Hi, @ou90n93 -- that is an interesting journey from being put on venlafaxine to help quit smoking, then ending up vaping and using strawberry hemp extract.

You mentioned that you should have just continued to smoke. Are you talking about your experience with the vaping, hemp extract, venlafaxine, or a couple of those?

Hi, hope you don’t mind more questions. I’ve only been on Effexor for about 6 months as my depression is more seasonal. I’m only on 37.5 mg. I told my GP I wanted off so she recommended just stopping it, saying I’d be fine. I stopped that day so today is only day 3. I have been soooo nauseous and dizzy since. Is this why? How long does it last? I really feel awful but I want off the drugs more. I’m also on Bupropion 300 mg, which I’m cutting to 150 mg in 2 weeks and then off everything. Any additional tips are welcome because the nausea is awful. Thank you!

Hey there! Number one, no matter the dosage you were on, you should always be weened off. I was only weened for a month and I’m nearing the end of the awlfulness of it. I hope. But I started with nausea, vomiting, feeling almost like out of body, nightmares, emotional/crying over nothing, tingling limbs, brain zaps—you name it, I had it. Now I rarely have the nausea but I’m still emotional. The fact I’ve had another family issue pop up for my son doesn’t help, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. You need weened off tho. Cold turkey could be counterproductive.

Determined to wean myself off of Effexor and looking for ideas and to offer support to anyone else going through this.

How has that been working for you?

I am weaning off Effexor, down to 37.5 mgs from 225 mgs this past winter, and using a marijuana candy with THC to help me. I didn't find any relief from anxiety with the CBD oil but my daughter does. I live in a marijuana legal state and am so grateful! I only need 1/2 of a gummy square (5 mgs THC) twice a week. That's compared to the over 1500 mgs per week of the Effexor, and I feel so much better! So I never thought I'd be in this position, but I'm becoming a cannabis evangelist! I'm just starting week 2 of the low dose Effexor and don't feel wonderful, but I really don't think I'd be doing near this well without the THC. I know you asked about CBD but if you have access to THC ...

That is a great question. How is it going?

Hello, @jmanon -- welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.

Just wanted to clarify to ensure you get a response from the member to whom your question is addressed. Your question here is to @megregg, correct? What I'd suggest is using the member's @username if you'd like to address a particular member so they know to respond.

This has been a very informative and supportive thread for many members in the process of or considering the possibility of tapering off venlafaxine (Effexor) in consult with their doctors and sometimes pharmacists, as well. Hope it's also helpful to you.

CBD oil to help nausea, I use CBD oil.

Thanks for posting this! My mental health care provided (not my regular doctor) weaned me off Effexor in 6 weeks. I felt fine until a day after the day of my last dose. The provider didn't give me any insight whatsoever and I ended up doing most of my own research and luckily found this group. He had another antidepressant prescribed to start right away even though I told him I was taking a break, so I am not taking anything new. Maybe I should check with my regular doctor on the melatonin for anxiety. I have never experienced anything like getting that drug out of my system! Now, I am still going through some of the side effects, but not as bad as it was. I am hoping that some of the depression, confusion, anxiety, etc. I have been feeling are still the residuals of the Effexor. I am a little scared because I don't know when the after effects of the drug will be done and my feelings that are no longer masked by a drug will resurface.