Mental health and reta in particular

Look up reta anhedonia. It comes up a lot.

I have noticed some of that flat feeling too. It hasn't been a big problem, but my emotional reactions and general feelings are definitely different. I'm probably getting used to it.

A bit of dopamine adjustment doesn't bother me. It actually helps limit some of my old habits. I don't feel down from it. The symptoms you listed could come from many other sources, like eating too little or not sleeping enough.

Reta can reduce dopamine signaling more broadly than just around food. That is part of why appetite drops and why some people also cut back on drinking, smoking or other habits. The downside can be exactly the flat feeling you describe from weaker reward signals. Anhedonia does occur, though maybe not as often as some say. One approach is to build new sources of dopamine through morning walks, sunlight, hydration, exercise and healthy eating. Leaning into hobbies or things you care about like reading or art can also help, even if they feel muted at first. Your system might adapt over time.

I got it right away during testing. Sometimes emotions just cloud judgment and create more trouble than they solve. The anhedonia actually felt like a benefit after some rough periods. I still knew things were bad but they stopped weighing me down. It depends how you look at it. I have goals to reach and nothing will stop me. Heavy regret, inadequacy and overthinking just fell away. They were dead weight anyway.

I have a sensitive brain and probably undiagnosed ADHD. Sema never did much for me. On tirz at higher doses around 10-11 mg I became very flat and anhedonic, so I had to stop because everything felt grey. Switching to reta with cagri worked at first, but after a few months at 8 mg the same flat feeling returned. Sugar cravings also increased on reta. Lowering to 4-6 mg helped for a while but the low mood slowly came back, so I stopped three weeks ago. Energy and mood improved after that. Supplements did not change anything. Weight loss, exercise and sleep did not help either. I was mostly in a who cares state. Now on cagri while waiting for something else. Some people seem fine at lower doses.

I started reta in November 2025 and have had some clear side effects. I have CPTSD and occasional depression. Motivation itself is not the issue, but the dopamine reward side is definitely blunted. Reading, audiobooks or watching shows no longer feel rewarding the way they used to. My focus drifts and I often start and stop projects, sometimes taking weeks or months to finish things friends finish in days.

Anhedonia can be useful because I stop caring about things that used to annoy or worry me. It also removes the urge to eat the junk I once wanted. There are downsides though. I have become more of a recluse and no longer enjoy activities like before. Motivation has slipped further in recent weeks. The whole point of losing weight was to gain energy for tasks, yet I feel worse. Eating more might help but I already have to push myself not to undereat. It has turned into a difficult cycle and I probably need to look into it more.

I had the exact same symptoms two months ago. I had been on reta since March when it hit hard. I felt depressed, exhausted, irritable and my anxiety spiked. Someone suggested trying a certain peptide and it helped a lot. I felt like myself again.

I suspect the anhedonia and flatness may relate to dopamine production happening in the gut. GLPs slow digestion and reduce overall food intake, which could affect mood. I try to eat foods high in l-tyrosine such as chicken, salmon, eggs and yogurt because they can support dopamine. Walking, sunlight, talking with friends and time with pets also seem to help as others mentioned. Hope you find a workable balance soon.

I have dealt with anhedonia for years and it has worsened since starting tirz early this year. After trying many approaches, here are my suggestions. Get hormone levels checked. For women who still menstruate, request a full panel because perimenopause can begin in the 30s or earlier with any hormone disruption, and obesity can contribute. Post-menopausal women may want to discuss hormone replacement including testosterone. Men can also have hormone disruption from obesity, and testosterone support can make a big difference. The main lifestyle step that helps anhedonia is savoring. Actively notice things that feel good or should feel good, then deliberately do them and really focus on the positive sensation. Tell yourself you are enjoying it.

As someone with a history of addiction and depressive bipolar, my mental state before reta was already very poor, so the anhedonia from reta has actually been an improvement. Feeling flat is better than constant suffering. I have been on it about four months and stayed around 5 mg weekly. The effect can be stronger at higher doses. Managing it requires a full supplement routine including various B vitamins, trace minerals like boron, copper and zinc, high-dose magnesium, potassium, sodium, D3/K2, taurine, glycine, TMG, phosphatidylcholine, fish oil and lithium orotate among others.

Hi. I am fairly new but this happened to me from very hot weather combined with mounjaro. I do not enjoy summer much anyway. I lowered mounjaro from 2.5 to 1.25 and added a small amount of reta at 0.5 because training became impossible. Is there something you truly love? For me it is music, dancing and my dog. Do those things more even when you do not feel like starting. Give it a try. I am no expert but I have dealt with severe depression and know how it feels. Please do not give up yet. Eat your protein, consider BCAAs, and even if you do not want carbs try some fruit or potato. Walking and staying present also helps me. Sunlight helps reset rhythms. It sounds basic but I want to encourage you. Sending good energy.