On episode 20 of A Chat with Uma, I recap my experience at the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF)'s 28th Annual OCD Conference & the 8th Annual IOCDF Research Symposium. I provide my key research takeaways from the perspective of an OCD neuroscientist & researcher with lived experience of OCD - about many important topics including psychedelics, ketamine, OCD genes, advanced epigenetic aging, comorbid OCD & PTSD + trauma, brain scans, and more. I share these research updates in accessible & digestible ways to continue bridging the gap between researchers & lived experience communities.

I also share my many experiences and reflections from my presentations and advocacy at the conference. I speak about my experience as a BIPOC patient and the influence of my identity on the ways I showed up at the conference. I also speak at length about the intersection of my identities as a researcher, trainee, and OCD survivor + advocate and the myriad of ways that my identities came together at this conference. This episode provides a comprehensive space for reflection, integration, and research updates for not only conference attendees, but those who were unable to attend in person.

Topics Discussed (+ timestamps):

(00:00:00 ) Hello, check-in, moving update

(00:06:35 ) Introduction to episode

• Contextual episodes:

1. ⁠⁠01. My Full Story: 0 to 26⁠⁠


2. 02-04. My Mental Health Journey: ⁠Part 1⁠, ⁠Part 2⁠, ⁠Part 3⁠


3. ⁠⁠05. Yes, I've Done Psychedelics: From Psychonaut to Researcher⁠⁠


4. ⁠06-07. The Ketamine Diaries - OCD, PTSD, Depression, & Chronic Pain: ⁠Part. 1⁠,⁠ ⁠Part 2⁠

(00:09:08 ) Overview of OCD Con, IOCDF Research Symposium, & the unique nature + structure of this particular conference

(00:20:46 ) Research Update: OCD Genes & Advanced Epigenetic Aging - Dr. Evelyn Stewart

(00:28:24 ) Research Update: Ketamine Trials for OCD - Dr. Carolyn Rodriguez

(00:38:41 ) Recap: Research Symposium poster presentation; Full-circle reflection of my growth as a researcher with lived experience; Beginning at OCD Con last year

(00:46:34 ) Recap: BIPOC Community Support Group

• with me & Erjing Cui, LMHC


• Reflections on South Asian representation in the community + at the conference


• Further calls to action

(00:54:44 ) Recap: In My Shoes - Highlighting The Realities of the BIPOC & Cultural Road To Recovery

• with me, ⁠⁠Dr. Darlene Davis Goodwine⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Alexandra Reynolds⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Rachel Ehrenberg⁠⁠, & ⁠⁠Valerie Andrews⁠⁠

(00:58:32 ) Recap: Psychedelics & OCD - Discussing the Current State of Psychedelic Research as Potential OCD Treatments

• with me, ⁠Dr. Carolyn Rodriguez⁠, ⁠Dr. Chris Pittenger⁠, ⁠Dr. Jamila Hokanson⁠, & ⁠Dr. Terence Ching⁠


• Why this panel was one of the most profound experiences of my life


• Fully coming into presenting as a researcher with lived experience

(01:18:14 ) Recap + Update: OCD & Medication - Brain Scan Discussion

• with ⁠⁠Dr. Carolyn Rodriguez⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Dr. Chris Pittenger⁠⁠, & more


• Brain scans do not diagnose OCD


• Context & limitations of brain imaging


• Brain imaging for research vs. diagnosis


• REFERENCED EPISODE - ⁠09. Brain Research 101: From Human to Molecule⁠

(01:23:27 ) Research Update: Comorbid OCD & PTSD + Trauma

• with Dr. Lauren Wadsworth, Dr. Caitlin Pinciotti, & more

(01:28:18 ) Final reflections, hopes, and future directions

Connect with me!

• My website⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠umarchatterjee.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


• ⁠Instagram:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@UmaRChatterjee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


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• Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@umarchatterjee.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


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