Joe Rogan Says Theo Von’s Antidepressant Use Freaks Him Out
Joe Rogan said theo von’s antidepressant use “freaks me out,” and he said he has urged the comedian and podcaster to go off medication. On a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan tied that concern to Von’s past remarks on and off the mic, making the exchange part of a much larger public debate around SSRIs.
Rogan’s April Warning
Rogan had already pressed the point in April, when Von appeared on his podcast and said, “Satan is amongst us,” prompting Rogan to answer, “We got to get you off those antidepressants, son. You're losing your f***ing marbles.” That earlier exchange matters because this was not a one-off aside; Rogan has now repeated the concern and said he sends Von things about people getting off SSRIs.
On the newer episode, Rogan said, “Theo Von’s going through the exact same thing, and last time I was on the podcast, he was explaining it to me. It freaks me out.” He also said, “Like, I got to help this dude.” The repeated framing turns a private medication choice into a recurring on-air topic, with Rogan using his own show to keep pushing the same message.
Von’s Netflix Special
Last year, Von was recording a Netflix comedy special when he told the audience, “I'm trying not to take my own life.” He later said on his podcast that he was not suicidal and had stopped taking his medication ahead of filming so he could “have more feelings during the show.” Von said stopping the medication left him feeling “mildly manic.”
Rogan reacted to that story on his podcast with, “Oh, Jesus Christ.” He added, “I've known too many people that I didn't think were going to kill themselves and then did,” and said, “And then he goes down these spirals where he starts talking about world events and freaking out.” He later said, “Here’s the thing about that chemical imbalance thing: that’s not real.”
SSRIs and Public Risk
SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed class of antidepressants, and Von has been open about his history with depression and long-term use of antidepressants. Medical literature does not list delusional thinking as a side effect of SSRIs, and healthcare professionals warn that sweeping dismissals of antidepressants by high-profile influencers can be dangerous.
That is the friction inside Rogan’s comments: he is describing fear and personal experience, while the broader medical picture is more complicated than a podcast argument. For Von, the practical takeaway is simple enough — his medication has become part of a public conversation again, and Rogan is still using his platform to argue he should stop.
