Evidence-based alternatives to antidepressants, anti-anxiety meds, and sleep aids. Expert-ranked retreats. Backed by 20+ years of peer-reviewed research.
Aren't we all?
The CRAZY podcast exists at the collision of three forces: the mental health crisis, the suppression of spiritual experience, and the question of whether those two things are the same problem.
Joey Nittolo was a successful Hollywood producer — wealthy, grounded, and the last person who would claim to hear voices. Then his friend Jeff died, and everything changed. A 5150 hold, a schizophreni...
“When someone tells me they can hear Jesus talking to them, my first instinct is to be concerned about that person. So be...”
“November 2016 — admitted two days before Thanksgiving. The system did exactly what it was designed to do. The question i...”
“You're making a serious claim — that the psychiatric system is actively suppressing spiritual experience because an awak...”
Co-Founder & Chief Visionary Officer
Hollywood producer turned wellness advocate. Joey's personal journey from a 5150 psychiatric hold to spiritual awakening is the story that launched CRAZY — and the question at the heart of Soul Syndicate's mission.
Co-Founder & CEO
Former professional beach volleyball player (Pepperdine, 3x All-American) turned entrepreneur. George brings a grounded skepticism that keeps CRAZY honest — the smart friend who needs convincing.
Independently researched. Every claim cited. Every alternative ranked by evidence, accessibility, and outcomes.
Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry; Director, USC Center for Mindfulness Science
Dr. Cahn is a clinician-scientist with over 20 years of research into the neuroscience of meditation, altered states of consciousness, and psychedelic-assisted therapies. His PhD thesis at UCSD compared long-term Vipassana meditation practice with psilocybin's effects on perception, attention, and brain activity using EEG methods — pioneering work that bridges the contemplative and psychedelic research traditions. He directs the USC Center for Mindfulness Science and leads research at the USC Brain and Creativity Institute focused on neurophenomenology and integrative psychiatry.
Every alternative we rank is supported by published clinical research. Our scientific advisor leads studies at USC on the exact mechanisms that make these approaches work.
Reduction in depression relapse
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy — now recommended by the APA
More effective than SSRIs
Yoga for depression — 2023 British Journal of Sports Medicine
Remission in treatment-resistant PTSD
MDMA-assisted therapy — MAPS Phase 3 clinical trials
When someone Googles “Lexapro alternatives” or “Xanax side effects,” the first page is dominated by pharma-funded content. Soul Syndicate exists to change that — with peer-reviewed research, editorially independent rankings, and zero sponsored results.
As featured in
“The wellness industry is crying out for transparency. Soul Syndicate is building exactly what consumers — and providers — need.”
George Roumain
Co-Founder & CEO, Soul Syndicate
Every Thursday: one deep-dive into the science of healing that the pharmaceutical industry spends billions to keep out of your search results. New investigations, CRAZY podcast drops, and ranked alternatives to the drugs you see on every commercial break.
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