Dhru Purohit Show

This episode is brought to you by Rythm Health, Momentous, Bon Charge, and Branch Basics.

Millions of people take antidepressants to manage anxiety and depression, yet many questions remain about their long-term effectiveness and what happens when people try to stop taking them. As concerns grow about withdrawal symptoms and the challenges of coming off these medications, understanding both their benefits and limitations has never been more important.

Today on The Dhru Purohit Show, Dhru sits down with Dr. Mark Horowitz to explore the widespread use of antidepressants, why so many people struggle to come off them, and how withdrawal symptoms are often misunderstood. Dr. Horowitz shares his own difficult experience tapering off antidepressants and how it inspired him to research and develop safer, evidence-based approaches for reducing these medications. He also examines the research on how antidepressants were originally approved, highlighting key limitations in some studies and how those flaws may have shaped our understanding of their benefits and risks. Along the way, he explains what happens in the brain during the tapering process and the best and worst practices for supporting individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, and antidepressant discontinuation.

Dr. Mark Horowitz is a Clinical Research Fellow in Psychiatry with the NHS in London, Visiting Lecturer at King’s College London, and lead author of the Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines, the first authoritative handbook on safely stopping antidepressants and other psychiatric medications. His research has helped shape UK national guidance on tapering psychiatric drugs, and he has published in leading journals including The Lancet Psychiatry and JAMA Psychiatry. Drawing from both his clinical expertise and personal experience coming off psychiatric medications after 20 years of use, Dr. Horowitz is dedicated to helping people safely reduce or discontinue medications when appropriate.

*Important: Never stop or reduce a prescribed medication without guidance from your healthcare provider. Medication changes should be made under professional supervision, as withdrawal symptoms and individual responses can vary significantly.

In this episode, Dhru and Dr. Horowitz dive into:

(0:00) Introduction

(00:23) The Truth About Antidepressant Effectiveness

(7:10) Why Getting Off Antidepressants Can Be So Difficult

(16:05) Dr. Horowitz's Personal Withdrawal Story

(29:14) If Not A Chemical Imbalance, Then What?

(36:19) The Neurogenesis Theory Explained

(46:52) Informed Consent And What Patients Aren't Told

(55:35) Why Standard Tapering Often Fails

(1:02:37) The Antidepressant Controversies

(1:12:25) Best And Worst Practices For Recovery

(1:20:15) Resources For Healing And Support

(1:24:37) Final Thoughts And Advice

Also mentioned in this episode:


The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines: Antidepressants, Benzodiazepines, Gabapentinoids and Z-drugs (The Maudsley Prescribing Guidelines Series

For more on Dr. Horowitz, follow him on X/Twitter, Substack,  Outro Health’s socials: Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, or visit his Websites: Dr. Mark Horowitz and Outro Health.

This episode is brought to you by Rhythm Health, Momentous, Bon Charge, and Branch Basics.

Right now, Rythm is offering my community 15% off your first month, plus free shipping at Rythm Health. Just go to rythm.health/DHRU to get 15% off at checkout.

Right now, Momentous is offering our listeners up to 35% off their first order with promo code DHRU. Head to livemomentous.com and use code DHRU for 35% off your first subscription.

Right now, Bon Charge is offering my community 15% off their Red Light mask. Just go to boncharge.com/dhru and use code DHRU to save 15%.

Right now, Branch Basics is offering 15% off the Premium Starter Kit; just go to branchbasics.com and use the coupon code DHRU.

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This episode is brought to you by Sunlighten, Puori, One Skin, and LMNT.

Mental health care is at a turning point, with more people questioning whether symptom management alone leads to lasting healing. At the same time, emerging research is exploring how psychedelic-assisted therapies may help address deeper root causes tied to emotional well-being.

Today on The Dhru Purohit Show, Dhru sits down with Dr. Will Van Derveer to discuss the transformative potential and risks of psychedelic medicine, sharing powerful stories of healing, the importance of proper guidance, and the current landscape of research and regulation. He also discusses how the current mental health care system is in crisis and how some patients don’t feel relief from pharmaceuticals, as they may not address the root cause of their condition. Dr. Van Derveer also shares the ideal candidates for psychedelic medicine and the importance of finding the right guide and combining it with therapy. 

Will Van Derveer is a psychiatrist focused on addressing the root causes of mental health challenges, not just medicating symptoms. With nearly 25 years of experience, he co-founded the Integrative Psychiatry Institute (IPI), which has trained over 10,000 licensed professionals in integrative psychiatry and psychedelic-assisted therapy. Dr. Van Derveer is the coauthor of Psychedelic Therapy, and co-host of the Higher Practice Podcast.

*This episode includes a discussion about suicide and mental health. If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available. Reach out to a trusted friend, family member, mental health professional, or call/text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, for immediate help.

In this episode, Dhru and Dr. Van Derveer dive into: 

(0:00) The Promise of Psychedelic Medicine

(05:34) Potential Risks to Consider 

(09:12) Failures of Traditional Mental Health Care

(12:55) The Trauma That Changed Dr. Van Derveer’s Life

(26:27) Choosing the Right Guide 

(33:16) Exploring Unresolved Trauma

(43:14) What Conventional Care is Missing

(55:14) Understanding Psychedelics: Amplifying the Mind

(57:50) Exploring Ketamine: Benefits and Risks

(1:01:33) MDMA: The Connection Hormone and Trauma Therapy

(1:04:58) Psilocybin: A Swiss Army Knife for Mental Health

(1:07:29) Psychedelics for Personal Growth and Exploration

(1:11:11) Couples Therapy: Breaking Barriers

(1:14:56) Ibogaine: Potential and Risks

(1:18:46) Political Battle Over Psychedelic Research

(1:21:09) Big Pharma, Profits, and the Fight Over Access

(1:30:26) Final Thoughts and Where to Learn More

Also mentioned in this episode:


Psychedelic Therapy: A Revolutionary Approach to Restoring Your Mental Health and Reclaiming Your Life


LSD Psychotherapy


Somatic Experiencing International

For more on Dr. Derveer, follow him on Instagram, Threads, YouTube, LinkedIn, or visit his Websites: Integrative Psychiatry Institute and Will Van Derveer MD.

This episode is brought to you by Sunlighten, Puori, One Skin, and LMNT.

Right now, Sunlighten is offering exclusive savings for my community. You can save up to $2,100 plus free shipping when you go to sunlighten.com and use the code DHRU when you fill out the Get Pricing form. 

Quality protein matters. Get 32% off Puori Grass-Fed Whey Protein and a free shaker when you start a subscription at puori.com/DHRU and use code DHRU at checkout. 

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Check out LMNT’s new refreshing iced tea lemonade flavor. Right now, LMNT is offering my listeners a free 8-count sample pack with any purchase. Head over to drinkLMNT.com/dhru today.

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This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth, BiOptimizers, Puori, and Birch Living. 

We often think of healing as a battle: fight harder, optimize more, push through. But this week’s conversation challenges that entire mindset and explores why the body may heal best in states of safety, stillness, and flow.

Today on The Dhru Purohit Show, Dhru sits down with Dr. Cynthia Li to discuss why so many people are stuck in chronic stress and survival mode despite doing “everything right” for their health. Dr. Li shares her powerful personal healing journey and explains how resistance, perfectionism, fear, and hidden emotional “subcurrents” can create wear and tear in the body over time. She breaks down the connection between nervous system regulation, longevity, brain health, chronic inflammation, and emotional well-being. She also shares practical ways to integrate these ideas into everyday life, relationships, and family dynamics, along with the science behind flow, energy, and what she calls “activated calm.”

Cynthia Li, MD, is a physician specializing in integrative medicine and intuitive healing. After developing a disabling autoimmune illness, she expanded her work beyond conventional medicine, studying functional medicine, environmental health, qigong, and holistic healing. Her healing journey was featured in the documentary Radical Remission. She is the author of the bestselling memoir Brave New Medicine and her new book, The Medicine of Flow (May 2026).

In this episode, Dhru and Dr. Li dive into:

(0:00) Why Healing Often Starts With What We Resist Most

(3:15) Dr. Li's Personal Story and Healing Journey

(5:50) The Ancient Practice That Helped Her Heal

(18:04)  Why Letting Go Can Be More Powerful Than Trying Harder

(20:54) The Counterintuitive Art of "Untrying

(27:58) How Fear Quietly Drains Your Energy and Health

(31:26) What a Near-Death Experience Revealed About Living Fully

(36:50) The Invisible Stressors Wearing Down Your Body

(45:45) Why Most of Us Are Living Outside Our Bodies

(55:18) There Is No One-Size-Fits-All Healing Path

(1:07:14) What Science Is Finally Confirming About Flow States

(1:23:48) Final Takeaway That Could Change How You Heal

Also mentioned in this episode:


The Medicine of Flow: Harmonizing Your Inner State for Effortless Healing

For more on Dr. Li, follow her on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or visit her Website.

This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth, BiOptimizers, Puori, and Birch Living. 

Right now, get 20% off your Cozy Earth sheets and sleepwear. Just head over to cozyearth.com/dhru and use code DHRUP.

Upgrade your sleep! Go to bioptimizers.com/dhru now and enter promo code DHRU to get 15% off your entire order and a free bottle of MassZymes.

Quality protein matters. Get 32% off Puori Grass-Fed Whey Protein and a free shaker when you start a subscription at puori.com/DHRU and use code DHRU at checkout.

Summer is the perfect time to invest in better sleep. Right now, Birch is offering my community an exclusive 20% off during their Summer Sale.—just head to birchliving.com/dhru today.

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This episode is brought to you by Fatty15, Momentous, Puori, and Bon Charge.

Heart disease is still the #1 killer worldwide, but most heart attacks don’t happen overnight. They’re built quietly through years of poor sleep, chronic stress, lack of movement, ultra-processed food, and everyday habits we rarely question. The good news? Many of the biggest risk factors are within our control.

Today on The Dhru Purohit Show, we are revisiting one of our favorite episodes with cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Jeremy London to unpack the hidden lifestyle patterns that dramatically increase your risk for heart disease and heart attacks. From sleep deprivation and chronic stress to exercise, nutrition, and recovery, Dr. London explains the daily decisions that either protect or damage your heart over time. He also opens up about surviving his own heart attack and how that experience completely transformed the way he approaches prevention, patient care, and long-term health. If you want to better understand how heart disease develops and what you can do today to prevent it, this episode is a must-listen.

Dr. Jeremy London is a board-certified cardiovascular surgeon with over 25 years of clinical experience. He earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia and trained in surgery in Denver and Charlotte. To expand his approach, he completed the Institute of Functional Medicine’s core program, integrating a root-cause, whole-body perspective with traditional medicine. Dr. London’s mission is to share practical, easy-to-understand health information through his newsletter, podcast, and social media.

 

In this episode, Dhru and Dr. London dive into: 

(0:00) Introduction

(0:31) The Habits Fast-Tracking Heart Disease

(5:03) The Blood Sugar Markers Damaging Your Heart

(10:21) Why Chronic Stress Harms Heart Health

(17:37) What High Blood Pressure Is Really Doing

(26:43) The Most Important Tests For Prevention

(30:36) The Heart Attack That Changed Dr. London’s Life

(55:57) How Sleep Deprivation Breaks Down The Body

(1:09:06) How Food Changes Your Physiology

(1:21:30) Why Metabolic Health Matters So Much

(1:31:48) The Key Tests Dr. London Recommends

(1:37:47) Why Alcohol-Based Mouthwash May Be Harmful

(1:40:25) Dr. London’s Experience With Alcohol

(1:48:33) The Coffee Habit That Impacts Heart Health

(1:51:57) What To Do During A Heart Attack

(1:57:35) Final Thoughts And Key Takeaways

Also mentioned in this episode:


Eight Sleep

For more on Dr. London, follow him on X/Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, or visit his Website.

This episode is brought to you by Fatty15, Momentous, Puori, and Bon Charge.

Fatty15 is on a mission to support healthy aging for all ages by offering an additional 15% off its 90-day subscription Starter Kit. Go to fatty15.com/dhru and use code DHRU to replenish your C15 levels for long-term health.

Right now, Momentous is offering our listeners up to 35% off their first order with promo code DHRU. Head to livemomentous.com and use code DHRU for 35% off your first subscription.

Quality protein matters. Get 32% off Puori Grass-Fed Whey Protein and a free shaker when you start a subscription at puori.com/DHRU and use code DHRU at checkout. 

Right now, Bon Charge is offering my community 15% off their Red Light Cap. Just go to boncharge.com/dhru and use code DHRU to save 15%.

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This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth, Puori, Rythm Health, and Branch Basics.

Some of the most harmful exposures in modern life don’t come all at once. They come from the small, everyday products and habits we rarely question.

Today on The Dhru Purohit Show, Dhru sits down with Allison Evans to explore how the products we use in our homes every day may be quietly impacting our health. Allison shares her personal journey toward a low-toxin lifestyle and offers simple, practical ways to reduce toxic exposure without feeling overwhelmed. They discuss safer kitchen and laundry habits, the importance of water filtration, mold exposure, and how small intentional changes can help create a healthier home and family.

Allison Evans, co-founder of Branch Basics, has dedicated herself to helping others reap the benefits of clean living. Removing toxins from her home and diet helped her overcome chronic pain and severe PCOS, and then several years later, a bad mold exposure and symptoms of chronic Lyme disease. She is passionate about helping others experience greater healing as she did. 

In this episode, Dhru and Allison dive into:

(0:00) Introduction 

(1:57) Allison’s Low-Toxin Journey

(10:12) The Impact of Pesticides & Cleaning Chemicals

(15:57) The Hidden Toxin Hotspot in Your Home

(22:44) Rethinking Household Products

(36:59) Deceptive Marketing & Low-Toxin Living

(38:40) The Harm of Traditional Cleaning Products

(39:49) Why Keeping Your Home Dust-Free Matters

(41:57) Why Mold Exposure Shouldn’t Be Ignored

(47:26) Reducing Toxins During Pregnancy

(53:39) Summer Do’s and Don’ts 

(57:33) Hidden Chemicals in Everyday Beauty Products

(1:04:47) Investing in a Low-Toxin Lifestyle

(1:09:00) Smart Habits for Reducing Toxic Load

(1:12:52) Final Thoughts

Also mentioned in this episode:


20% of Branch Basics Premium Starter Kit - Code DHRU20


Try This: Reduce Plastic Exposure in Seven Days


Loonen Water


Ecos Paints


Environmental Working Group


MATE the Label


PACT Apparel

For more on Allison, follow her on Instagram, LinkedIn, Branch Basics socials: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, or visit their Website.

This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth, Puori, Rythm Health, and Branch Basics.

Right now, get 20% off your Cozy Earth sheets and sleepwear. Just head over to cozyearth.com/dhru and use code DHRUP.

Quality protein matters. Get 32% off Puori Grass-Fed Whey Protein and a free shaker when you start a subscription at puori.com/DHRU and use code DHRU at checkout. 

Right now, Rythm is offering my community 15% off your first month, plus free shipping at Rythm Health. Just go to rythm.health/DHRUPUROHIT to get 15% off at checkout.

For one week only, Branch Basics is offering 20% off the Premium Starter Kit; just go to  branchbasics.com/DHRU20 and use the coupon code DHRU20. 

Sign up for Dhru’s Try This Newsletter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices