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Artwork for Side Effects

Side Effects with Dr. Josef

Josef Witt-Doerring
Mental Health
Benzodiazepines
Psychiatric Medications
Protracted Withdrawal
Antidepressants
Bipolar Disorder
Adverse Drug Reactions
Withdrawal Symptoms
Ketogenic Diet
Dietary Interventions
Seroquel
Akathisia
Trauma
Tapering
Antipsychotic Medications
Schizoaffective Disorder
Accutane
Anxiety
Insomnia
Suicide

A podcast investigating the hidden costs of modern psychiatric care.

Hosted by Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring, a former FDA medical officer and internationally recognized drug safety expert, this show examines what patients are rarely told about psychiatric medications, including overlooked withdrawal syndromes, long-term risks, and the real-world outcomes many experience after treatment.Through in-dept... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes100Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Health & FitnessMental Health

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Artwork for Side Effects

Latest Episodes

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Everything You Want... more

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WWE and Olympic leg... more

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A psychiatrist breaks down the career decline and sleeping ... more

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Stevie Nicks & Klonopin: How One Prescription Nearly Destroyed Her Career

For eight years, Stevie Nicks l... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Kurt Angle
WWE superstar
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)
Episode: The Hidden Brain Injury Behind WWE Superstar Kurt Angle
Dele Alli
English footballer, former national team player
Football (sport)
Episode: Psychiatrist Reacts to World Cup Star's Pill Addiction
Dr. Joanna Moncrief
University College London researcher and co‑author discussing serotonin and depression
University College London
Episode: The Chemical Imbalance Theory is a LIE: Here's Why
Dr. Ellie
Clinician providing practical and clinical context on antidepressants
Episode: The Chemical Imbalance Theory is a LIE: Here's Why
Christina Cook
Mother of a child who was on psychiatric medications for years and advocate for dietary/metabolic interventions
Private individual
Episode: The Secret to Fixing your Mental Health
Devin Burke
Founder of Sleep Science Academy; sleep coach
Sleep Science Academy
Episode: Psychiatrist Explains His Battle with Insomnia
Dr. Sami Tamimi
Author of the book discussed in the episode
Episode: ADHD Isn’t What You’ve Been Told: Psychiatrist Explains
Nicole Lambertson
Colleague at the Taper Clinic
Taper Clinic
Episode: Why Detox Centers Fail You
Daniel Erickson
Sleep coach, referenced as a future interview for deeper dive
Sleep Coach School
Episode: A Psychiatrist’s Guide to Better Sleep

Host

Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring
Host of Side Effects with Dr. Josef; medical doctor with focus on drug safety and tapering; affiliated with Taper Clinic / Side Effects podcast

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 91 ratings
  • This podcast is so needed…

    …especially in a world where people aren’t being fully informed.

    Some of the topics might be tough to hear, but that’s exactly why they’re important. Dr. Josef is shedding light on crucial issues with clarity, compassion, and truth. This show is a must-listen for anyone who wants to better understand the mental health realities we’re not always told about. Dr. Josef — you’re doing powerful work, and absolutely crushing it.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    tara bixby
    United Statesa year ago
  • Interesting and insightful

    It is nice to hear pros and cons about medications and pharmaceuticals. So many people take medications blindly trusting the prescribers who only get about 15 minutes for a follow up. It’s nearly impossible to address all medication questions and concerns along with everything else that needs to be discussed in that short amount of time.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ndnnp
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The show is valued for practical guidance on safer tapering and non-drug strategies.
Guests are often seen as credible sources offering firsthand experiences or expert perspectives.
Listeners appreciate candid discussions about medication side effects and tapering resources.
Audiences note the host's clear, critical stance on mainstream psychiatric practices.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How Cold Plunges Helped Him with Protracted Withdrawal
Q: How has sharing this journey online affected you personally?
The guest notes that initial content focused on cold plunging evolved into a withdrawal-focused narrative, drawing a large following and providing a platform to educate others, while also acknowledging the emotional and logistical strain of maintaining an online presence during a long taper.
How Cold Plunges Helped Him with Protracted Withdrawal
Q: What surprised you most about stopping or tapering off medications?
The guest emphasizes how withdrawal symptoms can masquerade as relapse or a new psychiatric issue, the difficulty of recognizing withdrawal versus a return of underlying conditions, and the realization that emotional numbness and withdrawal effects can persist for years, making the process feel unending.
How Cold Plunges Helped Him with Protracted Withdrawal
Q: How did you end up on psychiatric medications to begin with?
The guest explains starting Paxil at age nine for anxiety, describing a long trajectory of SSRI use across multiple medicines and years, which eventually led to the decision to start tapering as a new awareness of emotional range and an attempt to regain control over their own mood and life.
Psychiatrist Reacts to World Cup Star's Pill Addiction
Q: What are the risks of long-term benzodiazepine use according to the Maudsley Deprescribing Guideline?
Long-term use may worsen certain psychiatric symptoms, increase depression or anxiety in some cases, and cause conditions like agoraphobia that often improve after tapering off.
Psychiatrist Reacts to World Cup Star's Pill Addiction
Q: What does childhood trauma have to do with adults relying on sedatives?
Early trauma can keep the nervous system chronically activated, leading individuals to seek substances like sleep meds to dull those feelings, which, without addressing underlying trauma, can become a chronic dependency.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Side Effects

What is Side Effects about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A critical look at psychiatric care with a focus on medication risks, withdrawal and tapering, and patient-centered care. Episodes often dissect long‑term safety, limitations of quick pharmacological fixes, and practical paths to safer discontinuation, frequently featuring clinician hosts or guests who share firsthand tapering experience, safety concerns, or alternative approaches to mood and sleep issues. The show frequently highlights real-world outcomes, patient advocacy, and policy gaps, offering actionable guidance for listeners considering tapering or seeking safer treatment options. Noteworthy is a willingness to challenge mainstream narratives, discuss controversial topics, and spotlight resources for safer tapering and informed dec... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Side Effects?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Side Effects:

1. Metabolic Mind
2. The Mikhaila Peterson Podcast
3. Wise Traditions
4. THE MCCULLOUGH REPORT
5. The Dr. Hyman Show

How many episodes of Side Effects are there?

Side Effects launched 3 years ago and published 100 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Side Effects?

Recent guests on Side Effects include:

1. Kurt Angle
2. Dele Alli
3. Dr. Joanna Moncrief
4. Dr. Ellie
5. Christina Cook
6. Devin Burke
7. Dr. Sami Tamimi
8. Nicole Lambertson

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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