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Welcome to part two of my Healing 101 conversation with psychiatrist and researcher Joanna Moncrieff. If you haven't yet listened to part one, I'd encourage you to go back - it lays the groundwork for this shorter bonus episode.Here, Joanna answers some of the most pressing questions about antidepressants: what they're really doing in the brain, why withdrawal can be so difficult, and how we might need to rethink depression altogether.It's a concise but powerful follow-on to our main discussion and one that might just change the way you think about medication and mental health.Try Bettervits for yourself, head on over to bettervits.co.uk and get 15% off your 1st order with my code PANDORA15.Find Joanna:Website: https://joannamoncrieff.com/Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpodTikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpodLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healingSubstack: substack.com/@hurttohealingWebsite: hurttohealing.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Child Psychotherapist Joanna Fortune joins Seán Moncrieff to answer your parenting questions…
For decades, we've been told that depression is caused by a “chemical imbalance” in the brain - something wrong with our serotonin that only a pill can fix. But what if that story was never actually backed by science?In this Healing 101 episode - part one of a two-part conversation - I'm joined by psychiatrist and researcher Joanna Moncrieff, whose groundbreaking work has challenged one of the biggest myths in modern mental health. Together, we explore where the chemical imbalance theory came from, why it was so heavily promoted, and what antidepressants are really doing to our brains.We also look at why so many of us still buy into this idea, the role of the placebo effect, and what it means for anyone currently taking or considering antidepressants.This is an empowering, myth-busting conversation that will help you make more informed choices about your mental health.Try Bettervits for yourself, head on over to bettervits.co.uk and get 15% off your 1st order with my code PANDORA15.Find Joanna:Website: https://joannamoncrieff.com/Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpodTikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpodLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healingSubstack: substack.com/@hurttohealingWebsite: hurttohealing.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this solo Q&A episode, Keelin gets candid about the realities of motherhood - from navigating identity, relationships, work, and guilt, to finding time alone that fills your cup. She shares why her family is moving to France, reflects on co-parenting and reuniting with Jason, and offers thoughtful advice for anyone undecided about having kids. Plus: the song that defines this season of her life, the one that reminds her of her daughter, and the nostalgic childhood traditions she's passing on.Mother is brought to you with thanks to Dairylea cheese. Set them free with Dairylea. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Child Psychotherapist Joanna Fortune joins Seán Moncrieff to answer your parenting questions…
Child Psychotherapist Joanna Fortune joins Seán Moncrieff to answer your parenting questions…
Jonathan DeBurca Butler joins Seán Moncrieff to take listeners through the week's international stories…
TV Reviewer James Dempsey joined Seán Moncrieff for the weekly TV review slot, TV on the Radio…
Declan Buckley, Mary McEvoy and Seán Moncrieff help tackle listener dilemmas!
Child Psychotherapist Joanna Fortune joins Seán Moncrieff to answer your parenting questions…
Child Psychotherapist Joanna Fortune joins Seán Moncrieff to answer your parenting questions…
Jonathan DeBurca Butler joins Seán Moncrieff to take listeners through the week's international stories…
On this episode, Tudor sits down with Dr. Joanna Moncrieff to challenge the widely accepted narrative surrounding antidepressants. Together, they examine whether depression is truly caused by a serotonin imbalance and uncover the often-overlooked consequences of these medications. The discussion delves into the rising use of antidepressants—especially among teenagers—and the hidden costs, from emotional numbness to sexual dysfunction. They also question the pharmaceutical industry’s influence in shaping public perception and prescribing practices. The Tudor Dixon Podcast is part of the Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Podcast Network. For more visit TudorDixonPodcast.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
TV Reviewer James Dempsey joined Seán Moncrieff for the weekly TV review slot, TV on the Radio…
Joanna Moncrieff is a British psychiatrist and academic. She is Professor of Critical and Social Psychiatry at University College London and a member of the Critical Psychiatry Network. She is the author of The Myth of the Chemical Cure and The Bitterest Pills, which are considered central texts in the critical psychiatry movement. Moncrieff is critical of mainstream psychiatry's medical model of mental illness. Professor Moncrief's 2022 paper in molecular psychiatry didn't just make waves, it created a tsunami. Leading a systemic review of five decades of research, she and her team definitively demonstrated what no one had dared to state so clearly that there's no convincing evidence that depression is caused by a serotonin imbalance or any chemical imbalance at all. This paper became one of the most widely read scientific papers in modern history, ranking in the top 5 % of all research ever tracked. The world took notice because the world needed to know. Her groundbreaking new book, Chemically Imbalanced, The Making and Unmaking of the Serotonin Myth, meticulously documents how an entire medical narrative was constructed without scientific foundation marketed to billions and defended by institutions that should know better.https://joannamoncrieff.com/2022 paper in molecular psychiatry on Serotonin Chemically Imbalanced: The Making and Unmaking of the Serotonin Myth Dr. Roger McFillin / Radically Genuine WebsiteYouTube @RadicallyGenuineDr. Roger McFillin (@DrMcFillin) / XSubstack | Radically Genuine | Dr. Roger McFillinInstagram @radicallygenuineContact Radically GenuineConscious Clinician CollectivePLEASE SUPPORT OUR PARTNERS15% Off Pure Spectrum CBD (Code: RadicallyGenuine)10% off Lovetuner click here
Barbara Scully, Declan Buckley and Seán Moncrieff help tackle listener dilemmas!
Child Psychotherapist Joanna Fortune joins Seán Moncrieff to answer your parenting questions…
Child Psychotherapist Joanna Fortune joins Seán Moncrieff to answer your parenting questions…
Jonathan DeBurca Butler joins Seán Moncrieff to take listeners through the week's international stories…
TV Reviewer James Dempsey joined Seán Moncrieff for the weekly TV review slot, TV on the Radio…
Barbara Scully, Declan Buckley and Seán Moncrieff help tackle listener dilemmas!
Child Psychotherapist Joanna Fortune joins Seán Moncrieff to answer your parenting questions…
Child Psychotherapist Joanna Fortune joins Seán Moncrieff to answer your parenting questions…
Jonathan DeBurca Butler joins Seán Moncrieff to take listeners through the week's international stories…
TV Reviewer James Dempsey joined Seán Moncrieff for the weekly TV review slot, TV on the Radio…
Barbara Scully, Declan Buckley and Seán Moncrieff help tackle listener dilemmas!
Child Psychotherapist Joanna Fortune joins Seán Moncrieff to answer your parenting questions…
Jonathan DeBurca Butler joins Seán Moncrieff to take listeners through the week's international stories…
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Joanna Moncrieff about her latest book: A Straight Talking Introduction to Psychiatric Drugs: The Truth About How They Work and How to Come Off Them.Dr Joanna Moncrieff is a practising psychiatrist, part-time academic, and author with a deep interest in the history, philosophy, and politics of psychiatry. Her work focuses particularly on the use, misuse, and misrepresentation of psychiatric drugs.She became interested in drug treatment because of its dominance in contemporary approaches to managing the suffering and disturbances labeled as mental disorders. She recognised that embedded in the understanding of drugs such as ‘antipsychotics' and ‘antidepressants' was an unexamined assumption: that these drugs ‘work' by correcting a hypothetical abnormality or ‘chemical imbalance.' Moncrieff has termed this the ‘disease-centred' model of drug action and has developed an alternative ‘drug-centred' model, which highlights the ways psychiatric drugs alter brain and body function, modify feelings and behaviour, and interact with the difficulties associated with mental disorders.Alongside colleagues from around the world, Moncrieff has worked to expose the misconceptions that arise from the disease-centred model, clarify the effects psychiatric drugs produce, and question the narratives that sustain current prescribing practices.She also emphasises that psychiatry is a profoundly political enterprise, shaped by social and political imperatives to neutralise distress and manage disturbing behaviour. Beyond her work on psychiatric drugs, she is interested in how emotional and behavioural problems might be conceptualised differently, as well as the broader politics of healthcare.
TV Reviewer James Dempsey joined Seán Moncrieff for the weekly TV review slot, TV on the Radio…
TV Reviewer James Dempsey joined Seán Moncrieff for the weekly TV review slot, TV on the Radio…
Barbara Scully, Declan Buckley and Seán Moncrieff help tackle listener dilemmas!
CAUTION: If you are taking antidepressants or any other psychiatric medication, do not stop or adjust your dosage without first consulting a qualified healthcare professional. Coming off medication without proper guidance can lead to withdrawal symptoms. In this episode we're joined by Professor Joanna Moncrieff, psychiatrist, researcher, and author of Chemically Imbalanced - a bold book that challenges one of modern medicine's most accepted beliefs: that depression is caused by a “chemical imbalance” of serotonin in the brain.We saw Joanna on Dr Chatterjee's Feel Better, Live More podcast and really hoped she'd agree to come onto ours - which she thankfully did!In the UK alone, antidepressant prescriptions have almost doubled in the past decade – from 47 million in 2011 to 85.6 million in 2022–23. That's over 8.6 million adults now taking them each year.But what if we've been sold the wrong story? And what are the real effects of these drugs - especially for those of us navigating the complex emotional terrain of midlife?In this episode, we explore the truth about the “chemical imbalance” theory, what psychiatric drugs actually do to the brain, the long term potential dangers, and what you can do to support your mental health without relying solely on medication.Get ready for an eye-opening conversation that could change the way you think about mental health and what really drives healing.Chemically Imbalanced: The Making And Unmaking Of The Serotonin Myth:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chemically-Imbalanced-Making-Unmaking-Serotonin-ebook/dp/B0DHV5LJX8/Ibiza Retreat: https://themidlifementors.com/retreats/The Midlife Male Handbook available now:AmazonWaterstonesWH Smith Please remember, if you find the show helpful or it makes you laugh, motivates and inspires you - please do like, share and rate us. We don't run ads on the podcast or for the show, because we want to keep it as enjoyable for you to listen as possible. So if you can help us spread the word, we'd be incredibly grateful.For more information about The Midlife Mentors, click the below link:https://linktr.ee/themidlifementors.comTik Tok: @themidlifementorsIG: @midlifementors
Child Psychotherapist Joanna Fortune joins Seán Moncrieff to answer your parenting questions…
TV Reviewer James Dempsey joined Seán Moncrieff for the weekly TV review slot, TV on the Radio…
Child Psychotherapist Joanna Fortune joins Seán Moncrieff to answer your parenting questions…
Child Psychotherapist Joanna Fortune joins Seán Moncrieff to answer your parenting questions…
In this explosive and highly anticipated episode, Dr. Roger McFillin hosts Dr. Ragy Girgis, a Columbia University Professor of Psychiatry and researcher, for a no-holds-barred confrontation that exposes the shocking divisions tearing apart the mental health field. What begins as a conversation about mass violence research rapidly explodes into a devastating examination of psychiatric medicine's crumbling foundations, questionable effectiveness, and devastating potential harms. The two clash in fierce, unrelenting disagreements over fundamental issues including the validity of DSM diagnoses, the debunked "chemical imbalance" theory of depression, dangerous SSRI safety cover-ups and black box warnings, corrupted research quality and pharmaceutical industry manipulation, and the catastrophic crisis of psychiatric drug overprescription poisoning 1 in 4-5 Americans. Dr. Girgis desperately defends traditional academic psychiatry and current treatment approaches, while Dr. McFillin ruthlessly dismantles the entire paradigm, arguing that the current system is systematically creating chronic mental illness rather than healing it. Buckle up for this brutal intellectual warfare.___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Throughout the interview, Dr. Girgis repeatedly stated that "the data is clear" while dismissing contradictory evidence that challenges his conclusions. For our listeners' benefit, I have compiled research and documentation that directly disputes several of Dr. Girgis's key claims.Serotonin Hypothesis of Depression1. The serotonin theory of depression: a systematic umbrella review of the evidence (Moncrieff et al.)Conclusions: "This review suggests that the huge research effort based on the serotonin hypothesis has NOT produced convincing evidence of a biochemical basis to depression. This is consistent with research on many other biological markers . We suggest it is time to acknowledge that the serotonin theory of depression is NOT empirically substantiated."2.What has serotonin to do with depression?Conclusions: "Simple biochemical theories that link low levels of serotonin with depressed mood are no longer tenable."3. Is the chemical imbalance an ‘urban legend'? An exploration of the status of the serotonin theory of depression in the scientific literatureViolence & Suicide Associated with SSRI's 1. Precursors to suicidality and violence on antidepressants: systematic review of trials in adult healthy volunteers2. Prescription Drugs Associated with Reports of Violence Towards Others3. Antidepressant-induced akathisia-related homicides associated with diminishing mutations in metabolizing genes of the CYP450 family4. Lexapro Approved for Pediatric Use Despite the 6-Fold Increase in Suicide Risk5. McFillin Substack Review on Lexapro approved despite Suicide Risk6. Suicidality and aggression during antidepressant treatment: systematic review and meta-analyses based on clinical study reports7. Antidepressants Increase Suicide Attempts in Youth; No Preventative Effect8. Effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment following diagnosis of depression on suicidal behaviour risk:9. FDA Warning: Antidepressants increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children and adolescents10. Suicide Mortality in the United States, 2001–2021 CDC documentation11. US suicide rate reaches highest point in more than 80 years: See what latest data shows12. CNN article reporting Eli Lilly Internal Documents"An internal document purportedly from Eli Lilly and Co. made public Monday appears to show that the drug maker had data more than 15 years ago showing that patients on its antidepressant Prozac were far more likely to attempt suicide and show hostility than were patients on other antidepressants and that the company attempted to minimize public awareness of the side effects. The 1988 document indicated that 3.7 percent of patients attempted suicide while on the blockbuster drug, a rate more than 12 times that cited for any of four other commonly used antidepressants.In addition, the paper said that 1.6 percent of patients reported incidents of hostility -- more than double the rate reported by patients on any of four other commonly used antidepressants."Examples of Violence after Prescription in legal system (Sample)January 24, 2020 – Newcastle, South Dublin, Ireland: Deirdre Morley, 44, smothered and killed her two sons Conor, 9, and Darragh, 7, and her three-year-old daughter Carla McGinley in their family home. She had been taking antidepressants since October 2018 and was admitted to St. Patrick's Mental Health Services on July 6, 2019, but was discharged after a short period, but was put on a combination of two antidepressants and a sedativeMay 11, 2018 – Osmington, Western Australia: Peter Miles, 61, shot his 35-year-old daughter and four grandchildren, aged 8 through 13, while they slept in their beds, in a shed that had been converted to a second house on the property. He then turned the gun on his 58-year-old wife in the living room of their house, before placing a call to police alerting them to his crimes. When they arrived, Miles was also found dead from a gunshot wound. Miles had started taking antidepressant medication just weeks before.April 6, 2018 – Wadsworth, Ohio: Gavon Ramsay, 17, strangled his neighbor, 98-year-old Margaret Douglas in her own home. His parents blame his actions on his having been misprescribed Zoloft. After a report by his school principal that the teen was depressed and might harm himself, he “returned to therapy,” and after a recommendation by a psychologist, the family's pediatrician prescribed the antidepressant Zoloft. From January through March leading up to the incident, the dosages were increased. During this time, his mother said she observed her son's behavior change—becoming increasingly irritable and hostile and saying bizarre things.October 21, 2013 – Sparks, Nevada: 12-year-old Jose Reyes opened fire at Sparks Middle School, killing a teacher and wounding two classmates be...
Child Psychotherapist Joanna Fortune joins Seán Moncrieff to answer your parenting questions…
Two tennis players at Wimbledon have lost jewellery during play this week, with top player Coco Gauff dropping an earring mid-backhand and another's bracelet smashing into smithereens on the grass. So, what are the rules and why do so many pro athletes wear bling on court?Orla McElroy, Sports editor for Irish Mail Newspapers joined Moncrieff to discuss.Listen here.
A new documentary taking Netflix by storm charts the most miserable cruise of all time, as a breakdown in electricity and plumbing led to a nightmare in the Gulf of Mexico in 2013.James Ross, director of ‘Trainwreck: Poop Cruise,' spoke with Moncrieff on the disaster in the cruise ship.Listen here.
Helen O'Rahilly, Former television executive with the BBC, joined Moncrieff earlier to speak about her decision to ditch the dye and go grey – little did she realise quite how eagerly she would take to it.Listen here
Jean Smullen joins Moncrieff with two wines for the weekend. Chris Wasser reviews Jurassic World and Cronenberg's The Shrouds, while Fionnuala Jones has the latest showbiz stories.After the sad passing of Michael Madsen and the creative change-up for the next season of The Last Of Us, there's plenty in the news to discuss (and plenty of wine to taste.)Listen here.
Averil Power, CEO of the Irish Cancer Society, joins Moncrieff to explain why the organisation is warning of a potential doubling in cancer cases by 2045 — and what must be done now to prevent that outcome.Listen here
Ross Whitaker, director of Beat the Lotto, joins Moncrieff to talk about his new documentary exploring the time when a syndicate attempted an elaborate scheme to game the National Lottery in 1992.Thew film will be available in cinemas from Friday 4 July.Listen here.
John Wilson, Irish Times wine critic, joins Moncrieff to explain how rising global temperatures are affecting grapes .Could this be why your favourite wine is now stronger than it used to be.Listen here.
A few days ago, Vin Diesel announced his conditions for him agreeing to make an 11th Fast & Furious movie... one of those was that his and Paul Walker's characters would be reunited. Only one problem with this: Paul Walker died 12 years ago. So how would digital resurrection work in this case and is it a good idea? Film Critic, Esther McCarthy joined Moncrieff earlier to discuss.
Today's paid partner is BetterHelp, to get 10% off your first month of online therapy with a credentialed therapist head to www.betterhelp.com/aneedtoread - Today's conversation is with Joanna Moncreiff, the author of 'Chemically Imbalanced: the making and unmaking of the serotonin myth'. We discuss the history of the link between depression and serotonin, side effects of taking SSRI's and the emerging mental health treatment methods that we should be wary of. For help understanding how you can come off Anti Depressants, follow this link - A Need To Read is partnered with The Breath Space, a online Breath-work education and practise portal that I have been using for the last couple of months, alongside my course to become a breath-work facilitator. To check out how breathwork can help you, follow the link and use the code ED for 50% off your first 2 months. https://courses.thebreathspace.co.uk/your-breath-space-online-membership You can also support my work by heading to www.buymeacoffee.com/aneedtoread Any feedback is welcome: aneedtoread.podcast@gmail.com
Child Psychotherapist Joanna Fortune joins Seán Moncrieff to answer your parenting questions…
CAUTION: If you are taking antidepressants or any other psychiatric medication, do not stop or adjust your dosage without first consulting a qualified healthcare professional. Coming off these medications without proper guidance can lead to serious withdrawal symptoms. Always seek professional advice before making changes to your treatment. Did you know that nearly one in five UK adults - and almost one in four women - are currently taking antidepressants? Yet according to my guest this week, the fundamental theory behind these prescriptions may be built on remarkably shaky ground. Joanna Moncrieff is Professor of Critical and Social Psychiatry at University College London, consultant psychiatrist for the NHS, and the author of the groundbreaking book, Chemically Imbalanced: The Making and Unmaking of the Serotonin Myth. In our thought-provoking conversation, Joanna explains how the widely accepted belief that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance or serotonin deficiency has little scientific evidence to support it. This theory, which became popularised in the 1990s through pharmaceutical industry marketing, has fundamentally changed how we view our emotions and mental health. Joanna and I discuss: Why the difference between antidepressants and placebos in clinical trials is just two points on a 54-point depression scale - a remarkably small difference that may not be clinically significant How the diagnosis of depression itself is subjective and based on criteria that Joanna describes as "completely made up", rather than objective biological markers The concerning side effects of SSRIs that are often underreported - including emotional numbness, sexual dysfunction that can persist even after stopping medication, and in some cases, an increase in suicidal thoughts How pharmaceutical marketing campaigns in the 1990s fundamentally changed our cultural understanding of depression from a natural human response to life circumstances to a "chemical imbalance" requiring medication Why withdrawal from antidepressants can be extremely challenging, particularly at lower doses, and why reducing medication requires careful, gradual reduction that many doctors aren't trained to manage Whether visiting your GP should be your first option when experiencing low mood, and how alternatives like exercise, mindfulness and addressing underlying life issues might be more effective Throughout the episode, Joanna encourages us to view our emotional responses as meaningful signals rather than medical disorders that need chemical correction. She believes we've been disempowering people by teaching them that negative emotions represent a deficiency rather than a natural human experience that can guide us toward necessary changes in our lives. This conversation isn't about telling anyone what to do with their current medication, but rather providing information to make truly informed decisions. If you or someone you know has ever taken antidepressants or been diagnosed with depression, this episode offers a perspective that could fundamentally change how you view mental health treatment in the future. I hope you enjoy listening. Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com. Thanks to our sponsors: https://boncharge.com/livemore https://airbnb.co.uk/host https://drinkag1.com/livemore https://join.whoop.com/livemore Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/563 DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.