Metabolic Mind
By: Bret Scher
Language: en
Categories: Health, Fitness, Mental
Metabolic Mind is working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. Metabolic interventions like ketogenic therapy are being used to treat serious mental illnesses like Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, and Major Depressive Disorder. We explore topics that can help you understand how Metabolic Psychiatry might help you or a loved one treat mental disorders Watch our videos at https://www.youtube.com/@metabolicmind Our channel is for information only. Consult your physician before changing your lifestyle or medications.
Episodes
Q&A: Healthy Fats, Alcohol, Perimenopause, & More
Dec 15, 2025Is carb-cycling okay on a ketogenic diet? What about high histamine foods?
In this episode of Metabolic Mailbag, Dr. Bret Scher and Dr. Georgia Ede answers questions on everything from the best sources of dietary fat to how to handle anxiety, perimenopause, and alcohol while maintaining ketosis.
They unpack how to build a nutrient-dense, brain-supportive ketogenic diet using whole foods, why “keto-friendly” processed products can sometimes derail progress, and when supplements might be beneficial. You’ll also learn why histamine sensitivity, caffeine, or cycling in and out of ketosis can affect mood, and how to troubl...
Duration: 00:31:13Could Stress Be The Hidden Driver of Mental Illness?
Dec 08, 2025New research links chronic stress, brain energy, and psychiatric conditions, including PTSD, depression, and bipolar disorder.
Stress doesn’t just impact your mood; it affects how your brain allocates energy. In this interview, Dr. Bret Scher sits down with Dr. Parker Kelly, a postdoctoral fellow at UCSF and the San Francisco VA, to unpack the Allostatic Triage Model of Psychopathology, a new framework proposing that psychiatric symptoms may emerge when the brain is forced to triage limited metabolic resources under chronic stress. Co-authored with mitochondrial researcher Dr. Martin Picard, this model could shift how we understand and tr...
Duration: 00:34:10New Alzheimer’s Trial Reveals Surprising Insight on Brain Health
Dec 02, 2025Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceutical company behind popular GLP-1 medications like Wegovy and Ozempic, recently announced that its phase 3, two-year trial examining GLP-1 medications for Alzheimer's failed to produce a significant reduction in disease progression.
While these results are discouraging, they may have revealed something vital about Alzheimer’s treatment.
In this video, Dr. Bret Scher breaks down the recent failure of Novo Nordisk’s evoke and evoke+ trials and what it teaches us about the limitations of a drug-only approach to Alzheimer’s treatment.
Key topics covered:
Why GLP-1s may not be eno... Duration: 00:05:57The Data Is In: Reversing Metabolic Disease Is Possible
Nov 24, 2025What if your diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or fatty liver wasn’t a permanent sentence, but a condition that could improve or even reverse through targeted intervention?
In this episode of the Metabolic Mind podcast, Dr. Bret Scher sits down with Dr. Adam Wolfberg, Chief Medical Officer at Virta Health, to explore groundbreaking data that challenges the conventional approach to managing chronic metabolic disease. They dive into Virta’s latest annual report, which highlights powerful clinical and economic outcomes that could reshape the future of medicine.
In this interview, you'll learn:
Why... Duration: 00:37:06Metabolic Mailbag: Ketone Plateaus, Sleep Issues, Fat Intake, and More
Nov 17, 2025Ever wonder why your ketone levels dip after a few months on a ketogenic diet? Or how exogenous ketones compare to ketones produced naturally?
In this Metabolic Mailbag episode, Dr. Bret Scher and Dr. Georgia Ede unpack the latest round of keto questions asked by the community.
💡 You’ll learn:
What lower ketone levels actually meanHow to know if you need to raise your ketonesHow exogenous ketones compare to ketones produced by the bodyHow to troubleshoot keto-induced insomniaThe difference between total and net carbs and which one you should be paying attention toHow much fat y... Duration: 00:34:40Why Setbacks Can Happen with Ketogenic Therapy for Mental Illness — and How to Respond
Nov 10, 2025What does it really look like to heal a serious mental illness with ketogenic therapy?
At Metabolic Mind, we often highlight powerful stories of individuals putting serious psychiatric conditions into remission with ketogenic and metabolic therapies. But healing isn't always linear, and it's rarely easy.
In this honest and deeply human episode, Dr. Bret Scher and Dr. Georgia Ede sit down with Matt Baszucki and Lauren Kennedy West to explore the real-world challenges of using ketogenic therapies for mental health.
Together, they discuss:
The emotional and practical realities of tapering psychiatric medicationsNavigating... Duration: 00:58:10A UC Davis Scientist on Why Meat Isn’t the Climate Villain
Nov 03, 2025Is the diet being promoted to “save the planet” actually based on environmental data?
In this eye-opening interview, Dr. Frank Mitloehner, air quality specialist and director of the CLEAR Center at UC Davis, unpacks the claims behind the EAT-Lancet 2.0 report, particularly the idea that cutting animal-sourced foods will drastically reduce environmental harm. Despite widespread media framing it as a climate solution, Dr. Mitloehner reveals that the Planetary Health Diet is not grounded in environmental science at all — a fact even confirmed in the report’s own glossary.
He also highlights a key finding from the UN’s FAO...
Duration: 00:40:32Why People with Mental Illness Die Younger—and What We Can Do About It
Oct 27, 2025People living with serious mental health conditions face a dramatically higher risk of premature death, not only from psychiatric symptoms, but from the cardiometabolic complications that often accompany their treatment.
Despite decades of awareness, this critical issue remains under recognized and under treated. In this episode of the Metabolic Mind podcast, Dr. Bret Scher speaks with two leading experts who are changing that:
Dr. Margaret Hahn, Clinician Scientist in the Schizophrenia Division at the Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto.Dr. Sharmili Edwin Tharanajah, Physician and... Duration: 00:38:34Can a Ketogenic Diet Help Treat Cancer?
Oct 20, 2025In this episode of the Metabolic Mind podcast, Dr. Bret Scher speaks with L.J. Amaral, a registered dietitian, certified in nutrition oncology, and PhD student researcher at Cedars-Sinai, about where ketogenic therapy may fit into cancer care. Together they emphasize a crucial point: in oncology, we’re not just treating the tumor, we’re treating the whole person. The quality of life, physical strength, and day-to-day function of patients matter in prognosis.
L.J. covers:
How shifting fuel toward ketones may influence metabolism, inflammation, fatigue, and even muscle preservation during treatment.Why many tumors crave gluc... Duration: 00:33:13Go Slowly: A Beginners Guide to Psychiatric Drug Tapering (Part 2)
Oct 15, 2025Thinking about reducing or stopping psychiatric medication? It may not be the right approach for everyone, but for someone considering it, there's much to keep in mind.
For instance, many individuals who adopt ketogenic therapy and other metabolic strategies often find themselves in need of reducing medication. But how can they do it safely and with minimal risk?
In part 2 of our 2-part series on med tapering, Dr. Bret Scher and @GeorgiaEdeMD dive deep into how to safely and effectively taper psychiatric medications, offering guidance, caution, and hope for those exploring this path.
Tape...
Duration: 00:38:28Exposing the Truth Behind EAT-Lancet’s Diet Report & MisInfluencer Campaign
Oct 14, 2025The EAT-Lancet Commission recently released their updated "Planetary Health Diet" and preemptively labeled a number of health experts who pushed back as “mis-influencers.”
Dr. Georgia Ede was one of those health experts labeled and in this episode of the Metabolic Mind podcast, she joins Dr. Bret Scher to unpack the many flaws of the EAT-Lancet 2.0 report.
In this episode, you’ll learn about:
The deep flaws in claiming a one-size-fits-all solution to diet and planetary health.EAT-Lancet’s heavy reliance on weak epidemiological dataIts open acknowledgment of nutrient deficiencies in the EAT-Lancet diet and who is m... Duration: 00:39:31Taper Down Slowly: A Beginners Guide to Psychiatric Drug Tapering (Part 1)
Oct 08, 2025Psychiatric medications have become a standard of care for many mental illnesses. For some, these medications can be life-changing. For others, they may offer little relief, cause intolerable side effects, lose effectiveness over time, or even worsen symptoms.
Regardless, many individuals eventually seek to reduce or discontinue psychiatric medication use—often without adequate support. Unfortunately, most clinicians receive limited training in how to guide patients through safe, personalized tapering protocols and the existing guidelines often fail to reflect real-world experiences.
In part one of our new two-part series, Dr. Bret Scher and psychiatrist Dr. Georgia Ed...
Duration: 00:41:23When low-carb isn’t enough: A Doctor’s Journey with GLP-1s
Oct 06, 2025Ketogenic therapy is a powerful tool for weight loss. But not everyone who cuts carbs is able to achieve their goal weight and metabolic health goals. Could GLP-1s offer the missing piece when low-carb and clean eating aren’t quite enough?
In this episode of the Metabolic Mind Podcast, Dr. Bret Scher sits down with Dr. Shannon Robinson, a board-certified psychiatrist and addiction medicine specialist, to explore this overlooked population who could benefit most from GLP-1s. Drawing from both her personal journey and clinical practice, Dr. Robinson highlights why lifestyle alone isn’t always enough, and...
Duration: 00:32:40The Healing Depression Project: A New Path Beyond “Treatment Resistant” Depression
Oct 01, 2025Depression that doesn’t improve, or gets labeled as treatment resistant, can leave people feeling without options and hopeless. But what if there was another way forward?
In this interview, Dr. Bret Scher speaks with Silvia J. Covelli, founder and CEO of the Healing Depression Project, and Dr. Achina Stein, a board-certified psychiatrist and functional medicine physician. Together, they share how personal journeys and clinical insights converged to create a groundbreaking program that addresses depression at its root.
You’ll hear Silvia’s story of living with depression for 25+ years before finding lasting relief through holist...
Duration: 00:50:38The Future of Mental Health Care: Training Doctors in Ketogenic Therapy
Sep 29, 2025Ketogenic therapy for mental illness is gaining attention, with more and more patients looking to incorporate this strategy into their care plan.
The problem is that sometimes patients struggle to find providers to help them and providers often lack the expertise and confidence to prescribe this strategy.
These issues led to a light bulb moment for Dr. Kelly, “We’ve got to capacity build, we have to figure this out.”
In this interview, Dr. Bret Scher speaks with Deanna Kelly, PharmD, internationally recognized for her work in schizophrenia, psychiatric pharmacology, and metabolic health, who is...
Duration: 00:29:44The 5 Lifestyle Habits That Make or Break College Mental Health
Sep 22, 2025Dr. Ryan Patel, senior staff psychiatrist at The Ohio State University, shares a practical, evidence-based roadmap for helping young adults thrive during the most turbulent years of brain and behavior development.
Across this deep dive, Dr. Patel explains why 18–24-year-olds are a distinct clinical population and how day-to-day habits can make or break academic performance, quality of life, and long-term health. He also discusses his work on the KIND Trial (Ketogenic Intervention in Depression) and how those results can help to inform care.
In this conversation, Dr. Patel shares:
Why college students require a di... Duration: 00:51:40College Mental Health Crisis: How Students Can Combat Depression & Anxiety
Sep 15, 2025Are there new treatment options for college students living with depression?
Mental health challenges are rising at an alarming rate among young people—and college campuses are feeling the impact. Nearly half of students report depressive symptoms, and conventional treatments aren’t enough for many of them.
But what if just changing what you eat could offer new hope?
A recent pilot study out of The Ohio State University found that a ketogenic diet led to rapid and clinically significant improvements in depression symptoms among college students—with a 37% average reduction in depression scores...
Duration: 00:38:07Keto for Depression: ~70% Improvement for College Students in New Study
Sep 11, 2025A groundbreaking study from The Ohio State University shows that ketogenic therapy may dramatically reduce symptoms of major depression in college students.
In this interview, study research leads Dr. Jeff Volek and Drew Decker break down the results:
100% of participants responded69-71% improvements in depression scoresImprovements in cognitive performance, body composition, and metabolic healthNo relapsesDr. Volek has decades of experience conducting research on ketogenic therapy. The Volek Low Carbohydrate Laboratory is one of the best in the game at conducting quality ketogenic science. In this interview Dr. Volek and Drew also cover:
... Duration: 00:34:28The Ultra-Processed Food Debate: Science, Bias, & Truth
Sep 09, 2025Are ultra-processed foods really the villain, or is the story more complicated? In this lively, no-nonsense conversation, endocrinologist Dr. David Ludwig (of Harvard and Boston Children’s Hospital) and journalist Gary Taubes unpack why “UPF” is an enticing label but a blunt tool for science, policy, and everyday guidance.
They cover:
Why defining “ultra-processed” is messy, and how lumping diverse packaged foods into one bucket can mislead.How high-profile trials are interpreted (and misinterpreted), from short study durations to dropout bias and carryover effects.The role of bias and confirmation bias in nutrition research and media narratives... Duration: 00:53:49Can Keto Put Schizophrenia in Remission? A Case That Shocks Experts
Sep 09, 2025What happens when someone living in and out of homelessness, battling schizophrenia, and cycling through hospitals and medications discovers ketogenic therapy?
In this powerful interview, Dr. Bret Scher speaks with registered nutritional therapist Moira Newiss about one of the most remarkable published case reports to date.
Despite overwhelming socioeconomic challenges, including periods of living in shelters and cooking on nothing more than a hot plate, this individual achieved sustained ketosis on a simple, affordable carnivore-based ketogenic diet.
The result? His schizophrenia and psychosis went into remission.
In the interview, Moira shares:<...
Duration: 00:32:18This Fat is Increasing Your Risk of Chronic Disease
Sep 02, 2025Could tackling visceral fat be the key to finally reversing the chronic disease crisis?
Unlike the fat you see on your waistline, visceral fat hides deep inside your body, wrapping around organs like your liver, pancreas, and even your heart. And far from being inert, this fat acts like an inflammatory organ, fueling disease, undermining your immune system, and raising the risk of diabetes, cancer, and heart attacks.
In this interview, Dr. Bret Scher sits down with Dr. Sean O’Mara, a physician with an extraordinary background (from undercover narcotics agent to Army ER doctor) wh...
Duration: 00:45:10The Truth About Treatment Resistant Depression: Part Three (Nutrition and Lifestyle)
Aug 25, 2025Despite decades of therapy and pharmaceutical use, most patients with major depressive disorder fail to achieve full relief.
In part three of our series, Harvard-trained psychiatrist and nutrition specialist Dr. Georgia Ede shares why lifestyle interventions are actually some of the most powerful tools we have for fighting treatment resistant depression.
Drawing on years of clinical practice and pioneering work in metabolic psychiatry, Dr. Ede explains how metabolic health, sleep, exercise, circadian rhythm, and nutrition directly influence brain energy. She also breaks down why nutrition (especially carbohydrate restriction and ketogenic diets) hold unique promise for...
Duration: 00:29:18The Truth About Treatment-Resistant Depression: Part Two (TMS and Psychedelics)
Aug 20, 2025Treatment-resistant depression can feel like the end of the road, but there are more options than most people realize. Beyond traditional antidepressants, a range of innovative treatments exist, including:
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)Repetitive Transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)Vagus nerve stimulationRapid-acting compounds like ketamine, esketamine, and psilocybinThese treatments are offering new hope for patients who haven’t found relief in the current standard of care.
In this second part of our three-part series, Dr. Georgia Ede and Dr. Bret Scher dive deep into the science, effectiveness, and practical considerations of these approaches. You’ll lear...
Duration: 00:26:54What Doctors Really Think About the ‘Miracle’ Weight Loss Drugs
Aug 19, 2025GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro have become household names, celebrated as breakthrough treatments for weight loss and obesity. But while headlines showcase dramatic before-and-after photos and promises of rapid transformation, when we step beyond the marketing, a more nuanced reality comes to light.
In this candid conversation, Dr. Mark Cucuzzella, a family medicine physician, and Dr. Tro Kalayjian, board-certified in internal and obesity medicine, draw on decades of clinical experience to examine where GLP-1s truly shine, where they fall short, and why the foundation for lasting health can’t come from a prescription alone.
... Duration: 00:43:31The Truth About Treatment Resistant Depression: Part One (Breaking the Myth)
Aug 13, 2025What is treatment resistant depression and perhaps more importantly, what does it say about the ineffective care many receive?
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is defined as major depressive disorder (MDD) that fails to respond to at least 2 anti-depressant medications.
Nearly 10% of the adult population in the U.S. experience a major depressive episode each year. The numbers in our youth are even more alarming with some studies suggesting that between 40-50% of college-aged students are living with depression.
While anti-depressant medications tend to be the first-line treatment for MDD, as Dr. Georgia Ede highlights, “it...
Duration: 00:25:296 Clear Signs You Might Have Food Addiction & What You Can Do
Aug 11, 2025Is food addiction a mental illness? Should ultra-processed foods rich in sugar and refined carbohydrates be classified alongside alcohol, nicotine, and other addictive substances linked to substance use disorders?
Food addiction (especially to processed, packaged, carb-heavy foods) is real, widespread, and often misunderstood by both the public and healthcare professionals.
Dr. Bret Scher and Dr. Georgia Ede sit down with Dr. Jen Unwin, a psychologist with over 30 years of NHS experience, to explore the science, diagnostic challenges, and recovery strategies for ultra-processed food addiction.
In this interview, you’ll learn:
Why food ad... Duration: 00:56:57Q&A’s: Are Sweeteners Helpful or Harmful? Dairy? Ketone Levels, Longevity, and More
Aug 07, 2025Ketogenic therapy for mental health is gaining traction, but what happens when it doesn’t seem to work or even makes things worse?
In this episode, Dr. Georgia Ede and Dr. Bret Scher answer some of the most common questions about ketogenic diets, including what to do when your mental health doesn’t improve, how to properly enter ketosis, and why sweeteners, snacks, and dairy might be holding you back.
They break down the difference between a ketogenic diet and ketogenic therapy, and why things like ketone levels, medication adjustments, and lifestyle factors matter. You’ll als...
Duration: 00:27:40Do We Have Kidney Health All Wrong?
Aug 04, 2025Is high protein intake responsible for chronic kidney disease? Have you ever heard that ketogenic diets are harmful to your kidneys?
These are just a few of the common kidney health myths debunked in this interview with Dr. Thomas Weimbs, who says that traditional views on what causes chronic kidney disease are “definitely not founded in science.”
Dr. Thomas Weimbs, professor and vice chair at UC Santa Barbara, has spent decades studying chronic kidney disease (CKD). His recent research explores the impact of ketogenic interventions on kidney function, and the findings may surprise you. Rather than...
Duration: 00:31:37Q&A: Harvard Trained Psychiatrist Answers Your Mental Health and Diet Questions. Ep. 1
Jul 31, 2025What’s the difference between a low-carb diet and a ketogenic diet, especially when it comes to mental health?
In this premiere Mailbag episode, Dr. Bret Scher (Medical Director at Metabolic Mind) and Harvard trained psychiatrist Dr. Georgia Ede answer some of the most common questions they receive about ketogenic diets specifically for mental illness.
Whether you're new to ketogenic therapy or have been experimenting for years, this discussion offers valuable clarity on concepts that often cause confusion, even among clinicians.
💡 Topics covered include:
The difference between low-carb and ketogenic diets for menta... Duration: 00:32:34Will GLP-1 Drugs Replace Diets Forever?
Jul 28, 2025GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy are changing how the medical system approaches obesity and metabolic disease. But are they a replacement for dietary intervention? Or are dietary interventions a replacement for these medications? Could they be used together for even better outcomes?
In this conversation, Dr. David Ludwig (Harvard, Boston Children’s Hospital) and journalist Gary Taubes explore the science behind GLP-1s, their impact on insulin, weight loss, and chronic disease, and where dietary strategies like low carb or ketogenic therapy fit in.
They break down:
The overlap between GLP-1 drugs and lo... Duration: 00:45:17Free Help for Mental Illness? This Program is Making It Real
Jul 24, 2025Ketogenic therapy for mental illness is changing lives. And now, it’s becoming more accessible than ever.
Dr. Bret Scher chats with licensed mental health counselor Nicole Laurent about her innovative online program and nonprofit initiative aimed at providing low-to-no-cost metabolic therapy support to people with serious mental illness.
Nicole shares how her own journey through cognitive impairment led her to ketogenic therapy, and how that experience transformed her clinical practice. Today, her Brain Fog Recovery Program is helping individuals with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, early Alzheimer's, and more—many of whom are...
Duration: 00:18:09The Truth About Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms
Jul 23, 2025Does psychiatric medication withdrawal exist — or is it just a myth?
For anyone who’s lived through it, the question alone can feel insulting.
Psychiatric drug withdrawal is real. While the experience varies widely, for many, it’s not “brief and mild” as many guidelines state it is. It can be intense, destabilizing, and often misunderstood. One of the most painful challenges is trying to determine whether what you're experiencing is withdrawal or relapse.
Unfortunately, current clinical guidelines don’t help. They often frame withdrawal as short-lived and minor, dismissing anything more severe as a return...
Duration: 00:38:21Visceral Fat and the Chronic Health Epidemic
Jul 21, 2025Visceral fat, insulin resistance, and metabolic dysfunction are driving the chronic disease epidemic—and yet, they're still misunderstood. In this compelling conversation, former FDA commissioner Dr. David Kessler, MD, explains why he believes visceral adiposity is the greatest public health failure of our lifetime.
Dr. Kessler brings decades of experience (as a pediatrician, legal expert, policy leader, and author of “The End of Overeating” and “Diet, Drugs, and Dopamine”) to explore how ultra-formulated foods impact our biology, why GLP-1 drugs are only a short-term tool, and how we’ve misunderstood addiction when it comes to food. He also opens u...
Duration: 00:37:31Are We Using GLP-1 Medications All Wrong? with Dr. Ben Bikman
Jul 14, 2025What if We're Using GLP-1 Medications All Wrong?
Drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro are transforming the landscape of medical weight loss, but could their side effects be a sign that we’re not harnessing their full therapeutic potential?
In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Ben Bikman, metabolic health researcher and professor at BYU, joins Dr. Bret Scher to explore a powerful new framework: using GLP-1 medications at low doses and for short durations to help curb carbohydrate cravings, break addictive eating cycles, and support long-term metabolic health.
Ra...
Duration: 00:34:26New Study Using CGMs Reveals Surprising Truth About Your Blood Sugar
Jul 09, 2025Did you know that your blood sugar spikes differ from everyone else's? Even with the same food!
A new study in Nature Medicine supports what many have long suspected: there is no one-size-fits-all diet. The foods that spike your blood sugar might not affect someone else the same way, and your unique metabolic profile could be the reason why.
In this episode of the Metabolic Mind podcast, Baszucki Group Neuroscience Program Officer Dr. Cristina Nigro joins Dr. Bret Scher to break down the study “Individual variations in glycemic responses to carbohydrates and un...
Duration: 00:25:11She Cured 5 Mental Illnesses in 12 Weeks
Jul 07, 2025Can ketogenic therapy help treat multiple mental health disorders at once? In this video, we explore a dramatic case report where ketogenic therapy put bipolar depression, binge eating disorder, anxiety, PTSD, and ADHD into remission.
Clinical psychologist Dr. Erin Louise Bellamy joins Dr. Bret Scher to discuss her recently published case report of a 38-year-old woman whose life went from “a mind shattered now restored” in just 12 weeks on a medically supervised ketogenic therapy program. Results so impressive that it forced other practitioners to dismiss the results as being “clinically improbable.”
In this int...
Duration: 00:33:09This Molecule Might Be the Key to Beating Addiction
Jun 30, 2025Can adenosine and a ketogenic diet help treat addiction? New research explores the powerful role of adenosine, dopamine, and metabolic health in addiction, and how dietary strategies could support recovery.
In this interview, Dr. Bret Scher speaks with Dr. Susan Masino, a neuroscience and psychology professor at Trinity College, about her groundbreaking work on adenosine and its potential to regulate addiction through metabolic pathways. They dive into:
The dopamine-addiction connectionThe role of adenosine in addiction and how it balances dopamine activityThe role of ketogenic diets in boosting adenosineOther mechanisms supporting keto for treating addictionWhy food, sugar... Duration: 00:31:10The Truth About Tapering Off Psychiatric Medications
Jun 23, 2025Have you ever thought about stopping psychiatric medications? Maybe you have tried it.
If so, you’re not alone. Many individual across the world have considered or tried stopping their psychiatric medications and success is variable.
The withdrawal from psychiatric medication tapering can be incredibly complex, and doing it safely requires both medical and psychological support.
But, as Dr. Anders Sørensen highlights in this interview, the guidelines around medication tapering and withdrawal miss a lot of important nuances that can prevent people from being successful.
In this interview, psychologist and PhD...
Duration: 00:44:28What’s the connection between Depression, antipsychotics, and suicide risk?
Jun 23, 2025Is it really treatment-resistant depression or are we using the wrong treatments?
In this episode, Dr. Bret Scher is joined by psychiatrist Dr. Georgia Ede to examine a new large, population-based analysis on the use of antipsychotics versus third-line antidepressants in people diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression, and what effect that has on suicide risk.
They discuss:
What treatment-resistant depression actually meansWhy so many people fall into this categoryThe surprising data on suicide risk and all-cause mortalityThe metabolic side effects of antipsychotic medicationsAlternative options beyond antipsychotics—including ketogenic therapy and other metabolic strategiesTh...
Duration: 00:22:4214 Keto Myths Debunked
Jun 18, 2025Are ketogenic diets dangerous? What about nutrient deficiencies, gout, gut health, keto rash, bone density loss, or kidney stones?
In this video, registered dietitian and ketogenic therapy expert Beth Zupec-Kania, RDN, CD, shares insights from over 30 years of clinical experience to address the most common concerns and misconceptions about ketogenic therapies
From vitamin and mineral intake to gallbladder issues, sleep disruptions, leg cramps, keto flu, and more, this interview covers it all.
Beth also explains how ketogenic therapy can be adapted for various lifestyles, preferences, and health conditions, and offers practical tips for...
Duration: 00:52:28The Truth About Nutrition Science: Is The Government Getting it Wrong?
Jun 04, 2025Is nutrition research getting the support it needs to inform public health policy?
Despite the rise in chronic diseases related to lifestyle factors like diet, nutrition research only receives $2.2 billion of the $30 billion NIH budget.
At first glance, this may seem like a lot of money, but its utilization is spread thin, and, as Dr. David Ludwig and Gary Taubes highlight in this interview, it’s primarily used to fund misleading short term trials that confirm existing nutrition biases.
However, if we want to actually address the chronic disease epidemic, we must increase th...
Duration: 01:09:44“Can Drinking Ketones Help Treat Mental Illness?” featuring Dr. Karin Huizer
May 31, 2025Can exogenous ketones help treat mental illness? In this interview, psychiatry resident and researcher in the Netherlands Dr. Karin Huizer shares groundbreaking insights into her pilot study using ketone esters for mental health. The hope is that this early research will inform us to whether or not supplemental ketones are a viable option for mental health, which could be especially useful for patients who struggle to follow a full ketogenic diet.
Dr. Huizer brings a unique perspective as both a scientist and someone living with bipolar disorder. She discusses:
Why exogenous ketones might be a more... Duration: 00:31:57What Happens When Kids Try Keto for Bipolar? featuring Elizabeth Errico
May 31, 2025Youth mental illness is on the rise, and treatment options are often limited, especially for kids with bipolar disorder. This Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re highlighting a groundbreaking new real-world data collection funded by the Baszucki Group exploring ketogenic therapy as a promising intervention for children and adolescents living with bipolar disorder.
In this interview, Elizabeth Errico, founder of the Children's Mental Health Resource Center (CMHRC), shares how her organization is implementing ketogenic therapy in a real-world setting for kids aged 6 to 17. The year-long study is part of a larger initiative supported by the Baszucki Group to...
Duration: 00:33:02Can Ketogenic Therapy Put OCD Into Remission?
May 27, 2025Can ketogenic therapy help reduce or even resolve symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)? Dr. Chris Palmer and research assistant Aaron MacDonald join Metabolic Mind to discuss one of the first published case series exploring metabolic and ketogenic interventions for OCD. In this video, you’ll learn: - Why OCD deserves more attention as a serious, life-limiting condition - How three individuals saw dramatic symptom relief using a therapeutic ketogenic diet - What role ketosis may play in symptom reduction and why results varied from two weeks to a full year - The potential mechanisms behind metabolic therapies and br...
Duration: 00:40:10Mental Health Meets Heart Health in New Mayo Clinic Initiative
May 19, 2025Can ketogenic therapy improve both cardiovascular and mental health? A new study at Mayo Clinic is exploring that question—and during Mental Health Awareness Month, it's especially exciting to see one of the world’s most prestigious medical institutions investigating the connection between ketogenic therapy and psychiatric care. This research marks a powerful full-circle moment: the ketogenic diet was first used to treat epilepsy at Mayo Clinic over 100 years ago.
In this episode, we sit down with two leading physician-scientists from Mayo Clinic: Dr. Mark A. Frye (Psychiatry) and Dr. Francisco Lopez-Jimenez (Preventive Cardiology). Together, they explore how...
Duration: 00:50:22New Research Pinpoints Midlife Brain Decline & How to Slow It
May 12, 2025Dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and cognitive decline should not be inevitable parts of aging. In this interview, Dr. Lily Mujica-Parodi and Dr. Kirk Nylen join Dr. Bret Scher to discuss groundbreaking research revealing a key metabolic midlife marker of accelerated cognitive decline and a potential solution for slowing it.
In this interview, you’ll learn:
Why brain network stability rapidly declines in midlifeHow insulin resistance in neurons may be the early driver of neurodegenerationThe critical age window where metabolic interventions could have the biggest impactWhy ketones (from diet or supplementation) may restore brain function and slow cogn... Duration: 00:47:06How Mitochondria Shape Your Mind, Mood, & Mental Health with Dr. Martin Picard
May 05, 2025Mitochondria do more than power our cells: they shape how we think, feel, and experience the world. In this interview, Dr. Martin Picard breaks down his new research that illuminates how mitochondria affect brain energy, brain networks, mental health, and ultimately, our quality of life.
Dr. Picard walks us through his team's revolutionary brain mapping study, which examined over 700 sections of the human brain to uncover how mitochondria are distributed and specialized by brain region and cell type. The results have profound implications for how we understand, cognitive decline, and psychiatric disorders like depression bipolar disorder and...
Duration: 00:38:04Can Creatine Help with Depression? Exploring the Science with Dr. Nick Fabiano
Apr 28, 2025Creatine isn’t just for gym gains, it supports your brain too!
Creatine is best known for boosting physical performance, but research has also identified its ability to improve areas of cognitive function like memory and mood.
Research suggests that when creatine is used alongside first-line treatments, like antidepressants and CBT, it may enhance therapeutic outcomes, leading to faster and more robust improvements in symptoms.
In this interview, Dr. Nick Fabiano, a psychiatry resident and researcher at the University of Ottawa, joins Metabolic Mind to explore the emerging evidence behind creatine as a po...
Duration: 00:25:30Can Keto Help Pediatric Bipolar? Groundbreaking Trial Begins
Apr 25, 2025The first-ever clinical trial of ketogenic therapy for pediatric bipolar disorder is now enrolling.
In March, we announced two new initiatives funded by the Baszucki Group aiming to explore ketogenic metabolic therapy in pediatric bipolar patients.
The first major initiative—now actively enrolling participants—is a multi-site clinical trial conducted by four institutions within the Baszucki Group-funded Child and Adolescent Bipolar Network (CABIN): the UCLA Semel Institute, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.
In this video, Dr. David Miklowitz, a renowned expe...
Duration: 00:30:18Can Ketogenic Therapy Help Autism and Mental Health? | Dr. Eline Dekeyster on Mechanisms & Hope
Apr 21, 2025Could ketogenic therapy change the future of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) treatment?
The CDC estimates that 1 in 36 children are affected by ASD but due to the wide variety of signs and symptoms associated, it’s likely that this doesn’t account for everyone impacted. And treatment options are scarce and vary in effectiveness.
In this video, Dr. Bret Scher sits down with Dr. Eline Dekeyster, Assistant Professor at Leiden University and Head of the Lifestyle Brain Interaction research group, to explore how nutritional ketosis may support individuals with autism and other brain-based conditions.
Dr...
Duration: 00:38:39Study Shocks Cardiologists: LDL Didn’t Predict Plaque
Apr 16, 2025What if everything we thought we knew about cholesterol and heart disease risk… doesn’t apply to everyone?
In this episode, world-renowned cardiologist Dr. Matthew Budoff unpacks the results of a landmark one-year study tracking 100 lean, metabolically healthy individuals on a ketogenic diet with extremely elevated LDL levels.
Dr. Budoff is the Program Director, Director of Cardiac CT, and the endowed chair of preventive cardiology at The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.
In this interview, Dr. Scher and Dr. Budoff further break down the results of his new publication, whic...
Duration: 00:21:00Keto-CTA Study Confusion: Addressing the Misunderstandings with Dr. Budoff
Apr 16, 2025There’s been a lot of buzz—and confusion—about the new Keto-CTA study, examining plaque progression in Lean Mass Hyper-Responders (LMHRs).
Much of the social media debate has centered on whether high LDL on keto is safe or dangerous, driven largely by how to interpret the supplemental table comparing this study to others on LDL and plaque progression.
In this episode of the Metabolic Mind Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Matthew Budoff, a world-renowned cardiologist, cardiac CT researcher, and the study's lead investigator, to discuss the the supplemental table, what the plaque markers mean...
Duration: 00:34:09Sky High LDL and No Heart Disease? Results from Dave Feldman’s New Study
Apr 08, 2025Is LDL cholesterol the best way to measure and predict heart disease?
New research suggests no!
Dave Feldman is an engineer turned citizen scientist who has devoted his life to understanding a phenomenon that some individuals around the world are experiencing: a robust increase in LDL cholesterol while on a ketogenic diet.
Dave’s past research has identified a unique phenotype dubbed Lean Mass Hyper-Responders (LMHRs). LMHRs respond to ketogenic therapy with a metabolic profile that includes elevated LDL-C and ApoB levels with otherwise healthy metabolic markers, including low triglycerides, high HDL, low bl...
Duration: 00:46:46How This Doctor Put Over 150 Patients into Diabetes Remission
Apr 07, 2025Can type 2 diabetes be reversed, eliminating the need for medications with completely normal blood sugar levels?
For decades, type 2 diabetes has been considered a chronic, progressive conditions and the standard approach has been to just manage it to slow it down. But what if remission was possible?
Dr. David Unwin, a UK-based NHS physician, has demonstrated how low-carb and ketogenic interventions can lead to drug-free diabetes remission. His work has transformed patient outcomes and challenged conventional medical guidelines.
In this interview, Dr. Unwin shares how he has helped over 150 patients achieve drug-free remission...
Duration: 00:40:13The Truth About Evidence-Based Medicine with Dr. Gordon Guyatt
Mar 31, 2025Not all medical research is created equal, so how do we know which studies to trust?
The phrase evidence-based medicine (EBM) is often misunderstood and misused. What does it truly mean to rely on evidence in clinical decision-making?
Dr. Gordon Guyatt, the father of the term evidence-based medicine, explains how to assess scientific studies, understand the strength of different types of evidence, and apply findings to clinical decisions.
Want to make better-informed health decisions? This interview will help you learn how to critically assess medical evidence for yourself. In this conversation, Dr. Guyatt...
Duration: 00:46:01Exciting New Research on Keto for Pediatric Mental Health
Mar 24, 2025Can the ketogenic diet help kids with bipolar disorder? We are excited to announce new research is finally exploring this question.
The ketogenic diet was first discovered over 100 years ago for children with epilepsy. Could ketogenic therapy also improve mental health outcomes for youth with serious conditions like bipolar disorder? Dr. Kirk Nylen joins Dr. Bret Scher to discuss two groundbreaking studies underway that are tackling this question head-on.
In this episode, they dive into:
🔬 The Child and Adolescent Bipolar Network (CABIN) study – a multi-site RCT testing ketogenic therapy in pediatric bipolar disorder
...
Duration: 00:18:25How I Overcame "Treatment-Resistant" Mental Illness: Laura Delano’s Journey
Mar 18, 2025Can you safely taper off psychiatric medications? And what are the potential harms of long-term psychiatric care?
Laura Delano spent years as a professional patient, navigating psychiatric diagnoses, multiple medications, and a life defined by treatment.
In this interview, Laura discusses her 13-year experience as a psychiatric patient, the impact of long-term medication use, and how she took control of her health to successfully taper off multiple psychiatric drugs.
Now, as the founder of Inner Compass Initiative and author of Unshrunk: A Story of Psychiatric Treatment Resistance (available March 18, 2025), she’s dedicated to he...
Duration: 00:54:41Exploring the Link Between Genetics and Brain Metabolism in Psychiatry with Dr. Harry Pantazopoulos
Mar 17, 2025Brain Energy and metabolism appear to play critical roles in the development and treatment of psychiatric disorders like bipolar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia. And emerging research suggests that our gene expression influences how our brain uses energy, thus linking the fields of genetics and metabolism.
In this episode, Dr. Harry Pantazopoulos, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, joins Dr. Bret Scher to discuss fascinating new research into the relationship between gene expression and metabolism in serious mental illness.
Dr. Pantazopoulos’ study reveals a fascinating in...
Duration: 00:28:01Personalized Psychiatry: Using Blood Tests to Find the Right Mental Health Treatment
Mar 10, 2025Is psychiatry stuck in the 19th century? For decades, psychiatry has relied on trial and error but is there a better way to provide precise, personalized, and preventative treatment?
Dr. Alexander Niculescu, professor of psychiatry at the University of Arizona and CEO of MindX Sciences, is at the cutting edge of transforming psychiatry into an objective, data-driven field. With blood tests evaluating specific biomarkers, doctors may now be able to measure mental health, better understand symptoms, and predict which treatments will work best.
In this conversation, Dr. Niculescu explains how his research is helping reshape...
Duration: 00:51:05Reversing Schizoaffective Disorder with Ketogenic Therapy: A Case Series
Mar 03, 2025Is it possible for ketogenic therapy to significantly reduce schizoaffective symptoms in 2 weeks? What about putting symptoms into complete remission in 6 weeks?
Licensed Mental Health Counselor Nicole Laurent joins Dr. Bret Scher to discuss her newly published case series showcasing the dramatic improvements in individuals with schizoaffective disorder using ketogenic metabolic therapy.
In this interview, Nicole shares:
The life-changing stories from the patients and their familiesHow she collaborated with healthcare teams to ensure better outcomesHow she determines the right type of ketogenic diet for each patientThe role of nutrient deficiencies and supplementation in treatmentHow... Duration: 00:33:15New Treatment For Bipolar: A New Ketogenic Therapy Study with Dr. Iain Campbell
Feb 28, 2025Dr. Iain Campbell, a researcher at the University of Edinburgh, discusses his groundbreaking pilot study on ketogenic therapy for bipolar disorder with Dr. Bret Scher. Having personally experienced the benefits of ketosis for his own bipolar type II depression, Dr. Campbell delves into the link between metabolic health and mental well-being.
Dr. Campbell shares how his recent study reveals a correlation between higher ketone levels and improvements in mood, energy, impulsivity, and anxiety in patients with bipolar disorder. He also highlights the intriguing brain imaging results that indicate reductions in brain glutamate, hinting at one of the...
Duration: 00:31:08How Ketones Support the Aging Brain & Psychiatric Meds disrupt brain energy - Dr. Stephen Cunnane
Feb 24, 2025Do psychiatric medications alter brain energy and metabolic health?
Dr. Stephen Cunnane, a professor and researcher at the University of Sherbrooke, has been at the forefront of studying glucose and ketone metabolism in the aging brain, pioneering advanced imaging techniques to measure how the brain utilizes these critical energy sources with neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
While glucose PET imaging has long been used to study brain energy metabolism, Dr. Cunnane’s team was the first to develop ketone PET imaging, allowing researchers to look at the relationship between glucose and ketone metabo...
Duration: 00:34:29How to Decode Nutrition Studies: Make Sense of Research Strength and Quality with Dr. Adrian Soto-Mota
Feb 17, 2025How can we make sense of conflicting studies? One paper suggests a ketogenic diet reduces all-cause mortality, while another claims it raises blood pressure. Are large-scale survey tools like NHANES—the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey—really the best way to answer these complex questions?
In this insightful interview, Dr. Adrian Soto-Mota, an internal medicine clinician, educator, and data enthusiast, explains how to critically evaluate research findings. He highlights the strengths and limitations of different types of studies, using engaging analogies to help you better understand when and how to apply research conclusions.
In this...
Duration: 00:34:43Is a Ketogenic Diet Effective For Adolescent Mental Health?
Feb 10, 2025Pediatric and adolescent mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, and ADHD, are reaching alarming levels and affecting millions worldwide. While the causes are still being explored, one potential contributing factor is the rising metabolic health epidemic, fueled by a harmful food environment.
With current treatment options often coming with challenging side effects and failing to provide lasting relief, many families are turning to innovative, evidence-based solutions to support their children’s well-being and long-term development.
In this interview, Dr. Lori Calabrese, a board-certified psychiatrist, shares her pioneering work in youth mental health care and discusses he...
Duration: 00:16:51Keto for Women: Insights on Hormones, PCOS, Menopause, and more from the SHE IS Lab with Dr. Madison Kackley
Feb 03, 2025How Is a ketogenic diet different for women, and what impact does a ketogenic diet have on women’s hormones? The ketogenic diet sparks a lot of questions when it comes to women’s health—and for good reason. Social media and the internet are flooded with conflicting information. Fortunately, Dr. Madison Kackley, a research scientist at Ohio State University, brings evidence-based insights in this episode. As the leader of the SHE IS Laboratory, Dr. Kackley and her team are uncovering the unique ways ketogenic interventions can impact women’s health, considering crucial factors like hormonal fluctuations, menstrual cycles, and key...
Duration: 00:27:13Why Mental Health Care Is Failing & What We Can Do About It with Dr. Chris Palmer
Jan 27, 2025Mental health care is at a critical crossroads. Millions of people are searching for effective treatments, yet conventional options often fall short, leaving many without significant or lasting relief. Compounding this issue is the lack of funding directed toward exploring novel, root-cause therapies. The urgency for change is clear.
Dr. Chris Palmer, a Harvard psychiatrist and the author of Brain Energy, has been instrumental in raising awareness about the metabolic nature of mental illness. His pioneering work highlights how conditions like depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia often stem from underlying metabolic dysfunctions, including glucose hypometabolism, neurotransmitter imbalances...
Duration: 00:59:51Revolutionizing Assisted Living: Hal Cranmer's Ketogenic & Carnivore Approach to Senior Wellness
Jan 20, 2025What comes to mind when you think of assisted living? Likely not vibrant residents, nutritious meals, and improved physical and mental health—but Hal Cranmer is working to change that narrative.
In this inspiring interview, Hal shares how his innovative approach to senior care integrates ketogenic and carnivore nutrition to boost activity, memory, and overall well-being in his facilities.
Dive into the secrets of Hal’s success and learn how he’s transforming the lives of seniors by prioritizing health and vitality. If you’re passionate about holistic health or senior wellness, this is a story yo...
Duration: 00:39:03Exercise as a Prescription for Depression with Dr. Nicholas Fabiano
Jan 13, 2025How effective is exercise for treating depression, and how can we help more people use it as a cornerstone of treatment?
The last decade we have seen mounting evidence that exercise can play a big role in mental health through a variety of mechanisms.
In this interview, Dr. Nick Fabiano, a psychiatry resident and researcher, shares his innovative approach to using exercise as a therapeutic intervention, drawing from his recent co-authored paper.
In this interview you’ll learn:
Why exercise is comparable to antidepressants and therapy in treating mild to moderate depression. Ho... Duration: 00:44:54The 2025 Dietary Guidelines with Nina Teicholz: A Turning Point for Public Health?
Jan 07, 2025The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) have the potential to shape the health of millions, but are they based on outdated or flawed evidence? In this powerful interview, Dr. Bret Scher and investigative journalist Nina Teicholz expose the controversial history of dietary policy, challenge the methodology of the DGA Advisory Committee, and discuss the urgent need for change to address rising rates of metabolic and mental health disorders. And they try to answer the burning question from the guidelines: Will eating more beans, peas, and lentils make all of us healthier?
What you will learn in this...
Duration: 00:54:45How Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) Improve Metabolic and Mental Health
Dec 30, 2024Learn how Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) can transform your metabolic and mental health. In this video, we dive into the benefits and debates surrounding CGMs, highlighting their role in managing blood sugar, making informed lifestyle choices, and enhancing overall well-being. *Key Topics Covered* • What are Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs)? • How CGMs can help improve metabolic health • Important considerations and potential drawbacks of using CGMs • Tips for getting the most out of your CGM experience Whether you're new to CGMs or already using them, this is your guide to understanding their impact on your health journey. Resources: Metabolic Mind’s Families...
Duration: 00:08:04How Your Microbiome Shapes Your Body and Mind with Dr. Jack Gilbert
Dec 23, 2024Dr. Bret Scher interviews Dr. Jack Gilbert—renowned microbiome scientist, author of Dirt Is Good, and featured expert in the Netflix documentary Hack Your Health—to explore the profound connections between the microbiome, metabolism, mental health, and overall wellness.
Dr. Gilbert shares cutting-edge insights into how the 40 trillion microbes in our gut influence everything from inflammation to brain health, and how personalized strategies may hold the key to treating chronic illnesses and improving quality of life.
What You'll Learn
The role of the microbiome in metabolic and mental health
How diet and lifestyle shape your gut bacteria
Surp...
Tapering Psychiatric Medications Safely: Insights with Dr. Josef
Dec 16, 2024Dr. Bret Scher interviews Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring, a board-certified psychiatrist who specializes in tapering and deprescribing psychiatric medications. Dr. Josef combines his expertise in pharmaceutical safety, clinical psychiatry, and metabolic therapies to help patients safely transition off long-term medications. Topics Covered Life-Changing Outcomes Discover how Dr. Josef’s holistic methods have empowered individuals like Trudy, who transitioned from years of debilitating medications to pursuing a career in medical school through targeted dietary and metabolic interventions. Rethinking Psychiatric Medications Dr. Josef discusses the complex nature of antidepressants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers. Learn how their effects can mask symptoms without addressing ro...
Duration: 00:48:01Ketogenic Diets in Alcohol Addiction: Breakthrough Research with Dr. Wiers
Dec 09, 2024In this interview with Dr. Bret Scher, Dr. Corinde Wiers, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania, unveils her groundbreaking research on using ketogenic therapy to treat alcohol use disorder (AUD). Dr. Wiers dives into how ketones, as an alternative energy source, may alleviate withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, and transform the landscape of addiction recovery. This conversation covers: The science of brain energy metabolism and how ketones are preferred over glucose in AUD. Results from clinical trials, including reductions in withdrawal severity and the need for benzodiazepines. Neuroimaging data that shows how ketogenic diets affect the brain's...
Duration: 00:25:58Whole-Person Care for Mental Health: Dr. Scott Fears on Amae Health’s Approach
Dec 04, 2024Join us as we delve into the transformative potential of metabolic psychiatry with Dr. Scott Fears, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer at Amae Health. In this comprehensive interview, Dr. Fears explores how ketogenic therapy, dietary adjustments, and personalized metabolic approaches are reshaping mental health treatment. He discusses ketosis as a therapeutic tool, its impact on mood and cognitive stability, deprescribing medications, and the potential of "food as medicine" to support mental well-being. Whether you're a mental health professional, someone exploring alternative mental health treatments, or simply interested in the intersection of nutrition and mental health, this interview offers valuable...
Duration: 00:34:34Why Body Composition Matters More Than Weight Loss: A Ketogenic Approach with Dr. Bret Scher
Nov 25, 2024In this video, we tackle a common misconception: that losing weight alone will make you healthier. Contrary to popular belief, simply reducing the number on the scale may not lead to better health outcomes. Instead, it's crucial to focus on losing fat mass, maintaining or building lean mass like muscle and bone, and improving your overall metabolic health. We dive deep into how medications like Wegovy and Ozempic—while popular for weight loss—don't differentiate between fat and muscle loss, which can be crucial for long-term health. We'll also explore the growing evidence supporting ketogenic diets for their ability to p...
Duration: 00:06:45How to Taper Psychiatric Medications Safely: Expert Advice on Med Management with Dr. Lori Calabrese
Nov 18, 2024In this video, psychiatrist Dr. Lori Calabrese provides essential guidance on medication management, focusing on the nuanced process of tapering and deprescribing psychiatric medications. As individuals seek alternatives or adjustments to their mental health treatments, understanding how to navigate medication changes safely is critically important. Dr. Calabrese discusses the complexities involved in reducing or discontinuing medications and covers crucial topics like personalized tapering strategies, the risks and benefits of deprescribing, and how to manage potential withdrawal symptoms. If you or someone you know is contemplating changes to their psychiatric medication, this video provides valuable insights into how to approach...
Duration: 00:18:29How a Keto Diet Impacts Psychiatric Meds: Insights from Metabolic Psychiatry with Dr. Deanna Kelly
Nov 11, 2024How does the food we eat impact the way our bodies absorb and metabolize medications? What do we have to be aware of if we are eating a low-carb, high-fat ketogenic diet, and how it’s going to impact so many of the medications people with mental illness are taking? In this engaging interview with psychopharmacology expert Dr. Deanna Kelly, you’ll learn how the food you eat can influence the effectiveness of mental health medications such as Cobenfy and the extended-release form of Quetiapine, where absorption rates are affected by high-fat meals. Dr. Kelly shares valuable insights on opti...
Duration: 00:26:28How to Determine Optimal Ketone Levels for Ketogenic Therapy with Dr. Bret Scher
Nov 04, 2024Are you using a ketogenic diet for therapy and need to know the ideal ketone levels for success? In this video, we explain how to measure ketone levels to optimize your ketogenic diet for managing psychiatric disorders, type 2 diabetes, dementia, and other metabolic conditions. One of the unique benefits of a ketogenic diet is the ability to precisely track your body's response. But what should your target ketone level be? We tackle the most common questions and provide insights on how to set and achieve your optimal ketone level for the best therapeutic outcomes. Whether you're new to ketogenic...
Duration: 00:08:36Why Healthcare Reform Needs a New Focus with Dr. Martin Makary
Oct 29, 2024In this insightful interview, Dr. Marty Makary speaks candidly about pressing issues within the U.S. healthcare system. He addresses how current debates often divert attention from core challenges, framing healthcare as a divisive landscape when the real focus should be on patient-centered care and meaningful provider support. Dr. Makary calls on policymakers and leaders to look past polarizing discussions and work toward reforms that prioritize quality, accessibility, and integrity in practice. Watch as he delves into the testimony of healthcare professionals and advocates who, for the first time, shared their insights directly with national leaders in a recent...
Duration: 00:32:29Treating Type 1 Diabetes and Depression with a Ketogenic Diet | Lisa La Nasa’s Journey
Oct 28, 2024In this powerful and insightful interview, Lisa La Nasa, the founder of diaVerge Diabetes, shares her personal journey of living with type 1 diabetes for over 14 years. Despite following her doctor's advice, Lisa struggled to control her blood sugar levels—until she discovered the benefits of a low-carb, ketogenic diet. This dietary change, along with lifestyle adjustments, gave her the control and confidence she never thought possible. Lisa reflects on the life-changing impact of adopting a ketogenic diet, which empowered her to take charge of her health, and finally find an approach that managed her diabetes. Feel free to share yo...
Duration: 00:24:48Can Keto Help Treat Bipolar & Schizophrenia? A New Trial Explores Its Potential
Oct 21, 2024This interview highlights the latest research from a powerhouse team of Australian experts who are investigating the potential of ketogenic diets to treat serious mental illness like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Dr. Zoltán Sarnyai, Dr. Carlo Longhitano, and dietitian Jaymee-Leigh Swift share insights into their new randomized controlled trial, comparing the effects of a ketogenic diet with Australia's standard healthy eating guidelines. If you found this discussion insightful, don't forget to comment below with your thoughts, like the video, and subscribe for more content on the connection between diet and mental health! *Featured Study* https://nqdit.com.au/ *E...
Duration: 00:41:13Carnivore Diet for Inflammatory Bowel Disease: New Source of Hope? With Nick Norwitz, PhD
Oct 14, 2024In this episode, PhD researcher and fourth-year medical student Nick Norwitz returns to Metabolic Mind to discuss his recently published case series featuring ten individuals who have successfully managed their Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) using a carnivore ketogenic diet. This promising approach is challenging conventional dietary norms, particularly when it comes to managing chronic inflammatory conditions. Nick delves into why this dietary intervention may offer significant therapeutic benefits for those suffering from IBD. We also explore the broader implications of how we interpret dietary studies and the impact of IBD on mental health. Join us as we examine this...
Duration: 00:36:16Safe Tapering Practices for Anti-Depressants with Dr. Mark Horowitz
Oct 07, 2024In this interview with Dr. Bret Scher, Dr. Mark Horowitz, a leading clinician and researcher in anti-depressant withdrawal and de-prescribing, delves into the complex world of de-prescribing anti-depressants. Dr. Horowitz shares his personal journey with antidepressant withdrawal, which led him to dedicate his career to understanding safe tapering practices. He discusses the challenges that patients face when coming off medications, the withdrawal effects often mistaken for relapses, and how the current psychiatric guidelines may fall short in helping people safely taper. Dr. Horowitz emphasizes the importance of individualized tapering plans and the need for slower, more gradual reductions in...
Duration: 00:47:53How Ketosis Affects Health and Longevity: Expert Insights from Isabella Cooper, PhD
Sep 30, 2024In this insightful interview, PhD researcher Isabella Cooper dives deep into the science of ketosis and its impact on health. She discusses how it's not just about maintaining high levels of ketones but also about the quality and source of those ketones. Isabella highlights the importance of avoiding unhealthy fats and proteins like soybean oil, canola oil, and pea protein isolate while following a ketogenic diet. Discover the latest research findings on cycling in and out of ketosis and how it can influence your overall health. Learn about the molecular components that truly matter when optimizing your metabolic state...
Duration: 00:52:20Keto Diet and Heart Disease: What New Research Reveals About Cardiac Risk with Dr. Bret Scher
Sep 23, 2024Does eating a very low carbohydrate or ketogenic diet increase the risk of heart disease? Many healthcare practitioners might say yes, but recent evidence suggests otherwise. Contrary to popular belief, a ketogenic diet does not automatically increase cardiac risk. This video explores a new study that supports this notion, challenging misconceptions that may prevent people from using ketogenic therapy to treat conditions like diabetes, depression, bipolar disorder, and other brain-based disorders. Join us in this critical discussion and share this video with your healthcare provider to help spread awareness about the true effects of ketogenic diets on heart health. ...
Duration: 00:05:57Cholesterol & Heart Health: Insights from LDL Research on Keto with Dave Feldman & Nick Norwitz, PhD
Sep 16, 2024In this interview, Dave Feldman, citizen scientist and founder of the Citizen Science Foundation, and Nick Norwitz, Oxford PhD and Harvard medical student, discuss their latest study, which challenges the traditional view of LDL cholesterol and its relationship to heart disease risk and metabolic health. Their research focuses on lean mass hyper-responders (LMHRs)—lean, metabolically healthy individuals on a low-carb, high-fat diet, also known as a ketogenic diet. Their findings suggest that LDL cholesterol levels may not contribute to plaque buildup in these individuals as is commonly believed in the general population. They also delve into the role of co...
Duration: 00:43:36Healing Metabolism to Heal Schizoaffective Disorder: Lauren Kennedy West's Medical Keto Journey
Sep 09, 2024In this powerful interview, Lauren Kennedy West shares her deeply personal journey with schizoaffective disorder and how traditional medical treatments fell short in addressing the root causes of her struggles. Lauren opens up about her discovery of metabolic therapies—focusing on diet, exercise, and sleep—which have played a crucial role in her path to wellness. Despite years of living with a challenging mental illness, Lauren found that these therapies offered a way to not just survive but truly thrive. In this interview, she discusses the gaps in conventional mental health treatment, the transformative impact of metabolic approaches, and how...
Duration: 00:37:47Protein on Keto: How Much is Too Much? with Dr. Bret Scher
Sep 02, 2024Are you following a ketogenic diet or using ketogenic therapy to manage depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or other brain-based disorders? If so, you've probably heard conflicting advice about protein intake—how much is too much? In this video, Dr. Bret Scher explains how to determine the right amount of protein for your unique needs. Whether you're concerned about maintaining ketosis or just want to optimize your health, this video breaks down the science in an easy-to-understand way. *Tune in to learn* •The importance of protein on a ketogenic diet •How to measure and adjust your protein intake •Common myths and misc...
Duration: 00:08:46Keto Offers Hope in the Bronx: Endocrinologist Uses Diet to Help Underserved Patients Recover Health
Aug 21, 2024Dr. Mariela Glandt is a renowned endocrinologist, ketogenic therapy expert, and CEO and Co-Founder of OwnaHealth. In this interview, Dr. Glandt shares her groundbreaking work using the OwnaHealth app to treat metabolic dysfunction, type 2 diabetes, and pre-diabetes among a Medicaid population in the South Bronx. This inspiring pilot demonstrates that health improvements can transcend socioeconomic boundaries, offering hope and tangible results to underserved communities. Thank you for watching! If you found this video helpful, please like, subscribe, and share it with others who may benefit. Leave us a comment to let us know your thoughts. *Key Highlights* • The potential of...
Duration: 00:22:29Ketogenic Therapy for Migraine Relief - with Dr. Elena Gross
Aug 12, 2024In this interview, Dr. Bret Scher speaks with Dr. Elena Gross, a neuroscientist and chronic migraine sufferer turned researcher, who shares her compelling journey and innovative approach to managing migraines through metabolic therapies. Dr. Gross discusses the critical role metabolism plays in neuropsychiatric diseases and how understanding this connection has driven her academic and professional pursuits. *Key Highlights* • Personal Journey: Dr. Elena Gross' battle with chronic migraines led her to pursue a PhD in neuroscience, focusing on the root causes of migraines and how they can be addressed through nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle changes. • Metabolic Health: An in-depth discussion on h...
Duration: 00:39:14Best Diet for Mental Health: Keto or Mediterranean? - with Dr. Bret Scher
Aug 05, 2024In this video, Dr. Bret Scher dives into the ongoing debate: Is the Mediterranean diet or a ketogenic diet better for mental health? While both diets have shown promise in improving symptoms of depression and other psychiatric conditions, this video examines the evidence behind each and discusses their potential benefits. According to Dr. Scher, any investigation into nutritional interventions for health conditions is a step in the right direction. Diets that steer away from the Standard American Diet (SAD) by eliminating ultra-processed foods and sugar will enhance metabolic health, likely offering both physical and mental benefits. However, ketogenic therapy...
Duration: 00:07:42The Truth About Carbs and Your Brain - with Dr. Bret Scher
Jul 29, 2024Blanket statements like "carbs are good" or "carbs are bad" are misleading. In this video, Dr. Bret Scher delves into the question: Are carbs bad for your mental health? Join Dr. Scher as he explores the complex relationship between carbohydrates and mental health, particularly focusing on the potential benefits of ketogenic therapy for serious mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and major depression. Key Highlights: -Introduction to Carbs and Mental Health: Unpacking the myths and truths about carbohydrates and their impact on brain function. -Ketogenic Therapy: An in-depth look at how ketogenic diets can serve as powerful treatments...
Duration: 00:07:42Keto, Microbiome, and Depression: Insights with Timur Liwinski
Jul 22, 2024Meet Dr. Timur Liwinski, a clinician-scientist specializing in internal medicine, metabolic health, and the gut microbiome. Currently completing his psychiatry residency, Dr. Liwinski shares groundbreaking insights on ketogenic therapy for depression in this exclusive interview with Dr. Bret Scher. Discover the impact of the ketogenic diet and microbiome on mental health, as Dr. Liwinski examines the intricate connections between dietary practices, the gut-brain axis, and mental well-being. *Key Highlights* ▪️Clinical Trial Overview: An in-depth look at Dr. Liwinski's clinical trial investigating the effects of the ketogenic diet and microbiome changes on depression. ▪️Depression and Diet: Exploring the potential benefits of the k...
Duration: 00:35:13Hundreds Report Dementia Improvement with Ketones: Dr. Mary Newport's Report
Jul 15, 2024In this interview, Mary Newport, MD, discusses her groundbreaking approach to treating dementia using coconut oil and MCT oil, highlighting the role of ketones, and exploring the stories of almost 300 families who have benefited. Dr. Newport delves into the science behind coconut and MCT oils, explaining how they generate ketones, provide an alternative energy source for the brain, and offer other potential benefits for those affected by dementia and Alzheimer's disease. *Key Highlights* - Personal Journey: Dr. Newport’s experience seeing her husband’s improvement in Alzheimer’s symptoms from using coconut oil and MCT oil. - Ketones and Brain...
Duration: 00:28:42From Lived-Experience to Trailblazing Keto Research - with Maria Edwards
Jul 08, 2024In this interview, Maria Edwards shares how her lived-experience putting bipolar 2 disorder into remission inspired her to become a researcher in the field of metabolic therapies. Maria completed a Master’s in Clinical Nutrition and her thesis was a feasibility study that examined ketogenic therapy for patients recovering from brain injuries. She also worked on the very first study on ketogenic therapy for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that is currently in the peer-review process. Despite hurdles like small sample sizes and missing data, her pilot studies lay the groundwork for future research into ketogenic therapy for brain injury and PT...
Duration: 00:36:02Long-Term Safety of Ketogenic Diets - with Dr. Bret Scher
Jul 01, 2024In this episode, Dr. Bret Scher addresses common misconceptions and concerns surrounding the long-term safety and nutritional adequacy of ketogenic diets. Dr. Scher emphasizes the importance of weighing potential risks against known benefits. For instance, psychotropic medications, despite often worsening overall physical and metabolic health, are considered beneficial because they can alleviate symptoms of serious mental illnesses. In contrast, many patients experience incredible benefits from ketogenic therapy without harmful side effects. In numerous cases, a medical keto diet can even put psychiatric conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and major depression into complete remission. What You'll Learn: ▪️Long-Term Safety: Is it s...
Duration: 00:13:02Ketogenic Therapy: How 3 Patients Put Depression and Anxiety in Remission with Dr. Lori Calabrese
Jun 24, 2024Discover groundbreaking insights from Dr. Lori Calabrese, a Connecticut-based psychiatrist, who recently published a case series demonstrating the complete remission of depression and anxiety in three patients through ketogenic interventions. Dr. Calabrese's case studies offer a "slice of real life," highlighting patients with multiple comorbidities, which is more common than not. She explains how ketogenic therapy can lead to full remission of depression and anxiety, enabling patients to become their best selves, which is rarely achieved with standard-of-care treatments. In this video, Dr. Calabrese and Dr. Bret Scher delve into the details of her findings, showcasing how a ketogenic...
Duration: 00:26:07Accelerating the Science of Ketogenic Therapy for Mental Health with Julie Milder, PhD
Jun 17, 2024In this interview, Julie Milder, PhD, the director of neuroscience at Baszucki Group, discusses the groundbreaking research being done at the intersection of metabolism and mental health, including 13 clinical trials across eight institutions for ketogenic therapy for serious mental illness. Join us as Dr. Milder explains the importance of flexibility in scientific research, the unique opportunities provided by philanthropic funding, and the Baszucki Group's vision for the future of metabolic psychiatry. 🧑🏻🔬 Learn about the current state of the research: https://www.metabolicmind.org/research 🧠 Key Topics Discussed: The role of philanthropy in advancing scientific research The need for research that elucidate...
Duration: 00:24:49Is Ketogenic Therapy Safe for Children? - with Dr. Matthew Calkins
Jun 10, 2024There is an escalating crisis of metabolic dysfunction in our youth, with growing rates of obesity, diabetes, and mental illness. Is it safe to use ketogenic therapy in children and teens for better management or reversal of these conditions? Dr. Matthew Calkins, an early career physician board certified in family and obesity medicine, argues it is. A 2023 paper published in the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) exaggerates risks associated with a ketogenic diet in pediatric patients. It also conflates a keto diet for epilepsy with a well-formulated keto diet that can be used to treat obesity, diabetes, and mental...
Duration: 00:42:14Can I Try a Medical Keto Diet for Mental Illness Without a Metabolic Psychiatrist?
Jun 03, 2024At Metabolic Mind, we emphasize that ketogenic therapy for psychiatric disorders like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and major depression should be done with oversight from a clinician trained in metabolic therapies. Sometimes patients and their families voice frustration because it can be challenging to access metabolic psychiatry care. While ideally, every patient would have help from a clinician trained in medical keto for mental health, we know that this is not currently possible for many people. In this video, Dr. Bret Scher and Hannah Warren discuss why Metabolic Mind recommends that patients work with a clinician trained in metabolic therapies...
Duration: 00:32:45