Making the Argument with Nick Freitas Big Pharma Pushed Lies To Sell Pills
Jan 23, 2026
Dr. Joseph, a psychiatrist who hosts the Side Effects podcast and runs a taper clinic, challenges mainstream psychiatric practice. He questions the chemical imbalance story and Big Pharma’s marketing. He discusses overprescription, lifestyle and diet impacts on mental health, and how community and meaningful non-drug approaches can reshape care.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Antidepressants From A TB Drug Observation
- Antidepressants were discovered when TB patients taking iproniazid appeared energized and improved.
- That serendipitous finding launched drug use long before clear mechanistic proof existed.
The Chemical‑Imbalance Narrative Was Marketable
- The chemical‑imbalance story persisted because it was easier to sell and destigmatize medication use.
- Eighty years later, no clear imbalance has been found despite extensive study.
Big Pharma Shapes Science And Media
- Pharmaceutical companies shape research, academics, and media to favor their products.
- That concentrated commercial power distorts what treatments and messages reach the public.