Untitled long-form research update — new model of PFS/PSSD/post-drug syndromes (Sept 2026)
u/drwillpowers
r/DrWillPowers2026-09-14 (per author's own "state of my research as of Sept 14 2026" TLDR)
Dr Will Powers’ own statements and theorizing
Mentions treatments or doses — not guidance
Summary (paraphrased)
Powers revised his model: the anhedonia/low-libido subtype of PFS/PSSD is driven by pathological EXCESS — not deficiency — of neurosteroids such as THDOC and androsterone that positively modulate GABA-A, causing downstream neural network remodeling (analogized to chronic benzodiazepine exposure). He reported that temporary androgen deprivation ("castration trials") reliably restored androgenic signaling in the androgen-signal-loss subtype but not the anhedonic subtype; implicated upregulated 3α-HSD and disrupted glucuronidation/excretion (UGT enzymes, gut beta-glucuronidase, DUTCH urine tests showing near-zero urinary androgens in >50% of his PFS patients); and described using calcium D-glucarate plus indomethacin to lower neurosteroid load, with patient "crashes" reinterpreted as withdrawal-like effects. He requested help arranging CSF mass spectrometry to identify the overproduced molecule(s).
Why it’s in the corpus
The most current and detailed primary statement of Powers' PFS/PSSD model found. It reframes the syndrome as two subtypes (androgenic-signal-loss vs. neurosteroid-excess/anhedonic), ties SSRI- and finasteride-triggered cases to a shared GABAergic mechanism, and lays out a testable biomarker program (DUTCH, 3a-ADG, CSF mass spec) plus candidate interventions — all central to the corpus's pharmacology/genetics focus.
Some fields on this page come from the release’s Markdown edition, which carries text the JSON edition omits.
Related records
- Powers · Reddit commentCurated Powers pick
Re: Theory as to why some people so sensitive to Calcium-D-Glucarate
u/drwillpowers · r/DrWillPowers
Powers reported that relugolix (temporary chemical castration) at least temporarily fully restores normal androgenic signaling, with patients typically noticing improvement within days — return of acne, body odor, and related signs — persisting for weeks…
PRH-00512026-09-27T16:23:12ZPFSPSSDPowers Reddit history - Powers · Reddit commentCurated Powers pick
Re: The Problems with the Theory of Impaired Androgen Signaling caused by Metabolite Accumulation: A Peaceful Challenge to Dr. Powers’ Thesis
u/drwillpowers · r/DrWillPowers
First half of a two-part reply in the same critique thread. Powers reports clinical observations — PFS patients regrowing hair while on treatment, and multiple cases of osteopenia/osteoporosis suggesting failed androgenic or estrogenic signaling. He says…
UGT2B17PRH-01272026-09-19T16:47:22ZPFSPSSDPowers Reddit history - Powers · Reddit commentCurated Powers pick
Re: Castration trial on Post anastrazole syndrome
u/drwillpowers · r/DrWillPowers
A multi-part comment (the export concatenates several of Powers' replies, including remarks on a post-anastrozole castration-trial image post and the "melty" phenotype). The core diagnostic content: the castration trial's purpose is to test whether the blood…
PRH-02352 months agoPFSPSSDPowers Reddit history