The Thinking Mind Podcast: Psychiatry & Psychotherapy E114 - Do Psychiatric Drugs Work? (with Professor David Taylor)
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Mar 7, 2025 Join Professor David Taylor, a leading expert in psychopharmacology, as he dives into the effectiveness of antidepressants and the science behind their use. He unpacks common misconceptions about emotional numbing and withdrawal symptoms while advocating for evidence-based prescribing. The conversation touches on emerging treatments like ketamine and psilocybin, and new innovations for psychosis treatment. With insights drawn from over 375 clinical papers, Taylor emphasizes a personalized approach to mental health medication.
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Antidepressant Effectiveness
- Antidepressants are under scrutiny, but depression requires urgent, effective treatment.
- Trials show antidepressants work, even if their efficacy is limited and side effects exist.
How Antidepressants Work
- The serotonin hypothesis being disproven doesn't invalidate antidepressant efficacy.
- How antidepressants work isn't fully understood, but their impact is observable.
Emotional Numbing
- Patients report emotional numbing as a side effect, which may be beneficial for some.
- David Taylor acknowledges this but emphasizes other improvements like better sleep.