatonin serotonin connection, daylight and energy.