NEI Podcast

PsychopharmaPearls is NEI's focused podcast series highlighting the clinical insights that can sharpen your prescribing decisions. In this episode, Dr. Andy Cutler talks with Dr. Lisa Harding about how to choose between IV ketamine and intranasal esketamine for patients with difficult-to-treat depression. They unpack the differences that truly matter in practice—from patient selection and monitoring to access, cost, and common missteps. Tune in for practical pearls you can immediately apply to select the right treatment for the right patient. 

Lisa Harding, MD is a board-certified psychiatrist and nationally recognized depression specialist with deep expertise in interventional psychiatry. She has performed more than 4,000 procedures, including electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), intravenous ketamine, intranasal esketamine, and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Dr. Harding is known for her thoughtful approach to complex, treatment-resistant depression, integrating advanced somatic therapies, psychopharmacology, and psychotherapy. She serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. 

Andrew J. Cutler, MD is a leading psychiatrist, psychopharmacology expert, and clinical researcher with decades of experience in CNS drug development. As Chief Medical Officer of Neuroscience Education Institute and EMA Wellness, he brings frontline clinical insight together with deep knowledge of the evidence base. Dr. Cutler is widely recognized for translating research into practical guidance for everyday practice and serves as a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York. 

Resources 

Sanacora G et al. A Consensus Statement on the Use of Ketamine in the Treatment of Mood Disorders. JAMA Psychiatry 2017;74(4):399-405. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2017.0080 

McIntyre RS et al. Synthesizing the Evidence for Ketamine and Esketamine in Treatment-Resistant Depression: An International Expert Opinion on the Available Evidence and Implementation. Am J Psychiatry 2021;178(5):383-399. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2020.20081251 

 

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In this episode, Dr. Andy Cutler talks with Dr. Tim Wilens about enduring myths surrounding ADHD diagnosis and treatment, beginning with why misconceptions about overdiagnosis and misuse continue to shape clinical hesitation. They explore common misunderstandings about ADHD medications—including stimulants versus non-stimulants, concerns about diversion, personality changes, and long-term safety—and contrast stigma-driven narratives with the clinical evidence. The conversation equips clinicians with practical, evidence-based strategies to address patient fears, counter misinformation, and make thoughtful, individualized treatment decisions. 

Timothy Wilens, MD, is chief of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and is co-director of the Center for Addiction Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital. He is the MGH Trustees Chair in Addiction Medicine and a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Wilens' research interests include the relationship among attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders, embedded health care models, and the pharmacotherapy of ADHD across the lifespan.  

Andrew J. Cutler, MD, is a distinguished psychiatrist and researcher with extensive experience in clinical trials and psychopharmacology. He currently serves as the Chief Medical Officer of Neuroscience Education Institute and EMA Wellness. He is a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York. 
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In this episode, Dr. Andy Cutler speaks with Dr. Jonathan Meyer to dispel common myths about antipsychotic treatment, from concerns about sedation, personality change, and brain effects to misunderstandings about safety, long-acting injectables, and clozapine. The discussion focuses on what the evidence actually shows about efficacy, risk, and recovery, and how clinicians can communicate more clearly and confidently with patients and families. 

Jonathan Meyer, MD, DLFAPA, is a Voluntary Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego. He serves as a Senior Academic Advisor to the California Department of State Hospitals, is a psychopharmacology consultant to the first episode psychosis program at Balboa Naval Medical Center, and has published extensively on psychopharmacology, including co-authoring The Clozapine Handbook, The Clinical Use of Antipsychotic Plasma Levels, and The Lithium Handbook with Dr. Stephen Stahl. 

Andrew J. Cutler, MD, is a distinguished psychiatrist and researcher with extensive experience in clinical trials and psychopharmacology. He currently serves as the Chief Medical Officer of Neuroscience Education Institute and EMA Wellness. He is a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York. 

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In this episode, Dr. Andy Cutler and Dr. Jeff Strawn unpack common misconceptions that complicate real-world use of antidepressants. They review evidence on efficacy, suicidality risk, mechanisms, and early side effects, and discuss how to navigate hesitancy and misinformation. The conversation also addresses when to start medication, how to balance caution with timely intervention in youth, and practical ways to strengthen trust and therapeutic alliance. 

Jeffrey R. Strawn, MD, FAACAP, is a Professor of Psychiatry, Pediatrics, and Clinical & Translational Pharmacology at the University of Cincinnati (UC) in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is the Director of the UC Anxiety Disorders Research Program and the Associate Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neuroscience at UC.  

Andrew J. Cutler, MD, is a distinguished psychiatrist and researcher with extensive experience in clinical trials and psychopharmacology. He currently serves as the Chief Medical Officer of Neuroscience Education Institute and EMA Wellness. He is a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York. 

Resources 

Zhang K et al. Functional connectivity predicting transdiagnostic treatment outcomes in internalizing psychopathologies. JAMA Netw Open 2025;8(9):e2530008. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.30008 

Lagerberg T et al. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and suicidal behaviour: a population-based cohort study. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022;47(4):817-23. doi: 10.1038/s41386-021-01179-z 
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As 2025 comes to an end, we revisit our most downloaded episode of the year. Join Dr. Andy Cutler and Dr. Carla Sharp as they explore the current conceptualization of borderline personality disorder (BPD), including diagnostic challenges, evidence-based treatments, and strategies to reduce stigma by framing BPD as a treatable condition. The conversation also highlights recent updates to the APA's BPD guidelines and what they mean for clinical practice. 

Carla Sharp, PhD is a distinguished clinical psychologist specializing in developmental psychopathology, particularly borderline personality disorder (BPD). She is a professor in the Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program and serves as the Associate Dean for Faculty and Research at the University of Houston. Additionally, she directs both the Adolescent Diagnosis, Assessment, Prevention, and Treatment Center and the Developmental Psychopathology Lab at the university.   

Andrew J. Cutler, MD, is a distinguished psychiatrist and researcher with extensive experience in clinical trials and psychopharmacology. He currently serves as the Chief Medical Officer of Neuroscience Education Institute and holds the position of Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York. 

Never miss an episode!🎙SUBSCRIBE to the NEI Podcast– available on all your favorite platforms: https://nei.global/podcast 

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