The Future of Psychiatry Podcast

Learn how an understanding of neuroscience informs depression and anxiety. We cover the value of emotions, the dangers of overthinking, and humor’s role in well-being. The conversation also touches on how brain tendencies affect motivation, and the importance of acceptance, self-compassion, and lifestyle changes like exercise for managing mental health. We highlight the need to differentiate between controllable and uncontrollable aspects to improve responses.

Explore the use of VR-based psychotherapy, its effectiveness in treating mental health conditions, the challenges of introducing VR to patients, and its potential applications in various areas of mental health therapy.

We discuss ketamine therapy’s application for treating severe and treatment-resistant depression, focusing on its evidence-based positive effects and potential risks. Emphasizing patient safety, proper screenings, and adherence to scientific evidence, we also explore the broader landscape of psychiatric treatment, dismissing quick fixes and highlighting the importance of rigorous, evidence-based approaches in advancing mental health treatments.

We discuss the role of AI technology in managing mental health, focusing on Vital, an AI-guided meditation app designed to help manage stress, anxiety, and emotional challenges. The conversation covers the app’s development, user interface, feedback mechanisms, emotional intelligence, and data security. Additionally, we explore the app’s impact, its integration into daily life, and future technological advancements.

We discuss the work of Psyched Wellness, a company focused on researching and producing products from Amanita Muscaria’s medicinal properties. Our conversation covers the company’s commitment to safety and quality, the mushroom’s use and impact, challenges and opportunities in the field, and future growth and product aspirations. Additionally, we explore insights from consumer experiences and the evidence collected, both anecdotal and scientific.

We discuss an array of topics concerning modern psychiatry, including the importance of individualized patient diagnosis, the role of diet and genetic testing in mental health, the potential of novel treatments like Transcranial Mandibular Stimulation (TMS), and the impact of sleep and nutrition on mental well-being. We also explore the crucial interplay between the mind and body, emphasizing the values of the patient’s journey and integrative psychiatry.

We discuss the development of a mental health curriculum for schools, focusing on normalizing conversations about mental health, the significance of addressing mental health issues early, and providing a framework for mental health literacy. The conversation also covers a personal journey from a family background of severe mental health disorders and addiction, through personal mental health challenges, to becoming the director of outreach for the National Mental Health Awareness Campaign and creating the first large-scale mental health assemblies in the U.S.

We discuss the prevalence of sleep disorders and the critical need for their diagnosis and treatment. We explore the Wesper device, a home sleep testing technology designed to enhance accessibility and accuracy in sleep testing. Our conversation also touches on challenges in the field, future growth opportunities, and the potential role of psychedelics in mental health treatment. We emphasize the importance of addressing sleep disorders and how technology can play a key role in monitoring and improving sleep health.