Joe Rogan Raises Theo Von Health SSRI Concerns: ‘Freaks Me Out’

What are SSRIs?

SSRIs are essentially the most generally prescribed class of antidepressants.

The public debate over SSRIs has turn out to be more and more polarized, with Rogan’s feedback echoing a rising skepticism towards psychiatric treatment prevalent in notably right-wing political and “wellness” circles.

While questioning over-prescription and potential side-effects is a sound a part of medical discourse, healthcare professionals warn that sweeping dismissals of antidepressants by high-profile influencers will be harmful and result in susceptible folks following dangerous non-clinical recommendation.

Von & Rogan’s History of Talking About Mental Health

Von has been open about his historical past with melancholy and long-term use of antidepressants.

Rogan’s newest feedback got here after Von appeared on his podcast in April, throughout which Rogan additionally advised Von ought to cease taking his antidepressants.

During the dialog, Von stated, “Satan is among us,” to which Rogan responded: “We got to get you off those antidepressants, son. You’re losing your f***ing marbles.”

While Rogan attributed Von’s feedback to his treatment, medical literature doesn’t record delusional pondering as a aspect impact of SSRIs.

On his most up-to-date podcast, Rogan referenced an incident final yr when Von was recording a Netflix comedy particular and informed the viewers, “I’m trying not to take my own life.”

Von later spoke in regards to the incident on his podcast and stated that he was not suicidal however had stopped taking his treatment forward of filming as he needed to “have more feelings during the show,” which left him feeling “mildly manic.”

Rogan stated about Von’s suicidal remark: “You hear stuff like that, and you just go like, ‘Oh, Jesus Christ.’ I’ve known too many people that I didn’t think were going to kill themselves and then did.”

“And then he goes down these spirals where he starts talking about world events and freaking out. I’m like, ‘Oh, Jesus Christ.’ Like, I got to help this guy. And so I send him things about people getting off of them,” Rogan said, referring to Von’s use of SSRIs.

Rogan added that while he knows some people who have benefited from using SSRIs, he knows others who have taken their lives while on medication and speculated a link, explaining that suicidal ideation can be a potential side-effect.

He went on to challenge the idea that depression is linked to a chemical imbalance, which is a common reason for prescribing SSRIs.

“Here’s the thing about that chemical imbalance thing: that’s not real,” Rogan claimed.

What The Science Says About SSRIs

SSRIs are widely used antidepressants that have been studied in hundreds of clinical trials.

A widely cited piece of research is The Lancet’s 2018 network meta-analysis of 21 antidepressants, which found them to be more effective than placebo for the acute treatment of adults with major depressive disorder, with effectiveness ranging from small to moderate.

However, research also identifies some risks. An FDA safety review of clinical trial data found an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children and adolescents—about 4 percent on antidepressants vs 2 percent on placebo—particularly early in treatment.

The FDA guidance famous that clinicians and households should stability this danger towards the dangers of untreated sickness and monitor carefully throughout the early phases of remedy.

Studies have also shown risks of withdrawal symptoms when stopping SSRIs, including a 2019 Lancet Psychiatry paper.

Overall, the evidence supports SSRIs as effective for many people with depression, but with a range of risks that vary depending on dose, age, and individual medical circumstances.

What to Know About Long-Term SSRI Effects

• SSRIs can help prevent relapse and stabilize mood long term, as large reviews have found, Harbor Psych reported.
• Long-term use may bring side effects such as sexual dysfunction, weight gain, and emotional blunting, as clinical studies and patient follow-up research report, Harbor Psych reported.
• Extended use has been linked to risks such as fractures and possible cardiovascular issues, although causation is unclear, as observational research suggests, British Journal of Psychiatry Open reported.
• There was also some evidence that antidepressants, and particularly SSRI’s, were associated with a reduced risk (23 to 32% lower risk) of developing high blood pressure and diabetes, British Journal of Psychiatry Open reported.

SSRI Skepticism

Backlash against SSRIs has emerged in recent years, particularly in right-wing and “wellness” circles.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. not too long ago announced several initiatives that goals to cut back the prescription of SSRIs.

This skepticism was recently fueled by a viral video from Ella Emhoff, stepdaughter of former Vice President Kamala Harris, who questioned the lack of research on the long-term use of SSRIs and discussed the challenges of going off them.

While this video was widely circulated and cited by those skeptical of the medication, Emhoff later made to video explaining that she was “very pro-SSRIs” and said that they have “saved her life.”

What Happens Next

Von has not publicly responded to Rogan’s latest comments, but after their podcast exchange in April, he wrote on about Rogan: “he just wants me to be healthy and feel cared about.”