LOUISVILLE Even the best clinicians need spaces to learn, unlearn, and keep growing. That’s why I attended the UofL Health 19th Annual Depression & Mood Disorders Conference on October 31, where the brightest minds in psychiatry and psychology gathered in Louisville to share what’s really going on behind the buzzwords. I had the opportunity to sit down with this year’s speakers, cut through the noise, and ask the questions my patients would ask.
In a world of silver-bullet promises, here’s what stuck for me:
1. Cannabis & Today’s Teens: Not Your Parent’s Weed Think cannabis is “natural” and harmless—especially for teens? “That’s dangerously outdated,” according to Timothy Yff, MD. “Today’s THC levels are 10 to 100 times higher than in decades past.” Today’s cannabis isn’t just stronger—it’s riskier—and not just for “munchies.” “We’re seeing a rise in teen psychosis, catatonia, and brain change,” reports Hira Waseem, MD. The culprit? Unregulated THC = unknown doses = serious neurotoxicity.
2. When Weed Makes You Sick: Vomiting from Marijuana? It’s a Thing. Cannabis has a complicated relationship with the body—and for long-term users, the effects can turn severe. If you’re nauseous and using cannabis, it might be the cause—not the cure. “Most patients don’t know they’re making it worse by using more cannabis to ‘relieve’ their symptoms of vomiting or abdominal pain,” according to John Gallehr, MD. “It’s often misdiagnosed in ERs, delaying effective treatment.”
3. Cannabis & Sleep: Not the Miracle You Think It’s tempting to reach for cannabis when you can’t sleep. And yes, it might work— temporarily. “CBD may be more effective than high-THC strains,” according to Umair Bhutto, MD. But getting real sleep means more than knocking yourself out. It means quality rest. Unfortunately, longterm cannabis use reduces REM sleep, which degrades sleep quality.
4. Prescription Amphetamines = Performance Enhancers? Think again. What helps one brain can hurt another. College students and professionals commonly misuse them for “performance.” But sometimes what seems like a shortcut to success actually hijacks it. “The performance boost is largely a myth for neurotypical individuals,” says Chris Stewart, MD. “If you don’t have ADHD, these drugs can backfire and actually dull your performance.”
5. Psychedelics & PTSD: Helpful, But OverHyped and Not FDA Approved (Yet) Psychedelics are hot—but that doesn’t mean they’re ready for clinical prime time. Despite the buzz, MDMA for PTSD treatment just got rejected by the FDA, based on concerns about drug study design and bias. “It’s an overstatement that psychedelics can knock out depression and even cure it.” says Greg Fonzo, PhD. “Psychedelics help some, not all.” Emerging evidence suggests the psychedelic experience may not even be required — you may simply need the medication.
6. Two Types of Depression: Naming it Right Is Half the Treatment. Treat bipolar depression like regular depression, and you might make it worse. “Some anti-depressants worsen bipolar depression or trigger mania,” says Leslie Citrome, MD. “That’s why getting the diagnosis right matters.” There’s no gene test (yet) for what treatment works, so clinical judgment matters.
7. What Makes a Great Therapist? It’s Not Just CBT “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is great— but it’s not the only evidence-based route to healing. Other approaches like ACT, DBT, and interpersonal therapy work just as well,” according to Tracy Eells, PhD. What matters most? The relationship. Research shows that the connection between client and therapist is the strongest predictor of success. Beyond that, a good therapist brings flexibility— knowing when to stick to the plan and when to adjust it for the real person sitting across from them.
Conference Capsule
Mental health treatment is complex:
- Drugs that start helpful—like cannabis—can turn harmful over time.
- Psychedelics aren’t predictable. One person’s miracle is another’s disappointment.
- There’s no one-size-fits-all fix, whether it’s for performance, depression, or anxiety.
- Therapy works best when it’s both evidence-based and flexible. Better input = better care. That’s why I’ll be here next year.