The Frontier Psychiatrists

The Frontier Psychiatrists, authored by Owen Scott Muir, M.D., explores various aspects of mental and physical health, including the impact of drugs, obesity, psychiatric treatments, and personal narratives. The content ranges from scientific discussions on psychiatric medication and treatments to personal stories and reflections on health, trauma, and the healthcare system.

Mental Health Pharmaceuticals Personal Narratives Obesity and Health Substance Use Healthcare System Trauma and PTSD Psychedelic Medicine Digital Health and Scams Bipolar Disorder Narrative Medicine Legal and Ethical Health Issues

The hottest Substack posts of The Frontier Psychiatrists

And their main takeaways

The Death of My Sister

471 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Addiction Family Trauma
  1. The author shares a heartbreaking story of his sister's struggles with addiction and mental health issues, leading to her tragic death.
  2. The importance of family support and forgiveness during difficult times is highlighted in the narrative.
  3. The impact of childhood trauma, like being given up for adoption, on a person's life and mental health is explored through the author's personal reflection.

Are High-Dose Antipsychotics More Deadly Than Fentanyl in Kids?

294 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Medication Risk Factors
  1. Antipsychotic medications can increase the risk of metabolic syndrome and other adverse outcomes in individuals with depression.
  2. Youth treated with higher-dose antipsychotic medications are at risk of increased mortality, especially among vulnerable children.
  3. Treating young adults with high-dose antipsychotic medications can result in significantly more deaths compared to fentanyl, emphasizing the need for better options for vulnerable youth.

An Offer, Withdrawn...

275 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
😂 Humor Satire Comedy Parody Entertainment
  1. A LinkedIn scam involving a 150m project offer took a dark turn for the author.
  2. The scammer, posing as a boss named Mahmoud, claimed to offer a 200m project.
  3. Despite the author's attempts to engage and seek more information, the interaction turned out to be a waste of time with the scammer revealing their true intentions in the end.

The ICU is Traumatic For Everyone

275 implied HN points • 07 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Healthcare Trauma
  1. A stay in the ICU can be traumatic for patients due to various factors like machines, confusion, and hallucinations.
  2. ICU workers are also at risk of developing PTSD due to exposure to human suffering, with rates increasing, especially after the pandemic.
  3. The prevalence of PTSD among ICU patients and workers is significant, emphasizing the need for research and treatment options to address this trauma.
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Benzos (benzodiazepines) Are Associated With Death By Suicide.

255 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Medications Suicide Research Treatment
  1. Benzodiazepines like Ativan and Xanax are linked to higher risk of suicide, even in individuals without prior psychiatric history.
  2. Studies have consistently shown an increased risk of suicide with benzodiazepine exposure.
  3. Alternative treatments to benzodiazepines are needed for anxiety to prevent the heightened suicide risk associated with these medications.

The Frontier Psychiatrists Appear on The Soft White Underbelly

196 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Therapies Interview Personal Experience
  1. The Frontier Psychiatrists were featured on The Soft White Underbelly with discussions on novel depression treatments.
  2. The interview quickly garnered over 6,000 views within a few hours of being launched on a Sunday.
  3. Topics covered in the interview included accelerated TMS, fMRI guided neuromodulation, bipolar depression, and more.

Lawsuits for Health Plan Scams Have Begun!

137 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness
  1. ERISA fiduciaries need to act in the best interest of employees when choosing health benefits.
  2. Personal responsibility is key in corporate law especially for named fiduciaries like committee members.
  3. Companies need to focus on being prudent with health benefits to avoid lawsuits and ensure cost-effective care.

Of Cycles and Bipolar Disorder

157 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Bipolar disorder is episodic, not solely about mood symptoms.
  2. Most individuals with bipolar disorder spend only a small amount of time manic.
  3. The course of bipolar disorder can be unpredictable, with episodes varying in length and frequency.

Remeron

117 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Medication Research Side Effects Comparative Analysis
  1. Remeron, also known as Mirtazapine, has unique side effects like making you sleepy and increasing appetite due to its histamine effects.
  2. While Remeron may not differ significantly in its antidepressant effects from other drugs, it could work slightly faster and be more favorable in treating depression compared to SSRIs.
  3. A meta-analysis suggests that overall, Remeron might have a slight edge over SSRIs in treating depression, making it potentially a better option for some individuals.

Bupropion

117 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Medication Science Research Analysis
  1. Bupropion is a versatile antidepressant with different brand names for various uses like depression, smoking cessation, and weight loss.
  2. Bupropion works differently than most antidepressants by affecting dopamine and norepinephrine, leading to no sexual side effects.
  3. Through meta-analysis, studies have shown that Bupropion is more effective than a placebo in treating depression.

I Wrote A Piece of Fiction Today

98 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
📚 Literature Fiction
  1. The author writes daily as a meditative practice.
  2. The protagonist, John DiNapoli, faces physical and emotional struggles daily.
  3. The story reveals themes of frustration, compromise, and acceptance in the protagonist's life.

Innovation In Execution: Disrupting Death?

78 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics Medical Ethics Legal issues
  1. In the US, only amateurs are involved in the process of execution since physicians are not allowed to put humans to death.
  2. Using nitrogen gas for execution is a novel and horrible method that can lead to suffering.
  3. Creating new ways to end human life is questioned as unnecessary, given the existing death penalty methods and the suffering involved.

Learn to Read Science Part 1: The CATIE Trial

58 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🔬 Science Research Medicine Publication Analysis
  1. The CATIE Trial is a significant research study comparing new antipsychotic medicines with older ones in real-world settings and published in high-impact medical journals.
  2. Medical journals like the New England Journal of Medicine have high impact factors, which are determined by the number of times articles are cited.
  3. Effectiveness research involves large sample sizes, and the methods section of a research paper provides essential details about the study design and participants.

The Farmhouse

58 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
📚 Literature Writing Storytelling
  1. The farmhouse was located in a clearing on top of a hill and dated back to the 1800s.
  2. The path to the farmhouse was initially a walking path that later became a bike path.
  3. The writer enjoyed carrying heavy camera equipment for outdoor activities like photography.

Of Ozempic and Wegovy: Obesity can be an Illness

353 implied HN points • 21 Apr 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Obesity Diabetes Treatment Risks
  1. Obesity can be considered an illness, impacted by factors like medications, lifestyle changes, and health conditions.
  2. Medical treatments like semaglutide (Ozempic) can help improve metabolic health in individuals with obesity and related conditions like diabetes.
  3. It's important to consider the risks of inaction in managing obesity and related health issues, alongside the risks of treatments, with a focus on improving quality of life.

Remembering Arthur Joseph Muir, My Dad.

334 implied HN points • 08 May 23
  1. This post is a tribute to the writer's dad, sharing memories and details of his life.
  2. The writer reflects on his dad's challenging childhood in Meriden, Connecticut.
  3. The post is only accessible to paid subscribers, with an option to subscribe or sign in.

Generalized Anxiety: A Dissent

255 implied HN points • 16 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Anxiety Psychiatry Mental health
  1. Anxiety can have different underlying causes and may not always fit into a specific medical diagnosis like GAD.
  2. Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Generalized Dizziness Disorder have similarities in terms of having nonspecific symptoms.
  3. It's important for health professionals to ask thorough questions to truly understand the root of someone's anxiety.

How I Write a One Person Daily Newsletter

235 implied HN points • 25 Jun 23
  1. Publishing something every day was the goal, not perfection.
  2. The author allows readers to earn a paid subscription by sharing the post.
  3. The post is for paid subscribers only.

Balrog Associate Agreement (BAA)

19 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
😂 Humor Satire Fantasy
  1. The article humorously explores a fantasy world through the lens of compliance and legal issues.
  2. The Balrog Associate Agreement was not signed, leading to chaos in a mine operation.
  3. The story unfolds with twists and turns, revealing consequences of missing contracts and responsibilities.

Sometimes Writing Something Good Enough Takes A While

176 implied HN points • 26 Apr 23
  1. Writing something good takes time and effort.
  2. Not all writing is easy; some topics require more editing and thought.
  3. Even experienced writers have days when their writing doesn't meet their standards.

SXSW Final: Daniel Johnston had a Psychotic Illness, And Lived His Dreams

157 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Psychiatry Medications Humanity Treatment
  1. Daniel Johnston was a prolific songwriter and artist despite battling with a psychotic illness.
  2. His story highlights the complexities of living with mental illness and the impact of psychiatric treatments.
  3. Acceptance, understanding, and balancing the benefits and risks of treatments are crucial in mental health care.