Robin Carhart-Harris, Ph.D. - SSRIs vs. Psychedelics: From Blunting to Rebooting

In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin is joined by renowned neuroscientist Dr. Robin Carhart-Harris and microdosing policy advocate John Downs for a replay of a live event originally held on June 10th, Microdosing vs. SSRIs: What’s Happening in the Brain and Why It Matters.

Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-312b/?ref=278

Together, they explore the scientific distinctions between SSRIs and psychedelics, focusing on neuroimaging, brain entropy, emotional processing, and the REBUS model. Dr. Carhart-Harris shares key insights from landmark studies on psilocybin therapy and discusses the evidence (and limitations) around microdosing. John Downs closes the conversation with an update on the Microdosing Collective’s efforts to shift policy and expand access.

Robin Carhart-Harris, PhD is a neuropharmacologist, psychologist, and Ralph Metzner Distinguished Professor in Neurology and Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco. He leads the Psychedelics Division at UCSF’s Neuroscape and formerly founded and led the Centre for Psychedelic Research at Imperial College London.

John Downs is Executive Director of the Microdosing Collective, advocating for responsible policy reform and legal access to microdosing. With 25 years’ experience in sales, business development, and emerging markets, John helps individuals optimize mindset, performance, and purpose.

Episode Highlights:

• Why SSRIs blunt, while psychedelics reset emotional processing
• How psilocybin compares to antidepressants in clinical trials
• Brain entropy, plasticity, and the REBUS model explained
• The role of the default mode network in mental health
• Why microdosing research is still so limited
• Ketamine vs. psilocybin: differences in brain mechanisms
• Is serotonin syndrome a real microdosing risk?
• Can psychedelics reverse long-term SSRI effects?
• The Microdosing Collective’s mission for policy reform
• What Robin Carhart-Harris’ upcoming book will explore

Episode Links:

• Robin’s lab & upcoming book
• Microdosing Collective
• Join Dr. Robin Carhart-Harris at our Practitioner
  Intensive (November 5–10, Costa Rica)

Episode Sponsors:

• Golden Rule Mushrooms - Get a lifetime discount of 10% with code THIRDWAVE at checkout
• Psychedelic Coacing Isntitute's  Intensive for Psychedelic Professionals in Costa Rica - a transformative retreat for personal and professional growth.