Dr Joanna Moncrieff is a pracitsing psychiatrist and Professor of Critical and Social Psychiatry at University College London. In 2022 Moncrieff conducted the first systematic umbrella review of the evidence for the serotonin "chemical imbalance" theory of depression, the findings of which shocked many.Here we do a deep dive into this research, as well as the effectiveness of anti-depressants, whether depression is within a person's control, and how pharmaceutical companies manipulate the narrative.Joanna's website: www.joannamoncrieff.comFollow Joanna: https://x.com/joannamoncrieffCHAPTERS:00:00 Preface00:26 Is the chemical imbalance theory true?05:51 Do anti-depressants work?12:29 Psychological causes of recovery18:56 We don’t really know what these chemicals are doing24:16 Big Pharma’s propaganda push28:09 Concerns about SSRIs30:03 Is depression a disease?41:16 The case against anti-depressants48:59 These drugs disempower people54:30 Do people ‘have depression’ or do they ‘get depressed’?57:19 Depression should be demedicalised1:02:12 Why are we so unhappy?1:05:54 This narrative affects other mental health conditions1:08:57 What about severe, life-threatening depression?1:11:46 Is it possible to get out of depression by taking agency?1:20:03 Where does Gen Z go from here?1:23:29 Why do you do what you do?My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elliotbewick/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elliotbewickX: https://x.com/elliotbewickABOUT THE NEXT GENERATION: In a world saturated by social media and marked by skyrocketing rates of anxiety, depression, and ADHD among Gen Z, young people are growing up in a landscape of chaos and contradiction. While protests swell in city streets and activists hurl soup at famous artworks to demand climate action, a quieter crisis unfolds within - the mental and emotional battles faced by a generation trying to make sense of it all.The Next Generation is hosted by 20-year-old Elliot Bewick, offering a raw and honest look at the world through the eyes of those living in it. Bringing together insight from professionals and young people on the ground, this podcast isn’t here to complain or chase clout. It’s here to bend the arc of the modern world towards solutions, truth and a love for the beautiful adventure of life itself.

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