The Dr Suzette Glasner Podcast

In this episode, Dr. Suzette Glasner examines a striking new finding from one of the largest health studies ever conducted: for the first time in recorded history, mental illness has become the leading cause of disability worldwide.Drawing on a major analysis published in The Lancet that tracked mental disorders across 204 countries from 1990 to 2023, Dr. Glasner explains what researchers found, why anxiety and depression are driving much of the increase, and what this shift tells us about the state of global mental health today.You can watch or listen to the full episode of The Dr. Suzette Glasner Podcast here:The study found that approximately 1.17 billion people—roughly one in seven people worldwide—were living with a diagnosable mental disorder in 2023. Mental illness has now surpassed low back pain and other physical health conditions as the leading cause of years lived with disability, marking a profound change in the global burden of disease.Dr. Glasner explores why adolescents, particularly those between the ages of 15 and 19, are experiencing the sharpest increases in anxiety and depression. She reviews the evidence surrounding smartphones and social media, sleep deprivation, the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the complex relationship between mental health and substance use. She also discusses psychologist Jonathan Haidt’s widely debated book The Anxious Generation and what current research supports—and does not yet support—about the role of technology in the youth mental health crisis.Most importantly, Dr. Glasner highlights five evidence-based strategies that can help reduce the risk of anxiety and depression in young people, including improving sleep, increasing physical activity, strengthening in-person social connections, delaying substance use, and recognizing early warning signs before problems become more severe.If you’re a parent, educator, healthcare professional, or simply someone trying to better understand the growing mental health challenges facing young people today, this episode provides a clear, science-based overview of one of the most important public health findings of the decade.Thank you for being here and being part of this community.⸻Have a question about today’s episode? Or a question you’d like me to cover in a future episode?Email: askdrglasner@gmail.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drglasner.substack.com

Hayden Panettiere’s memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, is out now. Inside, she describes a postpartum crisis that millions of mothers experience — but almost no one talks about how it’s connected to addiction. In this episode, addiction scientist and clinical psychologist Dr. Suzette Glasner unpacks what postpartum depression actually is, why it co-occurs with alcohol and substance use so often (and at such high rates), who is most at risk, and what we now know works to prevent and treat both.Featuring clips from Hayden Panettiere on Good Morning America and On Purpose with Jay Shetty — plus context from Brooke Shields, Drew Barrymore, Adele, and Serena Williams.You can watch the full episode here:🎯 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN* What postpartum depression (PPD) actually is (and what it isn’t)* Why women with substance use during pregnancy have nearly 2x the PPD rate of the general population* Why women with PPD have 3–4x higher binge drinking rates* How birth trauma multiplies postpartum mental health risk* The science behind brexanolone, zuranolone, and integrated treatment for co-occurring PPD + SUD🆘 IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU LOVE IS STRUGGLING* Postpartum Support International: 1-800-944-4773 (call or text), 24/7* 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (call or text)* SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357), free and confidential👋 ABOUT DR. SUZETTE GLASNER Dr. Suzette Glasner is an addiction scientist and clinical psychologist. The Dr. Suzette Glasner Podcast brings evidence-based conversations on addiction, recovery, and mental health to people who want the science alongside the story.📩 Questions or topic suggestions: AskDrGlasner@gmail.com 🔔 Subscribe for evidence-based mental health and addiction content. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drglasner.substack.com

For most of the past decade, the conversation about phone and social media addiction has been stuck at a single question: is this real? In March, a California jury answered it. They found Meta and Google liable for designing addictive social media platforms that harmed a young user — the first time at this scale that the companies were ruled responsible for the addictive design choices baked into their products. In this episode, clinical psychologist and addiction scientist Dr. Suzette Glasner takes the question the verdicts have now opened — what do we actually do about it? — and answers it from inside the science and practice of addiction treatment.You can watch the full episode here:Phone addiction, Dr. Glasner argues, is clinically a behavioral addiction with striking similarities to drug and alcohol addiction. It is driven by the same variable reinforcement schedule that makes slot machines and methamphetamine so neurologically compelling, and the same therapeutic principles that work for substance use disorders apply directly to compulsive scrolling. She walks through evidence-based principles, drawn from the same framework she uses with patients in her private practice. Stimulus control — the family media plan, and why the bedroom and the dining room are the two highest-yield environments for restriction. Why content matters more than minutes — the role of intermittent variable reinforcement. The replacement principle — why removing the phone without replacing the reward fails, and how to match replacement activities to the specific function the phone was serving. And when self-management isn’t enough — what evidence-based treatment for behavioral addiction actually looks like, and how to recognize when phone overuse is masking depression, anxiety, ADHD, autism, body dysmorphic disorder, or trauma.She also reacts to recent public statements from Lara Trump on her household’s no-screens policy, Bill Gates on his decision not to give his own children phones until age 14, and Jonathan Haidt’s recommendations to keep screens out of bedrooms — translating each of these positions into actionable steps.—Tools mentioned in the episode: Brick (https://getbrick.com) — physical app blocker. Freedom — phone internet blocking app. Bloom — screen time tool.Further reading: Brian X. Chen, Phone Addiction Remedies, New York Times Personal Tech, April 30, 2026. Jonathan Haidt, The Anxious Generation. Dr. Glasner’s Addiction Recovery Skills Workbook — available on Amazon.—The Dr. Suzette Glasner Podcast brings clinical and addiction science to the mental health stories everyone is already discussing.📩 Questions or topic suggestions: AskDrGlasner@gmail.com 🧩 More: https://drglasner.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drglasner.substack.com

When Joe Rogan recently called Ibogaine a near-miraculous cure for opioid addiction — and the White House announced it would accelerate federal research into psychedelic medicines including Ibogaine — a powerful narrative took hold: one dose, addiction gone. The viral statistic? An 80% cure rate.But what does the research actually say?In this episode, addiction scientist and clinical psychologist Dr. Suzette Glasner traces that 80% number back to its potential sources in the published research literature — and walks through what the studies to date have actually shown. Dr. Glasner explains the data through the lens of conservative methodology for interpreting treatment success rates, which suggests that the outcomes are closer to 50% abstinent at one month and 30% at one year. That’s still a meaningful signal worth investing in. It’s just not a miracle cure.Watch the full episode here:Dr. Glasner also unpacks what Ibogaine is and why it’s drawn the attention of addiction researchers — particularly its action in the brain’s reward circuit. She gets into the cardiac risks and how they can be reduced before and during treatment (e.g., cardiac screening, EKG monitoring during the session, and co-administered magnesium). 🧠 Key TakeawaysThe bottom line: the scientific signal is real, and accelerated federal investment in rigorous trials is genuinely needed. But the gap between what the evidence shows and what people are hearing in viral podcast clips is where people can get hurt. And while we wait for clinical trials to be completed, FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder already exist, save lives, and are available right now.🔍 Episode Breakdown00:00 Joe Rogan and the ibogaine "miracle" story00:47 The "80% cured, 90%+ on the second dose" claim01:22 Trump's executive order accelerating psychedelic research01:59 Why this addiction scientist is excited — and concerned04:14 Three questions this episode answers04:35 What ibogaine is06:18 How ibogaine works in the brain: GDNF and the reward circuit08:18 What the clinical evidence actually shows10:26 Breaking down the 80% figure13:50 The 2024 Stanford TBI study and the gap in the evidence15:40 The safety conversation that isn't happening: hERG and QT17:56 Documented deaths and why cardiac monitoring matters19:11 Dr. Glasner’s final take and practical guidanceListen to Episode 51 for an evidence-based look at what Ibogaine can — and can’t — do, and why the gap between the science and the headlines matters.📩 Questions or topic suggestions? Email AskDrGlasner@gmail.com 🔗 Subscribe for evidence-based discussions on addiction, recovery, and mental health : www.YouTube.com/@drglasner This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drglasner.substack.com

We’re seeing more attention problems than ever—especially in kids.But what if it’s not always ADHD?And what if our smartphones are playing a bigger role than we think?In this episode, Dr. Suzette Glasner explores the growing conversation around ADHD—highlighted in part by Mel Robbins’ reflections on the nuances of diagnosis, especially in girls — and examines an often overlooked question:What if some of the attention difficulties we’re seeing today are not just ADHD, but are being shaped by constant smartphone use—scrolling, notifications, and the pull to check our devices throughout the day?From kids who can’t sit through homework without reaching for a device, to adults who find themselves checking their phones every few minutes, these patterns are becoming so common that they can be mistaken for something else entirely.As rates of inattention, distractibility, and difficulty focusing continue to rise in both children and adults, this episode takes a closer look at how excessive digital media use—particularly social media, gaming, and constant device engagement—may be influencing the brain in ways that can closely resemble ADHD.You can watch the full episode on The Dr. Suzette Glasner Podcast here:Dr. Glasner breaks down the latest research on how technology affects attention, impulse control, and reward pathways, including findings that suggest high-frequency digital media use may contribute to the development of attention problems over time. She also explores how patterns of addictive behavior around technology can reinforce these symptoms, making it increasingly difficult to disengage and sustain focus.Through clinical examples, this episode highlights the important distinction between ADHD as a neurodevelopmental condition and attention challenges that may be learned—and potentially reversible—through environmental and behavioral factors.If you or someone you care about is struggling with focus, attention, or constant device use, this episode offers a thoughtful, evidence-based framework to better understand what may be driving those symptoms—and what you can do about it.⸻Have a question about today’s episode? Or a topic you’d like me to cover in a future episode?Email: askdrglasner@gmail.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drglasner.substack.com

Sugary drinks are back in the spotlight, with renewed national attention on the health risks of added sugar. But while much of the conversation—highlighted recently by RFK Jr.—has focused on obesity, diabetes, and metabolic health, there may be an important piece we’re overlooking.In this episode, Dr. Glasner explores the growing evidence linking sugar-sweetened beverages to mental health outcomes, including mood, anxiety, sleep, and patterns of addictive behaviors. What happens in the brain when we consume high amounts of liquid sugar? Why can these drinks be so hard to cut back on? And how much is too much?From Starbucks lattes and Dunkin’ iced coffees to soda, boba tea, and energy drinks, these beverages are a daily habit for many. This episode takes a closer look at how they may be affecting not just our bodies—but our minds.You can watch the full episode here:You’ll learn:* What current research says about sugary drinks and mental health* How blood sugar swings and reward pathways influence mood and cravings* Why sugary drinks can promote addictive behaviors* Practical ways to reduce intake without feeling deprivedIf you’re thinking about your own habits—or your kids’—this episode offers a thoughtful, evidence-based perspective on a very common part of modern life.📩 Questions or topic ideas? Reach out at: askdrglasner@gmail.comIf you found this episode helpful, consider subscribing and sharing it with others who might benefit. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drglasner.substack.com

When someone we love disappears, grief becomes trapped between hope and despair. But ambiguous loss also occurs when addiction or illness changes someone we love.Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, was abducted more than a month ago — a tragedy that has captured national attention and stirred a powerful emotional response from people who have never met the family.Why do stories like this affect us so deeply?In this episode, addiction scientist and clinical psychologist Dr. Suzette Glasner explores the psychology of ambiguous loss, a term coined by family therapist Pauline Boss to describe a uniquely painful form of grief that occurs when a loved one is physically absent but psychologically present — such as in cases of missing persons, disappearances, or unresolved tragedies.But ambiguous loss doesn’t only occur when someone goes missing. It can also happen when someone we love is physically present but psychologically changed by illness. Conditions such as dementia, severe mental illness, and addiction can create a similar experience of grief, as families struggle with the painful feeling that the person they once knew is “here, but not here.”Drawing on decades of psychological research, Dr. Glasner explains the emotional experience reported by families navigating ambiguous loss — including the constant tension between hope and despair, guilt over moments of happiness, and the profound psychological toll of grief without closure.Watch the full episode here:The episode also explores why highly publicized tragedies can create a shared emotional experience across society — a phenomenon known as collective ambiguous loss — and how public grief unfolds in the age of social media.Finally, Dr. Glasner discusses psychological traits and therapeutic approaches that can help people cope with uncertainty and loss when answers may never come.Ambiguous loss is not limited to missing persons cases. Families coping with addiction, dementia, and severe mental illness often describe a similar experience of grief for someone who is still physically present but psychologically altered. One therapeutic approach that has shown promise in helping people cope with this kind of uncertainty is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which focuses on developing psychological flexibility and learning to live meaningfully even when answers or closure may never come.Learn More About Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)• Association for Contextual Behavioral Science – https://contextualscience.org• Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life – Steven C. Hayes• The Happiness Trap – Russ Harris📩 Questions or topic suggestions? Email AskDrGlasner@gmail.com🔗 Subscribe for evidence-based discussions on addiction, recovery, and mental health:: https://www.YouTube.com/@drglasner This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drglasner.substack.com

In a widely viewed conversation several years ago, Joe Rogan and Jordan Peterson discussed Peterson’s experience with benzodiazepine dependence and withdrawal. The exchange brought significant public attention to the challenges some individuals face when discontinuing medications like Xanax.But how closely did that conversation align with clinical evidence?In this episode, clinical psychologist and addiction scientist Dr. Suzette Glasner examines what Rogan and Peterson accurately captured about benzodiazepine withdrawal — and where important nuance may have been missing. Drawing on research, clinical guidelines, and what is known about protracted withdrawal, suicide risk, and physical dependence, this episode informs cultural narrative with clinical science.Watch the full episode here:Episode Breakdown00:00 How Long Does Xanax Withdrawal Really Last?00:34 Why Xanax & Ativan Became So Popular02:00 The Hidden Cost of “Quick Relief”02:43 Jordan Peterson’s 2-Year Withdrawal Battle03:50 The Truth About Short-Term vs. Long-Term Use05:00 Why Stopping Benzos Cold Turkey Can Be Dangerous05:24 Protracted Withdrawal: Why Symptoms Can Last Years06:17 Anxiety, Depression & Rebound Symptoms Explained07:10 Akathisia, Psychosis & Misdiagnosis Risks09:00 Can You Die From Benzodiazepine Withdrawal?10:09 Tapering Off Benzodiazepines11:00 Who’s Most at Risk for Severe Withdrawal?12:37 How Long Does a Safe Taper Actually Take?14:34 Xanax + Alcohol & A Final Message of HopeListen to Episode 43 now to learn how evolving science, media influence, and public perception intersect in the ongoing conversation about anxiety and its treatment.📩 Questions or topic suggestions? Email AskDrGlasner@gmail.com🔗 Subscribe for evidence-based discussions on addiction, recovery, and mental health:: https://www.YouTube.com/@drglasner This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drglasner.substack.com

In this episode, Dr. Suzette Glasner addresses the core question that will be evaluated by the jury in the Los Angeles-based case initiating trial proceedings against defendants Meta and Google : are the features of social media apps designed to get kids and teens hooked? The case involves an individual identified by the initials "K.G.M." who is now a young adult, alleging that she became addicted to social media as a child and this had detrimental effects on her mental health, worsening depression and leading to suicidality. You can watch or listen to the full episode on The Dr. Suzette Glasner Podcast here.K.G.M.'s is the first of over 1,000 cases that have been filed against a variety of social media companies to go to trial.TikTok and Snap, Inc., the parent company for Snapchat, settled for undisclosed amounts in advance of the trial initiation. Dr. Glasner explains the neuroscience underlying obsessive and repetitive behaviors around social media, and how the design features of the most commonly used apps can shape these behaviors among children and teens, given their psychology and the stage of brain development they are in. . Rooted in scientific facts about child and teen psychology and behavior, Dr. Glasner provides a factual picture of the impact of "sticky" design features that make it hard to disengage from social media on child and teen screen behavior, the effects of excessive social media use on well-being, and the state of the science on addiction to social media.on, and why some people take longer than others to achieve long-term stability. If you or someone you love is using social media excessively this episode offers clear, evidence-based information about problematic use of social media and how today’s apps can make it difficult for kids and teens to put them down. Thank you for being here and being part of this community.⸻ Have a question about today’s episode? Or a question you’d like me to cover in a future episode?Email: askdrglasner@gmail.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drglasner.substack.com

Addiction scientist and clinical psychologist Dr. Suzette Glasner sits down with Bill Smith, Founder and CEO of Inseparable, to examine the most urgent gaps in today’s mental health care system.Bill Smith leads Inseparable, a national nonprofit advancing bipartisan mental health policy reforms at both the state and federal levels to make high-quality mental health care accessible to all. Since founding Inseparable in 2020, Bill has helped drive significant policy wins aimed at expanding access, improving outcomes, and reducing preventable loss of life.You can watch or listen to the full episode on The Dr. Suzette Glasner Podcast here.Dr. Glasner and Bill discuss the most concerning mental health trends today—including the youth mental health crisis, rising suicide rates, addiction, and the challenges families face when navigating behavioral health care. In a candid and deeply personal conversation, Bill also shares how the loss of his brother, Jack, after a long battle with mental illness, shaped his mission to create meaningful, nationwide change.I hope that this episode helps you understand the core barriers to mental health and addiction care access and how public policy reform can drive solutions that will improve and save lives.Thank you for listening and. for being part of this community. ⸻ Have a question about today’s episode? Or a question you’d like me to cover in a future episode?Email: askdrglasner@gmail.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drglasner.substack.com

In this episode, Dr. Suzette Glasner brings forensic psychological research on characteristics of homicide offenders who are found not guilty by reason of insanity - side-by-side with the psychological profile of Nick Reiner, who has been charged with first degree murder in the tragic double homicide case of his parents, Rob and Michele Singer Reiner. News headlines have been speculative around Nick's potential defense strategy and the possibility of an insanity based defense. Dr. Glasner explains how the profiles of those found not guilty by reason of insanity differ from those who are criminally responsible and deemed competent to stand trial, and how addiction and psychosis are considered in a not guilty by reason of insanity defense. You can watch or listen to the full episode on The Dr. Suzette Glasner Podcast here.Dr. Glasner examines the profiles of offenders who commit parricide (or the killing of one or both of one’s parents) and are found not guilty by reason of insanity, according to recent forensic psychological studies. I hope that this episode helps you understand the complexities surrounding the insanity defense and the psychological mindset of individuals who perform violent acts in the context of severe mental illness and addiction.Thank you for listening and. for being part of this community. ⸻ Have a question about today’s episode? Or a question you’d like me to cover in a future episode?Email: askdrglasner@gmail.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drglasner.substack.com

In this episode, Dr. Suzette Glasner responds to Matthew Perry's candid and moving interview with Diane Sawyer a year prior to his untimely death by ketamine overdose, along with recent news concerning the sentencing of Salvador Plasencia, one of two physicians charged in Perry's overdose death case with illegal distribution of ketamine.You can watch or listen to the full episode on The Dr. Suzette Glasner Podcast here.Matthew’s reflection — “Secrets kill you. Secrets kill people like me.” — speaks to how addiction thrives in secrecy and shame. It shows how hiding substance use, and the stigma surrounding it, can deeply isolate people, even those who appear confident, successful, and deeply loved in the public eye.Dr. Glasner breaks down why quality addiction care can be challenging to access, how evidence-based addiction care heals and retrains the brain, the risks of ketamine use among individuals like Matthew Perry with addiction history, and how genetics, family and social support impact addiction vulnerability and recovery.If you or someone you love struggles with addiction, this episode offers clear, evidence-based insights inspired by Matthew Perry's insightful self-reflection, analysis by Dr. Glasner of how a person who appears stable in recovery can experience setbacks as he did, and practical strategies to help. Thank you for being here and being part of this community.⸻ Have a question about today’s episode? Or a question you’d like me to cover in a future episode?Email: askdrglasner@gmail.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drglasner.substack.com

In this episode, Dr. Suzette Glasner brings the science of child-to-parent violence and parricide - or killing one or both of one’s parents - side-by-side with Nick Reiner’s psychological profile. Nick, the youngest son of the late Rob and Michele Reiner, has been charged with the brutal murder of his parents in a double homicide.You can watch or listen to the full episode on The Dr. Suzette Glasner Podcast here.Dr. Glasner explains the profile of adult children who commit acts of violence towards their parents, why parents often suffer in silence in the face of child-to-parent violence, and how addiction and mental health are related to parricide (or the killing of one or both of one’s parents). Leveraging what is currently known about Nick’s addiction history and profile, Dr. Glasner not only explains the genesis of unthinkable violent behavior towards one’s parents, but simultaneously she addresses the fears that the Reiners’ tragic story may stir in families in which an adult child suffers from mental health or addiction issues. Rooted in scientific facts about the frequency of extreme violence and homicidal behavior among adult children towards their parents, Dr. Glasner provides a factual picture of the true risk of such events - and how to recognize and respond to warning signs.If you have a child or family member who is living with addiction and/or mental illness, I hope that this episode helps you feel equipped to manage concerns about your safety and/or the safety of your loved one.Thank you for listening and. for being part of this community. ⸻ Have a question about today’s episode? Or a question you’d like me to cover in a future episode?Email: askdrglasner@gmail.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drglasner.substack.com