Joe Rogan said he was concerned about fellow podcaster Theo Von’s use of antidepressants, saying it “freaks me out” and that he has urged Von to go off medication.
In the most recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan spoke with a guest who said he wanted to go off his Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs).
“Theo Von’s going through the exact same thing, and last time I was on the podcast, he was explaining it to me. It freaks me out,” Rogan responded.
What are SSRIs?
SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed class of antidepressants.
The public debate over SSRIs has become increasingly polarized, with Rogan’s comments echoing a growing skepticism toward psychiatric medication prevalent in particularly right-wing political and “wellness” circles.
While questioning over-prescription and potential side-effects is a valid part of medical discourse, healthcare professionals warn that sweeping dismissals of antidepressants by high-profile influencers can be dangerous and lead to vulnerable people following risky non-clinical advice.
Von & Rogan’s History of Talking About Mental Health
Von has been open about his history with depression and long-term use of antidepressants.
Rogan’s latest comments came after Von appeared on his podcast in April, during which Rogan also suggested Von should stop taking his antidepressants.
During the conversation, Von said, “Satan is amongst us,” to which Rogan responded: “We got to get you off those antidepressants, son. You’re losing your f***ing marbles.”
While Rogan attributed Von’s comments to his medication, medical literature does not list delusional thinking as a side effect of SSRIs.
On his most recent podcast, Rogan referenced an incident last year when Von was recording a Netflix comedy special and told the audience, “I’m trying not to take my own life.”
Von later spoke about the incident on his podcast and said that he was not suicidal but had stopped taking his medication ahead of filming as he wanted to “have more feelings during the show,” which left him feeling “mildly manic.”
Rogan said about Von’s suicidal comment: “You hear stuff like that, and you just go like, ‘Oh, Jesus Christ.’ I’ve known too many people that I didn’t think were going to kill themselves and then did.”
“And then he goes down these spirals where he starts talking about world events and freaking out. I’m like, ‘Oh, Jesus Christ.’ Like, I got to help this dude. And so I send him things about people getting off of them,” Rogan said, referring to Von’s use of SSRIs.
Rogan added that while he knows some people who have benefited from using SSRIs, he knows others who have taken their lives while on medication and speculated a link, explaining that suicidal ideation can be a potential side-effect.
He went on to challenge the idea that depression is linked to a chemical imbalance, which is a common reason for prescribing SSRIs.
“Here’s the thing about that chemical imbalance thing: that’s not real,” Rogan claimed.
What The Science Says About SSRIs
SSRIs are widely used antidepressants that have been studied in hundreds of clinical trials.
A widely cited piece of research is The Lancet’s 2018 network meta-analysis of 21 antidepressants, which found them to be more effective than placebo for the acute treatment of adults with major depressive disorder, with effectiveness ranging from small to moderate.
However, research also identifies some risks. An FDA safety review of clinical trial data found an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children and adolescents—about 4 percent on antidepressants vs 2 percent on placebo—particularly early in treatment.
The FDA guidance noted that clinicians and families must balance this risk against the risks of untreated illness and monitor closely during the early stages of treatment.
Studies have also shown risks of withdrawal symptoms when stopping SSRIs, including a 2019 Lancet Psychiatry paper.
Overall, the evidence supports SSRIs as effective for many people with depression, but with a range of risks that vary depending on dose, age, and individual medical circumstances.
What to Know About Long-Term SSRI Effects
- SSRIs can help prevent relapse and stabilize mood long term, as large reviews have found, Harbor Psych reported.
- Long-term use may bring side effects such as sexual dysfunction, weight gain, and emotional blunting, as clinical studies and patient follow-up research report, Harbor Psych reported.
- Extended use has been linked to risks such as fractures and possible cardiovascular issues, though causation is unclear, as observational research suggests, British Journal of Psychiatry Open reported.
- There was also some evidence that antidepressants, and particularly SSRI’s, were associated with a reduced risk (23 to 32% lower risk) of developing high blood pressure and diabetes, British Journal of Psychiatry Open reported.
SSRI Skepticism
Backlash against SSRIs has surged in recent years, particularly in right-wing and “wellness” circles.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently announced several initiatives that aim to reduce the prescription of SSRIs.
This skepticism was recently fueled by a viral video from Ella Emhoff, stepdaughter of former Vice President Kamala Harris, who questioned the lack of research on the long-term use of SSRIs and discussed the challenges of going off them.
While this video was widely circulated and cited by those skeptical of the medication, Emhoff later made a video explaining that she was “very pro-SSRIs” and said that they have “saved her life.”
What Happens Next
Von has not publicly responded to Rogan’s latest comments, but after their podcast exchange in April, he wrote on X about Rogan: “he just wants me to be healthy and feel cared abt.”
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