A JAMA Network Open review published March 23, 2026 found that prescription drug promotion by social media influencers comes with weak regulatory oversight and missing disclosure of paid promotion, and that platform algorithms may amplify it. Psychiatric nurse practitioner Jonathan Murphy, PMHNP-BC, explains what that looks like from the inside.

Nearly 120 clinically produced videos on adult ADHD medication, behavioral strategies, complex PTSD, and autism. No sponsors, no paid promotion, a full private practice, and a YouTube health source application that has been pending for 233 days. Meanwhile, influencers with no license hold up pill bottles and go viral. This episode is a public service announcement, and a call to action.

This episode covers:
▸ The JAMA Network Open review on influencer drug promotion and algorithmic amplification
▸ From VHS in-camera edits and stop-motion at seven years old to a clinical YouTube library
▸ Twenty years in psychiatry, from nurse's aide on the psych floor to adult ADHD specialist
▸ Why @ADHDAuthority was still available on X
▸ Ruri Ohama's "I quit my ADHD meds after one year" (109,000 views in 10 days), and the disclaimer telling viewers to consult a psychiatrist specialized in ADHD
▸ Scott Carney, Andrew Huberman, and who gets to talk about medication
▸ How to vet a health creator: go back to their first upload and look for the pivot
▸ Sponsored medicine, and why disclosure matters
▸ 233 days on a YouTube health features application
▸ A letter to the Surgeon General by certified mail, and a message to Mr. Trump
▸ How to help: call your representatives in Congress
▸ #1 for ADHD medication on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

Ask your representatives in Congress: "Why does YouTube let unlicensed influencers and supplement slingers go viral while a licensed psychiatric nurse practitioner has waited 233 days to be recognized as a health source?"

Referenced: Gell S, et al. Prescription Drug Promotion by Social Media Influencers: A Systematic Scoping Review. JAMA Network Open, March 23, 2026. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41870429/

📕 The Process: An Adult's Guide to ADHD Medication: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H2Z6PM4T
📗 Cheat Codes: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FMJLQKBW

⚠️ Educational purposes only. Not medical advice, and no clinical relationship is established by listening. Never start, stop, or change a medication without your prescriber. If you are in crisis, call or text 988.

Jonathan Murphy, PMHNP-BC | Focus Path
Licensed in MA, NH, WA, OR | NPI 1821441965
Board Certified | ANCC 2017007119
CHADD Professional Member | ADDitude Professional Directory

🎥 https://www.youtube.com/@focuspathsystems
𝕏 @ADHDAuthority
🔗 https://myfocuspath.com
🔗 https://www.myfocuspath.blog
📧 https://mailchi.mp/myfocuspath/focus-path-pmhnp