Is Big Pharma really healing us — or profiting from keeping us sick?
NYT best-selling author Johann Hari (Stolen Focus, Lost Connections, Chasing the Scream, Magic Pill) returns to Mayim Bialik’s Breakdown with a powerful breakdown of the real causes of depression, anxiety, and the global attention crisis.
Johann Hari reveals to Mayim & Jonathan why only 2 of the 9 causes of depression are biological, exposing how Big Pharma, social media addiction, and modern lifestyle traps are fueling mental health issues. He dives into the dark rise of GLP-1 drugs (like Ozempic) and society’s toxic beauty obsession, while uncovering the overlooked role of sleep, community, and social connection in healing.
Hari shares his personal experience with antidepressants, and explores how childhood shame and trauma drive addiction, weight gain, and despair. You’ll learn why even pets are being diagnosed with ADHD, what Silicon Valley insiders confessed about attention-hacking technology, and how our loss of focus is sabotaging relationships, careers, and democracy itself.
If you’re ready to challenge the myths of mental health, regain your focus, and take back control of your mind, don’t miss this eye-opening conversation with Johann Hari.
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CHAPTERS:
00:00 – Intro
06:36 – New GLP-1 Weight Loss Drug Reflections
16:21 – Ties Between Childhood Trauma, Weight Gain, Depression, & Addiction
21:10 – Medication for Emotional Distress
34:50 – The Grief Loophole
40:06 – Biology of Trauma
49:54 – Do Antidepressants Work?
53:18 – Social Prescribing Benefits
57:15 – Political Solutions to Depression
1:05:24 – ADHD Epidemic
1:18:39 – How Social Media is Designed to Monopolize Your Attention
1:25:24 – Responsibility of Big Tech
1:30:28 – Food & Attention Connection
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Theme Song Written, Produced, and Performed by Ed Robertson. Mixed by Kenny Luong.
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