<p>On the Evolving Wellness Podcast, host Sarah interviews board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Josef Dering, who previously worked in the pharmaceutical industry and as an FDA medical officer in psychiatry drug safety. He explains why he now believes psychiatric medications don’t work for most conditions and describes how time-pressured, checklist-based care and “chemical imbalance” narratives lead to escalating drug cocktails without addressing root causes. He warns that benzodiazepines may help short term but can worsen anxiety over time, cause interdose withdrawal, degrade sleep architecture, and impair concentration, making them a “Faustian bargain,” and stresses slow, supervised tapering due to difficult withdrawal. Dering outlines non-drug approaches targeting body, mind, and “soul” (health behaviors, skills-based therapies, relationships, and meaning). He also argues high-potency THC cannabis increases psychosis risk and may lead to long recoveries and misdiagnosis.</p><p><br></p><p>Connect withj Dr Josef - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@taperclinic">https://www.youtube.com/@taperclinic</a></p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/drjosefwittdoerring/">https://www.instagram.com/drjosefwittdoerring/</a> </p><p>_________</p><p>Sponsored By:</p><p>→ Bon Charge | Go to <a href="https://boncharge.com/products/demi-red-light-device?rfsn=8108115.26608d">https://boncharge.com/products/demi-red-light-device?rfsn=8108115.26608d</a> &amp; use code SARAHKLEINER for 15% off storewide.</p><p><br></p><p>→ VivaRays | This episode is sponsored by VivaRays - VivaRays Blue - code YOGI <a href="https://vivarays.com/">https://vivarays.com/</a> </p><p><br></p><p>→ Organifi | For an exclusive offer, go to <a href="https://www.organifi.com/SARAHK">https://www.organifi.com/SARAHK</a> for 20% off your order.</p><p>_________</p><p>Timestamp:</p><p><br></p><p>00:00 Benzos Quick Relief</p><p>00:55 Episode Setup Disclaimer</p><p>02:29 Podcast Intro Housekeeping</p><p>03:42 Meet Dr Dering</p><p>04:30 Why He Questions Meds</p><p>07:19 FDA Safety Reality Check</p><p>08:44 Host Story Benzos</p><p>12:16 Sponsor Red Light</p><p>14:29 Benzos Faustian Bargain</p><p>15:48 Body Mind Soul Framework</p><p>21:42 Sponsor Blue Blockers</p><p>23:09 Motivation Rock Bottom</p><p>26:30 Medical Trust Broken</p><p>29:12 Suicidality on Med Cocktails</p><p>31:23 Withdrawal Trap and Tapering</p><p>34:20 PR Narrative Around Antidepressants</p><p>36:22 Meds and Mass Violence Debate</p><p>39:27 Gender Ideology in Schools</p><p>42:57 Cannabis Mental Health Risks</p><p>44:26 THC Potency and Psychosis Data</p><p>48:54 Paranoia as Warning Sign</p><p>51:34 Safe Tapering and Final Advice</p><p>——— </p><p>This video is not medical advice &amp; as a supporter to you and your health journey - I encourage you to monitor your labs and work with a professional!</p><p>________________________________________</p><p>Get all my free guides and product recommendations to get started on your journey!</p><p>https://www.sarahkleinerwellness.com/all-free-resources</p><p><br></p><p>Check out all my courses to understand how to improve your mitochondrial health &amp; experience long lasting health! (Use code PODCAST to save 10%) -  https://www.sarahkleinerwellness.com/courses</p><p><br></p><p>My free product guide with all product recommendations and discount codes:</p><p>https://www.canva.com/design/DAF7mlgZpJI/xVyE4tiQFEWJmh_Xwx8Kbw/view?utm_content=DAF7mlgZpJI</p><p><br></p><p>Free Webinar on Light &amp; Health (includes free light bulb guide) - https://www.sarahkleinerwellness.com/mycircadianapp-free-webinar</p><p><br></p><p>Get Early Access to Podcast Episodes &amp; my Seasonal Food Course + UVB+Red Light Therapy course for free -  https://open.substack.com/pub/sarahkleinerwellness/p/uvbred-light-protocol?r=5eztl9&amp;utm_campaign=post&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;showWelcomeOnShare=true</p>