Man Credits Psychedelic Drugs for Alleviating Post-Finasteride Syndrome
Adam Macciocchi-Lancia noticed his hair thinning and resolved to address the issue.
The then 27-year-old Toronto-based artist was concerned a receding hairline would age his appearance and negatively impact his romantic prospects.
Consequently, he consulted a hair-loss specialist to explore the possibility of a hair transplant.
However, he received an unexpected response: surgery was deemed unnecessary.
Instead, the doctor recommended a daily pill costing less than £1. This medication, finasteride, also known as Propecia, is used by millions of men globally to combat hair loss, including notable figures like former President Donald Trump.
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Adam learned that finasteride is highly effective. Studies indicate that over 80% of men using finasteride experience halted hair loss.
Around 60% observe hair regrowth, often within a few months.
‘I was informed the tablets would be as effective, if not more so, than a hair transplant,’ Adam stated. ‘And the potential side effects were reportedly minimal.’
Adam Macciocchi-Lancia was informed that finasteride patients experienced low mood and erectile dysfunction in under one percent of cases.
Finasteride, also sold as Propecia, is a common hair loss treatment used by millions, including Donald Trump.
Adam was advised that, in fewer than 1% of cases, finasteride users reported experiencing diminished mood and erectile dysfunction.
‘The doctor mentioned that these symptoms were reversible upon discontinuing the medication,’ he recounts. ‘It wasn’t a significant worry for me.’
However, Adam soon discovered this was not invariably true.
Shortly after commencing treatment, Adam developed a range of debilitating symptoms that persisted for years, even after he stopped taking the medication.
These enduring issues, which Adam describes as life-altering, have been documented among thousands of men using finasteride for hair loss and are termed post-finasteride syndrome.
This syndrome involves persistent physical and psychological adverse reactions during and following the cessation of treatment.
Regrettably, there are currently no approved therapies, leaving many men to cope indefinitely with symptoms such as depression, insomnia, reduced libido, and erectile dysfunction.
Nearly a decade after initiating finasteride, Adam, now 36, believes he has found a remedy and aims to share it with others suffering from this condition to help them reclaim their lives.
Finasteride functions by inhibiting the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), an androgen. Elevated DHT levels are implicated in hair loss by shrinking hair follicles.
Initially developed at higher dosages to treat enlarged prostates, researchers observed hair regrowth in prostate patients. Subsequent trials explored lower doses specifically for hair loss treatment.
Adam experienced a debilitating series of symptoms that impacted his life for years, even after he ceased taking the medication.
These trials demonstrated finasteride’s effectiveness and initially concluded it was safe. Less than 4% of participants experienced temporary side effects like mental health issues and erectile dysfunction.
Given that over six million men in the UK alone experience male pattern baldness, finasteride was a commercial triumph upon its reintroduction as a hair loss treatment in 1997, rapidly becoming a globally popular drug.
However, as early as 2011, Merck & Co, the pharmaceutical company manufacturing finasteride, was aware of severe side effects, including suicidal thoughts, associated with the drug.
In 2021, Reuters revealed US court documents indicating that US health regulators had received over 700 reports of suicide and suicidal ideation linked to finasteride since 2011.
These reports included at least 100 suicides. The documents also showed Merck & Co had settled lawsuits for approximately £3.5 million with individuals alleging persistent side effects.
In court, Merck disputed claims that the drug caused lasting sexual dysfunction or mental health issues after discontinuation. Settlements were reached without admission of liability.
Last year, the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) recommended that finasteride packaging include a patient alert card highlighting the risks of post-finasteride syndrome.
The MHRA reported nearly 300 cases of depressed mood, suicidal thoughts, and self-harm associated with the pill, alongside over 400 cases of sexual dysfunction.
Adam was unaware of these issues when he started taking finasteride.
He began the medication in September 2016, and within two months, he noticed a decline in his well-being.
He experienced suicidal thoughts for the first time. ‘I was suddenly overcome with severe depression,’ says Adam, who has a visual impairment.
‘I was unable to get out of bed, engage in conversation, or do anything. I informed my parents and stopped taking the pills in the third month. But there was no improvement.’
‘Instead, erectile dysfunction developed around that time. I constantly felt suicidal; it felt like I had lost myself.’
Simultaneously, Adam developed brain fog, impairing his cognitive clarity, and exercise intolerance, where physical activity exacerbated his symptoms.
Adam repeatedly sought medical advice from his local hospital and the specialist who prescribed finasteride.
Each time, his concerns were dismissed. ‘I was told these problems were psychological,’ Adam recounts. ‘Doctors claimed it was impossible for finasteride to cause these issues, insisting it was entirely safe.’
Adam’s condition became so severe he was unable to work, losing his job at a construction firm which supplemented his art career.
Over the years, he tried various experimental treatments, including painful penile injections, without success.
Adam listened to a podcast discussing the potential of magic mushrooms for treating severe depression.
Psychedelic Treatment
In late 2019, Adam encountered a podcast discussing the potential of magic mushrooms to treat severe depression.
The hallucinogenic fungus contains psilocybin, a compound shown in studies to aid with mental health conditions like PTSD and OCD.
Despite the illegality of magic mushrooms in Canada and the UK, Adam decided to investigate if they could alleviate his post-finasteride syndrome.
‘I felt I had nothing to lose,’ he explains. ‘I was willing to try anything to escape this condition.’
Adam consumed three grams of magic mushrooms, a high dose capable of inducing intense hallucinations, with a friend.
‘We went for a walk in the woods while we took them,’ he says. ‘I was uncertain what to anticipate.’
Remarkably, Adam noticed an immediate positive change. ‘When the mushrooms took effect, my brain fog seemed to vanish,’ he said.
‘I felt like myself again for the first time in years; it was a profoundly impactful experience.’
In subsequent months, Adam used mushrooms several more times, eventually transitioning to microdosing – consuming small daily amounts.
‘Many of my side effects lessened when I was using them,’ he reports. ‘However, I felt my improvement plateaued. I would feel better for a week or two, then symptoms would return intensely.’
‘And despite any efforts, the erectile dysfunction remained equally severe.’
Ayahuasca Therapy
In 2023, Adam opted for a more intensive approach: ayahuasca, a potent psychedelic brew.
This illegal beverage, traditionally used by Amazonian tribes, is so potent it can trigger mental health issues in some and carries potential fatalities.
However, Adam, believing it was his only recourse, was undeterred.
‘I consulted a Shaman in Ontario,’ Adam says. ‘After drinking ayahuasca, I experienced hallucinations.’
‘Upon regaining awareness, I realized the crippling depression was gone.’
Recovery and Future Outlook
A year and a half later, Adam’s condition continues to improve. He has returned to his art and exercises regularly.
He is now free from most side effects, except for lingering erectile dysfunction. However, Adam notes gradual improvement in this area and remains optimistic.
‘I finally feel like I have my life back,’ he says.
‘I’ve invested significantly in my recovery and now feel ready to fully embrace life again.’
Experts caution against using psychoactive drugs without medical supervision.
Such use can be illegal and dangerous. Both magic mushrooms and ayahuasca have been associated with mental health problems and fatalities.
Any novel treatment should always be discussed with a healthcare professional first.