Psychiatry’s playbook is about to get torn up

Psychiatry’s playbook is about to get torn up

Author: Scientific American February 6, 2026 Duration: 17:25
In this episode of Science Quickly, we dig into a brewing shake-up inside psychiatry as the American Psychiatric Association considers sweeping changes to the way mental illness is defined and diagnosed. Scientific American’s associate editor Allison Parshall breaks down what the potential changes are, why long-standing diagnostic categories may no longer reflect scientific reality and what these revisions could ultimately mean for patients. Recommended Reading: Psychiatrists plan to overhaul the mental health bible—and change how we define ‘disorder’ E-mail us at sciencequickly@sciam.com if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover! Discover something new everyday: subscribe to Scientific American and sign up for our daily newsletter. Science Quickly is produced by Kendra Pierre-Louis, Fonda Mwangi, Sushmita Pathak and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was edited by Alex Sugiura, with fact-checking by Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck. Our theme music was composed by Dominic Smith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever feel like you want to stay on top of the latest science news but don't have hours to dig through journals? That's the space where Science Quickly lives. Each episode is a compact, engaging conversation designed to fit into your daily routine, whether you're commuting or just taking a break. Host Rachel Feltman brings her sharp curiosity and a journalist's eye to every topic, joined by other seasoned reporters from Scientific American who are out there talking to the researchers on the front lines. You'll hear more than just headlines; this podcast delves into the how and why behind fascinating discoveries, from quirky animal behaviors to groundbreaking climate tech and the inner workings of the human brain. The tone is conversational and often witty, making complex ideas accessible without oversimplifying them. It’s a variety show in the best sense, meaning you might explore a deep dive on neutrino detection one day and the science of a perfect cookie the next. Tuning in regularly feels like having a direct line to the most interesting developments, explained by people who are genuinely excited to share them. For anyone with a budding interest in how the world works or a long-time science enthusiast looking for a efficient update, this series from Scientific American consistently delivers substance and surprise in a manageable format.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Science Quickly
Podcast Episodes
Scorpion stingers, preeclampsia hope, canceled wind farms [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:57
In this week’s Science Quickly news roundup, we look at promising results from a new study about preeclampsia. We also cover the latest news about the Trump administration’s push against clean energy. Plus, we remember p…
The science of psychedelic therapy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:13
In this episode of Science Quickly, host Rachel Feltman and science journalist Jane C. Hu trace the surprising journey of psychedelics in the U.S.—from symbolizing the hippie movement of the 1960s to being seen as a pana…
Why physics is poetic, political and personal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:01
Physics can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, theoretical physicist Chanda Prescod-Weinstein joins Science Quickly to explore how poetry, pop culture and imagination can help us grapple with…
NASA Curiosity, suicide hotline hope, AI voice clone [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:07
In this week’s Science Quickly news roundup, we dive into NASA’s new discovery of organic molecules on Mars, including some that have never been found there before. We also explore how human migration may have been shape…
The wildlife trade may be speeding up the next pandemic [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:16
In this episode of Science Quickly, host Rachel Feltman talks with Yale University epidemiologist Colin Carlson about new research showing that the global wildlife trade is spreading dangerous pathogens far faster than s…
Earth Day special: How to save the planet (again) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:48
In this special Earth Day episode of Science Quickly, host Rachel Feltman turns to three environmental experts for a healthy dose of climate hope. Climate scientist Kate Marvel, atmospheric chemist Susan Solomon and envi…
Why birds outlived T. rex [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:43
Birds are the only dinosaurs who managed to survive the asteroid impact that wiped out 75 percent of all species 66 million years ago. But how did they pull it off? To get some answers, host Kendra Pierre-Louis speaks to…
When science meets Pokémon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:25
Curiosity about the natural world can start in unexpected places. In this episode of Science Quickly, host Kendra Pierre‑Louis talks with paleontologist Arjan Mann and entomologist Spencer Monckton about how Pokémon—the…
Artemis II returned safely from the moon—but was it worth it? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:52
In this episode of Science Quickly, we unpack NASA’s Artemis II mission after its safe return from lunar orbit, asking what the long‑awaited comeback to the moon actually achieved and whether it was worth the cost. Scien…