Most of the coverage of the looksmaxxing trend has framed it as a viral aesthetic phenomenon. From the perspective of clinical psychologist and addiction scientist Dr. Suzette Glasner, it looks like something else: the convergence of two clinical pictures — body dysmorphic disorder and stimulant use disorder — repackaged in the language of self-optimization and delivered to adolescent boys at scale.

In this episode, Dr. Glasner discusses what the trend actually is, clinically, tracing its core practices to the diagnostic criteria for BDD — a recognized mental health condition with an elevated suicide rate, typically beginning between ages 12 and 13, and just as common in men as in women. She summarizes what published research now shows about social media and BDD, including recent work on adolescents’ use of filters and self-image. And from an addiction perspective: how the looksmaxxing community’s normalization of anabolic steroids, SARMs, peptides, and amphetamines is creating a permission structure for stimulant use in early adolescence - and the overdose risk that comes with it.

The Clavicular case is the entry point. The 20-year-old “looksmaxxing” influencer collapsed during a livestream in Miami this month in a suspected overdose, and afterward told followers that “all of the substances are just a cope trying to feel neurotypical while being in public.” That statement has important implications self-medication framing layered on top of a community-validated drug culture, in a young man whose audience includes thirteen-year-olds.

You can watch the full episode here:

Dr. Glasner closes with a summary of science-based treatments for BDD and stimulant addiction — and with internist Dr. Lucy McBride’s recent framework for evaluating health information from influencers, applied to the specific case of a 20-year-old livestreamer recommending hormones, stimulants, and off-label growth hormone to minors.

If you or someone you love is in crisis: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — call or text 988, or visit

https://988lifeline.org

SAMHSA National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP) — 24/7, English and Spanish.

Further reading:

Loannou et al. (2024), #NoFilter: The impact of social media body dysmorphic disorder in adults, Mental Health Science.

McBride, L. (2026), Yes, Credentials Do Matter, Maria Shriver’s Sunday Paper.

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The Dr. Suzette Glasner Podcast brings clinical and addiction science to the mental health stories everyone is already talking about.

📩 Questions or topic suggestions: AskDrGlasner@gmail.com

🧩 More: https://drglasner.com

In this episode, Dr. Suzette Glasner explores a rapidly emerging question: could medications like Ozempic and Wegovy do more than support weight loss—and actually reduce cravings for alcohol and other substances?

The conversation is sparked by Oprah Winfrey’s recent reflection that after starting a GLP-1 medication, she lost her desire to drink alcohol—without trying.

Drawing on the latest research, Dr. Glasner breaks down how GLP-1 medications work in the brain, particularly their effects on dopamine and the brain’s reward system, and why this may lead to reduced cravings not just for food, but for alcohol, nicotine, and other substances.

You can watch the full episode on The Dr. Suzette Glasner Podcast here:

She also reviews findings from large-scale studies involving tens of thousands of individuals, showing significantly lower rates of alcohol use disorder and relapse among people taking medications like semaglutide, along with emerging evidence across other substances.

Beyond the science, this episode explores a deeper shift in how we understand addiction—from a model centered on willpower and choice to one rooted in brain biology. As widely used medications begin to impact craving itself, they may not only change treatment approaches, but also reduce the stigma that prevents many people from seeking help.

Finally, Dr. Glasner discusses who might benefit from these medications, important limitations of the current research, and why GLP-1s should be viewed as a potential tool—not a cure—within a broader, evidence-based approach to addiction care.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with alcohol or substance use, this episode offers a clear, grounded, and clinically informed perspective on where this field is headed.

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Have a question about today’s episode? Or a topic you’d like me to cover in a future episode?

Email: askdrglasner@gmail.com

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#GLP1 #Ozempic #Wegovy #Addiction #AddictionRecovery #AlcoholUseDisorder #MentalHealth #BrainHealth #Dopamine #Cravings #SubstanceUse #ObesityMedicine #HealthPodcast #Psychiatry #Wellness

We’re seeing more attention problems than ever—especially in kids.But what if it’s not always ADHD?And what if our smartphones are playing a bigger role than we think?

In this episode, Dr. Suzette Glasner explores the growing conversation around ADHD—highlighted in part by Mel Robbins’ reflections on the nuances of diagnosis, especially in girls — and examines an often overlooked question:

What if some of the attention difficulties we’re seeing today are not just ADHD, but are being shaped by constant smartphone use—scrolling, notifications, and the pull to check our devices throughout the day?

From kids who can’t sit through homework without reaching for a device, to adults who find themselves checking their phones every few minutes, these patterns are becoming so common that they can be mistaken for something else entirely.

As rates of inattention, distractibility, and difficulty focusing continue to rise in both children and adults, this episode takes a closer look at how excessive digital media use—particularly social media, gaming, and constant device engagement—may be influencing the brain in ways that can closely resemble ADHD.

You can watch the full episode on The Dr. Suzette Glasner Podcast here:

Dr. Glasner breaks down the latest research on how technology affects attention, impulse control, and reward pathways, including findings that suggest high-frequency digital media use may contribute to the development of attention problems over time. She also explores how patterns of addictive behavior around technology can reinforce these symptoms, making it increasingly difficult to disengage and sustain focus.

Through clinical examples, this episode highlights the important distinction between ADHD as a neurodevelopmental condition and attention challenges that may be learned—and potentially reversible—through environmental and behavioral factors.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with focus, attention, or constant device use, this episode offers a thoughtful, evidence-based framework to better understand what may be driving those symptoms—and what you can do about it.

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Have a question about today’s episode? Or a topic you’d like me to cover in a future episode?

Email: askdrglasner@gmail.com

Has Tiger Woods finally hit rock bottom — or is that the wrong question entirely?

In this episode, I examine Tiger Woods’ latest DUI arrest and crash through the lens of addiction science. Despite access to world-class care, financial resources, and global support, Woods continues to struggle with a pattern of substance use and high-risk behavior — raising important questions about how addiction actually works.

As a clinical psychologist and addiction scientist, Dr. Suzette Glasner breaks down why addiction persists even in the presence of success, and why insight — not access — is often the missing piece in recovery.

You can watch the full episode here:

This episode explores:

* Why addiction is a brain disease that impairs judgment and decision-making

* The role of prescription opioids like hydrocodone in driving impairment

* How polysubstance use significantly increases risk

* How chronic pain, trauma, and loss contribute to relapse

* Why practical solutions (like hiring a driver) don’t address the core issue

* What meaningful, sustained recovery actually requires

For those who are struggling with addiction — or who love someone who is — this episode offers a clearer understanding of why change can be so difficult, and what actually helps move the needle toward recovery.

Tiger Woods’ story is not just about a public figure — it’s a powerful example of addiction as a human issue that can take hold of a life.

📩 Questions or topic ideas? Reach out at: askdrglasner@gmail.com

If you found this episode helpful, consider subscribing and sharing it with others who might benefit.

Sugary drinks are back in the spotlight, with renewed national attention on the health risks of added sugar. But while much of the conversation—highlighted recently by RFK Jr.—has focused on obesity, diabetes, and metabolic health, there may be an important piece we’re overlooking.

In this episode, Dr. Glasner explores the growing evidence linking sugar-sweetened beverages to mental health outcomes, including mood, anxiety, sleep, and patterns of addictive behaviors. What happens in the brain when we consume high amounts of liquid sugar? Why can these drinks be so hard to cut back on? And how much is too much?

From Starbucks lattes and Dunkin’ iced coffees to soda, boba tea, and energy drinks, these beverages are a daily habit for many. This episode takes a closer look at how they may be affecting not just our bodies—but our minds.

You can watch the full episode here:

You’ll learn:

* What current research says about sugary drinks and mental health

* How blood sugar swings and reward pathways influence mood and cravings

* Why sugary drinks can promote addictive behaviors

* Practical ways to reduce intake without feeling deprived

If you’re thinking about your own habits—or your kids’—this episode offers a thoughtful, evidence-based perspective on a very common part of modern life.

📩 Questions or topic ideas? Reach out at: askdrglasner@gmail.com

If you found this episode helpful, consider subscribing and sharing it with others who might benefit.

We tend to think of digital experiences as tools, entertainment, or care.

But AI companions are starting to blur those boundaries.

Some users aren’t just interacting with them—they’re forming attachments. In some cases, romantic relationships. Connections that feel responsive, personalized, and emotionally meaningful.

What’s driving that shift?

In this episode, addiction scientist and clinical psychologist Dr. Suzette Glasner examines how AI companions create a form of interaction that differs from traditional digital experiences. Through continuous responsiveness, adaptive feedback, and simulated emotional attunement, these systems can begin to function less like products and more like relational partners.

That distinction matters.

Because the same mechanisms that support a sense of connection may also reinforce repeated engagement—making these interactions feel increasingly difficult to step away from.

Drawing on behavioral science, Dr. Glasner explores how these dynamics emerge, why they don’t map cleanly onto existing models of digital addiction, and what it means when a technology begins to occupy a role that looks—and feels—like a relationship.

Watch the full episode here:

The episode also examines how romantic and emotional engagement with AI companions challenges existing frameworks for understanding digital behavior, raising new questions about attachment, reinforcement, and the role of technology in meeting psychological needs.

This is an early look at a shift that may become increasingly relevant as these systems continue to evolve.

📩 Questions or topic suggestions? Email AskDrGlasner@gmail.com

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When someone we love disappears, grief becomes trapped between hope and despair. But ambiguous loss also occurs when addiction or illness changes someone we love.

Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, was abducted more than a month ago — a tragedy that has captured national attention and stirred a powerful emotional response from people who have never met the family.

Why do stories like this affect us so deeply?

In this episode, addiction scientist and clinical psychologist Dr. Suzette Glasner explores the psychology of ambiguous loss, a term coined by family therapist Pauline Boss to describe a uniquely painful form of grief that occurs when a loved one is physically absent but psychologically present — such as in cases of missing persons, disappearances, or unresolved tragedies.

But ambiguous loss doesn’t only occur when someone goes missing. It can also happen when someone we love is physically present but psychologically changed by illness. Conditions such as dementia, severe mental illness, and addiction can create a similar experience of grief, as families struggle with the painful feeling that the person they once knew is “here, but not here.”

Drawing on decades of psychological research, Dr. Glasner explains the emotional experience reported by families navigating ambiguous loss — including the constant tension between hope and despair, guilt over moments of happiness, and the profound psychological toll of grief without closure.

Watch the full episode here:

The episode also explores why highly publicized tragedies can create a shared emotional experience across society — a phenomenon known as collective ambiguous loss — and how public grief unfolds in the age of social media.

Finally, Dr. Glasner discusses psychological traits and therapeutic approaches that can help people cope with uncertainty and loss when answers may never come.

Ambiguous loss is not limited to missing persons cases. Families coping with addiction, dementia, and severe mental illness often describe a similar experience of grief for someone who is still physically present but psychologically altered. One therapeutic approach that has shown promise in helping people cope with this kind of uncertainty is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which focuses on developing psychological flexibility and learning to live meaningfully even when answers or closure may never come.

Learn More About Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)• Association for Contextual Behavioral Science – https://contextualscience.org• Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life – Steven C. Hayes• The Happiness Trap – Russ Harris

📩 Questions or topic suggestions? Email AskDrGlasner@gmail.com

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