Go Slowly: A Beginners Guide to Psychiatric Drug Tapering (Part 2)

Thinking about reducing or stopping psychiatric medication? It may not be the right approach for everyone, but for someone considering it, there's much to keep in mind.

For instance, many individuals who adopt ketogenic therapy and other metabolic strategies often find themselves in need of reducing medication. But how can they do it safely and with minimal risk?

In part 2 of our 2-part series on med tapering, Dr. Bret Scher and ‪@GeorgiaEdeMD‬ dive deep into how to safely and effectively taper psychiatric medications, offering guidance, caution, and hope for those exploring this path.

Tapering antidepressants, antipsychotics, or mood stabilizers can be one of the most complex challenges in mental health care and it can come with serious risks. Dr. Ede breaks down what most clinicians miss about withdrawal, and why “slow and steady” isn’t just advice, it’s a necessity. She also explains how strategies like ketogenic therapy and other lifestyle interventions can support brain stability during the process.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

✅ Why individuals are looking to reduce or remove medication

✅ The potential risks of not safely tapering

✅ The “no sudden movements” rule and the concept of hyperbolic tapering

✅ Tools and resources for safer dose reductions (compounding pharmacies, taper strips, and more)

✅ How to increase your chances of feeling better with no or less medication

✅ The role of metabolic health, nutrition, sleep, and stress management in effective tapering

✅ What to do if your doctor is hesitant or resistant to adjusting your medication

✅ Why you may want to consider avoiding supplementing during a taper

🎥 To learn more about the importance of safe tapering and why it needs to be personalized, check out part 1 of this 2-part series: https://youtu.be/RVMvi-vU5E8

Experts Featured:

Dr. Bret Scher

• X: https://x.com/bschermd

Dr. Georgia Ede

• Website: https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/
• Book: https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/change-your-diet-change-your-mind
• YouTube: ‪@GeorgiaEdeMD‬
• X: https://x

Resources:

The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines

• https://a.co/d/5WWskZs

Crossing Zero: The Art and Science of Coming Off - and Staying Off - Psychiatric Drugs

• https://www.amazon.com/dp/8797625906?

Taper Clinic

• https://taperclinic.com/

Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring’s free Taper Clinic program

• https://taperclinic.com/our-program/

Outro Health

• https://www.outro.com/

Free CME Clinician Trainings:

Are you a clinician who would like to learn more about the science behind these therapies and how to implement them in practice? Earn CME with our growing library of courses from some of the top experts in the field including Dr. Chris Palmer, Dr. Georgia Ede, Dr. Matthew Bernstein and Dr. Bret Scher with more coming soon.

Our courses have been made FREE by grants from Baszucki Group, so we can spread these powerful therapies as widely as possible. Earn CME/CNE credits:

https://www.metabolicmind.org/for-clinicians/trainings-courses/?utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=cme-yt

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/

About us:

Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.