NEI Podcast

E274 - Busting Myths About Antipsychotics with Dr. Jonathan Meyer

Jan 28, 2026
Jonathan Meyer, psychopharmacology expert and UC San Diego professor, breaks down common myths about antipsychotic treatments. He covers how these drugs work, clarifies risks like brain damage and personality blunting, and discusses clozapine, long-acting injectables, dosing strategies, and use in mood disorders. Practical communication and individualized care are emphasized throughout.
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INSIGHT

Antipsychotics Have Broader Uses

  • Antipsychotics were developed for psychosis but now treat many disorders at different doses and purposes.
  • Jonathan Meyer warns clinicians to explain nuanced uses and dosing to avoid stigma and misdiagnosis assumptions.
INSIGHT

Untreated Illness Often Harms More

  • Focusing only on medication side effects misses the harms of untreated psychosis like relapse, loss of function, and reduced drug responsiveness.
  • Meyer emphasizes that staying on antipsychotics reduces rehospitalization and mortality in schizophrenia.
ADVICE

Assess Blunting Before Changing Diagnosis

  • When patients report blunting or cognitive issues, assess whether it's D2 blockade, sedation, or adjunct anticholinergics and adjust accordingly.
  • Meyer advises avoiding sedating and anticholinergic agents and using modest D2 doses when possible.
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