Dr Joanna Moncrieff is a psychiatrist, professor, and best-selling author, who is leading the charge in how we understand psychiatric drugs, like anti-depressants. Joanna is Professor of Critical and Social Psychiatry at University College London (UCL) and a practising consultant psychiatrist in the NHS. Moncrieff is best known for challenging the ‘chemical imbalance’ theory of depression and for her influential work on how psychiatric medications actually work—arguing they produce psychoactive effects rather than correcting underlying brain disorders. Her books, including Chemically imbalanced have reshaped public and professional debates around antidepressants. Timestamps:00:00 - The anti-depressant myth that people have been misled on06:05 - Serotonin & Mass Learned Helplessness 11:10 - The history of anti-depressant medication16:13 - Anti-depressants impact the brain like alcohol and drugs18:45 - Patient reports that anti-depressants have saved their lives25:03 - Anti-depressants vs exercise as a treatment for depression28:17 - Normal depression vs clinical depression & should psychiatrists treat depression?37:10 - Depression as a reaction to the souls suffering40:01 - Gen Z and SSRI’s as ‘hot girl pills’45:05 - Medications for ADHD vs SSRI’s54:50 - Sexual dysfunction after taking SSRI’s58:45 - The backlash that Joanna has faced from colleaguesConnect with us:https://freedompact.co.uk/newsletter​ (Healthy, Wealthy & Wise Newsletter)www.Instagram.com/freedompactwww.twitter.com/freedompactpod Email: [email protected] https://Tiktok.com/personaldevelopmentJoanna’s seminal 2022 paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-022-01661-0.pdfMoncrieff, J., Cooper, R. E., Stockmann, T., Amendola, S., Hengartner, M. P., & Horowitz, M. A. (2023). The serotonin theory of depression: a systematic umbrella review of the evidence. Molecular psychiatry, 28(8), 3243-3256.Maudsley deprescribing guidelines: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Maudsley-Guidelines-prescribing-Prescribing/dp/111982298XConnect with Professor Moncrieff: https://joannamoncrieff.com / https://x.com/joannamoncrieffDISCLAIMER: The content provided by the Freedom Pact Podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Our content is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on our social media or other platforms.