Psychopharmacology and Psychiatry Updates

In this episode, we explore the critical decision of when to add lithium or valproate to second-generation antipsychotics in mixed manic episodes. Should you rush to combination therapy under managed care pressure, or does patience with strategic benzodiazepine bridging lead to better outcomes? Faculty: David Osser, M.D. Host: Richard Seeber, M.D. Learn more about our memberships here Earn 1.25 CMEs: An Update on Bipolar Mania Algorithm Choosing Between Valproate or Lithium Augmentation for Bipolar Mania With Mixed Features

In this episode, we explore a provocative argument for reconsidering disulfiram as a first-line treatment for alcohol use disorder. Could this decades-old medication, often dismissed as outdated and dangerous, actually be more effective than newer alternatives when used in appropriately selected patients? Faculty: David Gorelick, M.D. Host: Richard Seeber, M.D. Learn more about our membership here Earn 0.75 CMEs: Quick Take Vol. 74 Alcohol Use Disorder: Should Disulfiram Be First-Line?

In this episode, we explore the complex pharmacological management of mixed mania, a challenging bipolar presentation affecting up to 40% of manic episodes. Why do traditional mood stabilizers like lithium fall short, and which second-generation antipsychotics emerge as first-line treatments for this dual-symptom condition? Faculty: David Osser, M.D. Host: Richard Seeber, M.D. Learn more about our memberships here Earn 1.5 CME: Lithium: How to Manage Dosage and Side Effects Managing Renal Side Effects of Lithium Therapy

In this episode, we explore psychedelic-assisted therapy in clinical practice, examining how these treatments differ fundamentally from traditional pharmacotherapy. Can psychiatrists reconcile mystical experiences with evidence-based medicine while navigating the complex therapeutic paradigm of preparation, 8-hour sessions, and integration work? Faculty: Franklin King, M.D. Host: Richard Seeber, M.D. Learn more about our memberships here Earn 1.25 CMEs: Use of Psychedelic Drugs in Psychiatry Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy in Clinical Practice

In this episode, we explore groundbreaking research revealing that lower doses of lurasidone (40-60mg) may be more effective for bipolar depression than higher doses. Could we be over-medicating our patients when the sweet spot for both efficacy and tolerability lies in this unexpected lower range? Faculty: Kristin Raj, M.D. Host: Richard Seeber, M.D. Learn more about our membership here Earn 0.75 CMEs: Quick Take Vol. 74 Lurasidone for Bipolar Depression: What Is the Optimal Dose?

In this episode, we explore a compelling comparison between olanzapine and risperidone for managing behavioral symptoms in dementia patients. Are the delusions we see in Alzheimer's disease actually true delusions, or something entirely different that requires a new treatment approach? Faculty: Scott Beach, M.D. Host: Richard Seeber, M.D. Learn more about our membership here Earn 0.75 CME: Quick Take Vol. 73 Alzheimer's Disease: Olanzapine vs. Risperidone for BPSD

In this episode, we explore the complex drug-drug interactions between psychedelics and psychiatric medications. Do SSRIs really blunt psychedelic effects, or is this just clinical folklore? We'll examine surprising new research and discuss potentially dangerous combinations every psychiatrist should know. Faculty: Franklin King, M.D. Host: Richard Seeber, M.D. Learn more about our memberships here Earn 1.25 CME: Use of Psychedelic Drugs in Psychiatry Examining the Combined Use of Psychedelics and Psychiatric Drugs

In this episode, we challenge the conventional wisdom of "what gets them well keeps them well" by exploring groundbreaking Finnish research on bipolar disorder medication dosing. Does maintaining patients on high doses actually improve long-term outcomes, or could standard doses be the optimal strategy for relapse prevention? Faculty: Kristin Raj, M.D. Host: Richard Seeber, M.D. Learn more about our memberships here Earn 0.75 CME: Quick Take Vol. 73 Bipolar Disorder Maintenance: What's the Optimal Dose Range?

In this episode, we explore how psychedelics like psilocybin disrupt the brain's default mode network, creating windows of neuroplasticity that correlate with mystical experiences and therapeutic breakthroughs in treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and addiction. Faculty: Franklin King, M.D. Host: Richard Seeber, M.D. Learn more about our membership here Earn 1.25 CMEs: Use of Psychedelic Drugs in Psychiatry How Psychedelics Influence Brain Networks

In this episode, we explore groundbreaking research showing how long-acting injectable antipsychotics can literally save lives in schizophrenia treatment. Could choosing the right medication delivery method be the difference between a patient thriving or facing premature death by 15-20 years? Faculty: Oliver Freudenreich, M.D. Host: Richard Seeber, M.D. Learn more about our memberships here Earn 0.75 CME: Quick Take Vol. 73 Long-Acting Injectables: Superior for Reducing Mortality in Schizophrenia?