6 Feb 2024 – Go Retire Psychiatrist

Trips and Trip-Killers

I just read this JAMA Network article on trip-killers. It’s about using drugs to stop bad trips caused by hallucinogens.

One mentioned was ketamine. When I was working as a consultation psychiatrist, I was called occasionally to evaluate patients in recovery rooms who were delirious from the ketamine that was sometimes used by anesthesiologists.

I found a paper with a list of ketamine’s limitations, which I think is helpful.

Trips and trip-killers can cause problems.

Profound Thoughts on Topological Brain Changes22 Dec 2025
I ran across this article in the news about topological changes that happen in our brains as we age. You can try to read the original open access paper published by the author Alexa Mousley. The topological changes in the brain that occur in the brain is linked to the structural connections that are made … Continue reading "Profound Thoughts on Topological Brain Changes"
Svengoolie Movie: “The Brides of Dracula”!21 Dec 2025
Svengoolie Intro: “Calling all stations! Clear the air lanes! Clear all air lanes for the big broadcast!” It’s almost Christmas and while I was watching the Svengoolie movie “The Brides of Dracula” last night, it struck me that the chief vampire Baron Meinster’s eyes reminded me of holly berries. Yo, Hondo, somebody needs to break … Continue reading "Svengoolie Movie: “The Brides of Dracula”!"
Big Mo Blues Show Christmas Music Featuring Peter Green20 Dec 2025
Last night was the second time John Heim (aka Big Mo) introduced the song “Silent Night” by Peter Green and the Men in Blue using the title in German, “Stille Nacht.” He also played it last Friday night, saying “Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht” in what sounded like perfect German. I immediately liked this version. I … Continue reading "Big Mo Blues Show Christmas Music Featuring Peter Green"
Swearing as a Performance Improvement Method?19 Dec 2025
I read this article about swearing being a good thing to do to increase your workout performance or whatever. There’s a link to the study that a researcher says supports that conclusion. I mean this story is talking about really bad words being good for you. It reminds me of a time when I was … Continue reading "Swearing as a Performance Improvement Method?"
Our House Rules for Crib Wars18 Dec 2025
Based on what I found out from Artificial Intelligence (AI) yesterday, I thought I’d share our house rules for Crib Wars. The only reason I’m including information from AI is because I couldn’t find specifics on how to manage pegging for the Blue Penalty Box anywhere else. If you already know how to play basic … Continue reading "Our House Rules for Crib Wars"
Dr. Susan Shen University of Iowa Psychiatrist Wins Prestigious Avenir Award for Research!17 Dec 2025
This just in! University of Iowa Psychiatrist Dr. Susan Shen, MD, PhD, is an assistant professor of psychiatry at The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and, hold on to your hat, she’s the first female psychiatrist, the first from Iowa, and only the third psychiatrist overall to receive to win the Avenir Award … Continue reading "Dr. Susan Shen University of Iowa Psychiatrist Wins Prestigious Avenir Award for Research!"

Plan for retirement, even if you don’t plan to retire. This means sound financial planning, developing other interests, and nurturing your relationships with significant others. Retire, even if you are not retired. Take enough time off periodically, and completely, with no connections to work, so that you can feel emotionally free from concerns about patients and practice. Of course, there is no reason to retire if you really love your work and relationships just as they are.-H. Steven Moffic, MD See original article in Psychiatric Times