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Dr. Deisseroth shares a story of how he uses radio frequency to control the vagus nerve stimulation in patients to help treat symptoms of depression, and increase the dose until the patient reports any side effects.
Dr. Deisseroth explains that the brain learns from the experiences induced by MDMA, even after the drug's acute effects wear off. He uses the example of MDMA-induced connectedness and how the brain can learn from that experience. He also draws a comparison between this learning process and the goals of good psychoanalysis and psychiatry, which aim to help patients create new, stable models for future behavior.
Dr. Deisseroth explains that ADHD can manifest as hyperactivity or inattentiveness, highlighting that these symptoms can occur independently. He also touches on the potential for quantitative EEG-based diagnoses for ADHD, offering a glimpse into future diagnostic methods.
Dr. Deisseroth discusses the potential benefits and risks of psychedelic treatments for depression, emphasizing the need for careful and rigorous exploration. He acknowledges the ability of these agents to alter the experience of reality and the importance of balancing potential benefits against risks like addiction and lasting undesirable changes.
Dr. Deisseroth explains the fundamental difference between neurology and psychiatry, noting that psychiatry grapples with disorders lacking physical measurables like blood tests or brain scans, relying heavily on patient's verbal descriptions. This distinction highlights the unique challenges and mysteries within the field of psychiatry.
Dr. Deisseroth discusses how psychedelics may help with depression by increasing the brain's willingness to accept unlikely ways of constructing the world. He explains the role of the cortex in hypothesis generation and how psychedelics might lower the threshold for awareness of incomplete or wrong hypotheses, potentially opening up new paths for those stuck in depressive thought patterns. He also touches on the unique effects of MDMA on dopamine and serotonin levels and its potential for treating trauma and PTSD.
Dr. Deisseroth discusses effective treatments in psychiatry, including cognitive behavioral therapy for panic disorder and antipsychotic medications for conditions like schizophrenia, highlighting their therapeutic benefits despite the challenges and mysteries in the field. He also shares how electroconvulsive therapy is effective for treatment-resistant depression.
Dr. Deisseroth advises psychiatrists to move beyond jargon when diagnosing patients, emphasizing the importance of understanding how patients feel through real-world examples and precise questioning about their outlook on the future. This approach helps in identifying specific symptoms like hopelessness in depression.
Dr. Deisseroth explains the current state of vagus nerve stimulation for depression, including its limitations and potential improvements with optogenetics. He highlights the broad stimulation caused by current methods and the potential for more precise targeting using light-sensitive cells, while acknowledging the current lack of specific knowledge needed for such targeted therapy.
Dr. Deisseroth highlights the critical importance of seeking timely treatment for mental health issues like anxiety to prevent them from escalating into more severe conditions like depression. He emphasizes that while self-management is valuable, professional help can be highly beneficial in addressing and mitigating these issues effectively.
Dr. Deisseroth discusses the central chord of optimism in his book, "Projections: A Story of Human Emotions," and his dual goal of making the book accessible to everyone while remaining rigorously close to the science. He shares his hope for the future of psychiatry and brain science, emphasizing the progress made and the beautiful trajectory ahead. He also expresses his optimism and the importance of relieving suffering.
Huberman and Dr. Deisseroth discuss the potential for modern lifestyle factors, like constant phone use, to induce ADHD-like symptoms. Dr. Deisseroth explains how psychiatric diagnoses require disruption of social or occupational functioning, which differentiates phone use from a true disorder.