In this episode of 'Chemistry for Your Life,' hosts Melissa and Jam introduce special guest Claire Caballero, a pharmacology and neuroscience PhD student, to discuss how antidepressants work. Claire explains the role of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and GABA in mental health, the mechanisms of various antidepressants such as SSRIs, tricyclic an ... Show More
Jan 15
Does wool actually resist odor and bacteria?
#229 What makes wool an essential fabric for many people? Is lanolin truly antimicrobial, or is wool itself responsible for its famed properties? Join us as we unravel the complexities of wool and lanolin, diving into its chemical structure, historical anecdotes, and surprising a ... Show More
41m 9s
Mar 2025
The Serotonin Hypothesis: Controversies and Nuance with Awais Aftab, MD
Is depression really caused by low serotonin? Dr. Awais Aftab joins Dr. David Puder to explore the serotonin hypothesis, antidepressant efficacy, and the controversies surrounding SSRIs. They dive into the history of the serotonin deficiency theory, key research on antidepressant ... Show More
1h 16m
Dec 2024
Your Brain On... Ketamine
<p dir="ltr"><strong>For decades, ketamine has mainly been used as an anaesthetic, but in more recent years, it's gained popularity in mental health treatment.</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Conversations around the benefits and risks associated with its therapeutic usage ignited towa ... Show More
44m 45s
Jun 2025
Rethinking Mental Health: What The Science Actually Says About Depression, The Side Effects of Antidepressants & Finding Balance with Professor Joanna Moncrieff #563
CAUTION: If you are taking antidepressants or any other psychiatric medication, do not stop or adjust your dosage without first consulting a qualified healthcare professional. Coming off these medications without proper guidance can lead to serious withdrawal symptoms. Always see ... Show More
1h 55m
Nov 2023
Pharmacology of Mood Disorders Part 1
A few weeks ago, MS3 Bilal Rana hosted an episode on Mood Disorders. This is a two-part follow-up to that episode, with a packed and powerful review of the pharmacology of mood disorders – what are the drugs we use to treat mood disorders, and how do they work? In part 1, we cove ... Show More
1h 4m
Oct 2024
Is NAC Promising in Bipolar and Depression Treatment?
<p>In this episode, we explore the potential of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in treating mood disorders. We discuss its mechanism of action, clinical evidence for its use in depression and bipolar disorder, and its possible benefits for both adults and children. <strong>Could this natu ... Show More
7m 58s
Sep 2025
The Crisis of Despair w/ P.E. Moskowitz
Julia is joined by genius mind P.E. Moskowitz for a conversation about their new memoir Breaking Awake, which chronicles the mental breakdown that drove them to experiment with drugs, reckon with trauma, and draw meaning from suffering. From Klonopin and SSRIs to ketamine and LSD ... Show More
55m 51s