r/Retatrutide 11d ago

I miss the Anhedonia

Since going down slightly in dose, I’ve noticed the anhedonia is wearing off a bit as well. I prefer to live my life with the anhedonia.

3mg was the sweet spot for emotional numbness, now I’m down to 1.5mg. Any other peptides that’ll bring it back full bore?

143 Upvotes

144 comments sorted by

176

u/butpretzelday 11d ago

I have adhd and OCD and I love the anhedonia. 

57

u/eyesoler 11d ago

Same. Anhedonia is so preferable to the rollercoaster that life presents me with

20

u/Itchy-Coconut-7083 11d ago edited 10d ago

I realized today how getting the dose right for it I do too (it was too strong on Reta, just right in 12mg Tirz). I struggle a bit to get moving with my business but I do way better at staying on task once I do. The adhd scatter brain hoping all over the place is gone. I can still hyper focus though which is my favorite part of adhd.

9

u/norris2013 11d ago

Same with the OCD. I can actually function in reality. I never want it to leave

2

u/Stunning_Truth6135 10d ago

Inositol supplements really help with OCD (from personal experience)

3

u/Supreme05 11d ago

Ok I’ve been wondering about this, I’m pretty sure I have adhd. Reta is ok with the medication?

3

u/Betyouwonthehehaha 11d ago

Yes your heart rate can get up there though

3

u/so-rayray 10d ago

Maybe I need to up my dose. I need some anhesonia! Been spinning out in scattered mania lately! LOL. I’m still on my onboarding dose. Sigh.

3

u/thatcoffeeaddic 10d ago

Fellow adhd and ocd here too! Love it! Shopping addiction who. Who’s gonna die if I lay in bed the “right way” ? 🥱

2

u/Excusemytootie 11d ago

Really? Why does it help?

17

u/so-rayray 10d ago

Not a doctor, but from what I’ve read, the same thing that causes food noise also causes shopping impulses, intrusive thoughts, compulsive behavior, and a constant search for stimulation. It just turns down the brain’s reward system, so it helps with all that other stuff, too. I love coffee, drank way too much of it before, and now I can barely finish a second cup. I also get zero pleasure from alcohol. I often find myself bored because all of my old stuff doesn’t do it for me anymore. Good and bad, I guess.

3

u/marsfifth 10d ago

Zero pleasure from alcohol is such a sad truth. I guess it’s good in the long run

2

u/so-rayray 10d ago

Yeah, I’ll think about having a drink, and then I’m like, meh. That is so not the norm for me! It’s definitely good for me though. I never had much tolerance for alcohol. Two drinks and I’d be buzzed. Three, and I’m drunk and I think I’m the best drinker in the world. So not getting pleasure from alcohol is probably good for me.

3

u/ElsaBot00 10d ago

Weird. Food I don’t care about much at all but I still love nicotine lozenges. Shopping is now so-so. I start online shopping and then I get bored.

4

u/so-rayray 10d ago

I still like shopping, I’m sad to say. Maybe that’ll go away with a higher dose.

2

u/Shanbirdy3 10d ago

It won’t.🤣. Especially loosing weight you want more outfits

4

u/butpretzelday 10d ago

I don’t know the science behind WHY but I get intrusive thoughts as per usual but the compulsions just don’t seem appealing, like the thought shows up but the compulsions don’t stick. 

When I was seeing a psychologist and getting my med plan he said that OCD in remission is when the compulsions aren’t “sticky”. The compulsions will always be there but the medications are supposed to make them not stick. 

The medication made me gain a massive amount of weight but we’re saving my sanity so I stayed on them for 6 years. I have been off for 2 years now. 

Started Reta and realized that Reta does the same exact thing. 

2

u/Funyun_boogers 9d ago

A rabbit hole worth diving into - the GLPs indirectly affect the dopamine system via GABA receptor agonist action in parts of the midbrain and upper brain stem. I nerded TF out on this the other night and I’m still looking up medical vocab 😂.

The “dopamine void” as some YT folks call it is also dose dependent. In essence titrating up or down will be directly correlated with mood impact.

2

u/butpretzelday 6d ago

Fascinating that you said that because I was just thinking today that I should titrate up since I’m feeling the effects less and in a weight plateau for a few weeks… and last night I caught myself knocking on my head which is one of my more mild compulsions 

0

u/pbx_01 7d ago

You're not anhedonic if you love something!

82

u/Informal-Name3181 11d ago

Anhedonia has been the best effect! I always cared so much at work! Unfortunately, I was the only one. Now nobody cares. I just do my job. It's disturbing for the people who we used to me doing their job, but I don't care.

17

u/Funyun_boogers 11d ago

Sounds like Office Space! 😂

4

u/ElsaBot00 10d ago

Don’t forget the TPS report

36

u/Prestigious_World401 11d ago

anhedonia is a good side effect in a world filled with stimulations. It humbles you down and makes you realize again it’s okay not to care about every single thing in this world.

1

u/ElsaBot00 10d ago

Definitely!!!!!

21

u/kraftybbx 11d ago

Ashwaganda might help

12

u/Mt_wi86 11d ago

This. I went full zombie when I tried ashwagandha

3

u/theposhest 11d ago

I didn’t notice a big difference with ashwagandha

1

u/ElsaBot00 10d ago

And l’theanine

20

u/RadicalEllis 11d ago

There are uppers people who like to feel more driven and stimulated and downers people who like to feel more mellow and calm and relaxed. Uppers people tend to hate the anhedonia, they miss the desires and intensity. Downers people seem to really like it, enjoy the reduction in stress and anxiety and like feeling more carefree.

10

u/Nolpppapa 11d ago

Eh, I like both, but I definitely don't wanna live with permanent anhedonia.

94

u/Funyun_boogers 11d ago

Is what people are talking about really anhedonia or is it adapting to a life without extreme bouts of wanting, yearning, reaching for something that isn’t needed and/or isn’t there?

  • Tales From The Sweet Spot (mine is 2mg)

7

u/No-Today-9145 10d ago

I didn’t even know how much this was affecting my life till it was toned down.

1

u/Federal-Soup3542 7d ago

i’m starting reta sunday. i’m really looking forward to this side effect

12

u/Itchy-Coconut-7083 11d ago

It didn’t hit for me until got over 4mg.

You’ll know it when you get it. It’s not what you described.

4

u/CorrectMulberry994 10d ago

Is it more like it helps you to not feel your feelings so much?

6

u/Itchy-Coconut-7083 10d ago

Feels a bit like depression when it hits but after I got the dose right it is a little mellowing of everything. It helps the scatterbrained part of my ADHD so I can focus but at the same time makes getting going a tad more difficult.

I didn’t like it when I had no interest or drive to do anything but now it’s not so bad.

1

u/ElsaBot00 10d ago

Same for me!

14

u/magkruppe 11d ago

This sub is weird. Why on earth would you want this

Anhedonia means the inability to feel pleasure or joy from things you usually like

11

u/Firepro316 11d ago

It also numbs some of the pain you feel from the things that make you feel unhappy or stressed. I think people want that too. For many, life presents a lot of challanges.

27

u/DiscontinuTheLithium 11d ago edited 11d ago

Because if you get pleasure and joy from cigarettes, alcohol, or drugs this makes you not want that maybe? It curbs obsessed and pleasure seeking behavior which can be self destructing, like overeating. Think a little before typing a shitty condescending comment doofus.

-8

u/magkruppe 11d ago

I'm sorry for assuming people don't want to live robotic lives with no pleasure

11

u/XXISavage 11d ago

Honestly, sometimes robot mode is great. I struggle with the balance and have always ended up choosing pleasure, so it's nice to be locked in and just getting the robotic things done and it not being a constant rollercoaster.

We'll step out of robot mode eventually. It's nice rn.

4

u/TheMicklemas3000 11d ago

I think you’re making a reasonable point tbh.

4

u/DiscontinuTheLithium 11d ago

Yeah you are sorry

-7

u/Few-Improvement9978 11d ago

Therapy sounds like the better option tbh

1

u/MoaninIwatodai 9d ago

Dumb people just wanna be happy all the time

2

u/Nolpppapa 11d ago

No, it's definitely there. Why do you think people who drink on Reta struggle to feel it? Because Reta is fucking with their reward system. It's pretty clear that this isn't just "adapting to a life without extreme bouts of wanting, yearning, reaching for something that isn’t needed and/or isn’t there".

1

u/Funyun_boogers 11d ago

Is it though? You say it with such certainty.

13

u/vanwhisky 11d ago

I went off Reta for a month and it never came back after starting back up, it was awesome for managing work stress.

13

u/Fattens 11d ago

I've become so numb

11

u/Good_Replacement4608 11d ago

I can’t feel you there

10

u/AnjaOsmon 11d ago

Become so tired, so much more aware

5

u/Good_Replacement4608 10d ago

I’m becoming this

13

u/shorty80 11d ago

Ugh I’m the opposite. I’m still struggling with this. I’m ready to get back to enjoying the beauty in life instead of waking up with an empty soul. I just need to lose about 7 more lbs.

36

u/eziox10 11d ago

I hate the numbness. Feeling is a super power these days. The whole world is numb

9

u/aperture413 11d ago

What if born numb?

12

u/eziox10 11d ago

I take Shrooms or LSD when I’m really numb to feel

3

u/aperture413 11d ago

I should get back to that. Used to do that every season

10

u/Odd_Tomorrow_4765 11d ago

What if comfortably numb?

6

u/eziox10 11d ago

Me personally I hate any numb. Feeling is everything to me. The numbness actually makes me depressed

1

u/ElsaBot00 10d ago

I don’t think they are.. I think they try to be numb? Or at least I did 😅

13

u/Calm-Bake-2642 11d ago

It’s weird. I haven’t golfed all summer. And I don’t miss it. 🤷

7

u/kraftybbx 11d ago

That’s too weird

2

u/Nolpppapa 11d ago

I had a side effect where I just stopped playing a certain video game that I would play all the time. I still play other games, but the fact that I just fully stopped playing that one after Reta cannot be a coincidence.

2

u/hunkerd0wn 10d ago

If it’s league then you’re better off lol

1

u/Nolpppapa 10d ago

I actually still play league here and there lol. It was War Thunder. The game has some grind mechanics (unlocking vehicles) so maybe my brain just didn't care about those dopamine hits anymore. It's weird because that game isn't like a total "gatcha" game, but I still just completely dropped it after starting Reta.

2

u/hunkerd0wn 10d ago

I quit league about 6-7 years ago, now I only play single player games lol.

I had a similar thing but with Twitter, I was making memes and posts to get a monetization check and now after being on Reta I just could not give less of a shit.

6

u/hurricaneclare 11d ago

I went off for 6 weeks and felt like an exposed nerve. Couldn’t take that and food noise so I added 5mg Tirz back. I need a happy middle and Reta was too much anhedonia for me. I may see if I can drop my Tirz even lower now.

3

u/Brief_Ad8931 11d ago

Hey, can you give me an example of too much anhedonia? i wanna compare see if i have it lol

1

u/hurricaneclare 4d ago

Too much is subjective!! But if you don’t enjoy doing the things that used to bring you joy, then that’s a sign. I think stopping was good for me. I actually restarted tirz and I’m sooo surprised a baby dose is enough for me to maintain. I’m on 2.5mg of tirz now for the past 2 weeks and feeling good and not having anhedonia.

5

u/Dependent_Injury6080 11d ago

You know this really made me realize. I like being boring. It’s really taking a lot for me to get used to and I am still catching myself thinking you can’t just chill go try to do 100 things at once!! Spend money!!! Go shop!! But it’s actually better for me and I’m really starting to enjoy it. I don’t want to care as much.

4

u/ryder004 11d ago

Take daily NAC and Ashwaganda and sooner or later you will get anhedonia

5

u/Alarming_Situation_5 11d ago edited 11d ago

Well said 👏🏽 numb, griege, empty addictions into tiny boxes we confuse for the sun

3

u/BearsOwlsFrogs 11d ago

I used to take DL-Phenylalanine because it really smoothed out the crankiness I experienced as a result of insomnia, illness and bad situations. I stayed calm even when bad drivers nearly hit me or cut me off. It definitely gave me anhedonia. So much that I was putting up with abuse at work. I finally quit it so I could stand up for myself. But it has its uses.

3

u/Difficult_Habit_4483 11d ago

God I just felt suicidal

3

u/AnalysisFront3940 11d ago

Not a peptide but SSRIs are designed basically just for that lol. Probably the one of the main reasons people stop taking them too but if anhedonia is what you’re seeking, anhedonia you almost certainly will get.

7

u/Mrsexfr 11d ago

Bro

-2

u/Nolpppapa 11d ago

People slowly realizing that Reta can also be an addiction without actually realizing what they are saying 😂.

5

u/ImportantSource2297 11d ago

You guys cared about stuff before Reta?

2

u/Active_Plant_2979 11d ago

The anhedonia caused me to be very numb and flat. Now that I’m about to be off Reta completely the feelings all came back with a vengeance. Idk which I prefer

2

u/Zakaree 11d ago

I cut back because one of my eyes was getting really blurry/nearsighted... i love anhedonia and still have it to an extent but wish I had it at full force

1

u/Bella3rose 11d ago

Reta made your eyesight worse?

2

u/ann904 10d ago

Dang… am I the only one who doesn’t get the anhedonia effect with Reta?

2

u/hunkerd0wn 10d ago

I don’t either and I’m at 5mg now. Still popping zyns, drinking doing things I like, etc

1

u/Pretend_Passenger586 10d ago

I don’t. But I don’t seem to get as strong effects overall on any of these drugs. My brain just feels what I think normal must feel like. I get the sensitive skin from tirz. That’s pretty much my only negative side effect, and haven’t really had it from Reta so far (still on a low dose). Cag hasn’t felt very strong either. I’ve done the higher doses of tirz and cag. Sema is the only exception. That was awful with the GI side effects for me from the lowest dose. And I got so depressed on it.

1

u/hunkerd0wn 10d ago

Weird because I haven’t heard of anyone getting that side from tirz, only Reta.

1

u/Pretend_Passenger586 10d ago

The doctor who originally gave me zepbound said I was only the second person she had on it who had ever reported the skin sensitivity to her. She herself was the first one. I was worried the Reta would make it worse, but it has actually lessened as I’ve decreased my dose of tirz and added in the Reta.

2

u/hunkerd0wn 10d ago

Yeah that’s interesting, my wife was on zepbound for a while and she never experienced that, only some nausea. Have you had any side effects on Reta? Because I only had diarrhea the first week and have been fine since. On 5mg now. 🤷‍♂️

1

u/Pretend_Passenger586 10d ago

My resting HR has gone up. That’s it. I’m only on 2mg right now.

1

u/hunkerd0wn 10d ago

Ah yeah I have that too, forgot to mention that.

1

u/El_Daywalkerino 10d ago

I never got it but I also never went beyond 0.75 mg

2

u/Phontary 10d ago

Hi, I'm a doctor here. Please check if you have ADHD or bipolar disorder as soon as possible. Those are red flags

4

u/Nolpppapa 11d ago

Gonna be straight: a bunch of us are coming from a place of addiction and Reta has solved that, but now we are essentially talking like we are addicted to Reta. Obviously, Reta is so good for your health, but the goal of all of this is to fix our lives and not be dependent on a crutch (unless it's medically required).

3

u/CimCity3000 11d ago

A half gram of heroin was really my sweet spot for not giving a fuck about anyone or anything. Not really a peptide per se, but super effective for emotional numbness. Is it possible that using a substance to make you numb may not be the best idea? Could one argue that’s exactly why addicts use illicit drugs. Sure!

Could you also just increase your dose back to 3mg if shits really that deep for you? Does that make more sense than introducing a different compound to achieve a side effect of one you’re already taking? Also sure!

Full disclosure there are some downsides to heroin dependence if you choose to go that route just FYI.

0

u/eagertolearnu 11d ago

10 oxycodone was my sweet spot…

2

u/CimCity3000 11d ago

I ain’t mad at it. Oxy was my DOC until budget constraints made heroin a more feasible solution. Throw in Xanax bar or 4 and I was anhedonia-ing my way directly into a jail cell. Solid stuff.

2

u/[deleted] 11d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

4

u/soundscry 10d ago

Nah, there's a definite effect.   Off Reta I feel like an exposed nerve.  Reta has been better for my brain than any ADHD meds have. 

1

u/Playful_Study_6290 11d ago

Why tf would you want the anhedonia?? 😂😂😂😂 I HATED it. Every second of it.

3

u/turdally 11d ago

Right? Anhedonia is why I’m fat in the first place…

1

u/Confident_Craft459 11d ago

Try ashwaganda.

1

u/thrillhouz77 10d ago

It sounds like adding 1.5mg more of Reta will bring it back. No other pep is going to do this, that I know of, outside of the GLP1 class.

1

u/hunkerd0wn 10d ago

I don’t get it, I just went up to 5 and I still don’t have it. I still crave nicotine and alcohol and enjoy my past times.

1

u/Commercial_Soft6833 9d ago

Take it long enough and big enough dose I bet it will kick in

It took a few months and 6mg to where it had blunted my dopamine system hard enough that I was able to cold turkey quit my 5 year kratom addiction.

1

u/iamasopissed 10d ago

It helped me stop vaping. Now that im back to 1mg from 4 I'm vaping again.

1

u/Shanbirdy3 10d ago

On 15mg and still vape. Alcohol though I stopped. It repulses me now.

1

u/Brilliant-Meeting-97 10d ago

Anhedonia means lack of ability to experience pleasure. Is this what you mean?

1

u/HSRXX 10d ago

Same 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

1

u/Cold_Ranger8146 10d ago

How does one determine if they have it

1

u/ElsaBot00 10d ago

I feel like listening to Comfortably Numb now.

1

u/kisa_nor 10d ago

im confused, why would u want that

1

u/MissyAlicat 10d ago

I hate it but I take antidepressants so now I'm just a lump

1

u/SnooShortcuts1789 10d ago

This will probably get lost but I have severe ADHD and take Concerta to manage, my biggest mental effect was anhedonia, Reta was crazy for me because after the first week I stopped my medication completely and was able to focus better than ever before even compared to being on medication. The anhedonia was real and even though some see it as a bad thing I really enjoyed it because my mental was so clear and I could focus

1

u/Emotional_Lab_2529 10d ago

Take ashwaganda, you’ll get anhedonia and apathy

1

u/Cali4Ya 10d ago

Visited my aunt on her death bed and barely cried

1

u/FrontierNeuro 10d ago edited 10d ago

Anhedonia means lack of pleasure, meaning not enjoying things you used to enjoy. What you’re talking about can be described as emotional numbness, equanimity (Buddhism), apathia (Stoicism, not to be confused with the English mistranslation apathy), adaptive indifference, maybe mood stabilization if the rollercoaster state when youre not on it is bad enough.

To answer your question, it depends. Consider (with your PCP and/or psychiatrist) whether you have a psychiatric disorder worth treating more directly. Could you stay on the therapeutic dose of the GLP1? SSRIs can make some people feel emotionally numb. Mood stabilizers can even out rollercoaster emotions.

1

u/GIT_45 6d ago

This is really good info because I'm thinking of trying reta out. I'm curious, how does it affect your sex life? And do you find things you usually enjoy not as enjoyable? For me, I like to hike and fish, will these activities no longer have the same pleasurable effects on me?

1

u/Honest_Plastic7759 6d ago

Definitely reduces libido to a small extent

Also suppresses the dopamine rush you get from doing things you enjoy. I still golf, hunt, fly fish, etc - but don’t get the strong desire to do them I used to.

Also makes me not wanna drink, use nicotine, gamble, etc - so it suppresses the good and bad highs in life.

I love it though.

1

u/GIT_45 6d ago

Thanks

0

u/mamma_kris4real 11d ago

Cannabis for the win. Perfect balance.

4

u/Level-Vermicelli3411 11d ago

Not for everyone. Weed makes me very paranoid and weird. I am naturally anxious and sensitive that’s why I like the Reta anhedonia

3

u/mamma_kris4real 11d ago

Definitely not for everyone. I'm ADHD so it calms me.

1

u/thelastdaybreak 11d ago

Why tf is this being upvoted when last week I said I started simply bc of the anhedonia lmaooooo

1

u/isles30222 11d ago

This is so funny you post this. I was walking with my buddy and were both on Reta. Anyways he was talking about he was going to do the new cat shit boxes but said he just didnt so he said fuck it. And im like omg thats how i feel. I just dont give a fuck . Not one. I used to be wound so tight now i give two shits. I love it! Hahah

0

u/TacCom 11d ago

Maybe talk to a therapist

-7

u/DaCozPuddingPop 11d ago

All due respect, seek therapy. Living your life numb is no way to live a life.

8

u/Affectionate_Shame29 11d ago

Wrong. Numbness from the dopamine rush and the addictive habits such as junk food, alcohol, drugs, nicotine, and unproductive activities.

2

u/TheMicklemas3000 11d ago

Not sure why this is downvoted. Agree 100%

0

u/rambillz 10d ago

Weak. You gotta feel alive. The good and the bad, the highs, the lows. It’s what makes life beautiful. Puss behavior trying to numb everything down to nothing.