NEI Podcast

E286 - GLP-1 Agonists in Psychiatry: Beyond Weight Loss with Dr. Roger McIntyre

NEI Podcast

Show Notes

In this episode, Dr. Andy Cutler is joined by Dr. Roger McIntyre to discuss GLP-1 receptor agonists in psychiatry and why these medications may be relevant beyond weight loss. They explore the emerging role of GLP-1s in metabolic psychiatry, including potential connections with mood disorders, cognition, reward pathways, cardiometabolic health, and psychiatric medication-associated weight gain. Dr. McIntyre also discusses what psychiatric providers should know now, where the evidence is still evolving, and what future research is needed before GLP-1 or incretin-based therapies could be considered part of psychiatric treatment.

Roger S. McIntyre, MD, FRCPC, is Professor of Psychiatry and Pharmacology at the University of Toronto and Head of the Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit at the University Health Network in Toronto. He is an internationally recognized expert in mood disorders and psychopharmacology, with published scholarship and presentations exploring the relevance of GLP-1 receptor agonists to psychiatry.

Andrew J. Cutler, MD, is a distinguished psychiatrist and researcher with extensive experience in clinical trials and psychopharmacology. He currently serves as the Chief Medical Officer of Neuroscience Education Institute and EMA Wellness. He is a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York.

Fall Congress

Get $100 off NEI Fall Congress registration with code POD26. Go to https://nei.global/fall to sign up today!

Membership

As a valued NEI Podcast listener, Dr. Cutler's offering you 20% off new NEI Membership with code CUTLER20. Go to https://nei.global/member and join now! Never miss an episode!🎙SUBSCRIBE to the NEI Podcast – available on all your favorite platforms: https://nei.global/podcast

Interested in Psychopharmacology? Learn about the NEI Master Psychopharmacology Program: https://nei.global/mpp

Stay updated with email alerts and join our conversations on social. Follow us on:

YouTube: https://nei.global/youtube

Instagram: https://nei.global/instagram

LinkedIn: https://nei.global/linkedin

Facebook: https://nei.global/facebook

X: https://nei.global/twitter

More from NEI Podcast

Oct 21, 2026

In this episode, Dr. Andy Cutler talks with Dr. Jon Grant about how compulsivity presents across obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), trichotillomania, and skin-picking disorder (excoriation disorder). They discuss how clinicians can distinguish OCD compulsions from body-focused repetitive behaviors and choose among treatments such as exposure and response prevention, habit-reversal training, medication, and emerging treatment approaches.

Oct 7, 2026

Originally released in 2022, this episode of The PsychopharmaStahlogy Show features Drs. Andrew Cutler and Stephen Stahl in conversation with Dr. Tiffany Greenwood on the genetic and trait-based links between bipolar disorder and creativity. They explore how temperament, personality, and cognitive style may occupy the space between madness and genius, the role of dopamine, evolutionary explanations for why bipolar risk persists, and why stabilizing mood doesn't have to mean losing creativity.

Sep 23, 2026

Originally released in 2024, this episode features the late Dr. Vladimir Maletic in conversation with Drs. Andy Cutler and Stephen Stahl about the clinical significance and neurobiology of anhedonia. They discuss its different dimensions, how it differs from emotional blunting, its relationship to functioning and treatment response, and practical approaches to assessment and treatment. The episode highlights why recovery from depression requires restoring interest, motivation, and pleasure—not simply reducing negative symptoms.

Sep 9, 2026

In this episode, Dr. Andy Cutler speaks with Dr. Tim Wilens about the complex relationship between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and substance use disorders. They discuss how to distinguish ADHD from substance-related cognitive symptoms, determine when co-occurring conditions should be treated concurrently, and select appropriate ADHD medications based on the substance involved. Dr. Wilens also examines stimulant misuse and diversion, the role of nonstimulants, what is known about centanafadine's abuse potential, and practical approaches to monitoring treatment without undermining the therapeutic relationship.

Aug 26, 2026

Originally released in 2021, this episode features Dr. Thomas Schwartz discussing common mistakes in psychopharmacology and how psychiatric clinicians can recognize and manage them. He explores diagnostic uncertainty, medication dosing, informed consent and monitoring, and rational versus irrational polypharmacy. He also considers how clinicians can reassess inherited diagnoses, learn from prescribing errors, and preserve the therapeutic relationship when mistakes occur.

See all episodes →