A promotional video featuring former UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub has sparked controversy and concern among mental health advocates after he claimed he replaced professional therapy with a nootropic supplement.
In the advertisement on “The Fighter and the Kid” podcast featuring co-host Bryan Callen, Schaub makes the startling assertion: “Dude, I stopped seeing my therapist after I started taking MagicMind. I went, oh, I can figure out all my problems with Magic Mind.”
The former mixed martial artist goes on to dismiss his previous mental health professional, stating, “I saw clear, and I thought, this therapist is full of s**t. You don’t want the highest antioxidant. You don’t want this wonderful tincture.”
His co-host, Bryan Callen, then goes on to describe the product as “a nootropin that decreases stress, gives you mental clarity”, and confirms his regular usage when asked by a friend.
The advertisement has drawn criticism from mental health professionals who emphasize that dietary supplements cannot substitute for evidence-based psychological treatment. Licensed therapists undergo years of training and education to help individuals work through complex emotional and psychological challenges that extend far beyond what any supplement could address.
Nootropics, often marketed as “smart d**gs” or cognitive enhancers, are supplements claimed to improve mental performance. While some may have mild effects on focus or energy levels, the scientific community remains divided on their effectiveness, and they are not regulated by the FDA as medications.
The video’s casual dismissal of professional therapy is particularly concerning given the stigma that already surrounds mental health treatment.
