PsychRounds: The Psychiatry Podcast

Welcome back! Today, we will be discussing the placebo effect.References:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16503356/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6003660/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8556377/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3714297/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6694178/https://www.psychiatrypodcast.com/psychiatry-psychotherapy-podcast/2018/11/19/understanding-placebo

Welcome back! Today we are talking all about Amantadine, and it's uses in psychiatry.

Welcome back! Today we are featuring the two FDA-approved medications for tardive dyskinesia, the VMAT2 inhibitors Valbenazine (Ingrezza) and Deutetrabenazine (Austedo). References: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41626799/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548187/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41626799/

We are back with another special guest episode! Please welcome Dr. Allen Frances, who was intricately involved in the formation of both the DSM III and DSM IV, the latter of which he served as chair.https://x.com/AllenFrancesMDhttps://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001HO76FUhttps://www.psychiatrictimes.com/authors/allen-frances-md

Welcome back! Today we will be doing a brief episode on Topiramate [Topamax], and its clinical uses in psychiatry.References:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21438989/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18774432/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25899459/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1088011/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2671954/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38706338/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20207521/

Welcome back, today we are discussing a deceptively difficult topic: What makes something a psychiatric illness? We are joined by our guest Dr. Mark Ruffalo. He is a psychotherapist in private practice in Tampa, FL, and who also serves as Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine as well an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Tufts University School of Medicine. Dr. Ruffalo's Website: https://www.drruffalo.com/Dr. Ruffalo's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-l-ruffalo-71929063PRISM: https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/use-of-the-prism-diagnostic-instrument-in-clinical-practicePRISM Writing Contest: https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/prism-writing-contest-more-on-this-new-diagnostic-tool-from-mark-ruffalo-msw-dpsa

Welcome back! Today we are at the highly prescribed and popular benzodiazepine Lorazepam, also known as Ativan. We look at its uses in psychiatry, especially catatonia. But despite anecdotal efficacy, does the evidence hold up? References:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532890/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36805317/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6120058/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10229064/https://psychopharmacologyinstitute.com/section/catatonia-diagnosis-the-lorazepam-challenge-2911-5899/

Welcome back! Today we are embarking into the first of hopefully several episodes on the importance of vitamins and minerals in mental health. We will specifically be looking at the role of iron deficiency in psychiatry and do an overview on some of the recent research that's been published. References: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557376/https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0268960X25000827#bb0165https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2823909https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1389945717315599https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40841680/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1677067/https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(23)00463-7/fulltexthttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6139360/

Welcome back! Today our topic is Nutritional Psychiatry and we've invited a special guest - Dr. Laura Lachance, who has done extensive research in the field. Along with Dr. Drew Ramsey, she has published a paper looking at an Antidepressant Food Score or AFS and more recently, she was a part of the EASe-GAD trial, a study looking at the impact of omega-3 fatty acids on anxiety. Antidepressant Food Scale (AFS): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30254980/EASe-GAD Trial: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39316026/Gluten and Psychosis: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24368154/Nutrition Worksheet for Patients: https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-021-03575-7Dr. Lachance's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/preventivepsychiatry/

Welcome back! Today, we are hosting the highly accomplished Dr. Robert Sapolsky, PHD, a professor of professor of biology, neurology, and neurosurgery at Stanford University. He has had extensive research particularly in the field of neuroendocrinology and chronic stress, which has acted as one of the foundations of modern psychoneuroendocrinology. He is also a research associate at the Institute of Primate Research in Kenya, with over 30 years of field research in Africa. He is also a renowned author, with major works including but not at all limited to Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers, Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst, and most recently, Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will, which challenges us to reconsider free will, morality, and mental health itself through a scientific lens. More about Dr. Sapolsky: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_SapolskyDr. Sapolsky's Open Stanford Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PpDq1WUtAw&list=PL848F2368C90DDC3DDr. Sapolsky's Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B000APOCFEDr. Sapolsky's Own Podcast: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0wDrkkznSB8S84kKuK9HCoApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/robert-sapolsky-father-offspring-interviews/id1782280922

One hundred episodes later, let’s take it back to one of our very first, the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors - with a much-needed update. Thank you to our guests, fans, and listeners.References: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4428540/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10333979⁠⁠https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3663330/⁠

Welcome back! Today we have a very special episode on Alprazolam, brand-name Xanax. This benzodiazepine is one of the most commonly-prescribed and sought out psychotropic medications. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538165/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6769182/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5846112/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6141930/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17514187/

Join us today for an episode on the impact of climate change on mental health. We'll be exploring concepts like eco-anxiety, advocacy, the impact of nuclear war and practical tips. We're joined by guest Dr. Ferdnand Osuagwu, who was the former Chair of the Caucus on Climate Change and Mental Health of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and founder of the Ferdnand Foundation International, an organization dedicated to underserved and marginalized populations and with a particular emphasis on addressing their needs in the areas of health, education, climate change, social justice and resource mobilization. Ferdnand Foundation Website: https://ferdnandfoundation.org/Ferdnand Foundation Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@FerdnandFoundation/featured

Today, we are talking about a very popular, yet controversial class of medications - the Benzodiazepines . Let's look at their mechanism of action, clinical indications, pharmacology, risks, withdrawal syndromes, and prescribing guidance. And of course, we'll be tackling the question: what are the risks and benefits of long-term use? References: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30098211/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32252539/https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rateshttps://aapp.org/guideline/benzohttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40526204/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6097846/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470159/https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/advances-in-psychiatric-treatment/article/benzodiazepines-for-anxiety-disorders-maximising-the-benefits-and-minimising-the-risks/43A366723CD1B3616BAB08F69FF65A88

Welcome to an introductory episode on anxiety disorders as requested by a long-time listener. References:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5832062/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5573565/https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/175862/Nesse%20Anxiety%20Disorders%20in%20Evolutionary%20Perspective%202022.pdf?sequence=1

Join us as we talk about Loxapine, an older medication that’s stood the test of time and found a niche in psychiatric practice. This is a revision of an earlier episode, after Dr. Bradley Miller chatted with Dr. Jonathan Meyer at the 2025 APA Conference. Dr. Meyer joins us at the beginning to provide an addendum to the original episode.

Welcome back! Today, we will be talking about Pregabalin, brand-name Lyrica, a similar medication to Gabapentin, and we will specifically be focusing on its use in psychiatry. What are its benefits and drawbacks compared to Gabapentin? Sources:- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33563173/- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39989902/- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3699256/- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33563173/

Welcome back! Today, we will be talking about Gabapentin, brand-name Neurontin, one of the most commonly-prescribed medications in the United States, and we will specifically be focusing on its use in psychiatry. It is commonly prescribed for anxiety disorders, alcohol use disorder, and sometimes even bipolar disorder! But what does the evidence say?Sources: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3619699/#:~:text=The%20FDA%20approved%20gabapentin%20enacarbil,legs%20syndrome%20(RLS)%20symptoms.https://journals.lww.com/intclinpsychopharm/Abstract/2017/01000/Pregabalin_for_generalized_anxiety_disorder__an.8.aspxhttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9507147/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4732322/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9263379/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28988943/https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7119a3.htm

Welcome back! Today, we have renowned guest Dr. Bruce Perry, one of the world's most influential child psychiatrists, to talk to us about his approach to trauma. We will go over Dr. Perry's Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics, which integrates neuroscience with child development. Dr. Perry is also a respected author, co-writing books like The Boy Who Was Raised As a Dog, Born for Love: Why Empathy is Essential and Endangered, as well as What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience and Healing.Dr. Perry's Website: https://www.bdperry.com/Dr. Perry's Books: https://www.amazon.com/Books-Bruce-Perry/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3ABruce%2BPerryDr. Perry's Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@infonmn326

Welcome Back! Today we are interviewing Dr. Chris Aiken, Editor-in-Chief of the Carlat Psychiatry Report. We will be speaking about the broad spectrum of mood disorders, how Bipolar Disorder is different from Manic-Depressive Illness, affective temperaments, non-pharmacological treatments, and more! Dr. Aiken's new book, Difficult to Treat Depression, will be released later this year (2025). Sources:Akiskal Article: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10550853/Dr. Aiken's Website: https://chrisaikenmd.com/Dr. Aiken's Twitter: https://x.com/chrisaikenmdTEMPS-A Scale: https://chrisaikenmd.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/tempsa.pdf

Welcome back! Today, we will review Pramipexole (Mirapex) and take a look at a recent study published in The Lancet Psychiatry regarding its use in treatment-resistant depression.References:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17854248/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10034846/https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(25)00194-4/fulltext

Welcome Back! We have recently partnered with Psych Congress to bring our audience access to some of their leading speakers and educators, and today's episode is with Dr. Charles Raison, a psychiatrist. This is the second part of our discussion, and we’re going to be looking at novel treatments like psychedelics and their impact on consciousness as well as whole-body hyperthermia and practices from Tibetan Buddhism. Dr. Raison co-authored the 2017 book The New Mind-Body Science of Depression with the late Dr. Vladimir Maletic, who sadly passed away in December 2024. Find the book here: https://www.amazon.com/New-Mind-Body-Science-Depression/dp/0393706664Psych Congress Discount Code: PSYCHROUNDSConference Website: https://www.hmpglobalevents.com/psych-congressIn Memoriam of Dr. Maletic: https://www.hmpglobalevents.com/faculty/Psych-Congress/620Raison Lab: https://raisonresearch.psychiatry.wisc.edu/Sources:- ⁠https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35370864/- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27172277/

Welcome Back! We have recently partnered with Psych Congress to bring our audience access to some of their leading speakers and educators, and today's episode is with Dr. Charles Raison, a psychiatrist who has done extensive research on the biological and evolutionary underpinnings of depression, which includes inflammation and the neuroendocrine system. Dr. Raison co-authored the 2017 book The New Mind-Body Science of Depression with the late Dr. Vladimir Maletic, who sadly passed away in December 2024. Find the book here: https://www.amazon.com/New-Mind-Body-Science-Depression/dp/0393706664Psych Congress Discount Code: PSYCHROUNDSConference Website: https://www.hmpglobalevents.com/psych-congressIn Memoriam of Dr. Maletic: https://www.hmpglobalevents.com/faculty/Psych-Congress/620Raison Lab: https://raisonresearch.psychiatry.wisc.edu/Sources:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3285451/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12944327/

Welcome Back! We have recently partnered with Psych Congress to bring our audience access to some of their leading speakers and educators, and today is the second installment of this endeavor, featuring Dr. Jonathan Meyer on the topic of Antipsychotic plasma level monitoring. Dr. Meyer has authored the handbook on this topic, along with the Lithium and Clozapine handbooks as well. You can find them here: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=jonathan+meyer&crid=3IARW0R4T9RGD&sprefix=jona%2Caps%2C369Psych Congress Discount Code: PSYCHROUNDSConference Website: https://www.hmpglobalevents.com/psych-congressSources:- https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/clinical-use-of-antipsychotic-plasma-levels/E7C0B6DBB4F6031F4D47935154CBEC8D

Welcome Back! We have recently partnered with Psych Congress to bring our audience access to some of their leading speakers and educators, and today we will be speaking to the distinguished Dr. Rakesh Jain on the topic of Positive Psychiatry. Psych Congress Discount Code: PSYCHROUNDSConference Website: https://www.hmpglobalevents.com/psych-congressCheck out Dr. Jain’s podcast “Positive Psychiatry - with Rakesh Jain, MD”:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Yk8QVD1wnLxMBM4zJDuJ5?si=wpUCJnAqR7qk9CW8gN90sQApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/positive-psychiatry-with-rakesh-jain-md/id1822146163Sources:- WHO-5: https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/WHO-UCN-MSD-MHE-2024.01- Demyttenaere et. al (2015): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25545606- Dr. Jain's website: http://www.rakeshjainmd.com/

Welcome back! Today we are looking at the beta-blocker Propranolol, also known by its brand name, Inderal. Although this medication is sometimes used as an anti-hypertensive, we are going to look at its use in psychiatry and anxiety disorders. Sourceshttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562942/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32001828/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4724794/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17588604/https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1545493/full

On today's episode, we will be discussing Buspirone (Buspar), a commonly used medication for anxiety.References:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024049491https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3041384/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK531477/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39493804/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22998742/

Today, we have one of the giants and pioneers of Asian-American Psychiatry joining us to discuss Cultural Psychiatry, Dr. Francis Lu! Dr. Lu's Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B003HFAX8E?ccs_id=d6d03eae-2c95-481f-8f7a-f844580eb108References:https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.focus.18103https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2015-37696-000

Welcome back! On todays episode, we will discuss hydroxyzine (Atarax, Vistaril), a frequently used medication for anxiety.References:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9616188/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27998379/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21154375/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1345410/

We're back from our brief hiatus! Today, we are hosting Dr. Matthew Bernstein to talk about a rising subfield of psychiatry - Metabolic Psychiatry. We'll be looking at its history, the ketogenic diet, mitochondria, and more! References- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38273108/- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34113269/- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39296512/- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12089804/- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40043464/- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28137247/Metabolic Mind: https://www.metabolicmind.org/Free CME: https://www.mycme.com/courses/ketogenic-therapy-treatment-for-serious-mental-illness-10028Baszucki Group: https://baszuckigroup.com/

Welcome to today's episode on the salience network, the final episode in our three-part series on neural networks. We'll explore how the salience network helps the brain prioritize what matters most by filtering relevant stimuli.References:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2899886/https://www.nature.com/articles/s41398-018-0118-6https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-15489-9https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5913255/

On todays episode we will be discussing Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation with a very special guest, Dr. Jonathan Downar. We will also discuss the ONE-D and THREE-D trails.Three-D Trial: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(18)30295-2/abstract’One-D Trial: https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-5679327/v1SAINT TMS: https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ajp.2019.19070720

On today's episode, we continue our series with a discussion of the Central Executive Network, following our previous episode on the Default Mode Network.References: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30250390/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4162869/https://link.springer.com/article/10.3758/s13415-011-0083-5https://www.cell.com/neuron/comments/S0896-6273(06)00349-7https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18799601/https://www.nature.com/articles/s41386-021-01132-0

On today's episode we have a special international guest, Dr. Pouya Movahed Rad from Lund University in Sweden. We will be discussing Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and the Ket-ECT, and ELEKT-D studies. ELEKTD:https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2302399KET-ECT: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35020871/Comparison: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38114073/

Join us today as we venture into the Triple Network Model as a basis for psychiatric illness, starting with the Default Mode Network. Referenceshttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7959111/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37167968/https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-019-0611-3https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/mindwandering-mood-for-thoughthttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-021-01403-8https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0167876022000071https://www.nature.com/articles/tp201740https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25938726/

Welcome back! Today we will be discussing Metformin and some of the recent guidelines published in the journal the Schizophrenia Bulletin. (Carolan et. al 2024).

On today’s special guest episode, we’ll be exploring the topic of nitrous oxide with Dr. Charles Conway and Dr. Vasilis Hristidis.https://medicine.washu.edu/news/laughing-gas-relieves-symptoms-in-people-with-treatment-resistant-depression/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5825282/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34108247/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25577164/

In today’s episode, we explore ketamine’s therapeutic potential with Dr. Joshua Rosenblat, a leading expert and faculty member at the University of Toronto’s Department of Psychiatry (learn more). https://x.com/jd_rosenblat?lang=enhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35688035/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39608193/

Welcome back! Today, we are discussing a new branded medication that combines bupropion with dextromethorphan for the treatment of depression.

Today, we will be discussing tricyclic antidepressants (TCA's). Once again, we've picked a few of our favorites to discuss on today's episode.

Welcome back! Today, we will be discussing MAOIs, and we've picked out a few of our favorites for today's episode.

Could there be an evolutionary perspective for depression? Join us for part two of our series on depression and inflammation.

Join us as we talk about the relationship between depression and inflammation - an interesting biological theory.

Welcome back! Today, we have a special guest-episode with a senior medical student, Jun-Hwan Kim. Join us as we talk about anti-psychotic associated weight gain.

Today, we have a very special guest joining us—Dr. John Kane! We will be discussing his experience and history with clozapine, a groundbreaking medication for treatment-resistant schizophrenia.

Join us and we discuss a newer anti-psychotic medication, Lumateperone, brand name Caplyta.

Welcome back to our final partial agonist episode! Today we are discussing Cariprazine, brand name, Vraylar.

Welcome back! Brexpiprazole, also known by its brand name Rexulti, is a relatively new medication. Join us for a brief discussion.

Welcome back! Today we are talking about Aripiprazole, brand name Abilify.

Welcome back and Happy New Year! Today, we are kicking it off with a brief episode on Quetiapine (Seroquel).