PsychRounds: The Psychiatry Podcast

Episoder

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  Landmark Studies: The CATIE Trial 22.07.2026 21min

  Today we're starting a new type of series - looking at some of the most seminal studies in psychiatry. We're going to start with the CATIE Trial, which was published in 2005. References: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa051688https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19594194/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17924259/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17286522/https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa061240https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/209844
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  The Rising Use of Recreational Kratom 08.07.2026 21min

  Apologies for our little hiatus - a couple of us had cross-country moves in June. But we're back! Today we have an episode on the rising use of recreational Kratom and pertinent tidbits to know from a psychiatry standpoint. References:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8924421/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK585120/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10846393/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10177737/
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  Modafinil (Provigil) 03.06.2026 19min

  Welcome back! Today, we are looking at Modafinil and it's nuanced use in psychiatry.References:Provigil (modafinil) [prescribing information]. North Wales, PA: Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfdadocs/label/2015/020717s037s038lbl.pdfSchwartz JR. Modafinil in the treatment of excessive sleepiness. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2009;2:71–85.Kaplan S, Goehring EL Jr, Engel T, et al. Cardiovascular outcomes associated with modafinil in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2018;27(11):1182–1190. doi:10.1002/pds.4642Cortese S, Adamo N, Del Giovane C, et al. Comparative efficacy and tolerability of medications for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children, adolescents, and adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5(9):727–738. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30269-4Goss AJ, Kaser M, Costafreda SG, Sahakian BJ, Fu CH. Modafinil augmentation therapy in unipolar and bipolar depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Clin Psychiatry. 2013;74(11):1101–1107. doi:10.4088/JCP.13r08560Bahji A, Mesbah-Oskui L. Comparative efficacy and safety of stimulant-type medications for depression: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. J Affect Disord. 2021;292:416–423. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2021.05.119Nunez NA, Singh B, Jorgensen A, et al. Efficacy and tolerability of adjunctive modafinil/armodafinil in bipolar depression: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Bipolar Disord. 2020;22(2):109–120. doi:10.1111/bdi.12859
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  Naltrexone 20.05.2026 16min

  Welcome Back! Today we are discussing the medication Naltrexone and its uses in psychiatry. References: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534811/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24825644/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26798982/https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMct0801733https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26798982/
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  Placebo Effect and Response in Psychiatry 06.05.2026 22min

  Welcome back! Today, we will be discussing the placebo effect.References:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16503356/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6003660/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8556377/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3714297/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6694178/https://www.psychiatrypodcast.com/psychiatry-psychotherapy-podcast/2018/11/19/understanding-placebo
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  Amantadine (Symmetrel) 08.04.2026 17min

  Welcome back! Today we are talking all about Amantadine, and it's uses in psychiatry.
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  VMAT2 Inhibitors: Valbenazine (Ingrezza) and Deutetrabenazine (Austedo) 21.03.2026 17min

  Welcome back! Today we are featuring the two FDA-approved medications for tardive dyskinesia, the VMAT2 inhibitors Valbenazine (Ingrezza) and Deutetrabenazine (Austedo). References: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41626799/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548187/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41626799/
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  A DSM Conversation with Dr. Allen Frances 25.02.2026 55min

  We are back with another special guest episode! Please welcome Dr. Allen Frances, who was intricately involved in the formation of both the DSM III and DSM IV, the latter of which he served as chair.https://x.com/AllenFrancesMDhttps://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001HO76FUhttps://www.psychiatrictimes.com/authors/allen-frances-md
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  Topiramate (Topamax) 28.01.2026 15min

  Welcome back! Today we will be doing a brief episode on Topiramate [Topamax], and its clinical uses in psychiatry.References:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21438989/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18774432/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25899459/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1088011/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2671954/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38706338/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20207521/
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  What Makes Something a Psychiatric Illness? Featuring Dr. Mark Ruffalo, MSW, DPsa 14.01.2026 54min

  Welcome back, today we are discussing a deceptively difficult topic: What makes something a psychiatric illness? We are joined by our guest Dr. Mark Ruffalo. He is a psychotherapist in private practice in Tampa, FL, and who also serves as Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine as well an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Tufts University School of Medicine. Dr. Ruffalo's Website: https://www.drruffalo.com/Dr. Ruffalo's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-l-ruffalo-71929063PRISM: https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/use-of-the-prism-diagnostic-instrument-in-clinical-practicePRISM Writing Contest: https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/prism-writing-contest-more-on-this-new-diagnostic-tool-from-mark-ruffalo-msw-dpsa
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  Lorazepam (Ativan) 31.12.2025 14min

  Welcome back! Today we are at the highly prescribed and popular benzodiazepine Lorazepam, also known as Ativan. We look at its uses in psychiatry, especially catatonia. But despite anecdotal efficacy, does the evidence hold up? References:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532890/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36805317/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6120058/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10229064/https://psychopharmacologyinstitute.com/section/catatonia-diagnosis-the-lorazepam-challenge-2911-5899/
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  The Vitamin Series: Iron Deficiency in Psychiatry 17.12.2025 25min

  Welcome back! Today we are embarking into the first of hopefully several episodes on the importance of vitamins and minerals in mental health. We will specifically be looking at the role of iron deficiency in psychiatry and do an overview on some of the recent research that's been published. References: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557376/https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0268960X25000827#bb0165https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2823909https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1389945717315599https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40841680/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1677067/https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(23)00463-7/fulltexthttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6139360/
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  Nutritional Psychiatry with Dr. Laura Lachance 03.12.2025 49min

  Welcome back! Today our topic is Nutritional Psychiatry and we've invited a special guest - Dr. Laura Lachance, who has done extensive research in the field. Along with Dr. Drew Ramsey, she has published a paper looking at an Antidepressant Food Score or AFS and more recently, she was a part of the EASe-GAD trial, a study looking at the impact of omega-3 fatty acids on anxiety. Antidepressant Food Scale (AFS): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30254980/EASe-GAD Trial: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39316026/Gluten and Psychosis: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24368154/Nutrition Worksheet for Patients: https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-021-03575-7Dr. Lachance's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/preventivepsychiatry/
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  Stress, Culture, and Determinism with Dr. Robert Sapolsky 19.11.2025 1t 3min

  Welcome back! Today, we are hosting the highly accomplished Dr. Robert Sapolsky, PHD, a professor of professor of biology, neurology, and neurosurgery at Stanford University. He has had extensive research particularly in the field of neuroendocrinology and chronic stress, which has acted as one of the foundations of modern psychoneuroendocrinology. He is also a research associate at the Institute of Primate Research in Kenya, with over 30 years of field research in Africa. He is also a renowned author, with major works including but not at all limited to Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers, Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst, and most recently, Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will, which challenges us to reconsider free will, morality, and mental health itself through a scientific lens. More about Dr. Sapolsky: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_SapolskyDr. Sapolsky's Open Stanford Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PpDq1WUtAw&list=PL848F2368C90DDC3DDr. Sapolsky's Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B000APOCFEDr. Sapolsky's Own Podcast: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0wDrkkznSB8S84kKuK9HCoApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/robert-sapolsky-father-offspring-interviews/id1782280922
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  SSRIs Revisited: The 100th Episode 05.11.2025 32min

  One hundred episodes later, let’s take it back to one of our very first, the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors - with a much-needed update. Thank you to our guests, fans, and listeners.References: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4428540/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10333979⁠⁠https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3663330/⁠
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  Alprazolam (Xanax) 29.10.2025 15min

  Welcome back! Today we have a very special episode on Alprazolam, brand-name Xanax. This benzodiazepine is one of the most commonly-prescribed and sought out psychotropic medications. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538165/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6769182/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5846112/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6141930/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17514187/
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  Climate Change and Mental Health with Dr. Ferdnand Osuagwu 22.10.2025 34min

  Join us today for an episode on the impact of climate change on mental health. We'll be exploring concepts like eco-anxiety, advocacy, the impact of nuclear war and practical tips. We're joined by guest Dr. Ferdnand Osuagwu, who was the former Chair of the Caucus on Climate Change and Mental Health of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and founder of the Ferdnand Foundation International, an organization dedicated to underserved and marginalized populations and with a particular emphasis on addressing their needs in the areas of health, education, climate change, social justice and resource mobilization. Ferdnand Foundation Website: https://ferdnandfoundation.org/Ferdnand Foundation Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@FerdnandFoundation/featured
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  Introduction to Benzodiazepines 15.10.2025 22min

  Today, we are talking about a very popular, yet controversial class of medications - the Benzodiazepines . Let's look at their mechanism of action, clinical indications, pharmacology, risks, withdrawal syndromes, and prescribing guidance. And of course, we'll be tackling the question: what are the risks and benefits of long-term use? References: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30098211/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32252539/https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rateshttps://aapp.org/guideline/benzohttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40526204/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6097846/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470159/https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/advances-in-psychiatric-treatment/article/benzodiazepines-for-anxiety-disorders-maximising-the-benefits-and-minimising-the-risks/43A366723CD1B3616BAB08F69FF65A88
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  Introduction to Anxiety Disorders 08.10.2025 25min

  Welcome to an introductory episode on anxiety disorders as requested by a long-time listener. References:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5832062/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5573565/https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/175862/Nesse%20Anxiety%20Disorders%20in%20Evolutionary%20Perspective%202022.pdf?sequence=1
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  Loxapine (Loxitane) Revisited with Dr. Jonathan Meyer 01.10.2025 24min

  Join us as we talk about Loxapine, an older medication that’s stood the test of time and found a niche in psychiatric practice. This is a revision of an earlier episode, after Dr. Bradley Miller chatted with Dr. Jonathan Meyer at the 2025 APA Conference. Dr. Meyer joins us at the beginning to provide an addendum to the original episode.