The Transformed Minds Pod

thetransformedmindspod
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Biweekly

Transformed Minds is a podcast dedicated to reshaping how we understand and approach mental health and substance use. Through evidence-based discussions, real stories, and expert interviews, we create a space for learning, reflection, and transformation. Hosted by theprayingpsychiatrist, a physician, researcher, and advocate for community and global mental health, this platform bridges evidence-based medicine, clinical insight and lived experience. Whether you're a provider, trainer, policymaker, patient, or loved one—this podcast is for you. Let’s learn, heal and transform – together!

  1. From Use to Outcome: The Evidence Linking Teen Cannabis and Young Adult Depression

    6d ago

    From Use to Outcome: The Evidence Linking Teen Cannabis and Young Adult Depression

    Cannabis is more available, more potent, and more normalized than ever but what does the evidence say about its effects on teenagers?In this episode of Transformed Minds, Dr. O is joined by Dr. Vito, a child, adolescent, and addiction board-certified psychiatrist and faculty member at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, to discuss the latest research on cannabis and adolescent mental health.Together, they examine a landmark 2019 JAMA Psychiatry meta-analysis involving more than 23,000 young people, showing that cannabis use before age 18 is associated with a significantly increased risk of major depression and suicidality in young adulthood. They also discuss what clinicians, parents, schools, and policymakers can do to better protect young people.⏱ Chapters00:00 Why Cannabis Matters More Than Ever00:19 Prevention and Treatment Overview01:33 Budget Cuts and Advocacy02:02 Introducing Dr. Vito05:19 The Landmark JAMA Meta-Analysis09:31 Brain Development and Cannabis11:08 Understanding the Risks14:21 Cannabis and Anxiety: What the Evidence Shows16:46 Suicidality Explained20:23 Trauma and Self-Medication22:34 Legalization and Youth Messaging28:54 Pediatric Screening with CRAFFT & SBIRT33:28 Cannabis-Induced Psychosis33:58 Clinical Case Discussion35:03 Harm Reduction and Treatment36:04 Access to Care and Health Disparities39:12 Advocacy for Future Clinicians41:21 Early Exposure and Risk Stratification44:36 Prevention Policy That Works48:15 A Practical Screening Framework49:45 Research, Policy, and Public Health51:22 The Rafa Foundation & FIRE Initiative56:37 Final TakeawaysFeatured Articles- Gobbi G et al. Association of Cannabis Use in Adolescence and Risk of Depression, Anxiety, and Suicidality in Young Adulthood. JAMA Psychiatry. 2019. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2723657- National Academies of Sciences. The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids. 2017. https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/24625If you found this conversation valuable, please like, subscribe, and share it with a pediatrician, school counselor, parent, educator, or colleague. ⚠️ Content Note: This episode includes discussion of depression, suicide, and suicidal thoughts. Please take care while listening.If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. In the U.S. and Canada, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If you're elsewhere, contact your local crisis service or emergency services. If there is an immediate risk of harm, call your local emergency number right away. All episodes are for educational purposes and not a substitute for professional medical or mental health care.

    1h 1m
  2. Beyond SSRIs: Psilocybin in Treatment-Resistant Depression & What It Means for Substance Use Disorders

    Jun 9

    Beyond SSRIs: Psilocybin in Treatment-Resistant Depression & What It Means for Substance Use Disorders

    Can psilocybin help patients with treatment-resistant depression and what does the latest clinical evidence mean for people dealing with both depression and addiction? In this episode of The Transformed Minds (Host Rx), psychiatrist Dr. O breaks down a landmark 2022 NEJM phase II randomized, double-blind, multicenter trial examining psilocybin therapy for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Dr. O explains what qualifies as TRD, walks through the trial's three-arm dosing design (1 mg, 10 mg, and 25 mg plus structured psychological support), and interprets the primary outcome, MADRS score change at three weeks. The 25 mg dose showed statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement, but the story gets more complex by week 12. This episode is especially valuable for clinicians, patients, and advocates navigating dual diagnosis care co-occurring depression and substance use disorders. Dr. O covers: - psilocybin-assisted therapy- treatment-resistant depression, - MADRS depression scale, - psychedelic safety- mental health equity- substance use disorder and depression Whether you're a mental health professional, someone living with TRD, or simply following the rapidly evolving conversation around psychedelic medicine, this episode gives you the evidence-based framework to think critically, not just hopefully about what psilocybin can and cannot do right now.

    31 min
  3. From Craving to Cognitive Flexibility: Psychedelic-Assisted Treatment for Alcohol Use

    May 26

    From Craving to Cognitive Flexibility: Psychedelic-Assisted Treatment for Alcohol Use

    Can psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy help reduce heavy drinking in alcohol use disorder? In this Host Rx episode, Dr. O analyzes the landmark 2022 JAMA Psychiatry randomized clinical trial examining psilocybin combined with psychotherapy for adults with alcohol dependence. Dr. O explains:• The study design and outcomes• How psilocybin may promote cognitive flexibility• Safety considerations • Ethical and policy challenges• What this means for the future of addiction treatment This episode also explores implementation barriers, reimbursement issues, disparities in access, and the importance of rigorous scientific oversight as psychedelic medicine evolves. Educational only, not medical advice. #Psilocybin #AlcoholUseDisorder #PsychedelicTherapy #AddictionPsychiatry #MentalHealthPodcast

    15 min
  4. Paying for Recovery: Contingency Management, Stimulant Use Disorder, & Survival w/Dr. Park

    May 12

    Paying for Recovery: Contingency Management, Stimulant Use Disorder, & Survival w/Dr. Park

    Stimulant overdose deaths are rising rapidly and one of the most effective treatments remains widely misunderstood. In this episode of Transform Minds Podcast, Dr. O sits down with addiction psychiatrist Dr. Dong Chan Park to explore contingency management (CM), an evidence-based treatment for stimulant use disorder that uses immediate rewards to reinforce recovery behaviors. Drawing on a 2025 American Journal of Psychiatry cohort study, this conversation examines how contingency management may significantly reduce all-cause mortality while addressing the ethical, clinical, and policy barriers limiting broader adoption. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: Why stimulant-involved overdose deaths continue to riseHow contingency management works in real-world addiction treatmentWhy CM is often criticized as “bribery”The evidence linking CM to lower mortalityTrauma-informed approaches to stimulant treatmentThe role of ADHD, housing instability, and relapse triggers in recoveryHow CBT, IOP, and multidisciplinary care support long-term outcomesFEATURED ARTICLES & RESOURCES: Coughlin LN et al. Contingency Management for Stimulant Use Disorder and Association With Mortality. Am J Psychiatry. 2025.https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.20250053National Academies of Sciences:Medications and Behavioral Treatments for Substance Use DisordersSAMHSA:Treatment of Stimulant Use DisordersRecovery is possible. Evidence-based treatment saves lives. #ContingencyManagement #StimulantUseDisorder #AddictionPsychiatry #MentalHealthPodcast #AddictionRecovery

    36 min
  5. Youth Self-Harm, Substance Use, and Suicide Risk: What the Data Actually Show | Epi 6

    Apr 28

    Youth Self-Harm, Substance Use, and Suicide Risk: What the Data Actually Show | Epi 6

    In this episode, Dr. O examines how self-harm, substance use, and emotional dysregulation interact to increase risk in adolescents and young adults. Drawing on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2025, this discussion highlights how mental disorders, substance use, and self-harm are leading contributors to disability in ages 10–24. Key topics include: Substance use as a major risk factor for suicidal thoughts and behaviors Emotional dysregulation and impulsivity Social media and behavioral risk patterns Clinical implications for screening and early intervention Featured research includes: Xu et al., Translational Psychiatry 2025 Jones et al., Substance Abuse 2023 López-Martínez et al., Behavioral Sciences 2025 RESOURCES:If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call emergency services (911 in the U.S.) right away. *U.S.: Call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) OR Chat via 988lifeline.org *International: Visit findahelpline.com to find local resourcesYou are not alone. Help is available.

    28 min
  6. When Policy Lags Behind Science: Buprenorphine Dosing Reconsidered with Dr. Drits | Ep 5

    Apr 7

    When Policy Lags Behind Science: Buprenorphine Dosing Reconsidered with Dr. Drits | Ep 5

    Are dose caps on buprenorphine costing lives? In this episode of the Transform Mind Podcast, Dr. O and Dr. Drits dig into the evidence and the gaps around buprenorphine dosing for opioid use disorder In the fentanyl era, drawing on a 2023 narrative review by Grande and colleagues published in the Journal of Addiction Medicine. Higher doses are consistently linked to better treatment retention. Yet dose caps persist in clinical practice and insurance policy, even as the opioid supply has fundamentally shifted. Dr. O and Dr. Drits break down why, and what clinicians and patients can do about it.In this episode: → Why the "ceiling effect" applies to respiratory depression not to craving or withdrawal relief → What the evidence says about retention, fentanyl, and dosing → How to advocate for patients within institutional and insurance constraints → Common myths about diversion and high-dose buprenorphine → Shared decision-making in practice Learning Objectives By the end of this episode, listeners will be able to: Describe the evidence base regarding buprenorphine dose limits and clinical outcomes. Explain how buprenorphine pharmacology informs safety at higher doses. Identify policy and systemic factors that influence dosing practices. Apply evidence-based reasoning to clinical and systems-level decision-making in opioid use disorder care. Chapters: 00:00 High Dose Benefits 01:23 Podcast Intro Format 02:34 Why Dose Caps Matter 07:48 Guest Perspective Policy Lag 11:27 Dose Limits Today 14:44 Buprenorphine Pharmacology 18:07 Retention Saves Lives 20:31 Fentanyl Needs Higher Doses 22:25 Advocacy Under Limits 24:53 Training And Myths 28:38 Case Dosing Decisions 34:38 Shared Decision Making 37:34 Ceiling Effect Explained 39:24 Key Takeaways Reference: Grande LA et al. "High-dose buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use disorder in the context of fentanyl exposure." Journal of Addiction Medicine, 2023. ⚠️ This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Clinical decisions should be made in consultation with a qualified healthcare provider. #BuprenorphineTreatment #OpioidUseDisorder #MOUD #FentanylCrisis #AddictionMedicine #HarmReduction #TransformMindPodcast

    42 min
  7. The Hidden Architecture: Rethinking Mental Health System Design | Ep 3

    Mar 24

    The Hidden Architecture: Rethinking Mental Health System Design | Ep 3

    Why does mental health care stay fragmented when the evidence for effective treatment already exists? In this Host Rx episode, Dr. O argues that persistent treatment gaps are a structural problem, not a knowledge problem. Drawing on a 2023 Lancet Psychiatry paper, Dr. O breaks down what's actually driving fragmentation: Insurance design and weak parity enforcementPrior authorization delays blocking time-sensitive careScope-of-practice restrictions and workforce shortagesEHR silos and reimbursement models that don't support collaborative careShe maps the problem across clinical, organizational, and policy levels, and makes the case for structural literacy as the foundation for reform. 00:00 Evidence Versus Architecture01:05 Podcast Welcome And Format02:19 Treatment Gaps Are System Design04:58 Why Care Stays Fragmented06:38 Insurance Shapes Clinical Care07:19 Why Pilots Fail To Scale08:14 Case Study OUD And Depression09:49 Clinician Reflection And Levers10:52 Warm Handoffs And Case Conferences13:45 Why Silos Persist In Practice15:18 What Integration Really Means15:54 Three Levels Of Architecture17:42 Advocacy And Closing MessageFeatured Studies- 2023 Article, The Lancet Psychiatry (ScienceDirect link provided)- Lagisetty PA et al., 2019. Racial disparities in buprenorphine treatment. JAMA Psychiatry.- Parity enforcement advocacy and policy statements from the American Medical Association Transformed Minds is hosted by Dr. O and covers addiction medicine, psychiatry, and the policy shaping mental health care delivery.

    19 min
  8. Alcohol Withdrawal in the Hospital: CIWA, Benzodiazepines & Phenobarbital Explained | S2 Ep.3

    Mar 10

    Alcohol Withdrawal in the Hospital: CIWA, Benzodiazepines & Phenobarbital Explained | S2 Ep.3

    In this episode of Transformed Minds Season 2, Dr. O sits down with addiction medicine specialist Dr. Desai, a CATCH Team Lead Physician (Consult for Addiction Treatment and Care in Hospitals), for a deep clinical dive into alcohol withdrawal management in the hospital setting. Whether you're a hospitalist, internist, nurse, resident, addiction medicine clinician, or medical student, this episode gives you a practical, bedside framework you can use immediately. What You'll Learn: A practical framework for risk-stratifying alcohol withdrawal at the bedsideWhen and how to use CIWA and what most clinicians get wrongHow to choose between benzodiazepine regimens based on patient profileWhen phenobarbital enters the picture and how to use it safelyHow an interdisciplinary consult model changes outcomes for hospitalized patients with alcohol use disorderChapters 00:00 Why Early Assessment Matters00:49 Welcome to Transformed Minds02:38 Meet Dr. Desai04:37 What Is the CATCH Team07:26 Alcohol Withdrawal Red Flags13:10 Bedside CIWA and Reassessment15:16 Symptom-Triggered Protocols18:10 High-Risk Withdrawal Timeline20:22 Front-Loading and Fixed Tapers25:58 Complicated Withdrawal and Phenobarbital36:54 Choosing the Right Benzo39:32 Key Takeaways and Wrap Up Subscribe to Transformed Minds for clinical education on psychiatric and addiction care, advocacy and tips.

    44 min
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About

Transformed Minds is a podcast dedicated to reshaping how we understand and approach mental health and substance use. Through evidence-based discussions, real stories, and expert interviews, we create a space for learning, reflection, and transformation. Hosted by theprayingpsychiatrist, a physician, researcher, and advocate for community and global mental health, this platform bridges evidence-based medicine, clinical insight and lived experience. Whether you're a provider, trainer, policymaker, patient, or loved one—this podcast is for you. Let’s learn, heal and transform – together!

Information

  • Creator
    thetransformedmindspod
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © thetransformedmindspod
  • Show Website
    The Transformed Minds Pod