What if the way we understand antidepressants—and mental health treatment more broadly—is missing part of the story?

Dr Josef Witt-Doerring is a psychiatrist, former FDA medical officer and founder of the Taper Clinic. After reviewing psychiatric drugs for the US market, he became increasingly concerned about how little long-term evidence exists for medications that many people take for years—or even decades.

In this conversation, Tess and Dr Josef examine the benefits, limitations and potential risks of psychiatric medications, why coming off them can be so difficult, and the lifestyle factors that may be overlooked when treating anxiety and depression. They also unpack the Lindsay Clancy case, postpartum psychosis and the possible role of medication, before exploring the prescription-drug patterns connected to public figures including Matthew Perry, Britney Spears and Amanda Bynes.

They discuss:

• What Dr Josef discovered while reviewing psychiatric drugs at the FDA
• Why many antidepressant trials are shorter than their real-world use
• The chemical-imbalance theory and what SSRIs actually do
• When psychiatric medication can be helpful or even lifesaving
• Why medication should never be stopped abruptly without medical support
• The risks of withdrawal, polypharmacy and “stacking” prescriptions
• Why women experiencing menopause may be prescribed antidepressants
• How pharmaceutical marketing influences doctors and public perception
• Dr Josef’s approach to safely tapering psychiatric medication
• The Lindsay Clancy medication timeline and postpartum-psychosis defence
• Whether someone experiencing psychosis can still appear outwardly normal
• The unanswered questions surrounding the Clancy investigation
• Matthew Perry, ketamine and treatment that fell outside standard care
• Why benzodiazepines and opioids can become a lethal combination
• The links Dr Josef sees between cannabis, stimulants and psychosis
• Why emotions can be signals rather than symptoms to automatically silence

This episode explores complex and disputed medical and legal issues. It is for informational purposes only and should not replace individual medical advice. Never begin, stop or alter psychiatric medication without guidance from an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

Follow @drjosefwittdoerring

Find more: taperclinic.com

Follow me on Instagram: @tess.shanahan & @tesstalksofficial

Follow me on TikTok: @tessshanahan

Follow me on YouTube: TessShanahan

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dave Asprey is one of the pioneers of the modern biohacking movement, founder of Bulletproof & Danger Coffee, host of The Human Upgrade, bestselling author and creator of the Biohacking Conference. In this episode of Tess Talks, Tess sits down with Dave to go beyond the usual conversation about supplements and longevity — exploring what it actually means to optimise your health in a world that can often feel designed against it.

From ultra-processed food and the stark differences between American and international food standards, to sleep, fertility, preventive healthcare and the growing cost of wellness, Dave shares what he believes we're getting wrong about modern health. He also opens up about his own evolution from physical optimisation to spirituality and consciousness, the ideas behind Heavily Meditated, and why after decades of biohacking, some of the most powerful tools may have nothing to do with expensive technology.

In this episode:

• Why Dave believes biohacking can become a spiritual experience
• His current morning routine and what he actually prioritises today
• The evolution from Bulletproof Radio to The Human Upgrade
• Bulletproof Coffee, fasting, energy and weight loss
• Taking close to 100 supplements — and how he knows what’s actually working
• Ultra-processed foods and why ingredients differ between the U.S., Australia and Europe
• FDA, EU and Australian regulatory differences
• Why so many people struggle with sleep — and how to improve sleep quality
• Why feeling healthy isn't always a linear journey
• Preventive healthcare vs waiting until we're sick
• Has biohacking become an exclusive luxury?
• The highest-impact health changes that don't require spending thousands
• Fertility optimisation and having children later in life
• Meditation, stress, triggers and the ideas behind Heavily Meditated
• What Dave thinks the future of human health and longevity looks like

Episode sponsors:

Thrivix Health Optimisation: Australia’s doctor-led telehealth clinic offers personalised, evidence-based care based on your individual health, blood work and goals.

Visit www.thrivix.co and use code TESSTALKS10 for 10% off.

Follow Dave Asprey: @daveasprey

Find more: daveasprey.com

Follow me on Instagram: @tess.shanahan & @tesstalksofficial

Follow me on TikTok: @tessshanahan

Follow me on YouTube: TessShanahan

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Victoria’s Secret model turned content creator, entrepreneur and mother Vita Sidorkina joins Tess for an honest conversation about what really happens behind the glamour — and what it takes to completely reinvent yourself when the career you built your identity around comes to an end.

Tess and Vita also talk motherhood, family routines, intuitive wellness, why consistency beats intensity, and the philosophy behind Vita’s new fitness and wellness app, THE CORE.

In this episode:

• Getting scouted at 13 and leaving Russia
• The reality of the modeling industry
• Being rejected from the Victoria’s Secret show
• The extreme diet and training behind VS
• What the Victoria’s Secret “sisterhood” was really like
• Vita’s thoughts on Victoria’s Secret today
• Losing her identity after leaving modeling
• Motherhood and rebuilding her sense of purpose
• Losing followers while changing careers
• Starting again despite other people’s opinions
• The reality of being a full-time content creator
• Vita’s 20–80 rule for consistency
• Building THE CORE and creating a healthier approach to fitness
• Why intuitive eating changed her relationship with wellness

Tess Talks listeners can use TESSTALKS20 for 20% off THE CORE for 30 days.

Download the CORE app on Apple or Android: Here

Mentioned in this episode:

Follow Vita: @vitasidorkina

Follow THE CORE: @thecore

Follow me on Instagram: @tess.shanahan & @tesstalksofficial

Follow me on TikTok: @tessshanahan

Follow me on YouTube: TessShanahan

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.