News Mentions for the week of January 8, 2024

Meta says it's trying to make the social media world safer for younger users by unveiling new oversight policies. CBS News Bay Area anchor Elizabeth Cook asks Vicki Harrison, program manager of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, about the impact this could have on the mental health of teens, and if these moves go far enough.

Last October, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation that made California the first state to ban the use of the term “excited delirium” as a cause of death. The law, which prohibits reference to the controversial term on death certificates and autopsy reports and in civil litigation, builds on prior momentum in moving away from the use of the term. Taking seriously the critique of “excited delirium” put forth by national groups means moving past semantic debates and embracing changes in how medical and law enforcement professionals respond to, and care for, individuals who are experiencing crisis. Kyle Lane-McKinley, program manager in psychiatry and behavioral sciences, and Justin Hogg, research professional in psychiatry and behavioral sciences, write this Viewpoint article.

A study demonstrated olanzapine and samidorphan’s (LYBALVI) safety, tolerability, and durability during a 4-year treatment period. Jacob Ballon, clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is quoted.

Barr Taylor, professor emeritus of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, took a public health approach to mental health and was an early proponent of digital interventions for anxiety and eating disorders.

Nolan Williams, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, joins The Tim Ferriss Show for an episode that provides a glimpse of the future of mental health treatments in the next five to ten years.

Stanford Medicine researchers find that ibogaine, a plant-based psychoactive compound, safely led to improvements in depression, anxiety and functioning among veterans with traumatic brain injuries. Nolan Williams, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is quoted. Explore more coverage of this study here.

Stanford Medicine scientists used transcranial magnetic stimulation to temporarily enhance hypnotizability in patients with chronic pain, making them better candidates for hypnotherapy. Afik Faerman, postdoctoral scholar in psychiatry and behavioral sciences, David Spiegel, the Jack, Lulu, and Sam Willson professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, and Nolan Williams, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, provide comment. Explore more coverage of this study here.