Send us a text

A critique of SSRIs and pharma’s influence on medicine, including SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction, suicidality, and violence.

Long Summary: Dr. David Healy critiques modern medicine, focusing on SSRIs and psychiatric medicine, including: how pharmaceutical companies manipulate clinical trial data, ghostwrite studies, and influence medical practice, often ignoring patient experiences; highlighting issues like post-SSRI sexual dysfunction (PSSD), the immediate sensory effects of SSRIs, and their potential to induce suicidal or violent behavior; challenging the reliance on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) over individual patient reports; and more.

About the guest: David Healy, MD, PhD, a psychiatrist and pharmacologist, has decades of experience researching the serotonin system and SSRIs, working across Ireland, the UK, Canada, and the US. He is a professor at McMaster University and a vocal critic of pharmaceutical industry practices.

Discussion Points:

SSRIs cause near-immediate sensory effects, like genital numbing, in most people.
Post-SSRI sexual dysfunction (PSSD) can persist for years or decades after stopping the drug, affecting many long-term users.
Healy argues RCTs prioritize averages over individual experiences, often missing serious side effects like suicidality.
Pharmaceutical companies ghostwrite studies and manipulate data, with journals like the New England Journal of Medicine publishing misleading articles.
Serotonin theory of depression lacks evidence.
Industry tactics include dismissing patient reports as anecdotes and using high doses in trials to mask weak efficacy.
SSRIs can increase suicide risk, not just during initiation but also when adjusting doses or withdrawing, as seen in cases like the Aurora movie theater shooting.
Regulatory bodies like the FDA often fail to investigate adverse effects due to bureaucratic processes and lack of follow-up.
Healy emphasizes doctors’ failure to prioritize patient observations, driven by industry-influenced standards of care.

Related episode:

M&M 88: Depression, Serotonin, SSRIs, Psychiatry & Social Media | Joanna Moncrieff

*Not medical advice.

Support the show

All episodes, show notes, transcripts, and more at the M&M Substack

Affiliates:

KetoCitra—Ketone body BHB + potassium, calcium & magnesium, formulated with kidney health in mind. Use code MIND20 for 20% off any subscription (cancel anytime)
Lumen device to optimize your metabolism for weight loss or athletic performance. Code MIND for 10% off
Readwise: Organize and share what you read. 60 days FREE through link
SiPhox Health—Affordable at-home blood testing. Key health markers, visualized & explained. Code TRIKOMES for a 20% discount.
MASA Chips—delicious tortilla chips made from organic corn & grass-fed beef tallow. No seed oils or artificial ingredients. Code MIND for 20% off

For all the ways you can support my efforts

SSRIs, Sexual Dysfunction, Suicide & Mass Shootings, How FDA Works | David Healy | 232

Mind & Matter