From Trials to Trust — Seeing Through the Fog of Psychiatric Research

Episode Title: From Trials to Trust — Seeing Through the Fog of Psychiatric ResearchPodcast: The Psychology of It AllHost: Dr. Raymond Zakhari, NPWhy do some medications seem to work in studies but fall short in real life? In this episode, Dr. Raymond Zakhari walks you through the hidden layers of psychiatric research—from p-values and placebo effects to Type I, II, and III errors. Learn how small design choices can distort big findings, how to tell the difference between statistical significance and clinical relevance, and why discontinuation doesn’t always mean relapse.You’ll also discover how to use AI tools like large language models (LLMs) to critically analyze research articles—without falling into the trap of solving the wrong problem well. Whether you’re a clinician, a student, or an informed patient, this episode will sharpen your eye for what the science really says—and what it doesn’t.Topics covered:How Type I, II, and III errors mislead treatment decisionsThe placebo/nocebo effect and therapeutic allianceWhy some study designs exaggerate drug effectivenessWhat p-values actually mean—and how they’re manipulatedA practical guide to using AI to review research with discernment