Kratom is being sold right next to gum and energy drinks at gas stations nationwide, but don’t be fooled by its casual appearance; this so-called “herbal supplement” has been linked to serious health risks and even death.

In this episode of Freud and Felons, Dr. Yalda Safai digs into the origins of kratom, how it acts as both a stimulant and a narcotic depending on the dose, and real stories from families affected by its dangers. Dr. Safai talks about how kratom slips through legal loopholes as a “dietary supplement,” details the FDA and DEA’s recent but limited efforts to restrict the most dangerous synthetic forms, and explains why lobbying and inconsistent state laws keep it on shelves across much of the country.

00:00 Kratom at gas stations

04:47 Health risks of kratom use

06:38 DEA targets synthetic kratom products

11:51 Regulatory challenges with kratom use

13:34 Kratom's controversial legal status

For inquiries: [email protected]

Check out: https://yaldasafaimd.com/

@YaldaSafaimd on Instagram

@YaldaSafaimd on TikTok

@FreudandFelons on Instagram

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7eTsH62...

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

Freud and Felons is not another true crime podcast - it's a journey into the psychology of devious human behavior. I'm Yalda Safai, a psychiatrist who works with inmates, sits through courtrooms, and, just like you, am fascinated by a good true crime story. Instead of "How", let's dive into the "Why" behind the crimes.

Why do upstanding citizens just snap one day and murder their spouses?

Why did Ted Bundy have so many fans?

What does the word psychopath truly mean?

Most importantly, why are YOU so obsessed with a good crime story?

Welcome to Freud and Felons.

Subscribe if you want to understand the psychology behind today’s toughest headlines.

Produced by Through The Noise: https://www.getthroughthenoise.com/

Antidepressants have been at the center of controversy, with media and public figures wrongly claiming these medications cause suicidal and homicidal thoughts.

In this episode of Freud and Felons, Dr. Yalda Safai breaks down what the FDA black box warning really says, which age groups are affected, and the hard data behind the risks. Dr. Safai also explains the true origins of the warning, addresses common myths echoed in courtrooms and politics, and separates facts from fearmongering. Learn why no antidepressant has a warning for violence or homicide, how scientific research actually measures risk, and why this matters for patients and public safety.

00:00 Antidepressants and black box warnings

05:19 FDA black box warning on antidepressants

06:54 Paxil and antidepressant prescriptions for kids

13:05 Risks of SSRIs in young people

14:30 Antidepressants and depression risks

For inquiries: [email protected]

Check out: https://yaldasafaimd.com/

@YaldaSafaimd on Instagram

@YaldaSafaimd on TikTok

@FreudandFelons on Instagram

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7eTsH62...

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

Freud and Felons is not another true crime podcast - it's a journey into the psychology of devious human behavior. I'm Yalda Safai, a psychiatrist who works with inmates, sits through courtrooms, and, just like you, am fascinated by a good true crime story. Instead of "How", let's dive into the "Why" behind the crimes.

Why do upstanding citizens just snap one day and murder their spouses?

Why did Ted Bundy have so many fans?

What does the word psychopath truly mean?

Most importantly, why are YOU so obsessed with a good crime story?

Welcome to Freud and Felons.

Subscribe if you want to understand the psychology behind today’s toughest headlines.

Produced by Through The Noise: https://www.getthroughthenoise.com/

The Lindsay Clancy case is at the center of national conversation, raising critical questions about mental illness, responsibility, and the legal system.

In this episode of Freud and Felons, Dr. Yalda Safai dives into the complexity of the case, explaining the medical realities of postpartum psychosis, the truth about psychiatric medications, and the exact requirements for an insanity defense in court. Learn why postpartum psychosis is so rare and misunderstood, how mental health treatment is more trial-and-error than most people realize, and what doctors actually saw and missed in Lindsay Clancy’s condition before the tragedy.

00:00 Lindsay Clancy trial overview

04:56 Discussing Lindsay's mental health condition

09:03 Discussing Lindsay's mental health treatment

12:47 Postpartum period and mental health

13:59 Determining postpartum period for trial

For inquiries: [email protected]

Check out: https://yaldasafaimd.com/

@YaldaSafaimd on Instagram

@YaldaSafaimd on TikTok

@FreudandFelons on Instagram

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7eTsH62...

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

Freud and Felons is not another true crime podcast - it's a journey into the psychology of devious human behavior. I'm Yalda Safai, a psychiatrist who works with inmates, sits through courtrooms, and, just like you, am fascinated by a good true crime story. Instead of "How", let's dive into the "Why" behind the crimes.

Why do upstanding citizens just snap one day and murder their spouses?

Why did Ted Bundy have so many fans?

What does the word psychopath truly mean?

Most importantly, why are YOU so obsessed with a good crime story?

Welcome to Freud and Felons.

Subscribe if you want to understand the psychology behind today’s toughest headlines.

Produced by Through The Noise: https://www.getthroughthenoise.com/

Explore the disturbing world of Munchausen by Proxy with Dr. Yalda Safai in this episode of Freud and Felons, as she examines how caregivers fabricate or induce illness in vulnerable children for attention and sympathy.

Using the tragic Gypsy Rose Blanchard case as a starting point, this episode delves into the clinical specifics of Factitious Disorder Imposed by Another, detailing the psychological drives and common backgrounds of those who commit this hidden form of abuse. Dr. Safai highlights how modern social media platforms have given perpetrators a broader audience and more tools to conceal their actions, escalating the risks for victims. Learn about the critical red flags that both medical professionals and the public should watch for, helping to detect and prevent this deadly, often invisible, cycle of child abuse.

00:00 Gypsy Rose and Munchausen by Proxy

03:09 Understanding Munchausen by Proxy

07:01 Exploring Falsified Illness Cases

12:26 Detecting Munchausen by Proxy

16:21 Understanding mental illness in caregivers

For inquiries: [email protected]

Check out: https://yaldasafaimd.com/

@YaldaSafaimd on Instagram

@YaldaSafaimd on TikTok

@FreudandFelons on Instagram

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7eTsH62...

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

Freud and Felons is not another true crime podcast - it's a journey into the psychology of devious human behavior. I'm Yalda Safai, a psychiatrist who works with inmates, sits through courtrooms, and, just like you, am fascinated by a good true crime story. Instead of "How", let's dive into the "Why" behind the crimes.

Why do upstanding citizens just snap one day and murder their spouses?

Why did Ted Bundy have so many fans?

What does the word psychopath truly mean?

Most importantly, why are YOU so obsessed with a good crime story?

Welcome to Freud and Felons.

Subscribe if you want to understand the psychology behind today’s toughest headlines.

Produced by Through The Noise: https://www.getthroughthenoise.com/

Is the insanity defense just a loophole in the criminal justice system, or is it one of its most misunderstood safeguards?

In this episode of Freud and Felons, Dr. Yalda Safai explores the origins of the insanity defense, the extremely strict standards defendants must meet, and why public outrage often doesn’t match reality. Using landmark cases like John Hinckley Jr., Andrea Yates, and James Holmes, Dr. Safai reveals how the defense actually operates, who can truly use it, and the life-altering consequences that follow, debunking myths about it being an “easy way out"".

Highlighting the sobering gap in mental health care that often goes ignored until tragedy strikes, Dr. Safai argues that the real loophole is a system that only acts after a crime has occurred.

00:00 The McNaughton rule origin

04:23 Andrea Yates insanity defense case

06:18 Trial, conviction, and mental illness

11:55 Insanity defense burden and process

15:12 Understanding the insanity defense

16:02 Critique of the insanity defense

For inquiries: [email protected]

Check out: https://yaldasafaimd.com/

@YaldaSafaimd on Instagram

@YaldaSafaimd on TikTok

@FreudandFelons on Instagram

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7eTsH62...

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

Freud and Felons is not another true crime podcast - it's a journey into the psychology of devious human behavior. I'm Yalda Safai, a psychiatrist who works with inmates, sits through courtrooms, and, just like you, am fascinated by a good true crime story. Instead of "How", let's dive into the "Why" behind the crimes.

Why do upstanding citizens just snap one day and murder their spouses?

Why did Ted Bundy have so many fans?

What does the word psychopath truly mean?

Most importantly, why are YOU so obsessed with a good crime story?

Welcome to Freud and Felons.

Subscribe if you want to understand the psychology behind today’s toughest headlines.

Produced by Through The Noise: https://www.getthroughthenoise.com/

In this episode of Freud and Felons, Dr. Yalda Safai examines the story of Matthew Perry’s fatal overdose and unpacks how ketamine evolved from a wartime anesthetic to an unregulated, billion-dollar telehealth commodity.

This episode explores how Perry’s case is not just about celebrity or addiction, but about the rise of companies mailing ketamine directly to consumers with minimal oversight or medical evaluation. Dr. Safai explains the legal loopholes that fueled this market, the differences between approved and off-label ketamine use, and the critical risks of at-home unsupervised treatments. She also details the official warnings issued by the FDA and major medical associations, key warning signs to look out for when considering ketamine therapy, and who should never receive ketamine due to potentially life-threatening complications.

00:00 Illegal ketamine supply to Matthew Perry
04:47 Ketamine's journey from street to clinic
07:40 Off-label use of ketamine
10:53 FDA warning on home ketamine use
13:49 Risks of unsupervised ketamine use
18:15 Contraindications for ketamine therapy

For inquiries: [email protected]

Check out: https://yaldasafaimd.com/

@YaldaSafaimd on Instagram

@YaldaSafaimd on TikTok

@FreudandFelons on Instagram

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7eTsH62...

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

Freud and Felons is not another true crime podcast - it's a journey into the psychology of devious human behavior. I'm Yalda Safai, a psychiatrist who works with inmates, sits through courtrooms, and, just like you, am fascinated by a good true crime story. Instead of "How", let's dive into the "Why" behind the crimes.

Why do upstanding citizens just snap one day and murder their spouses?

Why did Ted Bundy have so many fans?

What does the word psychopath truly mean?

Most importantly, why are YOU so obsessed with a good crime story?

Welcome to Freud and Felons.

Subscribe if you want to understand the psychology behind today’s toughest headlines.

Produced by Through The Noise: https://www.getthroughthenoise.com/

Ever wondered how cults are formed, or why conspiracy theories and misinformation can spread so powerfully, even among smart, logical people?

In this episode of Freud and Felons, Dr. Yalda Safai dives deep into the concept of shared delusions to explain how rigid group beliefs take hold and rapidly multiply, turning fiction into a reality that entire communities buy into.

Learn about cults like Jonestown and Heaven's Gate, who used group psychology to convince large numbers of people to follow extreme, even deadly, beliefs, why no one is completely immune to groupthink, and how our modern environment—especially online algorithms and social media echo chambers—makes us even more vulnerable to these collective delusions. Find out how political and anti-science movements also use similar tactics to manipulate group perception, reshaping not just minds but identities.

00:00 Understanding shared delusions

03:33 The Jonestown tragedy and its impact

08:57 Echo chambers and group loyalty

10:01 Cult-like political movements

13:46 Discussing vaccine misinformation dynamics

18:39 Handling unhealthy group dynamics

For inquiries: [email protected]

Check out: https://yaldasafaimd.com/

@YaldaSafaimd on Instagram

@YaldaSafaimd on TikTok

@FreudandFelons on Instagram

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7eTsH62...

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

Freud and Felons is not another true crime podcast - it's a journey into the psychology of devious human behavior. I'm Yalda Safai, a psychiatrist who works with inmates, sits through courtrooms, and, just like you, am fascinated by a good true crime story. Instead of "How", let's dive into the "Why" behind the crimes.

Why do upstanding citizens just snap one day and murder their spouses?

Why did Ted Bundy have so many fans?

What does the word psychopath truly mean?

Most importantly, why are YOU so obsessed with a good crime story?

Welcome to Freud and Felons.

Subscribe if you want to understand the psychology behind today’s toughest headlines.

Produced by Through The Noise: https://www.getthroughthenoise.com/

Join Dr. Yalda Safai in this episode of Freud and Felons as she speaks with Sarah, who opens up about her difficult journey through addiction, untreated mental health issues, and repeated interactions with the criminal justice system.

Sarah recounts how childhood trauma and unaddressed pain led her to dependency on prescription pain pills, which eventually spiraled into homelessness and alcohol addiction. Learn all about the lack of effective support systems, the many barriers to accessing mental health and addiction treatment, and how these failures often result in cycles of incarceration and relapse. Sarah also reflects on her experiences in jail, the lack of follow-up care after release, and the importance of peer support and decriminalization for real change.

00:00 Struggles with health and homelessness

03:05 Developing dependence on pain medication

06:16 Feeling rejected by family

11:12 Struggling with painkiller addiction

13:14 Struggling to access treatment

18:35 Hospital visit and misunderstanding

21:40 Wishes for mental health support

25:03 Struggles with finding effective help

For inquiries: [email protected]

Check out: https://yaldasafaimd.com/

@YaldaSafaimd on Instagram

@YaldaSafaimd on TikTok

@FreudandFelons on Instagram

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7eTsH62...

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

Freud and Felons is not another true crime podcast - it's a journey into the psychology of devious human behavior. I'm Yalda Safai, a psychiatrist who works with inmates, sits through courtrooms, and, just like you, am fascinated by a good true crime story. Instead of "How", let's dive into the "Why" behind the crimes.

Why do upstanding citizens just snap one day and murder their spouses?

Why did Ted Bundy have so many fans?

What does the word psychopath truly mean?

Most importantly, why are YOU so obsessed with a good crime story?

Welcome to Freud and Felons.

Subscribe if you want to understand the psychology behind today’s toughest headlines.

Produced by Through The Noise: https://www.getthroughthenoise.com/

Explore the unsettling reality of high-potency cannabis and its link to psychosis, violent crime, and legal controversy.

In this episode of Freud and Felons, Dr. Yalda Safai dives deep into cases where marijuana use led to psychotic breaks and tragic outcomes, highlighting how today's concentrated THC products differ dramatically from those of the past.

Learn how THC hijacks key brain systems, why certain groups—like teens and those with a family history of schizophrenia—are at greater risk, and why both the legal system and society need to reconsider their approach to cannabis regulation and education.

00:00 Exploring cannabis induced psychosis
03:12 Effects of high-potency marijuana
08:29 THC's impact on brain function
10:08 Impacts of high THC products
14:53 Cannabis, psychosis, and legal issues

For inquiries: [email protected]

Check out: https://yaldasafaimd.com/

@YaldaSafaimd on Instagram

@YaldaSafaimd on TikTok

@FreudandFelons on Instagram

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7eTsH62...

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

Freud and Felons is not another true crime podcast - it's a journey into the psychology of devious human behavior. I'm Yalda Safai, a psychiatrist who works with inmates, sits through courtrooms, and, just like you, am fascinated by a good true crime story. Instead of "How", let's dive into the "Why" behind the crimes.

Why do upstanding citizens just snap one day and murder their spouses?

Why did Ted Bundy have so many fans?

What does the word psychopath truly mean?

Most importantly, why are YOU so obsessed with a good crime story?

Welcome to Freud and Felons.

Subscribe if you want to understand the psychology behind today’s toughest headlines.

Produced by Through The Noise: https://www.getthroughthenoise.com/

Explore the hidden risks of turning to AI chatbots for therapy in this revealing episode of Freud and Felons. Dr. Yalda Safai dives into real-life cases where individuals became dangerously attached to AI, leading to delusions, psychotic breaks, and tragic outcomes, including instances of suicide and preventable deaths.

Find out how chatbots can reinforce harmful beliefs, the specific dangers posed to vulnerable populations, and why AI lacks the emotional intelligence and accountability required for real mental health support. Dr. Safai also focuses on the privacy implications of sharing your most personal thoughts with AI systems and highlights the critical difference between genuine human care and what AI can offer.

00:00 Jacob Irwin's AI influence

05:39 Alerting authorities about security threat

06:32 Tragic outcomes linked to AI

09:43 Risks of AI in mental health

14:38 AI limitations in mental health support

16:18 Podcast introduction and call to action

For inquiries: [email protected]

Check out: https://yaldasafaimd.com/

@YaldaSafaimd on Instagram

@YaldaSafaimd on TikTok

@FreudandFelons on Instagram

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7eTsH62...

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

Freud and Felons is not another true crime podcast - it's a journey into the psychology of devious human behavior. I'm Yalda Safai, a psychiatrist who works with inmates, sits through courtrooms, and, just like you, am fascinated by a good true crime story. Instead of "How", let's dive into the "Why" behind the crimes.

Why do upstanding citizens just snap one day and murder their spouses?

Why did Ted Bundy have so many fans?

What does the word psychopath truly mean?

Most importantly, why are YOU so obsessed with a good crime story?

Welcome to Freud and Felons.

Subscribe if you want to understand the psychology behind today’s toughest headlines.

Produced by Through The Noise: https://www.getthroughthenoise.com/