When I first heard that the psychedelic, MDMA, was part of a clinical trial for the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) 4 years ago, I was very surprised and a bit confused. MDMA (aka Ecstasy) had been demonized as a party drug for several decades associated with a lot of negative consequences. But in 2021, Science magazine published a study on MDMA assisted therapy for PTSD. So what is the truth about MDMA? In this article, I will unravel this paradox about MDMA and its implications for treating psychiatric problems.

I had the opportunity to recently attend a “Psychedelics and Psychiatry” conference and was struck by so many new developments over the past year. Some lingering questions from recent years now have some answers but there are always new questions since the research into psychedelics is still in its infancy. In this article, I will share the top 5 take home messages about psychedelics that are relevant to the practice of psychiatry.

While most people think of lithium as a medication for severe mental health problems, research since the 1970s has strongly suggested that low levels of lithium also function as a nutrient. The World Health Organization considers lithium a nutritionally essential trace element, alongside zinc, iodine, and others. In this next article, I will discuss these other uses of lithium that may not even require a doctor’s prescription.

Many believe that people with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) can never really get better. However, we now know the perception of BPD as having a bad prognosis over time is incorrect. Multiple studies have confirmed that substantial improvement occurs and that, in fact, BPD has the best prognosis of all major psychiatric disorders. In this next article, I will present an overview of BPD and the keys to a good outcome.

There has been a recent online storm about a review article that announced the death of the serotonin “chemical imbalance” theory of depression. In this next article, I will highlight the evolution of our updated understanding about the cause of depression.

Oftentimes when looking to improve mental health, the first ideas to come to mind are things like beginning therapy, exercise or meditation. One of the most overlooked steps is to simply remain properly hydrated. In this next article, I will discuss the mental health benefits of water and a simple experiment you can do for yourself to see what you notice when you are properly hydrated.

Did you know that there is a “hidden lobe” in the brain that is not well known by many mental health professionals, yet serves one of the most critical functions in the experiencing of one’s own emotional state of being? In this next article, I will highlight how the insula went from relative obscurity to a starring role in what it feels like to be human and what that may mean for psychiatric treatment in the future.

You may recall that last spring I shared an acrylic painting of North America that was based upon a dream I had. This next painting is a companion to that painting but is much simpler in design and was completed in just 4 months. At first glance, it looks like a bunch of animals surrounded by a lot of water but take a really good look at it to see if you can figure what the painting is really about. In this next article, I will highlight what this painting is based upon and discuss some of its details.