Sign up to Patreon to get access to bonus ad-free podcasts, exclusive downloads, live Q&As and more: https://www.patreon.com/drcarolineleaf EPISODE DESCRIPTION: In this podcast I talk to psychiatrist, researcher, professor and best-selling author Dr. Joanna Moncreiff about critical psychiatry,  the difference between a drug-centered and disease-centered approach in the field of mental health, the history of psychiatry, withdrawal from psychotropic drugs, the dangers of medicalizing misery, the myth of the chemical imbalance, the potential downsides of using psychedelics to treat mental health, and so much more! Read the show blog here: https://drleaf.com/blogs/news/debunking-the-myth-of-the-chemical-imbalance-with-dr-joanna-moncrieff OFFERS FROM OUR SPONSORS: -BiOptimizer’s Magnesium Breakthrough: For an exclusive offer for my listeners go to http://www.magbreakthrough.com/leaf and use DRLEAF10 during checkout to save 10% on your order. -Gladskin: Right now, Gladskin is offering my listeners 15% off plus free shipping on your first order at gladskin.com/DRLEAF -Catalina Crunch: See why Catalina Crunch Cereal is the fastest growing cereal brand in America.  Just go to catalinacrunch.com/DRLEAF for 15% off your first order—plus FREE shipping. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 3:11 What critical psychiatry means & why Joanna calls herself a critical psychiatrist 6:30 The difference between a drug-centered & disease-centered approach to psychiatry 14:05 Research bias & common misconceptions in mental healthcare 16:00 Mental disorders are not associated with specific or identified brain abnormalities or processes 16:40 The failures of psychiatric drug trials 18:00 The power of the placebo effect & people’s expectations 19:45 The issues surrounding psychiatric drug withdrawal research 29:00 Withdrawing from psychiatric drugs 35:00 Joanna’s NIH clinic for withdrawal 38:20 Methods to withdrawal from psychiatric drugs 52:30 WHO studies on schizophrenia outcomes in different countries around the world 55:30 Why we need to re-evaluate at how we understand mental health 58:40 Psychedelics & mental health ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: -Get my new book Cleaning up Your Mental Mess here: https://www.cleaningupyourmentalmess.com -Download my new and improved brain detox app here: https://neurocycle.app -Get a free Cleaning up Your Mental Mess workbook when you subscribe to my weekly email at drleaf.com! -Sign up to join my free text program and receive mental health care tips. Just text DRLEAF to 1 (833) 285 3747 -Visit my website at https://drleaf.com for more free resources -Instagram: @drcarolineleaf: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf/- -Facebook: Dr. Caroline Leaf: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf -Twitter: @drcarolineleaf: https://twitter.com/DrCarolineLeaf - Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/drcarolineleaf *DISCLAIMER: This podcast and blog is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. We always encourage each person to make the decision that seems best for their situation with the guidance of a medical professional. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.