Magnets, Mushrooms & Mood—Breakthroughs in Mental Health
plus, we are officially moving to...
The Future of Mental Health Care is Here
What if we could treat depression in hours instead of weeks? Or use magnetic pulses to rewire the brain and improve mood?
This week, I’m diving into groundbreaking advancements shaping the future of psychiatry: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), esketamine, psychedelic-assisted therapy, and precision psychiatry. These breakthroughs are bringing hope to millions—especially for those who’ve struggled with traditional treatments. But like all treatments, they have limitations and won’t work for everyone.
But first, a quick life update:
Announcing Our Big Move:
T-minus 3 months and 13 days until I graduate from residency—but who’s counting?
On top of that, my wife and I are in the process of selling our condo in Miami as we prepare for our next big chapter.
For years, we’ve been exploring where to put down roots. As many of you know, my wife is from California, and over the past few years, we’ve explored cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and beyond—searching for the place that truly feels like home.
And the winner? San Diego.
Here’s why:
🌿 The nature. Canyons, beaches, hiking trails—we love it all.
☀️ The climate. Not too hot, not too cold.
🌱 The space. I’m big on growing my own food (I even have a hydroponic garden in Miami), and we want a backyard where we can grow fresh produce year-round.
We’re excited—but also a little overwhelmed. Selling a home in one state while buying in another—while working full-time as doctors—has been stressful, to say the least...
To stay grounded, we’re ensuring we are doing mini mindfulness sessions and doing some form of daily movement. (Today, we played tennis against my mom and her best friend—and we won 🏆)
We’ll keep you posted on this next chapter. Now, let’s talk about the future of psychiatry.
1. TMS: Rewiring the Brain with Magnetic Pulses
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is one of the most exciting treatments in psychiatry today. It’s a noninvasive procedure that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain, particularly those involved in mood regulation.
How It Works:
🧠 A psychiatrist places an electromagnetic coil on your scalp, delivering gentle pulses to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex—an area that’s often under-active in depression.
📅 Most people do 30–36 sessions over several weeks. Some newer protocols allow multiple sessions in a single day.
🚗 No anesthesia required. You can drive yourself to and from treatment. This is not electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
What It Treats:
✅ FDA-approved for depression, OCD, migraines, and smoking cessation
✅ Being studied for anxiety, PTSD, and other conditions
Why It’s a Game-Changer:
✔️ Largely safe and effective for treatment-resistant depression
✔️ May benefit those who haven’t found relief from traditional medication
✔️ Minimal side effects
I collaborated with Doctor Mike on a video about TMS—check it out here!
2. Esketamine: Relief in Hours for Severe Depression
For people with treatment-resistant depression, esketamine offers hope like never before.
How It Works:
💨 Nasal spray form of ketamine, given in a clinical setting
🔄 Combined with a traditional antidepressant for longer-lasting results
Why It’s Exciting:
🚀 Works within hours (vs. weeks for traditional antidepressants)
🛑 Can rapidly reduce suicidal thoughts—one of the only treatments proven to do so
🧠 Targets glutamate (a key brain neurotransmitter), forming new neural connections
The Downside:
⚠️ Symptoms may return within weeks or months, requiring maintenance doses
⚠️ Not a cure-all—but a powerful option for those who need fast relief
3. Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: A Single Dose for Lasting Change?
After decades of stigma, psilocybin (magic mushrooms) and MDMA are making a comeback in psychiatry.
How It Works:
🧠 These substances are paired with psychotherapy to treat PTSD and depression
💡 Unlike traditional meds, 1–2 sessions can lead to lasting changes
What the Research Shows:
🔹 Psilocybin may rewire the brain, promoting emotional release and introspection
🔹 Australia recently approved MDMA and psilocybin for PTSD
🔹 FDA update: The U.S. agency recently denied approval for MDMA for PTSD, citing concerns—but I believe approval is coming in the next few years
Challenges Ahead:
⚠️ Requires trained professionals and structured therapy
⚠️ More research needed to fully understand risks and benefits
4. Precision Psychiatry: The Future of Personalized Mental Health Care
Imagine knowing exactly which antidepressant will work for you—before even trying it.
That’s the goal of precision psychiatry.
What It Involves:
🔬 Researchers are identifying genetic, biochemical, and neurological markers to predict treatment responses
🧬 Some tests already exist to assess how people metabolize certain medications (e.g., cytochrome testing for antidepressants)
📊 This moves psychiatry away from trial-and-error prescribing toward personalized treatment plans
The Future:
We’re still in the early stages, but brain imaging, AI, and genomics could revolutionize how we treat mental health.
Final Thoughts
While there’s still progress to be made, these breakthroughs are already transforming lives. Mental health treatment is advancing faster than ever, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of this field at such a pivotal time. When I launch my dream practice (more on that soon!), I hope to offer Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and other cutting-edge treatments—bringing the most effective, science-backed options directly to my patients.
Thank you for reading.
I’m so grateful you’re here. Thank you for investing in your health and taking steps toward a balanced life. We’re in this together.
Let’s keep the conversation going:
Curious about something you read today? Let me know - I read every comment and do my best to respond to as many as I can. Your ideas inspire the next big discussion!
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Sources:
TMS: Richter K, Kellner S, Licht C. rTMS in mental health disorders. Front Netw Physiol. 2023 Jul 28;3:943223. doi: 10.3389/fnetp.2023.943223. PMID: 37577037; PMCID: PMC10417823.
Esketamine: Walsh Z, Mollaahmetoglu OM, Rootman J, Golsof S, Keeler J, Marsh B, Nutt DJ, Morgan CJA. Ketamine for the treatment of mental health and substance use disorders: comprehensive systematic review. BJPsych Open. 2021 Dec 23;8(1):e19. doi: 10.1192/bjo.2021.1061. Erratum in: BJPsych Open. 2022 Jan 18;8(1):e29. doi: 10.1192/bjo.2022.5. PMID: 35048815; PMCID: PMC8715255.
Psychodelics: Barber GS, Aaronson ST. The Emerging Field of Psychedelic Psychotherapy. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2022 Oct;24(10):583-590. doi: 10.1007/s11920-022-01363-y. Epub 2022 Sep 21. PMID: 36129571; PMCID: PMC9553847.
Disclaimer:
This newsletter is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The content shared is based on evidence-supported research and my personal experiences but is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your personal doctor or a qualified healthcare professional before starting new treatments, making changes to your health routine, or addressing specific medical concerns. This content does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. While I strive for accuracy, the information may not apply to your unique situation.
Wishing you balance, health, and peace.
Dr. Jake
I am doing a clinical trial for psilocybin in 2 weeks. Hopefully I get an active dose and not the placebo. I had to come off my meds to do this. I thought it wouldn't be bad because they weren't doing much, hence the reason for doing the trial, but it has been very hard. Hope it is worth it, and hope it advances the science.
Hi Dr. Goodman! Would it be possible to have some of your next publications focus on living with multiple chronic mental illnesses and conditions? Possibly the effects, tips/strategies, new research, etc.? Thanks! I love the positivity you bring. Your videos helped me through tough times.