The Dr Suzette Glasner Podcast

According to his sister, Matthew Perry spent approximately $7 million trying to get sober. What can his experience teach us about addiction, treatment safety, and choosing effective care?Clinical psychologist and addiction scientist Dr. Suzette Glasner examines Netflix’s The One About Matthew Perry, connecting his story with research and practical guidance for parents, patients and families.This episode explores:* Early addiction risks: What parents should know about adolescent drinking, supplying alcohol at home, and opioid prescriptions after injuries.* Ketamine’s benefits and risks: Why addiction history, careful monitoring and communication between providers matter when considering a powerful treatment.* Finding quality care: Why expensive rehab does not necessarily mean effective treatment—and what to ask about medications, behavioral therapies and support after discharge.Dr. Glasner also explains why increased risk is not destiny and why families should not blame themselves for a loved one’s addiction. Perry’s story underscores the importance of accessible, evidence-based care while honoring his determination and openness about his struggles.You can watch the full episode here:🔔 Follow The Dr. Suzette Glasner Podcast for new episodes every Thursday on the psychology and neuroscience of mental health, addiction, and behavior.🎥 Watch this and other episodes on YouTube.📩 Send questions or topic requests: [email protected]🧩 Learn more: drglasner.comFor help finding substance use treatment, contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visit FindTreatment.gov. For a life-threatening emergency, call 911.This episode is for educational purposes and is not individualized medical advice.#MatthewPerry #Addiction #Ketamine #AddictionRecovery #AddictionTreatment #TheOneAboutMatthewPerry This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drglasner.substack.com

Your teen trusts a chatbot with their feelings. Should you trust its advice?Clinical psychologist and addiction scientist Dr. Suzette Glasner explores what happens when teenagers turn to AI chatbots for emotional support—and what parents need to know about their limitations.Drawing on her clinical expertise and recent research on AI mental health chatbot safety, Dr. Glasner examines a disputed Common Sense Media assessment of ChatGPT’s teen safeguards, OpenAI’s response, and the broader questions facing families across chatbot platforms.This episode examines:* What safety testing reveals about crisis responses, parent notifications, and the limits of parental controls.* Why a chatbot’s agreement can feel supportive without providing sound advice.* How to evaluate chatbots marketed for mental health—and help teens build a plan for human support.You can watch the full episode here:Simulated safety tests cannot tell us how often teenagers experience harm in everyday use. But concerning responses in plausible crisis situations deserve attention. Dr. Glasner offers practical guidance for talking with teens about AI, recognizing concerning changes in their behavior, and knowing when professional help is needed.🔔 Follow The Dr. Suzette Glasner Podcast for new episodes every Thursday on the psychology and neuroscience of mental health, addiction, and behavior.📩 Send questions or topic requests: [email protected]🎥 Watch this and other episodes on YouTube🧩 Learn more about Dr. Glasner: drglasner.comIf you or someone you know needs crisis support in the United States, call 988 or text 988. For immediate danger or a medical emergency, call 911.This episode is for educational purposes and is not individualized medical advice. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drglasner.substack.com

A young woman takes what she believes is Xanax. She becomes unresponsive and improves after receiving naloxone—but her initial hospital drug screen is negative for both opiates and fentanyl. More advanced testing identifies cychlorphine in her blood.How can someone encounter an opioid without knowing it—and what can ordinary drug testing miss?Clinical psychologist and addiction scientist Dr. Suzette Glasner examines cychlorphine, a potent synthetic opioid found in counterfeit medication and drug mixtures. Following Los Angeles County’s October 15 announcement of its first confirmed fatal overdose involving the substance, she explains what the research reveals, what remains uncertain, and what families should know.This episode examines:• What cychlorphine does to the body• How it reaches people through counterfeit pills and the changing illicit drug supply• What documented cases reveal about teenagers, adults, and unexpected exposure• The limits of fentanyl testing, the role of naloxone, and practical steps to reduce overdose riskYou can watch the full episode here:A person does not have to be seeking an opioid to encounter one. Dr. Glasner explains why the source of a pill matters, why a negative fentanyl test cannot establish safety, and why recognizing an overdose promptly can save a life.RESOURCESDrug Checking LA: https://www.drugcheckingla.com/Naloxone information:https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/reversing-overdose/about-naloxone.htmlSAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)Treatment locator: https://findtreatment.govPoison Control: 1-800-222-1222 https://www.poison.orgIf someone cannot be awakened or is breathing slowly or abnormally, call 911 immediately and administer naloxone if available. Follow dispatcher instructions and stay with the person until emergency help arrives.🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on the psychology and neuroscience of mental health, addiction, and behavior.📩 Send your questions or topic requests: [email protected]🎥 Watch The Dr. Suzette Glasner Podcast on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@drglasner🧩 Learn more about Dr. Glasner: https://drglasner.comThis episode is for educational purposes and is not individualized medical advice. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drglasner.substack.com

New toxicology findings have changed what we know about the deaths of two Ole Miss students. According to federal court documents, Aidan Hamilton, 18, and Robert Strang, 20, both had mitragynine, MGM-15 and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl (MGPI) in their blood. What are these compounds—and how do they differ from natural kratom leaf?Clinical psychologist and addiction scientist Dr. Suzette Glasner examines the findings reported in court documents and the science behind the substances identified. Building on her earlier coverage in Episode 74, she explains why lab-made kratom derivatives raise different concerns from the plant itself.The episode also features excerpts from Dr. Glasner’s NewsNation appearance, with a deeper discussion of product potency, access and what families should know.You can watch the full episode here:This episode examines:• What the reported toxicology findings establish—and what remains unknown• How mitragynine, MGM-15 and MGPI differ, and why those differences matter• How opioid effects can impair breathing and increase the danger of combining sedating substances• Why product labeling and retail availability can leave consumers unaware of what they are taking• What parents and young adults should know about warning signs, naloxone and seeking helpThe presence of a substance in a toxicology report does not, by itself, establish the cause of death. Dr. Glasner distinguishes the reported findings from unanswered questions about each student’s death, while explaining the broader concerns surrounding potent products marketed under the familiar name “kratom.”RESOURCESIf you are experiencing tolerance, withdrawal, cravings or difficulty controlling your use of kratom or related products, consider speaking with a qualified healthcare professional.SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)Treatment locator: https://findtreatment.govPoison Control: 1-800-222-1222 https://www.poison.orgIf someone cannot be awakened or is breathing slowly or abnormally, call 911 immediately and administer naloxone if available.🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on the psychology and neuroscience of mental health, addiction, and behavior.📩 Send your questions or topic requests: [email protected]🎥 Watch The Dr. Suzette Glasner Podcast on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@drglasner🧩 Learn more about Dr. Glasner: https://drglasner.comThis episode is for educational purposes and is not individualized medical advice. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drglasner.substack.com

Getting help for addiction is a critical step—but the moments around entering treatment, leaving it, or moving between levels of care can leave people especially vulnerable.Licensed clinical psychologist and addiction scientist Dr. Suzette Glasner examines the deaths of Presley Gerber and Hayden Panettiere through the lens of these transitions. She distinguishes confirmed findings from reported details and explores what their stories can teach us about planning for safety throughout recovery.What is the difference between a sober-living home, rehab, and medical detox? Why can a return to opioid use after time in treatment become particularly dangerous? And what should families ask when choosing care for someone they love?You can watch the full episode here:This episode covers:• How to distinguish recovery housing from clinical treatment—and why the right level of care matters.• How reduced opioid tolerance, fentanyl, and combinations of sedating drugs can increase overdose risk.• What safer transitions can include: follow-up appointments, medications for opioid use disorder, naloxone, and a clear plan for responding to relapse.Recovery is an ongoing process. The support between treatment settings deserves as much attention as the treatment itself.🎧 Subscribe for new episodes every Thursday: www.youtube.com/@drglasner💬 Leave a comment or email with your questions or suggestions for future episodes: [email protected] ↗ Share this episode with someone navigating treatment or supporting a loved one.For treatment information and referrals, call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).For emotional distress or a mental health crisis, call or text 988.For a suspected overdose or another medical emergency, call 911.#PresleyGerber #HaydenPanettiere #AddictionRecovery #AddictionTreatment #OverdosePrevention #SoberLiving This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drglasner.substack.com

Two Ole Miss students died on the same day. Investigators found packages labeled “SMAX” near both students, and authorities issued a warning about kratom. But what does that finding actually tell us—and what remains unknown?Clinical psychologist and addiction scientist Dr. Suzette Glasner separates the confirmed facts from speculation and explains why identifying the exact products involved matters. At the time of recording, the causes of either death had not been publicly confirmed.Dr. Glasner also revisits her conversations with Patti Wheeler, executive producer of Kratom: Side Effects May Include, and film directors Jamie and Jason Neese. Their documentary explores the changing kratom marketplace through families who lost loved ones, researchers, policymakers and people who say kratom has helped them.This episode examines:• What investigators found near the two students—and what remains unconfirmed• Why botanical kratom, concentrated extracts, enhanced 7-OH and synthetic derivatives deserve different scrutiny• What the documentary reveals about consumer awareness and the kratom debate• What consumers should understand about labeling, dependence, withdrawal and potentially dangerous combinationsYou can watch the full episode here: Finding a product near someone does not establish that it caused their death. Understanding what is actually in that product is essential to interpreting the evidence—and helping consumers make informed decisions.EXPLORE THE DOCUMENTARYKratom: Side Effects May Include: https://kratomsideeffectsmayinclude.com/Patti Wheeler interview:Jamie and Jason Neese interview:Joe Rogan and kratom episode:RESOURCESIf you are experiencing tolerance, withdrawal, cravings or difficulty controlling your use of kratom or related products, consider speaking with a qualified healthcare professional.SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)https://findtreatment.govPoison Control: 1-800-222-1222https://www.poison.orgFor an immediate mental-health or substance-related crisis, call or text 988. Call 911 for a life-threatening emergency.🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on the psychology and neuroscience of mental health, addiction, and behavior.📩 Send your questions or topic requests: [email protected]🎥 Watch The Dr. Suzette Glasner Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drglasner🧩 Learn more about Dr. Glasner: https://drglasner.comThis episode is for educational purposes and is not individualized medical advice. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drglasner.substack.com

In recognition of Suicide Prevention Month, clinical psychologist and addiction scientist Dr. Suzette Glasner sits down with Zak Williams—a mental health advocate, entrepreneur, filmmaker, husband, and father—for a deeply personal conversation about grief, addiction recovery, and finding purpose after profound loss.🎥 You can watch the full video episode here:Zak reflects on the experiences that shaped his path through addiction and recovery. He also speaks about losing his father, the late actor and comedian Robin Williams, and how that loss influenced his mental health, relationships, advocacy, and approach to parenting.While reflecting on Robin Williams’ legacy, Zak shares the life and mission he has built in his own right. He discusses his work as a mental health advocate, the challenges of balancing entrepreneurship with family life, and why nutrition became a focus of his mental wellness company, PYM.Zak also discusses his involvement in Deathbridge, a documentary examining suicide at the Golden Gate Bridge and the long effort to install a suicide-deterrent net. He describes what drew him to the project, what made it personally challenging, and what he hopes the film will change about the way we understand—and prevent—suicide.This is a conversation about carrying grief without being defined by it, finding recovery after addiction, caring for your own mental health while helping others, and building a meaningful life after loss.🧠 Learn more about Zak Williams and PYM: https://youcanpym.com🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes exploring the psychology and neuroscience of mental health, addiction, and behavior.🎧 Listen to more episodes of The Dr. Suzette Glasner Podcast:https://www.youtube.com/@drglasner📩 Send your questions or topic requests: [email protected]🧩 Learn more about Dr. Glasner: https://drglasner.comIf you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health or substance-use crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If there is an immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.#ZakWilliams #RobinWilliams #SuicidePreventionMonth #MentalHealthAdvocacy #AddictionRecovery #Grief #Deathbridge #MentalHealth This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drglasner.substack.com

Hayden Panettiere’s Death: Was It a Counterfeit Pill?What the reported fentanyl theory could reveal about fake oxycodone, pain, addiction, and today’s overdose crisisNew reports suggest investigators are examining whether Hayden Panettiere took what she believed was oxycodone—but may instead have received a counterfeit pill containing fentanyl.Her official cause of death has not been determined. Toxicology results are still pending, no supplier has been charged, and the counterfeit-pill explanation remains a working theory attributed to law-enforcement sources.Clinical psychologist and addiction scientist Dr. Suzette Glasner explains what it really means when a drug is “cut” with fentanyl, why counterfeit pills are manufactured to resemble familiar medications, and why even experienced users cannot reliably identify them by their appearance.She also examines how physical pain can become part of the pathway to risky opioid use, which groups currently face the highest overdose death rates, and what can reduce the risk—including naloxone, fentanyl test strips, avoiding solitary use, and effective treatment for opioid use disorder.You can watch the full episode here:If you find this episode useful, please subscribe and share it. Someone may be holding a pill and assuming they know what is inside.If you suspect an overdose, call 911 and administer naloxone immediately. For treatment information, call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). For an immediate mental-health or substance-use crisis, call or text 988.🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on the psychology and neuroscience of mental health, addiction, and behavior.🎧 Watch or listen to more episodes of The Dr. Suzette Glasner Podcast:https://www.youtube.com/@drglasner📩 Send your questions or topic requests:[email protected]🧩 Learn more about Dr. Glasner: https://drglasner.com#HaydenPanettiere #CounterfeitPills #Fentanyl #OpioidCrisis #AddictionRecovery This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drglasner.substack.com

A little over a month ago, the federal government moved toward placing concentrated 7-hydroxymitragynine—better known as 7-OH—into Schedule I. The federal comment period has now closed, but state and local governments have not waited for a final decision.North Dakota came within one vote of banning kratom entirely before adopting a narrower law that bans synthetic kratom products, limits natural kratom to adults 21 and older, and establishes labeling and licensing requirements. Massachusetts has taken a broader approach to kratom products, while California has removed thousands of kratom and 7-OH products from stores—yet acknowledges that online sellers remain difficult to reach.In Episode 71, Dr. Suzette Glasner examines:• Where the federal 7-OH scheduling process currently stands• Why Schedule I restrictions could impact scientific research• The difference between concentrated 7-OH products and natural kratom leaf• Why North Dakota rejected a total kratom ban• How Massachusetts and California are approaching enforcement• Why “natural” kratom should not automatically be considered harmlessYou can watch the full episode here: Dr. Suzette Glasner is a licensed clinical psychologist and addiction scientist at UCLA who studies addiction, mental health and digitally delivered behavioral healthcare.KEY SOURCESFederal 7-OH scheduling and public-comment process:https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/26/2026-17409/hydroxymitragynine-above-a-specified-threshold-in-schedule-i-extension-of-comment-periodNorth Dakota legislation:https://www.nd.gov/news/armstrong-signs-bill-banning-synthetic-kratom-restricting-natural-kratom-21-and-olderKratom use disorder research:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38441236/RESOURCESIf you are experiencing tolerance, withdrawal, cravings or difficulty controlling your use of kratom or 7-OH, consider speaking with a qualified healthcare professional.SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/helplines/national-helplineFind treatment:https://findtreatment.govNaloxone information:https://www.cdc.gov/stop-overdose/caring/naloxone.htmlPoison Control: 1-800-222-1222https://www.poison.orgFor an immediate mental-health or substance-related crisis, call or text 988. Call 911 for a life-threatening emergency.🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on the psychology and neuroscience of mental health, addiction, and behavior.📩 Send your questions or topic requests: [email protected]🎧 Watch and listen to more episodes → The Dr. Suzette Glasner Podcastwww.youtube.com/@drglasner🧩 Learn more about Dr. Glasner: https://drglasner.comThis episode is for educational purposes and is not individualized medical advice.#Kratom #7OH #AddictionScience #DrugPolicy #MentalHealth This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drglasner.substack.com

Are antidepressants overprescribed—and could therapy work just as well for many of the people taking them?Clinical psychologist and scientist Dr. Suzette Glasner examines what the research actually shows about antidepressants, psychotherapy, and the growing debate over psychiatric overprescribing.Large studies comparing antidepressant medication with structured psychotherapy—especially cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT—have found surprisingly small differences in effectiveness for many people with depression and anxiety. But that does not mean antidepressants do not work or are never necessary. For severe, recurrent, psychotic, or highly impairing depression, medication can be an essential and sometimes lifesaving part of treatment.The more important question is whether antidepressants have become the default in cases where therapy, lifestyle changes, or a more complete assessment might address the underlying problem just as effectively.Chapters0:00 Are Antidepressants Overprescribed?0:43 Jim Carrey on His Experience With Prozac1:40 Therapy vs. Antidepressants: What Research Shows5:55 When Antidepressants Are Clearly Indicated8:46 Jim Carrey: Alcohol, Caffeine and CBT13:29 Is Talk Therapy Making a Comeback?14:25 RFK Jr.’s Antidepressant Claims, Fact-Checked15:05 Discontinuation Syndrome vs. Addiction19:15 How to Taper Antidepressants More SafelyYou can watch the full episode here:This episode explores:• How antidepressants compare with CBT for depression and anxiety• When medication is clearly indicated—and when therapy may be equally effective• How alcohol, caffeine, sleep, and other factors can affect or worsen depression• Whether antidepressants are truly difficult to discontinue• The difference between antidepressant withdrawal and addiction• RFK Jr.’s claim that SSRIs can be harder to quit than heroin• What RFK Jr. gets right—and wrongDo not stop or reduce an antidepressant abruptly or without consulting a qualified healthcare professional. Some people require a gradual, individualized taper, particularly after long-term treatment.Dr. Suzette Glasner is a licensed clinical psychologist, digital health executive, and addiction scientist who serves on the faculty at UCLA.If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 or visit https://988lifeline.org.🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on the psychology and neuroscience of mental health, addiction, and behavior.📩 Send your questions or topic requests: [email protected]🎧 Listen to more episodes → The Dr. Suzette Glasner Podcast[www.youtube.com/@drglasner](http://www.youtube.com/@drglasner)🧩 Learn more about Dr. Glasner: https://drglasner.com#Antidepressants #RFKJr #MentalHealth #DepressionTreatment #SSRIs #CBT #AntidepressantWithdrawal This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drglasner.substack.com