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In this week’s episode, we dive into the intriguing world of psychedelics and intimacy with Tommaso Barba, a PhD student at Imperial College London. Tommaso brings to light his recent research on how psychedelics may revolutionize clinical outcomes outcomes for sexual function in depressed patients—offering an alternative to traditional SSRIs (antidepressants).

We explore the long term effects of these substances on sexual functioning, examining how psychedelics reshape our understanding of intimacy. We also explore the cultural and therapeutic implications of their use; delving into broader impacts on relationships and conflict resolution.  Finally, we discuss whether psychedelics should become mainstream and what the future holds for them in mental health care.

This episode is intended for educational and scientific purposes only.

About Tomasso:
Tommaso is a PhD candidate at the Centre for Psychedelic Research in Imperial College London. He is researching the potential of psychedelics for well-being and human flourishing, focusing on the long-term effects of psychedelics on sexual and relationship satisfaction in healthy and depressed people. He has a background in neuroscience and psychoanalysis and completed a Master of Research in Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience from Maastricht University.

Research Paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-49817-4
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tommaso_barba

About Behind the Stigma: https://behindthestigma.buzzsprout.com/

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In this week's episode on Behind the Stigma, I speak with Adil Hussain, a men's development coach and the Founder of Brotherhood UAE on Men's Mental Health. We delved into the importance of men's emotional expression, the challenges men face in seeking help, and the impact of societal expectations on masculinity.

Adil shares insights from his own journey of healing and empowerment, highlighting the need to redefine masculinity and break free from toxic norms. We also explore the role of men's circles in providing a safe space for men to connect, share, and support each other. Throughout the conversation, Adil emphasizes the importance of communication, self-awareness, and seeking help when needed.
Chapter markers added!

About Adil Hussain
Adil is a men’s development coach and the Founder of Brotherhood UAE, a community of like-minded men committed to personal growth, meaningful connections, and holistic wellness. Brotherhood UAE hosts a weekly Men's Circle where men can freely express themselves, share experiences, and learn from the wisdom of each other. Adil’s mission is simple: to empower as many men as possible to embody their true selves and live their best lives.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adilcoachesmen/
Brotherhood-UAE: https://www.instagram.com/brotherhooduae/
Website:  https://adilhussain.me/

About Behind the Stigma: https://behindthestigma.buzzsprout.com/

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In this week’s episode, I speak with Dr. Awais Aftab, a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University on the Critique and the Opposition to Psychiatry.

We discuss the emergence of philosophy in psychiatry as a distinct discipline, and it's historical evolution  from psychoanalysis to biomedical models. We go into the critiques of disorder classifications, debates surrounding biological explanations and medication use, and the importance of fostering trust and collaboration within the mental health community and society.

The conversation offers insights into the complexities of psychiatric practice and the ongoing dialogue surrounding its theoretical foundations and clinical applications.
Chapter markers added!

About Dr. Aftab
Dr Aftab is a clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University and he is interested in critical and conceptual issues that involve the field. He has been actively involved in initiatives to educate psychiatrists and trainees on the intersection of philosophy, psychiatry, and history.

Dr. Aftab led the popular interview series “Conversations in Critical Psychiatry” for Psychiatric Times, and a book adaptation is forthcoming from Oxford University Press. He is an executive council member of the Association for the Advancement of Philosophy and Psychiatry, and a senior editor for Philosophy, Psychiatry, & Psychology.

Website: https://www.awaisaftab.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/awaisaftab
Substack: https://www.psychiatrymargins.com/ 

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In this week's episode of the Behind the Stigma Podcast, I speak with members of the Student Advisory Committee from Student Minds, including Aglaya Freccero, Dom Smithies, and Mahbub Alom Shuhag, in light of  University Mental Health Day. We delve into the challenges and lived experiences of students, emphasizing the significance of inclusivity and diversity in mental health policies. We also explore the role of peer support networks, digital interventions, recent initiatives by Student Minds, and personal self-care practices. The aim of the episode was to raise awareness and foster positive change within university communities.

About Guests (in alphabetical order)
Aglaya Freccero
Aglaia is a PhD candidate in the Department of Brain Sciences at Imperial College London and her research focuses on developing novel digital interventions to improve mental health in young people. She is an experienced science communicator and a passionate mental health activist where she uses her lived experience to spread awareness around mental health. Aglaia volunteers at Student Minds as part of the Student Advisory Committee.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aglaia-freccero-b14781155/?originalSubdomain=uk

Dom Smithies
Dom is the Head of Influencing & Communications at Student Minds. He has interest and experience in higher education, mental health, youth engagement and equality & diversity. As the Influencing & Advocacy Lead he is strategically responsible for the organizations' influencing, policy, insights, communication and student engagement work. He’s worked with Student Minds for over 6 years focusing on various projects such as the LGBTQ+ students’ mental health, Men’s Mental Health Project and is now part of the Senior Leadership Team.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dom-smithies/?originalSubdomain=uk

Mahbub Alom Shuhag.
Mahbub currently serves as a Campus Officer at Coventry University London, and he completed his undergraduate degree in Global Business and Management at Coventry. He has established a noteworthy reputation for effectively representing and advocating for students at all levels and has held this responsibility for the past two consecutive years. He also volunteers at Student Minds, along with Aglaia, and myself, as part of the Student Advisory Committee.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mahbubalomshuhag/?originalSubdomain=uk

Student Minds Website: https://www.studentminds.org.uk/
Student Space: https://studentspace.org.uk/

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In this week's episode, I speak with Dr. Hipolito, an Assistant Professor at Macquarie University, on artificial intelligence, cognition and mental health.
We discuss:
- The philosophical realism of AI: whether AI systems are seen as seperate from us
- Digital mental health apps: their advantages and concerns about data privacy, reliability, and the potential for algorithmic bias.
- Smart virtual environments, and their advantages and drawbacks that come with it.
- The future of virtual environments for mental health

About Dr. Ines Hipolito
Dr. Hipolito is an Assistant Professor at Macquarie University, specializing in philosophy of mind and cognitive science. She has co-founded the International Society of the Philosophy of the Sciences of the Mind and has served as an elected member of the Diversity Committee and Women in Philosophy Committee at the Australasian Philosophy Association. Dr. Hipolito is passionate about bridging the academic-industry divide to maximize the societal impact of research and also serves as an AI ethics advisor/architect for Verses, a cognitive computing company.

Website: https://ineshipolito.my.canva.site/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ineshipolito
Paper: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S138904172300133X

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In this week's episode, I speak with Dr. Nicola Byrom, a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at King’s College London. We discuss the importance of lived experience in research as well as collaborative research for student mental health. Dr Byrom shares how she founded Student Minds, the UK's biggest mental health charity, and how her personal experience drove her to want change in the higher education sector. We also discuss virtual learning environments both for on-campus and distance learner students and the medicalizing of distress. 

About Dr. Nicola Byrom
Dr. Byrom is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at King’s College London. She studies mental health and wellbeing in emerging adulthood with a focus on public health and exploring the institutional, social, and cultural factors that shape individual mental health. Prior to developing her research career, Dr Byrom founded Student Minds, the UK’s student mental health charity. She completed her DPhil at the University of Oxford, and was awarded an MRC Centenary Award to further develop her work.

Website: https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/persons/nicola.byrom
Twitter: https://x.com/NicolaByrom?s=20
Research Paper: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/13/7/749

About Host:
Seiara Imanova is the host and producer of Behind the Stigma Podcast. She has a Master of Science in Psychology & Neuroscience  of Mental Health from King's College London. She started "Behind the Stigma" to make a meaningful contribution in the field, by providing awareness for a variety of perspectives within each topic.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behindthestigmapodcast/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/seiara_imanova

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In this week's episode, featuring our guest speaker, MJDorian, we delved into the world of psychoanalyst Dr. Carl Gustav Jung and explored his Red Book, which Jung described as his “confrontation with the unconscious." We discussed the content of the book, uncovered underlying themes, and examined its relevance to the modern world.

MJ also guided us through a method employed by Carl Jung known as 'The Digging Technique', shedding light on active imagination and recounting his (MJ's) own personal experiences with it.

*All music in this episode is composed by MJDorian himself.

About MJDorian:
MJDorian is an artist, educator, podcast creator, and award winning composer. His work in film has received wide acclaim, including Outstanding Achievement Award for Original Score (VisionFest 2011, NYC) for the feature film: Ontologica. In 2018, MJ launched the podcast: Creative Codex, which he continues to write and produce. The mission of Creative Codex is to explore the mysteries of creative genius through narrative, sound design, and original music.

Website: https://mjdorian.com/codex/
Creative Codex Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/creative-codex/id1430850607
Creative Codex Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7IIv6uXWqQM3qyhzyKBluT
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/creativecodex
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/

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In this week's episode on the Behind the Stigma Podcast, we welcome Dr. Ekaterina Netchitailova to discuss the meaning and lived experience of psychosis.

Dr. Netchitailova shares her personal journey with psychiatric care in the Netherlands and the UK, shedding light on the stigma surrounding diagnoses and cultural influences on mental health. The conversation explores Dr. Netchitailova's background and delves into the circumstances leading to her first experience with psychosis and her initial psychiatric hospitalization, detailing the good, the bad, and the overall impact.

About Dr. Netchitailova
Dr. Ekaterina Netchitailova. Dr. Netchitailova is a doctor of philosophy, a university lecturer, and writer. She has lived in four different countries and speaks four languages. Ekaterina is fascinated by different cultures and walks of life. She is interested in how different manifestations of the human psyche have been medicalized and put into the domain of mental health. She has also written a novel ‘Elena: A Love Story for Humankind’ telling a story of a Russian pianist, diagnosed with schizophrenia, looking for her twin sister in England.

Website: https://russianpatient.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chitailova?lang=en
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Elena-Story-Humankind-Ekaterina-Netchitailova/dp/B09NKWGJ24

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The first episode of the New Year, we delve into the concept of Jungian shadow work and integration with the shadow. (Chapter Markers added).

We discuss what Shadow work means, and why it's not only about the 'dark' parts of ourselves. We also explore how the shadow influences our behavior and relationships, leading to insights about projection and its impact on personal growth. Dr. Curmi shares insights on discovering one's shadow by asking the right questions. Finally,  we go into various methods for shadow integration and tips for those interested in exploring their own shadows.

About Dr Alex Curmi
Dr Curmi is a Consultant Psychiatrist with over 10 years’ of medical experience. He specializes in General Adult Psychiatry with a subspecialty in Addictions and has trained as a Psychotherapist for three years as well. Dr Curmi obtained his Medical Degree at the University of Malta and completed his psychiatric training at the South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. 

Website: https://maudsleylearning.com/dr-alexander-curmi/
Podcast on Shadow Work (Thinking Mind Podcast):  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/going-over-to-the-dark-side-shadow-work/id1466932169?i=1000634716280

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Website: https://behindthestigma.buzzsprout.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behindthestigmapodcast/

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Welcome to Season 2! In this week's episode, we explore the intriguing link between neuroimmunology and psychiatry with guest Dr. Thomas Pollak.

We discuss what autoimmune diseases are and Dr. Pollak's work on Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis and it's relation to psychosis. We also discuss the role of neurology in psychiatry, and challenges in diagnosis and the necessity of considering immunology in psychiatric examinations. The episode concludes with a forward-looking perspective on the future of understanding connections between infections, the immune system, and psychiatric disorders. Chapter markers added!

About Dr Pollak
 Dr. Pollak is an NIHR Clinical Lecturer at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London and an Honorary Consultant Neuropsychiatrist at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. In 2015, he was awarded a Welcome Trust Clinical Research Fellowship to look at the neuroimmunology basis of psychiatric disease, with a particular focus on the autoantibodies known to cause autoimmune encephalitis.
 
Twitter  https://twitter.com/tompollak
Research Paper https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551672/
Washington Post Article https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/06/01/schizophrenia-autoimmune-lupus-psychiatry/

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Website: https://behindthestigma.buzzsprout.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behindthestigmapodcast/