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Health, Longevity & Biohacking

SSRIs Permanently Damage Developing Brains in Children Under 25 Years Old

Dr Eric Berg · The Dr. Berg LIVE Show - May 8, 2026 · May 13, 2026
SSRIs Permanently Damage Developing Brains in Children Under 25 Years Old
Dr Eric Berg
Dr Eric Berg
The Dr. Berg LIVE Show - May 8, 2026
"Between a child and 25 years old, your brain is still developing. When you take an SSRI, you start to stop the development of certain parts of the brain. So then when you come off the drug, there's no baseline, there's no normal to fall back on. You haven't built a foundational brain."
Dr. Berg made the controversial claim that giving SSRIs to children and young adults causes permanent developmental damage because the brain cannot complete normal maturation while on the drugs. He stated that unlike adults, children who stop SSRIs have no normal baseline to return to because foundational brain development was interrupted. He accused doctors and pharmaceutical companies of failing to provide informed consent to parents about this risk.

About this episode

In this Q&A episode, Dr. Eric Berg and co-host Steve fielded viewer questions on supplements, chronic conditions, and natural remedies while issuing several controversial health claims. The most striking moment came when Dr. Berg claimed that SSRIs cause permanent brain development damage in children and young adults under 25, stating that unlike adults, young patients have no normal baseline to return to after stopping the drugs because foundational brain structures never properly formed. He accused doctors of failing to provide informed consent about these risks. Dr. Berg also revealed research showing aged garlic extract at 2,400mg can actually reverse dangerous soft arterial plaque rather than merely slow progression, contradicting mainstream cardiology's view that plaque is irreversible without pharmaceuticals. In another departure from conventional wisdom, he claimed that eliminating snacking between meals is more effective at stopping nighttime urination than cutting carbs, citing tens of thousands of user comments supporting this protocol. The episode covered a wide range of health topics including kidney disease warning signs, methylation problems, carnivore diet benefits for vitamin D status, and natural remedies for conditions from varicose veins to Parkinson's disease. Dr. Berg also attacked the pharmaceutical and supplement industries, alleging that drug companies deliberately produce low-quality vitamins with limestone and cheap Chinese ingredients to maximize profits. He promoted specific protocols including zinc carnosine for ulcers, TUDCA bile salts for gallbladder pain, and L. reuteri probiotics for insulin resistance. The show concluded with Dr. Berg announcing his new grain-free crackers made without seed oils and teasing upcoming videos on advanced health protocols.

Key takeaways

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