Living with depression or anxiety is not easy. Those who live with it would know that the most common medication prescribed are serotonin reuptake inhibitor or SSRI. However, at times when their depression and anxiety cannot be treated with those, it may be the time to switch to serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). This is a common strategy that follows the medical treatment of prolonged mental health illness, but under doctor's supervision, of course.

While both takes care of mood management, the kinds may be different, especially in terms of how it approaches. What is more helpful is to be aware of these variation, so it can be a seamless transition.

So, why is there a need to make a switch in the first place?

About two-thirds of people with major depression, according to research, do not react well to their initial antidepressant and frequently need to switch within a few weeks without seeing any noticeable improvement. The doctor you are see may suggest you to switch from SSRI to SNRI.

While SNRIs enhance both serotonin and norepinephrine levels, as the name also suggests, SSRIs, only primarily raise serotonin. What is norepinephrine, if one asks? They regulate energy levels, stress responses and alertness. This dual action can result in additional benefits like increased energy, reduced chronic pain, and many more. There are studies that also suggests that because SNRIs influence dopamine, they could be a faster solution to depression.

The following are the main causes of SSRI to SNRI switching:

Incomplete Symptom Relief: If an SSRI has not been effective in lowering symptoms of anxiety or depression, an SNRI may have a more balanced impact by concentrating on both the serotonin and norepinephrine channels.

Coexisting Symptoms: An SNRI may be more helpful if you're also dealing with chronic pain, fatigue, or low energy because it tackles mood in addition to these other problems.

Side Effects: Weight gain and sexual dysfunction are two adverse effects of SSRIs that some people find difficult to manage. Without these issues, SNRIs may have similar mood-enhancing effects.

Switching Strategies

When switching antidepressants, careful preparation is required to lower the risk of drug interactions and withdrawal symptoms. The main techniques for switching are as follows:

Conservative Approach: Weaning off the SSRI gradually and allowing the medication to leave the body over time—typically five half-lives—is the conservative approach. It may take longer and necessitate a time of no treatment, even though it is the safest approach.

Moderate Approach: By reducing the washout time to about two days, this strategy finds a balance between safety and convenience.

Direct Switch: In some circumstances, the SNRI is started the next day after the SSRI is terminated. This method is quicker, but there is a higher risk of withdrawal symptoms and drug interactions.

Cross-Tapering: This tactic entails introducing the SNRI at a low dose while progressively lowering the SSRI dosage. After the SSRI is reduced, the SNRI dosage is gradually raised. This approach facilitates a more seamless transition and lessens withdrawal symptoms.

Risks and Side Effects

When switching from an SSRI to an SNRI, it's important to take into account the potential risks and side effects:

SSRI Withdrawal: If SSRIs are tapered off too soon, side effects might include flu-like symptoms, nausea, irritability, and disorientation. These side effects may worsen if the medication was taken for an extended period of time.

SNRI Onset: Starting an SNRI too soon may cause headaches, nausea, and dizziness. It is often necessary to raise the dosage gradually to help the body acclimatize.

Serotonin Syndrome: When using SSRIs and SNRIs combined during a medication switch, serotonin syndrome may occur since both medications increase serotonin levels. Symptoms that require immediate medical attention include fever, agitation, a rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, and confusion.

Mood Shifts: During the shift, some people may experience mood swings, increased anxiety, or worsening depression, however this isn't always the case.

Increased Blood Pressure: When taken in larger doses, SNRIs, notably venlafaxine, have the potential to raise blood pressure. This may worry people who already have high blood pressure or are at risk.

Drug Interactions: SNRIs and SSRIs may interact with one another to increase their negative effects or decrease their effectiveness. It is important to consider any other medications you may be taking, especially ones that affect serotonin or blood pressure. Some SNRIs, such desvenlafaxine, have less interactions due to their simpler metabolic profiles.

In 2022, about 1 in 5, which is around 702,880, people died due to cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in the United States. There are many factors around you that affect your heart health. Things like what food you eat, whether the area you live in is polluted or not and also what kind of lifestyle you lead. There are many risk factors for heart diseases like high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels or smoking, which are key risk factors according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC explains about 47% of US citizens have at least one of these three risk factors.

Another risk factor could be the place you live in. A new study published in the European Society of Cardiology April 2025 revealed that the walkability of a neighborhood can play a big role for your cardiovascular health. The study revealed that individuals living in areas with low walkability had a 5% higher risk of developing CVD compared to those in very walkable neighborhoods. Interestingly, even in neighborhoods that improved in walkability over time, the risk of CVD remained about 5% higher for those who started in low-walkability areas, possibly due to the lasting effects of earlier sedentary habits.

What Makes A Neighborhood Walk-Friendly?

To figure out how walkable a neighborhood is, the researchers in the study looked at several things. They checked how many people lived in the area (population density), how many shops were nearby, if there were parks and green spaces, and if there were sidewalks to walk on. They also considered if different types of buildings were mixed together (like shops and homes), if there was good public transportation, and how well the streets connected to each other. All these things together helped them decide how easy it was to walk around in a certain neighborhood.

Researchers studied over three million adults who were at least 40 years old and didn't have any heart problems when the study started. The researchers kept track of how walkable each person's neighborhood was for 13 years. They also checked if the walkability of these neighborhoods stayed the same, got better, or got worse during that time.

The findings of this study support what doctors have known for a long time: moving your body is good for your health, especially your heart. What's interesting is that you don't need to do intense workouts to see the benefits. Even small amounts of activity, like walking your dog in a park or carrying your groceries home from the store, can make a difference. These little bursts of energy throughout the day can add up and help lower your risk of getting heart disease.

Should People Opt For More Walkable Places?

A report from 2023 from Smart Growth America found that less than 7% of people in America actually live in very walkable urban neighborhoods. Interestingly, studies have shown that minority groups often live in more walkable neighborhoods. However, these same groups are also more likely to suffer from heart and blood sugar problems. This might be because even in walkable areas, factors like safety, clean environments, and good sidewalks and parks might not be available in all neighborhoods.

Even if you don't live in a very walkable area, there are still things you can do to move more. You might need to get a little creative! You can try lifting weights or doing yoga while you watch TV. If you drive to the store, park a little further away so you have to walk more. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Stand up and move around when you're on the phone, have walking meetings if possible, and make sure to get up and stretch every hour.

During a recent conference on drug addiction, the US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. shared a personal story about his own battle with drug addiction and his journey to recovery. He also emphasized on the importance of helping young people find meaning in life. His speech at the Rx and Illicit Drug Summit in Nashville, Tennessee, emphasized the need for prevention, community, and spiritual support in addressing substance abuse.

RFK Jr.'s Struggle With Addiction

Kennedy revealed that he was addicted to heroin for 14 years. It started during his teenage years. During that time, he constantly promised to quit to himself and his family, but he felt powerless to follow through.

“I didn’t want to be someone who woke up every morning thinking about drugs,” he said, describing the feeling of being unable to “keep contracts” with himself. He shared that he felt like he was born with a hole inside him—something many addicts feel—that he tried to fill with drugs.

He also called addiction "a source of misery, but also a symptom of misery". He stressed that threats of overdose or ruined lives often have little impact on those who are already suffering. “Every addict feels that way in one way or another... and the only thing that works are drugs,” he said.

His message to the 3,000 attendees focused on how deeper issues like hopelessness and disconnection from community contribute to addiction.

Finding A Way Out Through Faith

RFK Jr. went on to describe his recovery journey that started after he read a book by Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung, who suggested that people who believe in God tend to recover more effectively. This inspired him and rekindled his faith in God. He began to attend the 12-step meetings. God was mentioned in his speech over 20 times, and it was noted that spirituality played a big role in his healing.

RFK Jr. also acknowledged criticism from public health experts and was interrupted several times by hecklers. Without directly engaging them, he said he tries to learn from everyone—“even the people who give me the finger.”

Prevention Through Purpose

While RFK Jr. did praise tools like Suboxone, methadone, and access to rehab, his main focus remained on prevention. “We have this whole generation of kids who’ve lost hope in their future,” he said. According to him, restoring connections to family, community, and purpose is crucial.

He encouraged policy changes that would promote stronger family bonds—such as phone-free meals—and more opportunities for young people to engage in service. “The best way to overcome hopelessness,” he said, “is to wake up each day and pray, ‘Please make me useful to another human being today.’”

While Kennedy’s speech resonated with many, others pushed back on his approach. Researcher Caleb Banta-Green, who was removed after shouting, later said that while spirituality can be helpful, science-based interventions must be prioritized and properly funded.

While Kennedy’s speech resonated with many, others pushed back on his approach. Researcher Caleb Banta-Green, who was removed after shouting, later said that while spirituality can be helpful, science-based interventions must be prioritized and properly funded.

Orgasmic Meditation (OM) is a unique wellness practice that brings together mindfulness, touch, and pleasure. For those unfamiliar, this partnered activity involves one person gently stroking the upper-left quadrant of the clitoris in an up-and-down motion for 15 minutes. The intention? Not climax — but connection, presence, and awareness.

The technique is precise: the stroking must be no firmer than one would touch an eyelid. Usually, the person performing the strokes wears latex gloves lubricated with a personal lubricant. Notably, there is no genital stimulation of the stroker, and the act itself is not meant to serve as foreplay.

Despite its name, OM is less about achieving orgasm and more about exploring sensation and emotional intimacy. Practitioners often describe the experience as meditative — a path to becoming fully present in one's body.

OM Was Introduced In 2009

While the traditional meditation practices aim at connecting the individual with themselves, these new age techniques are more focused towards reducing anxiety and calming the mind. OM was introduced by OneTaste. Founded by Nicole Daedone and Rob Kandell, this company promoted OM as "A pleasurable place for your body to be."

However, OneTaste later came under scrutiny, with former members accusing it of coercive financial practices and describing it as a "sexual wellness cult." The backlash led to a rebranding — OneTaste became the Institute of OM. Still, the practice continues to attract individuals seeking deeper sexual connection and personal fulfilment.

Is OM Just Another Form of Meditation?

Traditional meditation is often seen as spiritual or philosophical. Today, it's more commonly embraced as a health tool — a method to reduce stress, improve focus, or even aid therapy. But at its core, meditation is about being fully present and tuning into one’s authentic self.

Still, OM is not for everyone. It involves physical intimacy and often costly sessions. For those who prefer less intensive alternatives, traditional meditation apps and guided practices are widely available.

Are There Any Health Benefits Of Organismic Meditation?

Practitioners often claim increased happiness, reduced anxiety, and more connected relationships. Some report better communication, heightened confidence, and a deeper understanding of their partner’s emotional and physical needs.

While orgasm is not the goal, some do experience it—and with it, potential health benefits like the release of endorphins, reduction in cortisol, and temporary relief from pain. Moreover, OM shares many of the known benefits of conventional meditation: better sleep, sharper focus, reduced blood pressure, and mood improvement.

Getting Started With OM

There are plenty of resources online—articles, audios, and videos—to help beginners explore OM. While there is a common structure, there's no strict right or wrong way. You can even try a solo version of the practice.

Amid today’s fast-paced routines, OM offers a new form of self-care — one that asks for just 15 minutes of intentional touch and total presence. For many, it’s a meditative practice that bridges the gap between sexuality and mindfulness.

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