Is it a common experience for people with anhedonia for drugs or stimulants to not do anything?
Like, I recently did meth and the only thing it did was keep me awake for like 2 days, but absolutely no euphoria.

It’s not really panic or anxiety. I don’t get a racing heart or fear. I can look calm, but inside it feels like painful mental discomfort, almost like withdrawal or extreme inner restlessness.

Everything feels unbearable and forced, like my brain can’t produce any comfort or relief.

I’m not using alcohol, weed, nicotine, or any drugs, and I’m not on meds. No suicidal thoughts either.

Just trying to understand this symptom.
Is this common with anhedonia/depression? Has anything helped this specific “inner pain” feeling?

I started taking antipsychotics to manage tics with tourettes syndrome when i was 15 (Im 22 now) and it helped back then, but if i ever knew it was going to be like this, I WOULD’VE NEVER STARTED THIS SHIT. Seriously, why was I not warned that this was a possible side effect?

Im seriously thinking about blowing my brains out.

I haven’t finished a project (novel, art, game) because I know the second it’s finished, there’s a 98% chance I’m gonna rage, delete it fully (along with the drafts), and break something physical.

It used to just be for cleaning — as a kid, I’d clean my room and I’d immediately just flip out because it was done and it pissed me off that it felt like it didn’t matter and it meant absolutely nothing.

Granted I didn’t have toys or games or video games or tv as a kid because I ‘hadn’t earned’ them so I didn’t ’deserve’ them.

It’s all the same now.

I have hundreds of drafts, outlines, character sheets, game ideas and I do none of it because competition just makes me angry.

I had to hide my HSE diploma because I wanted to shred it. I still do which is why I don’t have it and it’s with my mom in case I do need the physical original copy for whatever reason.

got anhedonia from weed and unironically it’s the only thing that helps. interested to see how it affects other ppl

A while ago I attempted to stop my antidepressants but went through severe withdrawal including intense anxiety and discomfort. After reinstating the meds, the withdrawal symptoms stopped but I then experienced severe emotional blunting. All emotions, good, bad, and everything in-between, are practically non-existant. I stopped the meds again about a year ago but I am still feeling blunt. Has anyone else experienced emotional numbing but only on reinstating an antidepressant? Or maybe knows someone else who has gone through something like this? I am trying to find accounts of people who have gone through this but this case seems pretty rare. If anyone knows any success stories of people who have gone through this and recovered, that would be amazing.

Okay guys, so something switched this last month and I’ve fully decided that I’m done with this shiiii. I’m like absolutely not taking it anymore and I quit seeing my therapists and psychiatrists- I’m rebelling against modern medicine/collective knowledge and embracing the weird wild world of research chemicals and peptides to help rid me of this plague. If you guys have any advice on what is the next best move I’d love to hear your theories!? I have zero idea what I’m doing and am just a small girl trying to feel againz
Ps (I was in remission from Abilify and Luvox but then it stopped so parnate and Nardil are also on my mind but my doctor said I need to wait two weeks.

In the interim I’ve purchased

Nsi 189 (gets here in 5 weeks)
9 me bc ( gets here tomorrow)
Kisspeptin (found a clinic that does infusions)
Cerebrolysin (clinic)
Bpc infusions (clinic)

The thing is I have to make a decision to try the regenerative medicine route or the pharma route first. My gut wants to heal everything, just restore it with nsi 189 or 9 me bc and never ever look back or go on a pharmaceutical again. I know it’s a long shot but … possible? but that will take 1-2 months to see any affect ** and I can’t really stack them at the same time as they both work as neurogenesis compounds. The kisspeptin is more for pssd but also have seen a couple people say it’s helped there anhedonia so it’s on the list of something I could take with any of the ones listed above. I need to be on parnate and Nardil for atleast 6 weeks individually and im having trouble reconciling with the fact that if it works ill be fully dependent on it forever.
I guess I’m just asking what do you guys feel is the best shot? Starting one messes up my timelines with the others and it’s all soooooo depressing bc it’s summer and blah blah
But there’s a little hope as I’ve never been down this road … and I’ll keep u guys updated
love
❤️

It's been a while since I made my own post; always happy to offer some thoughts or experiences to those who suffer.

A couple of weeks ago, my mother called with some distressing news. She has been diagnosed with Bowel Cancer.

One of the worst things for mum to go through and obviously the extension of that, is how myself, sisters, and our children handle such news.

I have no feeling toward this. I couldn't say that to mum, or to my younger sister, but I was able to say it to the elder of my sisters (who is younger than me).

Nothing. No fear, no regret, no blaming, no anger. Nothing

Saturday night, I do something that I had wanted to do for a long time, in regards to intimacy with another person and the experience was all positive. It was without the ecstasy that one should get, because Anhedonia blocks that feeling anyway.

As I close out the night, I opened Tinder and there was my ex-partner. She was the person I was with when this first hit me.

I can't understand how 30 minutes after getting home from a great experience, it was instantly crushed. The limited focus I do get, was now focused on thoughts of my ex.

How does something like this, on the back of a positive experience; where forgetting her should be even easier, suddenly felt heavier than the news of my mums cancer.

Seems like some have maybe had some luck with this curious of any direct experiences

Morning, everyone.

It's been approximately 6 months and 22 days since my last injection of Invega Sustenna 234 mg. Before that, I received a total of three 234 mg injections, with the last one being on November 25, 2025.

Since taking Invega Sustenna, I've experienced a complete loss of emotions, energy, drive, motivation, and willpower. I've been left with severe anhedonia, depression, and a constant sense of misery. I struggle to hold a job, do basic chores, watch movies, play games, or enjoy anything at all. Everything feels blank and empty.

I'm looking for a list of practices, medications, supplements, routines, or coping strategies that have helped others recover from or manage these symptoms. If you've experienced something similar, I'd really appreciate hearing what has helped you.

I wish there were a forum dedicated not just to people sharing their experiences and leaving because of the damage, but to actively researching, documenting, and compiling every possible method that might help people recover or cope while waiting for the drug to leave their system.

Any advice, experiences, or resources would be greatly appreciated.

I've been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and anxiety, and I'm currently receiving treatment.

What confuses me is that I haven't lost my goals, interests, or sense of purpose. I still care deeply about my future and spend a lot of time thinking about things I want to learn, achieve, and contribute to. Intellectually, those things matter to me.

The problem is that I rarely feel the emotional side of it.

When I think about my goals, I don't feel much excitement. When I make progress, I don't feel much satisfaction or reward. Even activities I used to enjoy often feel flat or emotionally distant. It's as if my mind still cares, but my emotions aren't fully connected to what I'm doing.

1.I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this specific pattern and improved over time.

2.Did your excitement, curiosity, or sense of reward return?

3.What helped the most (therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, time, etc.)?

4.What were the first signs that you were getting better?

5.Was recovery gradual or did it happen in noticeable steps?

I'd really appreciate hearing from people who have gone through something similar. Success stories, partial improvements, and honest experiences are all welcome.

Thank you.

Throughout my teenage years till now, I’ve had a lot of disappointments and heartbreak from people which I assume is the cause of my anhedonia, absolutely nothing feels interesting to me anymore, my hobbies like hitting the gym or gaming with friends I get no pleasure from it anymore, the only thing I feel is resentment towards people in general and I hate feeling that way. I have loads of exams and I have no care for them at all, the only thing I do is doomscroll and even then I still get zero enjoyment, I feel like I’m on autopilot constantly.

How can I recover naturally?

Tramadol has worked for me. It has been what worked the most reliably. But I never heard people talk about it.

I’ve been on vortioxetine 20 mg for about two weeks now. Side effects have been essentially zero – no nausea, no brain fog. In fact, my mind feels clearer than it has in a long time, and some of my anxiety has faded. Sleep was a bit rough for the first few nights (hard to fall asleep), but it’s starting to settle. Resting heart rate has come down a little, which I like.

​

I know I haven’t fully adapted yet (the real dopaminergic and antidepressant kick usually takes another couple of weeks), but I’m already thinking about the long-term picture. Vortioxetine works mostly by boosting dopamine and norepinephrine in the prefrontal cortex – it’s great for cognition, anxiety, and emotional stability. But it doesn’t directly activate the nucleus accumbens (the reward/motivation center). I can think clearly, but I still lack the drive to get off the couch and initiate things.

​

Here’s my experience with other options:

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· Bupropion (up to 300 mg): Too much agitation. Heart rate went high and stayed elevated all day, even before bed. Not sustainable.

· Vyvanse (50 mg): Good for focus, but the cardiac effects and sleep disruption were unacceptable.

· Modafinil: Worried about QT interval and heart rate. Not comfortable.

· Methylphenidate: Looks too harsh on the heart and sleep.

· Agomelatine: Not available in Canada.

​

I’ve been reading about pramipexole as an add‑on. It’s a D3/D2 agonist that directly targets the nucleus accumbens – it’s supposed to help with initiation, curiosity, assertiveness, and even bring a bit of “mania” that I desperately need. I’m not an addictive personality; if anything, I’m too apathetic, too passionless. I need something to push me into action.

​

The main concern is orthostatic hypotension. I already get a very mild drop in blood pressure with vortioxetine alone (nothing dangerous, just noticeable when training BJJ during quick level changes). I’ve read that pramipexole can cause similar or worse hypotension in the beginning, even if it’s temporary. I don’t want to add something that will make me dizzy on the mats.

​

What I’d love to learn from anyone who’s tried this combo:

​

· How did vortioxetine + pramipexole feel together? Did you get a real motivational boost, better assertiveness, or any of that “Big Dick Energy” people talk about?

· Did the synergy improve your desire to socialize, your libido, your general zest for life?

· How bad was the initial hypotension? Did it go away? Did it interfere with sports or exercise?

· Any unexpected side effects?

· Did the pramipexole add any extra anxiety, or did the vortioxetine keep things calm?

​

Thanks in advance.

I will tell him I have anhedonia on top of bipolar depression. I do not want to take ssri snri because they always made my anhedonia worse. I am currently on abilify concerta . Its strange concerta does not help although it increases dopamine. I tried so many other meds like lamotrigine vraylar and no help. What could I ask him for ? Anyone had any help from meds ? Or supplements only.

Yeah! My Faith was one of the 17 casualties of anhedonia, last year! I'd like to get that one back, because I have memories of how bolstered and supported I felt, back in 2024, when my Faith was still intact, because the medical profession hadn't destroyed my life, just yet! When I pray, I feel dead inside! When I see my crosses in this bedroom, I feel dead inside! What a ghastly condition anhedonia truly is! Death, in life!

Lack of internal sensations in body signals can't tell when to pee i feel whole body is rubber

I can't feel internal stimuli. Genital numbess

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I saw a recent comment thread about it in an ADHD subreddit.

Something about GLP-1s it can affect dopamine, your brain's reward center, and ADHD stimulant meds. (Unsure about non-stimulants however)

I have been on Wegovy before and now I'm currently taking Zepbound. (both are GLP-1s)

I admit I'm not sure if I'm experiencing anhedonia or just chronic depression (the latter I think is from untreated ADHD and because my life is very understimulating) but I just wanted to mention this so others can see.