Psychopharmacology and Psychiatry Updates

Updated: 12 Nov 2025 • 413 episodes
psychopharmacologyinstitute.com

Practical psychopharmacology updates for mental health clinicians. Useful for psychiatry / mental health professionals. Expert interviews and soundbites from CME presentations. Practical and free of commercial bias. Not sponsored by any pharmaceutical company.

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In this episode, we challenge conventional prescribing by exploring why lithium should be the first-line treatment for acute classic mania, despite widespread use of antipsychotics. Dr. David Osser presents evidence-based arguments for lithium's unique neuroprotective benefits and long-term efficacy. Faculty: David Oss

15 min
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In this episode, we explore a head-to-head comparison of trazodone, doxepin, and melatonin for treating insomnia when benzodiazepines are off the table. Which non-benzodiazepine sleep aid offers the best balance of effectiveness and tolerability in real-world psychiatric patients? Faculty: Paul Zarkowski, M.D. Host: Ri

11 min
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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.

11 min
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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 Could this decades-old medication, often dismissed as outdated and dangerous, actually be more effective than newer alternatives when used in appropriately selected patients?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: Davi

8 min
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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 condi

13 min
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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 sess

17 min
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