Tapering Psychotropic Medications: An Integrative Approach
Integrative tools can strengthen the mind and body while tapering medications.
Posted April 18, 2025 | Reviewed by Gary Drevitch
The widespread use of psychotropic drugs to treat people experiencing mental illness does not always correspond to their effectiveness or real need. Driving this is a complex web of factors including marketing by pharmaceutical companies and the "quick fix" mentality often instilled in the minds of patients who cannot afford therapy and the considerable care that is regularly required for maintaining mental health. Moreover, prescribers, health systems, and insurance simply prioritize medication over other alternatives.
Natural and Holistic Alternatives
Medications should not be the default response. While these drugs may alleviate symptoms, they often do so with unwelcome side effects and without addressing the underlying causes of an individual's emotional distress.
In general, natural products are gentler, have few or no side effects, and although they work more slowly, they have the potential to create lasting change. Imagine a tree, which grows slowly and steadily, often imperceptibly, planting its roots deeply to draw nourishment from the groundwater as it extends its branches and leaves to catch water from the sky. This slow growth ensures its stability and strength, and it will not topple over.
The process of discontinuing medications is not always easy, fast, or linear, as they alter many systems in the body. It is essential to be conscious of the benefits and limitations of natural approaches to make informed decisions. Tapering is not only about brain chemistry; it is about attitude, support, and dispelling myths and negative beliefs.
The Challenge of Deprescription: A Gradual and Conscious Process
Education , Mindset Shifts, and Preparation
The first step is to become aware of the medications you're currently taking—understanding their benefits, risks, and possible alternatives. It’s also helpful to prioritize the changes you want to make and expand your awareness of your overall health picture. For those who have been on medication for many years, it’s not uncommon to return to it during moments of distress or fear of relapse . Successful tapering requires more than just a plan; it calls for education about both the medication and the discontinuation process, a strong self-care routine, a supportive network, and the patience to move slowly and steadily.
Tapering medications can be a stressful and demanding process. Before beginning, it’s essential to have a strong support system in place—friends, family, and health providers who can offer encouragement and stability. Because mental illness often involves disrupted attachment , either as a primary cause or a secondary effect, supporting healthy attachment behaviors during this time is vital. Equally important is working with a clinician who not only understands the tapering process but genuinely believes that healing without medication is both possible and preferable.
Developing a Withdrawal Schedule
Setting a schedule with the guidance of your therapist is crucial for tapering off medications effectively and safely. This does not mean the schedule will be written in stone; it can change as needed, usually to slow down the process. As a general rule, the longer one has been on a drug, the longer it will take to withdraw. I use a 2:1 rule, although this has to be adjusted to individual needs. Tapering is a marathon, not a sprint. If it takes a year or multiple years, that’s perfectly fine.
Natural Strategies to Support Medication Reduction
Detoxification. Detoxification is a natural process in which the body transforms and eliminates toxins and harmful substances. To support it, it is key to try to eliminate or reduce exposure to harmful substances from food or the environment , and actively stimulate the organs responsible for toxin elimination, such as the skin, liver, kidneys, and colon. This helps mitigate the physical and emotional burden of withdrawal. Methods one could consider for this process may include dry brushing, Epsom salt baths, saunas, or acupuncture.
Sleep Regulation. Psychotropics alter circadian rhythm and glucose management . Therefore, it is important to take measures that help improve sleep rhythms. For example, eating nuts, cheese, or eggs before bed can help maintain nighttime stability. Additionally, therapies such as cranial electrical stimulation, acupuncture, or simple acts such as exposure to natural daylight, exercise, and the use of blue light-blocking glasses before sleep can support better rest.
Addressing Nutritional Deficits. Pharmaceuticals may create nutrient deficits, whether through the metabolic response or how the medicine interacts with nutritional behaviors, resulting in poor dietary habits, failure to eat, or eating too much. This nutritional deficit worsens physical and mental health problems, so it is important to identify the most beneficial foods and nutrients to support the system during withdrawal.
Take Action With Expert Guidance. I spend a great deal of my clinical time helping clients come off psychotropics slowly and successfully. As a result, I am thrilled to see the growth in research and clinical explorations of the need to reduce or eliminate psychotropic medications and of methods to do so with greater ease. If you're considering discontinuing psychotropic medications, it's essential to do so under expert guidance. Clinicians should also ensure they are well-educated in this integrative approach to support their patients effectively throughout the process.
To find a therapist, visit the Psychology Today Therapy Directory .
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Leslie Korn, Ph.D. , is a clinician specializing in Integrative Mental Health, Nutrition and Traumatic Stress.
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This article is part of the Bringwise Psychology Journal — daily insights on human behavior, mental health, and personal growth.