In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin speaks with psychiatrist and TaperClinic founder Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring about antidepressant withdrawal, psychiatric deprescribing, and psychedelic readiness.

Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-371/?ref=278

Josef explains what he learned reviewing drug safety at the FDA, why withdrawal can be mistaken for relapse, and how tapering often becomes more difficult at lower doses. They also explore the lifestyle foundations of mental health, benzodiazepine withdrawal, and why psychedelic clinics may need far more sophisticated support as increasingly medicated patients seek psilocybin, MDMA, LSD, and ketamine.

Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring, MD, is a psychiatrist renowned for his expertise in drug tapering and withdrawal management. With years of experience in clinical psychiatry, he has developed a particular interest and specialization in assisting patients with the safe and effective tapering of psychiatric medications. His approach is patient-centered, focusing on individualized plans that prioritize patient well-being and functioning. He is the founder and medical director of TaperClinic.

Highlights:

• What antidepressant research leaves unanswered
• Why withdrawal can resemble relapse
• How lower doses change tapering
• Five foundations before optimization hacks
• Benzodiazepines in psychiatric deprescribing
• Psychedelics versus conventional drug models
• Insurance pressure on psychedelic clinics
• Preparing for heavily medicated patients

TaperClinic: https://taperclinic.com/

TaperClinic Free Guide: https://taperclinic.com/free-guide/

SSRI Deprescribing & Psychedelic Readiness Training with Dr. Dave Rabin: https://edu.psychedeliccoaching.institute/ssri-deprescribing-and-psychedelic-readiness-certification/?ref=12

Disclaimer: This content is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. We do not promote or encourage the illegal use of any controlled substances. Nothing said here is medical or legal advice. Always consult a qualified medical or mental health professional before making decisions related to your health. The views expressed herein belong to the speaker alone, and do not reflect the views of any other person, company, or organization.

In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin speaks with investigative journalist Robert Whitaker about the evidence behind psychiatric prescribing, SSRI withdrawal, and what psychedelic medicine can learn from that history.

Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-370/?ref=278

Whitaker revisits the chemical imbalance theory, long-term antidepressant outcomes, and how psychiatric drugs evolved from short-term interventions toward chronic use. He also explores the social and environmental dimensions of mental health before turning to psychedelic medicine and the risks of recreating a drug-centered model of care.

Robert Whitaker is the author of five books, three examining the history of psychiatry. His 2010 book, Anatomy of an Epidemic: Magic Bullets, Psychiatric Drugs, and the Astonishing Rise of Mental Illness, won the U.S. Investigative Reporters and Editors award for best investigative journalism. He is president of the Mad in America Foundation and founder of MadinAmerica.com, which features research news and perspectives from an international group of writers interested in rethinking psychiatry.

Highlights:

• How the chemical imbalance story took hold
• What long-term psychiatric outcomes reveal
• How antidepressants became long-term treatment
• SSRI withdrawal versus recurring depression
• When SSRIs help, and at what cost
• Mental health beyond individual brain chemistry
• Psychedelic medicalization and personal agency
• Community, ritual, and psychedelic experience

Episode Links:

• Mad in America
• Robert Whitaker Books
• SSRI Deprescribing & Psychedelic Readiness Training with Dr. Dave Rabin

Disclaimer: This content is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. We do not promote or encourage the illegal use of any controlled substances. Nothing said here is medical or legal advice. Always consult a qualified medical or mental health professional before making decisions related to your health. The views expressed herein belong to the speaker alone, and do not reflect the views of any other person, company, or organization.

In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin welcomes Dr. Remi Drozd back to explore ketamine, SSRIs, and the changing landscape of psychedelic mental health care.

Find full show notes and links here:
https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-369/?ref=278

Since Remi first appeared on the podcast in Episode 182, Lucid Therapeutics has grown from a small ketamine practice into a ten-room interventional mental health clinic offering ketamine treatments, Spravato, TMS, therapy, integration support, and other approaches.

Paul and Remi examine one of the less-discussed challenges facing psychedelic medicine: many prospective patients are already taking antidepressants and other psychiatric medications. Remi explains why SSRI tapering needs to be individualized, how ketamine may support some patients through treatment transitions, and what clinicians may need to consider as psilocybin and other psychedelic therapies move closer to mainstream clinical use.

Dr. Remi Drozd is a board-certified physician and founder of Lucid Therapeutics in Santa Barbara. After 15 years practicing emergency medicine, he shifted toward more integrative approaches to mental health care. He has trained in ketamine therapy and MDMA-assisted therapy through MAPS. His work focuses on individualized care, expanding access, and preparing for how emerging psychedelic treatments may fit into the existing mental healthcare system.

Highlights:

• The growth of Lucid Therapeutics
• Expanding access through insurance-based care
• Navigating ketamine alongside SSRIs
• Why SSRI tapering must be individualized
• Withdrawal versus the return of depression
• Preparing patients for future psilocybin therapy
• The infrastructure required for psychedelic treatment
• Bringing longer psychedelic sessions into existing clinics

Episode Links:

• SSRI Deprescribing & Psychedelic Readiness Training:
  https://edu.psychedeliccoaching.institute/ssri-deprescribing-and-psychedelic-readiness-certification/?ref=8
• Lucid Therapeutics:
  https://www.thelucid.life/

Disclaimer: This content is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. We do not promote or encourage the illegal use of any controlled substances. Nothing said here is medical or legal advice. Always consult a qualified medical or mental health professional before making decisions related to your health. The views expressed herein belong to the speaker alone, and do not reflect the views of any other person, company, or organization.