Side Effects with Dr. Josef

Josef Witt-Doerring

A podcast investigating the hidden costs of modern psychiatric care.

Hosted by Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring, a former FDA medical officer and internationally recognized drug safety expert, this show examines what patients are rarely told about psychiatric medications, including overlooked withdrawal syndromes, long-term risks, and the real-world outcomes many experience after treatment.Through in-depth expert interviews and candid conversations, we explore where mainstream psychiatry falls short and what informed, ethical care should actually look like.

If you or someone you care about is questioning psychiatric treatment, struggling with medication side effects, or considering tapering, you’ll find clear education, critical context, and evidence-based guidance here.Learn more about safe, physician-guided tapering and educational resources at taperclinic.com.

Learn more about our Tapering Program.

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#188
August 13 · 18 min
Heath Ledger: The Prescription Cocktail No One Caught
Click here for a free admissions assessment with our team who can help you: https://taperclinic.com/start-your-taper?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=start-your-taper&utm_content=pod-notes-heath-ledger-brain-injury-260812 Grab our free Tapering Guide Here: https://taperclinic.com/free-guide?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=free-guide&utm_content=pod-notes-heath-ledger-brain-injury-260812 Heath Ledger's death in January 2008 was ruled an accidental overdose, but was that the whole story? In this video, we look at the years of chronic insomnia that preceded it, and how long-term sedative use may have played a larger role than the toxicology report suggests. We cover: How demanding film schedules, caffeine, alcohol, and sleep medication can build into a cycle of chronic insomnia Why benzodiazepines and Z-drugs aren't recommended long-term, including worsening anxiety and depression, and benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction (BIND), which can cause severe anxiety, sleep disruption, muscle spasms, and akathisia The personal stressors in Ledger's final months, and the reports of severe insomnia and restlessness that followed Why combining benzodiazepines with opioids carries a boxed warning for respiratory depression and death The case that the compounding effects of multiple sedatives, rather than a single overdose event, may be the more accurate explanation If you're taking sedatives long term, please don't stop abruptly. Withdrawal can be dangerous. Talk to your doctor about a plan, and consider addressing the underlying causes of insomnia rather than treating the symptom indefinitely. CONNECT WITH ME: - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjosefwittdoerring/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjosefwittdoerring - X/Twitter: https://x.com/DrJosefWD - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drjosefwittdoerring/ - Website: https://taperclinic.com/ DISCLAIMER: All the information on this channel is for educational and/or entertainment purposes and not intended to be specific/personal medical advice from me to you. Watching the videos, or getting answers to comments/question, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you have your own doctor, these videos can maybe help you prepare for your discussion with him. We do our best to spread awareness with these videos, but for legal reasons we can’t answer health questions in the comments. If you leave questions, we’ll make videos about common questions in the future! If we catch incorrect health information, hate speech, illegal solicitation of drugs in the comments, we will remove them.
#187
August 5 · 15 min
The Truth Behind Matthew Perry's Addiction
Click here for a free admissions assessment with our team who can help you: https://taperclinic.com/start-your-taper/ Make sure to get your free personalized Medication Injury Recovery Guide: https://taperclinic.com/quiz-injury/ Matthew Perry's death on October 28, 2023 was ruled the result of the acute effects of ketamine, which left him unconscious and led to his drowning. The media focused on his addiction and the legal cases against his doctors and suppliers, but the more important question is why someone with immense resources and decades of therapy, rehab, and trauma treatment still couldn't beat addiction. In this video, I argue that addiction is often driven by overlooked physical health problems and acquired brain injuries, not just genetics or psychology. Perry was given a strong sedative as a colicky infant. Research links colic with later ADHD, gut-brain disorders, and inflammatory disease. And his first drink at 14 finally made him feel "normal." The pattern points to people self-medicating chronic physical and emotional discomfort. I also challenge the idea that addiction is a "progressive disease." What actually progresses is the cumulative damage from the drugs themselves, including Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, benzodiazepine-induced dysfunction, and opiate-induced hyperalgesia, which worsens baseline health and drives more desperate, high-risk behavior. Finally, I lay out a different approach to recovery: a 1 to 2 year "hard reset" of full abstinence to allow physical healing, a low-inflammatory whole-foods diet with weight loss and regular movement, and real medical care and accountability instead of just masking symptoms with more medication. CONNECT WITH ME: - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjosefwittdoerring/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjosefwittdoerring - X/Twitter: https://x.com/DrJosefWD - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drjosefwittdoerring/ - Website: https://taperclinic.com/ DISCLAIMER: All the information on this channel is for educational and/or entertainment purposes and not intended to be specific/personal medical advice from me to you. Watching the videos, or getting answers to comments/question, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you have your own doctor, these videos can maybe help you prepare for your discussion with him. We do our best to spread awareness with these videos, but for legal reasons we can’t answer health questions in the comments. If you leave questions, we’ll make videos about common questions in the future! If we catch incorrect health information, hate speech, illegal solicitation of drugs in the comments, we will remove them.
#186
July 30 · 1 hr 19 min
Everything You Want to Know About Benzo Withdrawal
Click here for a free admissions assessment with our team who can help you: https://taperclinic.com/start-your-taper/ Make sure to get your free personalized Medication Injury Recovery Guide: https://taperclinic.com/quiz-injury/ Everything You Want to Know About Benzo Withdrawal CONNECT WITH ME: - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjosefwittdoerring/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjosefwittdoerring - X/Twitter: https://x.com/DrJosefWD - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drjosefwittdoerring/ - Website: https://taperclinic.com/ DISCLAIMER: All the information on this channel is for educational and/or entertainment purposes and not intended to be specific/personal medical advice from me to you. Watching the videos, or getting answers to comments/question, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you have your own doctor, these videos can maybe help you prepare for your discussion with him. We do our best to spread awareness with these videos, but for legal reasons we can’t answer health questions in the comments. If you leave questions, we’ll make videos about common questions in the future! If we catch incorrect health information, hate speech, illegal solicitation of drugs in the comments, we will remove them.
#185
July 18 · 11 min
The Hidden Brain Injury Behind WWE Superstar Kurt Angle
Click here for a free admissions assessment with our team who can help you: https://taperclinic.com/start-your-taper/ Make sure to get your free personalized Medication Injury Recovery Guide: https://taperclinic.com/quiz-injury/ WWE and Olympic legend Kurt Angle is one of the toughest competitors to ever step in the ring but his most dangerous battle happened away from the cameras. In this video, we break down Angle's harrowing history with painkillers, benzodiazepines, and alcohol, and use his story to explain the real medical science behind poly-substance dependence and safe recovery. Angle broke his neck multiple times over his career and leaned heavily on opioids to manage chronic pain, eventually taking 15 to 20 pills at a time to hold off withdrawal. Later prescriptions for morphine and Xanax created a dangerous chemical mix that contributed to four DUIs in five years and brought him to the lowest point of his life. In this video we cover: Kurt Angle's escalating dependence on opioids, benzodiazepines, and alcohol Why mixing these substances is so deadly, respiratory depression, coma, and the risk of death as they compound CNS suppression The long-term toll of benzodiazepine use, from cognitive and motor impairment to increased accident risk What withdrawal really feels like, pain, severe anxiety, insomnia, and tremors Why Angle's rapid 6-day detox was incredibly risky, and how cold-turkey cessation can trigger life-threatening seizures Protracted withdrawal injury and why abrupt benzodiazepine cessation can damage neurons for months or years Why modern medical guidelines favor slow, gradual tapers, often 12 to 18 months or longer for long-term benzodiazepine users CONNECT WITH ME: - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjosefwittdoerring/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjosefwittdoerring - X/Twitter: https://x.com/DrJosefWD - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drjosefwittdoerring/ - Website: https://taperclinic.com/ DISCLAIMER: All the information on this channel is for educational and/or entertainment purposes and not intended to be specific/personal medical advice from me to you. Watching the videos, or getting answers to comments/question, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you have your own doctor, these videos can maybe help you prepare for your discussion with him. We do our best to spread awareness with these videos, but for legal reasons we can’t answer health questions in the comments. If you leave questions, we’ll make videos about common questions in the future! If we catch incorrect health information, hate speech, illegal solicitation of drugs in the comments, we will remove them.
#184
July 16 · 19 min
Psychiatrist Reacts to World Cup Star's Pill Addiction
Click here for a free admissions assessment with our team who can help you: https://taperclinic.com/start-your-taper/ Grab our free Tapering Guide Here: https://taperclinic.com/free-guide/ A psychiatrist breaks down the career decline and sleeping pill addiction of English footballer Dele Alli and what his story reveals about the link between childhood trauma and addiction. Dele Alli's early life was marked by severe trauma. In this video, we look at how that history shaped his relationship with sedatives, why sleeping pills became a daily coping tool rather than a sleep aid, and how long-term benzodiazepine use may have quietly derailed a career that critics wrongly blamed on "laziness." What we cover: How childhood trauma can leave the amygdala over activated, driving chronic anxiety and the urge to "numb" internal pain Why sedatives and sleeping pills are often used to escape hyperarousal, not for pleasure How Alli went from taking sleeping pills for rest to using them during the day to mask emotional pain Why benzodiazepines (like Xanax) are inappropriate for chronic insomnia, especially for people with a trauma history The link between long-term benzo use and increased anxiety, depression, and cognitive decline How these effects likely contributed to Alli's drop in form and the truth behind the "lazy" label Why asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness A critical warning: benzodiazepines must be tapered slowly to avoid severe, long-lasting withdrawal Recovery is possible, and no one should face these struggles alone. If you or someone you know is dealing with addiction or trauma, reaching out for professional support is a sign of strength. CONNECT WITH ME: - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjosefwittdoerring/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjosefwittdoerring - X/Twitter: https://x.com/DrJosefWD - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drjosefwittdoerring/ - Website: https://taperclinic.com/ DISCLAIMER: All the information on this channel is for educational and/or entertainment purposes and not intended to be specific/personal medical advice from me to you. Watching the videos, or getting answers to comments/question, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you have your own doctor, these videos can maybe help you prepare for your discussion with him. We do our best to spread awareness with these videos, but for legal reasons we can’t answer health questions in the comments. If you leave questions, we’ll make videos about common questions in the future! If we catch incorrect health information, hate speech, illegal solicitation of drugs in the comments, we will remove them.
#183
July 11 · 7 min
The Hidden Brain Injury Behind Stevie Nicks
Click here if you would like a free admissions consultation with our team to see if we can help you: https://taperclinic.com/start-your-taper/ Stevie Nicks & Klonopin: How One Prescription Nearly Destroyed Her Career For eight years, Stevie Nicks lived in what she called a "black hole." After leaving rehab for cocaine, a psychiatrist prescribed her Klonopin to prevent relapse, a benzodiazepine typically recommended for no more than nine weeks. She stayed on it for nearly a decade. In this video, we explore how Klonopin reshaped Stevie Nicks' life, creativity, and health: the weight gain that changed her relationship with the stage, the songs she couldn't write, the friendships she nearly lost, and the doctor she blames for repeatedly raising her dose. We follow her through the brutal 47 day detox in 1994, then unpack why coming off an eight year benzo habit that fast can be dangerously, even fatally, quick. We also go deeper into the science these drugs' users rarely hear: what benzodiazepines do to the brain over time, what "protracted withdrawal" really is, and why current guidelines from the American Society of Addiction Medicine now call for a slow, patient led taper of 12 to 18 months. CONNECT WITH ME: - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjosefwittdoerring/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjosefwittdoerring - X/Twitter: https://x.com/DrJosefWD - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drjosefwittdoerring/ - Website: https://taperclinic.com/ DISCLAIMER: All the information on this channel is for educational and/or entertainment purposes and not intended to be specific/personal medical advice from me to you. Watching the videos, or getting answers to comments/question, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you have your own doctor, these videos can maybe help you prepare for your discussion with him. We do our best to spread awareness with these videos, but for legal reasons we can’t answer health questions in the comments. If you leave questions, we’ll make videos about common questions in the future! If we catch incorrect health information, hate speech, illegal solicitation of drugs in the comments, we will remove them.
#182
July 10 · 28 min
How Cold Plunges Helped Him with Protracted Withdrawal
Click here if you need help quitting psychiatric medications: http://membership.taperclinic.com/signup/?utm_source=podcast Cold Plunge Cam is an Instagram influencer who has gained hundreds of thousands of followers, while sharing his mental health stories and experience with protracted withdrawal. Get your free personalized Medication Injury Recovery Guide: https://taperclinic.com/quiz-injury/ Join +6000 people learning how to taper on our newsletter: https://membership.taperclinic.com/newsletter CONNECT WITH ME: - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjosefwittdoerring/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjosefwittdoerring - X/Twitter: https://x.com/DrJosefWD - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drjosefwittdoerring/ - Website: https://taperclinic.com/ DISCLAIMER: All the information on this channel is for educational and/or entertainment purposes and not intended to be specific/personal medical advice from me to you. Watching the videos, or getting answers to comments/question, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you have your own doctor, these videos can maybe help you prepare for your discussion with him. We do our best to spread awareness with these videos, but for legal reasons we can’t answer health questions in the comments. If you leave questions, we’ll make videos about common questions in the future! If we catch incorrect health information, hate speech, illegal solicitation of drugs in the comments, we will remove them.
#181
July 7 · 1 hr 8 min
Former FDA Medical Officer Exposes the Risks of Zoloft
Click here if you need help quitting psychiatric medications: http://membership.taperclinic.com/signup/?utm_source=podcast This video goes over everything you would possibly need to know about antidepressant protracted withdrawal. Get our free tapering course: https://taperclinic.com/free-guide/ Join +6000 people learning how to taper on our newsletter: https://membership.taperclinic.com/newsletter CONNECT WITH ME: - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjosefwittdoerring/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjosefwittdoerring - X/Twitter: https://x.com/DrJosefWD - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drjosefwittdoerring/ - Website: https://taperclinic.com/ DISCLAIMER: All the information on this channel is for educational and/or entertainment purposes and not intended to be specific/personal medical advice from me to you. Watching the videos, or getting answers to comments/question, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you have your own doctor, these videos can maybe help you prepare for your discussion with him. We do our best to spread awareness with these videos, but for legal reasons we can’t answer health questions in the comments. If you leave questions, we’ll make videos about common questions in the future! If we catch incorrect health information, hate speech, illegal solicitation of drugs in the comments, we will remove them.
#179
July 2 · 22 min
The Chemical Imbalance Theory is a LIE: Here's Why
Click here if you need help quitting psychiatric medications: http://membership.taperclinic.com/signup/?utm_source=podcast Is Depression Really a "Chemical Imbalance"? A Psychiatrist Breaks Down the Myth For decades we were told that depression comes from a chemical imbalance in the brain, too little serotonin, and that antidepressants simply correct it. But what does the evidence actually say? In this video, I (a board-certified psychiatrist) walk through why the "chemical imbalance" explanation doesn't hold up, where the idea really came from, and what psychiatric medications are actually doing when you take them. This isn't about telling anyone to stop their medication. It's about understanding it clearly so you can make better decisions about your own care. What we cover: → The serotonin story. A major systematic review found no consistent evidence that depression is caused by low serotonin or other serotonin abnormalities. → Where the myth came from. How pharmaceutical marketing in the 2000s, including ads for drugs like Zoloft, popularized the "imbalance" narrative. → What actually drives depression. Life events, trauma, physical health, and relationships often matter far more than any single brain defect. → How these drugs really work. Why medications create characteristic effects on the brain (sometimes emotional blunting) rather than "curing" anything, and why they may mask symptoms without touching the root cause. → The long-term problem. Tolerance, escalating doses, and research suggesting the brain can adapt in ways that work against the medication's acute effects. → Three ways this myth causes harm: fostering dependency while real problems go unaddressed, crowding out holistic care, and leading patients to misread medication side effects as their illness getting worse. Get our free tapering course: https://taperclinic.com/free-guide/ Join +6000 people learning how to taper on our newsletter: https://membership.taperclinic.com/newsletter CONNECT WITH ME: - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjosefwittdoerring/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjosefwittdoerring - X/Twitter: https://x.com/DrJosefWD - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drjosefwittdoerring/ - Website: https://taperclinic.com/ DISCLAIMER: All the information on this channel is for educational and/or entertainment purposes and not intended to be specific/personal medical advice from me to you. Watching the videos, or getting answers to comments/question, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you have your own doctor, these videos can maybe help you prepare for your discussion with him. We do our best to spread awareness with these videos, but for legal reasons we can’t answer health questions in the comments. If you leave questions, we’ll make videos about common questions in the future! If we catch incorrect health information, hate speech, illegal solicitation of drugs in the comments, we will remove them.
#180
July 2 · 22 min
The Chemical Imbalance Theory is a LIE: Here's Why
Click here if you need help quitting psychiatric medications: http://membership.taperclinic.com/signup/?utm_source=podcast Is Depression Really a "Chemical Imbalance"? A Psychiatrist Breaks Down the Myth For decades we were told that depression comes from a chemical imbalance in the brain, too little serotonin, and that antidepressants simply correct it. But what does the evidence actually say? In this video, I (a board-certified psychiatrist) walk through why the "chemical imbalance" explanation doesn't hold up, where the idea really came from, and what psychiatric medications are actually doing when you take them. This isn't about telling anyone to stop their medication. It's about understanding it clearly so you can make better decisions about your own care. What we cover: → The serotonin story. A major systematic review found no consistent evidence that depression is caused by low serotonin or other serotonin abnormalities. → Where the myth came from. How pharmaceutical marketing in the 2000s, including ads for drugs like Zoloft, popularized the "imbalance" narrative. → What actually drives depression. Life events, trauma, physical health, and relationships often matter far more than any single brain defect. → How these drugs really work. Why medications create characteristic effects on the brain (sometimes emotional blunting) rather than "curing" anything, and why they may mask symptoms without touching the root cause. → The long-term problem. Tolerance, escalating doses, and research suggesting the brain can adapt in ways that work against the medication's acute effects. → Three ways this myth causes harm: fostering dependency while real problems go unaddressed, crowding out holistic care, and leading patients to misread medication side effects as their illness getting worse. Get our free tapering course: https://taperclinic.com/free-guide/ Join +6000 people learning how to taper on our newsletter: https://membership.taperclinic.com/newsletter CONNECT WITH ME: - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjosefwittdoerring/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjosefwittdoerring - X/Twitter: https://x.com/DrJosefWD - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drjosefwittdoerring/ - Website: https://taperclinic.com/ DISCLAIMER: All the information on this channel is for educational and/or entertainment purposes and not intended to be specific/personal medical advice from me to you. Watching the videos, or getting answers to comments/question, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you have your own doctor, these videos can maybe help you prepare for your discussion with him. We do our best to spread awareness with these videos, but for legal reasons we can’t answer health questions in the comments. If you leave questions, we’ll make videos about common questions in the future! If we catch incorrect health information, hate speech, illegal solicitation of drugs in the comments, we will remove them.
#178
June 30 · 25 min
The Secret to Fixing your Mental Health
Click here if you need help quitting psychiatric medications: http://membership.taperclinic.com/signup/?utm_source=podcast Today we're listening to the story of how a mother took whole foods to improve their family's mental health problems and get off their medications. Get our free tapering course: https://taperclinic.com/free-guide/ Join +6000 people learning how to taper on our newsletter: https://membership.taperclinic.com/newsletter CONNECT WITH ME: - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjosefwittdoerring/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjosefwittdoerring - X/Twitter: https://x.com/DrJosefWD - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drjosefwittdoerring/ - Website: https://taperclinic.com/ DISCLAIMER: All the information on this channel is for educational and/or entertainment purposes and not intended to be specific/personal medical advice from me to you. Watching the videos, or getting answers to comments/question, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you have your own doctor, these videos can maybe help you prepare for your discussion with him. We do our best to spread awareness with these videos, but for legal reasons we can’t answer health questions in the comments. If you leave questions, we’ll make videos about common questions in the future! If we catch incorrect health information, hate speech, illegal solicitation of drugs in the comments, we will remove them.
#177
June 18 · 14 min
The WORST Sleeping Medication
Click here if you need help quitting psychiatric medications: http://membership.taperclinic.com/signup/?utm_source=podcast Doctors are prescribing Seroquel for sleep and that's a problem, in this video I explain why. Get our free tapering course: https://taperclinic.com/free-guide/ Join +6000 people learning how to taper on our newsletter: https://membership.taperclinic.com/newsletter CONNECT WITH ME: - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjosefwittdoerring/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjosefwittdoerring - X/Twitter: https://x.com/DrJosefWD - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drjosefwittdoerring/ - Website: https://taperclinic.com/ DISCLAIMER: All the information on this channel is for educational and/or entertainment purposes and not intended to be specific/personal medical advice from me to you. Watching the videos, or getting answers to comments/question, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you have your own doctor, these videos can maybe help you prepare for your discussion with him. We do our best to spread awareness with these videos, but for legal reasons we can’t answer health questions in the comments. If you leave questions, we’ll make videos about common questions in the future! If we catch incorrect health information, hate speech, illegal solicitation of drugs in the comments, we will remove them.
#176
June 11 · 32 min
Psychiatrist Explains His Battle with Insomnia
Click here if you need help quitting psychiatric medications: http://membership.taperclinic.com/signup/?utm_source=podcast Insomnia didn't care about my medical degree. In this candid sit-down, I open up about my own struggle with sleepless nights and team up with my sleep coach to break down what actually worked for me. We cover the things no one told me about insomnia, the mistakes that kept me stuck, and the practical guide that finally helped me get the rest I'd been chasing. Whether you've battled insomnia for years or just started losing sleep, I hope this honest conversation gives you something to hold onto. Get our free tapering course: https://taperclinic.com/free-guide/ Join +6000 people learning how to taper on our newsletter: https://membership.taperclinic.com/newsletter CONNECT WITH ME: - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjosefwittdoerring/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjosefwittdoerring - X/Twitter: https://x.com/DrJosefWD - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drjosefwittdoerring/ - Website: https://taperclinic.com/ DISCLAIMER: All the information on this channel is for educational and/or entertainment purposes and not intended to be specific/personal medical advice from me to you. Watching the videos, or getting answers to comments/question, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you have your own doctor, these videos can maybe help you prepare for your discussion with him. We do our best to spread awareness with these videos, but for legal reasons we can’t answer health questions in the comments. If you leave questions, we’ll make videos about common questions in the future! If we catch incorrect health information, hate speech, illegal solicitation of drugs in the comments, we will remove them.
#175
June 4 · 17 min
How to Correctly Stop Xanax
Click here if you need help quitting psychiatric medications: http://membership.taperclinic.com/signup/?utm_source=podcast Thinking about getting off Xanax? In this video I break down what a safe approach to stopping actually looks like. Why tapering matters, what withdrawal can feel like, and why working with a doctor is essential. Quitting benzodiazepines cold turkey can be dangerous, so this is about doing it the right way. Get our free tapering course: https://taperclinic.com/free-guide/ Join +6000 people learning how to taper on our newsletter: https://membership.taperclinic.com/newsletter CONNECT WITH ME: - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjosefwittdoerring/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjosefwittdoerring - X/Twitter: https://x.com/DrJosefWD - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drjosefwittdoerring/ - Website: https://taperclinic.com/ DISCLAIMER: All the information on this channel is for educational and/or entertainment purposes and not intended to be specific/personal medical advice from me to you. Watching the videos, or getting answers to comments/question, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you have your own doctor, these videos can maybe help you prepare for your discussion with him. We do our best to spread awareness with these videos, but for legal reasons we can’t answer health questions in the comments. If you leave questions, we’ll make videos about common questions in the future! If we catch incorrect health information, hate speech, illegal solicitation of drugs in the comments, we will remove them.
#174
June 3 · 13 min
Longterm Effects of Benzos on the Brain
Click here if you need help quitting psychiatric medications: http://membership.taperclinic.com/signup/?utm_source=podcast Benzodiazepines like Xanax, Valium, and Klonopin are among the most commonly prescribed medications for anxiety and insomnia but what happens to your brain when they're used over months or years? In this video, we break down what current research says about the long-term effects of benzos on memory, cognition, and the brain's GABA system, plus what's known about tolerance, dependence, and recovery after stopping. Whether you're taking them, considering them, or just curious, here's what the science shows. Get our free tapering course: https://taperclinic.com/free-guide/ Join +6000 people learning how to taper on our newsletter: https://membership.taperclinic.com/newsletter CONNECT WITH ME: - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjosefwittdoerring/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjosefwittdoerring - X/Twitter: https://x.com/DrJosefWD - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drjosefwittdoerring/ - Website: https://taperclinic.com/ DISCLAIMER: All the information on this channel is for educational and/or entertainment purposes and not intended to be specific/personal medical advice from me to you. Watching the videos, or getting answers to comments/question, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you have your own doctor, these videos can maybe help you prepare for your discussion with him. We do our best to spread awareness with these videos, but for legal reasons we can’t answer health questions in the comments. If you leave questions, we’ll make videos about common questions in the future! If we catch incorrect health information, hate speech, illegal solicitation of drugs in the comments, we will remove them.
#173
May 27 · 7 min
As a Doctor I'll Never Take These Pills Again
Click here if you need help quitting psychiatric medications: http://membership.taperclinic.com/signup/?utm_source=podcast After years in medicine, there are a few common pills I've quietly crossed off my own list and in this video, I'll tell you exactly which ones and why. From side effects most patients aren't warned about to better alternatives hiding in plain sight, here's what I'd want my own family to know. Get our free tapering course: https://taperclinic.com/free-guide/ Join +6000 people learning how to taper on our newsletter: https://membership.taperclinic.com/newsletter CONNECT WITH ME: - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjosefwittdoerring/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjosefwittdoerring - X/Twitter: https://x.com/DrJosefWD - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drjosefwittdoerring/ - Website: https://taperclinic.com/ DISCLAIMER: All the information on this channel is for educational and/or entertainment purposes and not intended to be specific/personal medical advice from me to you. Watching the videos, or getting answers to comments/question, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you have your own doctor, these videos can maybe help you prepare for your discussion with him. We do our best to spread awareness with these videos, but for legal reasons we can’t answer health questions in the comments. If you leave questions, we’ll make videos about common questions in the future! If we catch incorrect health information, hate speech, illegal solicitation of drugs in the comments, we will remove them.
#172
May 25 · 1 hr 20 min
ADHD Isn’t What You’ve Been Told: Psychiatrist Explains
Click here if you need help quitting psychiatric medications: http://membership.taperclinic.com/signup/?utm_source=podcast Think you know ADHD? Think again. In this eye-opening conversation, a psychiatrist breaks down the biggest myths and misconceptions about ADHD and reveals what's really going on in the brain. Get our free tapering course: https://taperclinic.com/free-guide/ Join +6000 people learning how to taper on our newsletter: https://membership.taperclinic.com/newsletter CONNECT WITH ME: - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjosefwittdoerring/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjosefwittdoerring - X/Twitter: https://x.com/DrJosefWD - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drjosefwittdoerring/ - Website: https://taperclinic.com/ DISCLAIMER: All the information on this channel is for educational and/or entertainment purposes and not intended to be specific/personal medical advice from me to you. Watching the videos, or getting answers to comments/question, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you have your own doctor, these videos can maybe help you prepare for your discussion with him. We do our best to spread awareness with these videos, but for legal reasons we can’t answer health questions in the comments. If you leave questions, we’ll make videos about common questions in the future! If we catch incorrect health information, hate speech, illegal solicitation of drugs in the comments, we will remove them.
#171
May 21 · 8 min
The 3 Stages You Go Through on Xanax
Click here if you need help quitting psychiatric medications: http://membership.taperclinic.com/signup/?utm_source=podcast Ever wondered what taking Xanax actually feels like? In this video, I break down the three distinct stages you experience when on Xanax, from the initial onset to the peak effects and what happens as it wears off. Whether you've been prescribed it, are curious about how it works, or want to understand a loved one's experience, this video covers what to expect. Get our free tapering course: https://taperclinic.com/free-guide/ Join +6000 people learning how to taper on our newsletter: https://membership.taperclinic.com/newsletter CONNECT WITH ME: - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjosefwittdoerring/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjosefwittdoerring - X/Twitter: https://x.com/DrJosefWD - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drjosefwittdoerring/ - Website: https://taperclinic.com/ DISCLAIMER: All the information on this channel is for educational and/or entertainment purposes and not intended to be specific/personal medical advice from me to you. Watching the videos, or getting answers to comments/question, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you have your own doctor, these videos can maybe help you prepare for your discussion with him. We do our best to spread awareness with these videos, but for legal reasons we can’t answer health questions in the comments. If you leave questions, we’ll make videos about common questions in the future! If we catch incorrect health information, hate speech, illegal solicitation of drugs in the comments, we will remove them.
#170
May 16 · 9 min
Why Detox Centers Fail You
Click here if you need help quitting psychiatric medications: http://membership.taperclinic.com/signup/?utm_source=podcast If you're on a prescribed benzodiazepine and thinking about going to a detox center, please watch this first. Most detox centers are built for addiction, not prescription dependence. I've seen too many people get pushed through a rapid taper, leave on more medications than they started with, and end up destabilized for months or even years. In this video, I break down why benzo detox is so often the wrong answer, what an aggressive taper can actually do to your nervous system, and the slower, patient-led approach I recommend instead. If you're trying to come off a benzodiazepine, you need a plan that takes this seriously. My free tapering guide is linked below. Get our free tapering course: https://taperclinic.com/free-guide/ Join +6000 people learning how to taper on our newsletter: https://membership.taperclinic.com/newsletter CONNECT WITH ME: - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjosefwittdoerring/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjosefwittdoerring - X/Twitter: https://x.com/DrJosefWD - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drjosefwittdoerring/ - Website: https://taperclinic.com/ DISCLAIMER: All the information on this channel is for educational and/or entertainment purposes and not intended to be specific/personal medical advice from me to you. Watching the videos, or getting answers to comments/question, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you have your own doctor, these videos can maybe help you prepare for your discussion with him. We do our best to spread awareness with these videos, but for legal reasons we can’t answer health questions in the comments. If you leave questions, we’ll make videos about common questions in the future! If we catch incorrect health information, hate speech, illegal solicitation of drugs in the comments, we will remove them.
#169
May 14 · 8 min
I Asked 100 Spouses What Antidepressants Did to Their Marriage
Click here if you need help quitting psychiatric medications: http://membership.taperclinic.com/signup/?utm_source=podcast When someone starts an antidepressant, they're usually the one being asked how they feel. Their spouse rarely is. But the people living with them often notice things the patient can't see from the inside. Emotional flatness. Loss of interest. Changes in intimacy. A partner who is technically "better" but somehow not quite there anymore. In this video, I walk through what they told me, what it tells us about how these medications actually affect people, and what I think every couple deserves to know before one of them starts an antidepressant or decides whether to stay on one. Get our free tapering course: https://membership.taperclinic.com/free-taper-guide Join +6000 people learning how to taper on our newsletter: https://membership.taperclinic.com/newsletter CONNECT WITH ME: - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjosefwittdoerring/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjosefwittdoerring - X/Twitter: https://x.com/DrJosefWD - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drjosefwittdoerring/ - Website: https://taperclinic.com/ DISCLAIMER: All the information on this channel is for educational and/or entertainment purposes and not intended to be specific/personal medical advice from me to you. Watching the videos, or getting answers to comments/question, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you have your own doctor, these videos can maybe help you prepare for your discussion with him. We do our best to spread awareness with these videos, but for legal reasons we can’t answer health questions in the comments. If you leave questions, we’ll make videos about common questions in the future! If we catch incorrect health information, hate speech, illegal solicitation of drugs in the comments, we will remove them.

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