Visceral 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 up about his own struggles with weight gain and metabolic health, despite having all the professional knowledge and discipline in the world.

This interview covers:

• The link between processed food, dopamine, and metabolic disease
• Why insulin—not just glucose—should be front and center
• The role of ketogenic and lower-carb diets for people with visceral fat or food addiction
• What went wrong with the dietary guidelines
• And what it will take to reverse course and reclaim our health

If you're a clinician, researcher, or someone navigating your own metabolic journey, this conversation is compelling viewing. Dr. Kessler doesn’t offer easy answers, but he does help clarify where the real problem lies and how we might begin to fix it.

Expert Featured:

• Dr. David Kessler, FACHE

Resources Mentioned

• https://www.amazon.com/Diet-Drugs-Dopamine-David-Kessler-ebook/dp/B0D33Y6L42/

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/

About us:

Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

What 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.

Rather than prescribing high doses indefinitely, Dr. Bikman proposes a more targeted approach:

• Microdosing GLP-1s to enhance satiety and reduce cravings for processed carbs
• Using the medication as a temporary metabolic tool to support transitions to lower-carb diets
• Reducing long-term risks such as muscle loss, mood changes, and diminishing effectiveness
• Emphasizing the importance of habit change, insulin regulation, and muscle preservation

This conversation reimagines GLP-1s not as a lifelong solution, but as a catalyst for sustainable, low-insulin lifestyles, aligned with ketogenic and metabolic therapies.

📌 Could a 90-day microdosing protocol replace years of medication?

Learn how this metabolic-first strategy could empower patients to reclaim their health, without becoming dependent on medication for life.

Expert Featured:

• Dr. Benjamin Bikman
• https://x.com/BenBikmanPhD
• benbikman.com
• insuliniq.com

Papers/Articles Mentioned:

-https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/may/27/microdosing-glp-1-drugs-could-solve-americas-carbohydrate-crisis/

-https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8984033/

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/

Youth 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 expand mental health care options through metabolic approaches.

Families in the program receive education, hands-on support, and guidance to help implement this dietary therapy at home—often with life-changing results.

In this video, you’ll learn:

• Why early diagnosis and support for pediatric bipolar disorder is so critical
• How ketogenic therapy is being applied to youth in a structured, supportive way
• What families need to implement this therapy successfully
• Early anecdotal outcomes from participating families
• Why this research could help shift mainstream mental health treatment

This is about more than data—it's about hope, empowerment, and building a better path forward for families navigating serious mental illness.

Expert Featured:

• Elizabeth Errico
• https://cmhrc.org/

Other Resources Mentioned:

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

• https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

• https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/

About us:Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

Emerging evidence suggests mitochondrial dysfunction can cause or contribute to many psychiatric and neurologic disorders. To promote metabolic and mental health, it’s crucial to better understand mitochondria and what we can do to keep them healthy. As Dr. Martin Picard explains, mitochondria are small components of cells that are involved in just about every disease process, and by extension, in every aspect of promoting health. Since mitochondria are where we transform food energy into energy our bodies use, it makes sense why they are so important for health and longevity. Dr. Picard from Columbia University is one of the most prominent mitochondrial researchers, and he joins us to discuss all things mitochondria-related – from the basics of what mitochondria are and how they function, to the three most important things we can do to keep our mitochondria healthy. Expert featured in this episode Martin Picard, PhD http://www.picardlab.org/ Twitter @MitoPsychoBio 0:00 Introduction to Dr. Martin Picard 3:16 What Are Mitochondria and Where Are They? 9:04 Ecosystem of Mitochondria 10:25 Mitochondria and Disease 16:38 Genetics and Mitochondria 19:18 Lifestyle Choices for Poor Mitochondrial Health 22:08 Impact of Psychological States on Mitochondria 25:55 Medications and Mitochondrial Dysfunction 32:12 How to Improve Mitochondrial Function 52:29 Conclusion Link to Dr. Picard's talk from the inaugural Metabolic Psychiatry Conference in 2022 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u51JSv4AK-0 The Human Psychobiology Project https://www.humanpsychobiology.org/ Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry. Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/ About us: Metabolic Mind™ is a nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders. Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications. #MetabolicMind #KetoForMentalHealth #MetabolicPsychiatry #BipolarTreatment #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#MentalIllness#MentalHealthIsMetabolicHealth#Mitochondria

Dr. Mary Newport saw first hand the beneficial effects ketones can have for Alzheimer’s dementia when her husband experienced dramatic cognitive improvements. But this was back in 2008 when coconut oil or MCT oil wasn’t easy to find, and metabolic neuroscience was rarely discussed. Fast forward to 2023, and we now have multiple studies demonstrating improved cognition with ketogenic interventions for those with dementia. Dr. Newport shares her husband’s dramatic story, and helps us understand the importance of considering therapeutic ketosis for treating dementia. Expert featured in this podcast: Dr. Mary Newport, neonatology specialist https://coconutketones.com/ Books by Dr. Mary Newport: The Complete Book of Ketones: https://a.co/d/fHFhDSK Clearly Keto: For Healthy Brain Aging and Alzheimer’s Prevention: https://a.co/d/cBewLEU Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry. Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/ About us: Metabolic Mind™ is a nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders. Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications. #MetabolicMind #KetoForMentalHealth #MetabolicPsychiatry #Dementia

#AlzheimersDisease

#KetoForDementia

#MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis

#MentalIllnessTreatment

#MentalHealthIsMetabolicHealth

Nutritionist Amy Berger literally wrote the book on using therapeutic nutritional ketosis from a ketogenic diet to prevent and treat Alzheimer’s dementia. Now Ms. Berger joins us to review two new studies about ketosis and Alzheimer’s disease and how they fit into the overall scientific basis. Expert featured in this episode: Amy Berger, Certified Nutrition Specialist https://www.tuitnutrition.com/ Twitter @TuitNutrition Studies Referenced: Ketogenic Diet as a Promising Non-Drug Intervention for Alzheimer's Disease: Mechanisms and Clinical Implications https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37038820/ Effects of a ketogenic and low-fat diet on the human metabolome, microbiome, and foodome in adults at risk for Alzheimer's disease https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37017243/ Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry. Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/ About us: Metabolic Mind™ is a nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders. Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications. #MetabolicMind #KetoForMentalHealth #MetabolicPsychiatry #Dementia #AlzheimersDisease #KetoForDementia #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis #MentalIllnessTreatment #MentalHealthIsMetabolicHealth

A new program for treating Anorexia Nervosa with Ketogenic Therapy called AnorExit is accepting clients. Early evidence and clinical experience indicate that therapeutic nutritional ketosis from a ketogenic diet may effectively treat anorexia nervosa. That's because therapeutic ketosis is much more than a so-called "restrictive diet." Ketosis changes how our brains create energy and can alter neurotransmitters, decrease neuroinflammation, improve mitochondrial health, and more. The family of Caroline Beckwith, who herself recovered from Anorexia with Ketogenic Therapy, has founded AnorExit. Caroline will provide peer counseling to participants. Registered dietician Denise Potter will provide clinical support. AnorExit is the first-ever dedicated treatment program using Ketogenic Therapy to treat anorexia nervosa. You can learn more at https://www.anorexit.com/ Any dietary change can be potentially risky for someone living with anorexia. That's why we recommend only treating anorexia or other eating disorders with nutritional ketosis while under the care of an experienced clinician. AnorExit provides wrap-around care including nutrition, peer counseling, and medical oversight to address this most life-threatening of all mental illnesses. Featured in this video: Denise Potter, Rd @KetoPotterRDN https://www.potterketogenic.diet/ Caroline Beckwith https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrKK8_znRxl4uO47AuMqglA Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry. Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/ About us: Metabolic Mind™ is a nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders. Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications. #MetabolicMind #KetoForMentalHealth #MetabolicPsychiatry #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#MentalIllnessTreatment#MentalHealthIsMetabolicHealth#Anorexia#EatingDisorder#KetoForAnorexia

Anorexia nervosa is a devastating eating disorder with the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric illness. Restricted diets are considered contraindicated in anorexia. However, emerging evidence suggests that therapeutic nutritional ketosis from a ketogenic diet could be a safe and effective treatment for those battling anorexia. In this podcast, we share the stories of participants of the first case studies of monotherapy with a ketogenic diet to treat active anorexia. In June 2023, Dr. Nick Norwitz published a case report of three dramatic stories of individuals living with anorexia who had failed to find a successful treatment. After all three tried an animal-based ketogenic diet, their thoughts and anxiety around food restriction disappeared. We are fortunate to have interviews with all three individuals, plus two more, including a registered dietician, all brave enough to share their stories and help educate everyone about their experience. It’s important to note that while this doesn’t mean nutritional ketosis is a cure for anorexia, these case reports provide important evidence that we need to consider. They challenge the common medical belief that a ketogenic diet is contraindicated in anorexia. Case reports like these are helping encourage more research into whether therapeutic nutritional ketosis can and should be used as a treatment for anorexia. Watch this channel for news of the first larger-scale clinical trial conducted by University of California, San Diego which will begin August 1 (via funding from Baszucki Group). Author of the Case Report: Nick Norwitz, PhD, Medical student at Harvard Medical School Twitter: @nicknorwitz Publications relevant to this video: Animal-based ketogenic diet puts severe anorexia nervosa into multi-year remission: A case series https://doi.org/10.4102/jir.v6i1.84 Remission from Chronic Anorexia Nervosa With Ketogenic Diet and Ketamine: Case Report https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00763/full Ketogenic diet and ketamine infusion treatment to target chronic persistent eating disorder psychopathology in anorexia nervosa: a pilot study https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9803738/ Metabolic Mind’s playlist for Keto for Anorexia: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzWI83-NWCL4t_57bTvro3_Umzvr19KBF Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry. Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/ About us: Metabolic Mind™ is a nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders. Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications. #MetabolicMind #KetoForMentalHealth #MetabolicPsychiatry #Anorexia

#AnorexiaNervosa

#KetoForEatingDisorders

#NewAnorexiaResearch

#EatingDisorder

#KetoForAnorexia #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis

#MentalIllnessTreatment

#MentalHealthIsMetabolicHealth

Caroline lived with anorexia for 15 years and got to the point where she gave up hope of ever recovering and living a “normal” life. That is until her aunt, Dr. Barbara Scolnick, helped Caroline start a ketogenic diet and ketamine infusions. The result was dramatic. Caroline says she is now cured of her anorexia and lives the “normal” life she never thought she would.

But it took courage, support, and faith in an unproven treatment to get her to where she is now. Here’s her dramatic and inspiring story.

Featured in this video:

Caroline Beckwith

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrKK8_znRxl4uO47AuMqglA

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/ 

About us:

Metabolic Mind™ is a nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

#MetabolicMind 

#KetoForMentalHealth 

#MetabolicPsychiatry 

#BipolarTreatment  

#MetabolicNeuroscience 

#KetogenicMetabolicTherapy 

#NutritionalKetosis

#MentalIllnessTreatment

#MentalHealthIsMetabolicHealth

#BipolarDiet

#Anorexia

#EatingDisorder

#KetoForAnorexia

A new study of Ketogenic Diet for treating Anorexia Nervosa will launch at UC San Diego in late summer 2023. Leading psychiatrist and researcher Dr. Guido Frank joins The Metabolic Mind Podcast to discuss the goals and design of the upcoming trial. Patients will be enrolled for a study duration of 16 weeks. Dr. Frank also discusses the lack of new treatment paradigms for Anorexia, as well as potential mechanisms of action of ketogenic therapy, including changes in brain metabolism. Dr. Frank and his team will explore, in the study, whether nutritional ketosis could be an effective therapy, bringing hope to many living with Anorexia Nervosa. Metabolic Mind will share details of the study when it begins enrolling patients after IRB approval. One in person visit to UCSD is required, but the rest of the study will be conducted remotely.

Guido Frank, MD

Professor of Psychiatry at UCSD

Eating Disorder Expert

https://profiles.ucsd.edu/guido.frank

Twitter @GuidoFrank

Papers referenced in this video:

Ketogenic diet and ketamine infusion treatment to target chronic persistent eating disorder psychopathology in anorexia nervosa: a pilot study

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9803738/

Synergy between ketamine and ketogenic diet in anorexia nervosa, and other neurobehavioral disorders

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36788151/

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/ 

About us:

Metabolic Mind™ is a nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

#MetabolicMind 

#KetoForMentalHealth 

#MetabolicPsychiatry 

#MetabolicNeuroscience 

#KetogenicMetabolicTherapy 

#NutritionalKetosis

#MentalIllnessTreatment

#MentalHealthIsMetabolicHealth

#BipolarDiet

#KetamineTherapy 

#Anorexia 

#EatingDisorder

Dr. Matthew Bernstein is a Harvard-trained psychiatrist with over two decades of clinical experience. Yet, despite his extensive training and experience, he wasn’t helping his patients thrive as he had hoped. So when a personal experience led him to nutritional ketosis, he realized this could be a missing link for helping his patients. Over the ensuing year, Dr. Bernstein has focused on metabolic treatments and has seen dramatic improvements in his patients and a renewed sense of purpose and accomplishment with his professional practice. 

As the Chief Medical Office for Ellenhorn, Dr. Bernstein wants to help other psychiatrists and clinicians learn about metabolic treatments like nutritional ketosis, time-restricted eating, etc. In this interview, he shares his personal journey, clinical experience, and how patients and clinicians can benefit from recognizing the connection between metabolic and mental health.

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/ 

Experts featured in this video:

Matthew Bernstein, MD

https://www.ellenhorn.com/our-team/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-bernstein-5743338

About us:

Metabolic Mind™ is a nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

#MetabolicMind 

#KetoForMentalHealth 

#MetabolicPsychiatry 

#BipolarTreatment  

#MetabolicNeuroscience 

#KetogenicMetabolicTherapy 

#DepressionTreatment

#NutritionalKetosis

#MentalIllnessTreatment

#MentalHealthIsMetabolicHealth

#BipolarDiet

#Ellenhorn

Michelle Hurn put her anorexia into remission using nutritional ketosis through a ketogenic diet. That meant going against everything she was taught as a patient and as a dietitian. Now she wants to share her journey and help others achieve similar breakthrough results.

But the path wasn’t easy. In this interview, you’ll hear how Michelle struggled for years to treat her anorexia and how she had to overcome her fear to finally try nutritional ketosis. As a registered dietitian, she now understands the faults in everything she learned and hopes to be a voice of reason for others looking for nutritional solutions to their health challenges.

Table of Contents:

0:00 - Introduction

4:30 - Interview with Michelle Hurn

30:42 - Conclusion

Featured in this video:

Michelle Hurn, RD, author of Dietitian’s Dilemma

Instagram @runeatmeatrepeat

https://thedietitiansdilemma.net/

Relevant papers:

Synergy between ketamine and ketogenic diet in anorexia nervosa, and other neurobehavioral disorders

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36788151/

Ketogenic diet and ketamine infusion treatment to target chronic persistent eating disorder psychopathology in anorexia nervosa: a pilot study

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35997954/

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/

About us:

Metabolic Mind™ is a nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

#MetabolicMind

#KetoForMentalHealth

#MetabolicPsychiatry

#Anorexia

#EatingDisorder

#KetoForAnorexia

#KetogenicMetabolicTherapy

#NutritionalKetosis

#MentalIllnessTreatment

#MentalHealthIsMetabolicHealth

There’s a common belief that being in nutritional ketosis or following a ketogenic diet increases your risk of developing heart disease. But the reality is there is no such evidence. Instead, the incorrect belief is based on inaccurate and misleading data, and the assumption that LDL cholesterol increases in everyone on a keto diet. But, as board-certified cardiologist and lipidologist Dr. Bret Scher explains in this video, there’s far more to the story. 

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/ 

About us:

Metabolic Mind™ is a nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

#MetabolicMind 

#KetoForMentalHealth 

#MetabolicPsychiatry 

#HeartDisease

#LDL

#LeanMassHyperResponder

#BipolarTreatment  

#MetabolicNeuroscience 

#KetogenicMetabolicTherapy 

#NutritionalKetosis

#MentalIllnessTreatment

#MentalHealthIsMetabolicHealth

#BipolarDiet

Can 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 brain energy metabolism - Why more research, including randomized controlled trials, is urgently needed This conversation is especially valuable for clinicians, patients, and families seeking new approaches for treatment-resistant OCD. It also touches on broader implications of metabolic health across a range of mental illnesses, including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, and the importance of supervised, individualized treatment plans. Hear how both guests bring personal experience with OCD into their research, and why they’re hopeful this work will pave the way for better, much-needed options in mental health care. Experts Featured:- Dr. Chris Palmer, MD Website - https://chrispalmermd.com - Book: https://brainenergy.com - Aaron John MacDonald, research assistant in the Metabolic and Mental Health Program at McLean Hospital Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry. Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org

About us:Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

Metabolic health is strongly connected to mental health, and metabolic therapies, like nutritional ketosis, or the insulin-sensitizing medication metformin, can improve psychiatric symptoms or even put them into remission. But how strong is the evidence connecting metabolic and mental health? Stanford psychiatrist Dr. Shebani Sethi and Dalhousie psychiatrist Dr. Cynthia Calkin help us explore the state of the evidence. And importantly, they help put the evidence into perspective. For instance, what level of evidence do you need if you are a prescribing psychiatrist versus a mom desperate for help for her child? Drs. Sethi and Calkin conduct research in this area and are experienced clinicians treating patients regularly. This combination gives them the insight to help us better understand the state of the evidence.

Experts featured in this video:

Shebani Sethi, MD. Clinical Assistant Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Director of the Metabolic Psychiatry Clinic at Stanford University. https://metabolicpsychiatry.com/stanford-affiliates Twitter @ShebaniMD

Cynthia Calkin, MD. Associate Professor in Psychiatry and Medical Neurosciences at Dalhousie University. https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/psychiatry/our-people/faculty/cynthia-calkin.html

Academic papers referenced in this video:

Treating Insulin Resistance With Metformin as a Strategy to Improve Clinical Outcomes in Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Depression (the TRIO-BD Study): A Randomized, Quadruple-Masked, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35120288/

The relationship between bipolar disorder and type 2 diabetes: more than just co-morbid disorders https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22621171/

The Role of Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy on the Brain in Serious Mental Illness: A Review https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9728807/

Table of Contents:

0:00 - Introduction

2:11 - Interview with Dr. Shebani Sethi

11:42 - Interview with Dr. Cynthia Calkin

15:23 - Continuing Interviews

32:41 - Conclusion

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/

About us:

Metabolic Mind™ is a nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

#MetabolicMind

#KetoForMentalHealth

#MetabolicPsychiatry

#MetabolicNeuroscience

#KetogenicMetabolicTherapy

#NutritionalKetosis

#MentalIllnessTreatment

#MentalHealthIsMetabolicHealth

#BipolarDiet

#Science

Can a keto diet help with tapering psychiatric medications in conditions like bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, anxiety, or other psychiatric illness? Can you decrease or even stop taking some or all of your medications? There is no universal answer to this question; it depends on the individual. 

Psychotropic medications are typically first-line therapy for treating serious mental illness and can be life-saving. But over time, medications alone may not be completely effective in treating symptoms. And especially at high doses, they can come with problematic side effects.

Metabolic nutritional therapy, specifically with nutritional ketosis, can add another treatment layer and may help promote cognitive function, mood stability and energy and overall functioning. Anecdotal evidence and growing numbers of case reports show that nutritional ketosis can help people be well enough to consider lowering the doses and number of their medications. That said, we cannot stress enough that it is essential that anyone considering reducing their medications work with their prescribing clinician, whether or not they are using nutritional ketosis as a treatment strategy.   

Experts featured in this video:

Georgia Ede, MD - www.diagnosisdiet.com

Twitter @GeorgiaEdeMD 

Ketogenic Diets and Psychiatric Medications

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/diagnosis-diet/201803/ketogenic-diets-and-psychiatric-medications

Matt Baszucki, co-host of Bipolarcast on YouTube

BipolarCast - YouTube

Study Referenced:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35873236/

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/ 

About us:

Metabolic Mind™ is a nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

#MetabolicMind 

#KetoForMentalHealth 

#MetabolicPsychiatry 

#MedicationReduction

#BipolarTreatment  

#MetabolicNeuroscience 

#KetogenicMetabolicTherapy 

#DepressionTreatment

#NutritionalKetosis

#MentalIllnessTreatment

#MentalHealthIsMetabolicHealth

#BipolarDiet

#TaperingPsychiatricMedications

#TaperMeds

#KetoTaperingMeds

#KetoPsychMeds

#TaperMedsBipolar

#TaperDepressionMeds

A newly published pilot study indicates a keto diet combined with ketamine infusions can dramatically improve anorexia nervosa eating disorder. But it may not be right for everyone. Hear from the study’s authors about why they conducted the study and who they think this approach could help. Experts featured in this video: Barbara Scolnick, MD Internist and Eating Disorder Specialist Guido Frank, MD Professor of Psychiatry at UCSD Eating Disorder Expert https://profiles.ucsd.edu/guido.frank Twitter @GuidoFrank Lori Calabrese, MD Founder and Medical Director of Innovative Psychiatry https://www.loricalabresemd.com/meet-lori-calabrese/ Twitter @loricalabresemd Papers referenced in this video: Ketogenic diet and ketamine infusion treatment to target chronic persistent eating disorder psychopathology in anorexia nervosa: a pilot study https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9803738/ Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry. Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/ About us: Metabolic Mind™ is a nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders. Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications. #MetabolicMind #KetoForMentalHealth #MetabolicPsychiatry #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#MentalIllnessTreatment#MentalHealthIsMetabolicHealth#BipolarDiet#ketaminetherapy #anorexia #eatingdisorder

Metabolic dysfunction, such as insulin resistance and pre-diabetes, is closely associated with symptoms of depression. But how do we know if metabolic dysfunction causes depression? Or if metabolic therapies could treat depression? Those are more difficult questions to answer, but there is accumulating biological evidence that links insulin resistance and depressive disorders.

Dr. Natalie Rasgon, a psychiatrist and clinician-researcher at Stanford University, published an important paper suggesting a possible causative role. Her research showed that measures of insulin resistance predicted the incidence of major depressive disorder. We discuss the background and findings of the study, as well as the take-home message–screening for and treating metabolic dysfunction can improve symptoms of depression.

Experts featured in this video: Natalie Rasgon, MD PhD Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University https://profiles.stanford.edu/natalie-rasgon

Articles referenced in this video: Incident major depressive disorder predicted by three measures of insulin resistance: A Dutch cohort study https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ajp.2021.20101479

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/

About us: Metabolic Mind™ is a nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders. Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications. #MetabolicMind #KetoForMentalHealth #MetabolicPsychiatry #BipolarTreatment #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #DepressionTreatment#NutritionalKetosis#MentalIllnessTreatment#MentalHealthIsMetabolicHealth#BipolarDiet#insulinresistance #InsulinResistanceDepression#TreatmentResistantDepression

Here's an inspiring story of one family using nutritional ketosis to treat dementia and eventually regain their lives. While everyone may not have as dramatic benefits from a keto diet, Mary and her daughter Suzi demonstrate what's possible. Born with Down's Syndrome, Suzi lived with cognitive delay but was always able to enjoy her life and her family. Then, at the age of 43, dementia set in, and her family's life changed, seemingly forever. But then Mary found Dr. Anette Bosworth and learned about nutritional ketosis. The rest is a heartwarming and motivational story that highlights the power of this metabolic nutritional intervention. Published case report: Case report: Ketogenic diet acutely improves cognitive function in patient with Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1085512/full Featured in this video: Dr. Annette Bosworth Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/annettebosworthmd Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnnetteBosworth Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry. Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/ About us: Metabolic Mind™ is a nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders. Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications. #MetabolicMind #KetoForMentalHealth #MetabolicPsychiatry #alzheimerdisease #dementia #dementiacare #downsyndrome #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#MentalHealthIsMetabolicHealth

Dr. Cynthia Calkin's study using Metformin in treatment-resistant Bipolar Disorder showed that improving insulin resistance dramatically improved depression outcomes. This research is helping shift the paradigm for how we treat bipolar disorder. Her clinical practice and research studies demonstrate that metabolic dysfunction significantly contributes to mental illness and, perhaps even more importantly, that treating metabolic dysfunction results in significant symptomatic improvements. 

This is a dramatic clinical shift in psychiatry, and as you will hear, it has been slow to catch on within the psychiatry community. But with Dr. Calikn’s research and her desire to help as many people as possible, Dr. Calkin is helping spread the word so more clinicians understand the benefit of approaching patients from a metabolic perspective.

Studies referenced in this video:

Treating Insulin Resistance With Metformin as a Strategy to Improve Clinical Outcomes in Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Depression (the TRIO-BD Study): A Randomized, Quadruple-Masked, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35120288/

Insulin Resistance and Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction Underlie Neuroprogression in Bipolar Disorder https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34113269/

Table of Contents:

0:00 - Introduction

1:57 - Interview with Dr. Cynthia Calkin

46:06 - Conclusion

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/ 

About us:

Metabolic Mind™ is a nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

#MetabolicMind 

#KetoForMentalHealth 

#MetabolicPsychiatry 

#BipolarTreatment  

#BipolarDepression 

#InsulinResistanceBipolar 

#MetforminForBipolar 

#TrioBDStudy.

#MetabolicNeuroscience 

#KetogenicMetabolicTherapy 

#DepressionTreatment

#NutritionalKetosis

#MentalIllnessTreatment

#MentalHealthIsMetabolicHealth

#BipolarDiet

If you or a loved one lives with bipolar disorder, this podcast is one you don’t want to miss. Dr. Iain Campbell is a shining example of what “success” looks like in treating serious mental illness. For years, Dr. Campbell took medications to minimize his most serious symptoms of Bipolar Disorder but never felt well. Then, by chance, he tried a  ketogenic diet, which, as he describes it, “turned the lights back on” and radically changed his life. Since then, he became a researcher in metabolic psychiatry, a husband, a father, and a consistent role model for those with bipolar disorder.

Dr. Campbell has a Ph.D. in global health from the University of Edinburgh and is a researcher at the University of Edinburgh. He is the co-principal investigator of the first European trial of a ketogenic diet for Bipolar Disorder and is the recipient of the inaugural Baszucki Brain Research Fund Metabolic Psychiatry Research Fellowship. 

He co-hosts the Bipolarcast podcast and frequently speaks about his experience with bipolar. His openness is helping transform the way we publicly talk and think about bipolar disorder. Dr. Campbell has a rare combination of personal knowledge and experience combined with a deep scientific understanding that will help revolutionize the treatment of Bipolar disorder.

Bipolarcast on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDB-iMvEJ-HeHqpamIN5JWw/videos?view=0&sort=dd&shelf_id=0

Twitter @iaincampbellphd https://twitter.com/IainCampbellPhD?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Website https://ketobipolar.com/

About us:

Metabolic Mind™ is a nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group. Our mission is to provide education and resources in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, including ketogenic interventions for mental disorders.

Join our mailing list and learn more about metabolic psychiatry at https://metabolicmind.org/ 

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative providing education & resources at the intersection of metabolic & mental health. Metabolic interventions like nutritional ketosis are being used to treat serious mental illnesses like Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, & Major Depressive Disorder. We are here to help you learn if a ketogenic lifestyle could help you or a loved one living with a mental disorder improve your quality of life, or even send your psychiatric symptoms into remission.

Watch our videos at https://www.youtube.com/@metabolicmind

Our channel is for information only. Consult your physician before changing your lifestyle or medications.

Can 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 nutrition—particularly ketogenic therapy—can play a role in treating bipolar disorder, improving cardiovascular health, and addressing shared metabolic pathways that impact both heart and brain health.

In this interview, you'll learn:

• Why Mayo Clinic is investing in research on ketogenic interventions for bipolar disorder
• The potential shared mechanisms between mood disorders and cardiovascular disease
• What "precision nutrition" really means and why one-size-fits-all diets may not work
• How Mayo researchers are using advanced cardiovascular testing to monitor safety
• Why implementation science is key to bringing dietary interventions into clinical care

This conversation bridges disciplines and opens the door to new, integrated approaches to mental and metabolic health. Watch now and discover how this groundbreaking research is challenging old paradigms and paving the way for better care.

Expert Featured:

• Mark Frye, MD
• Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, MD, MS

Other Resources Mentioned:

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

• https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

• https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/

About us:Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

Dementia, 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 midlife
• How insulin resistance in neurons may be the early driver of neurodegeneration
• The critical age window where metabolic interventions could have the biggest impact
• Why ketones (from diet or supplementation) may restore brain function and slow cognitive decline
• How lifestyle choices like diet and exercise can help protect your brain, long before symptoms arise

If you’re in your 30s, 40s, or 50s and want to understand how to protect long-term brain health, this episode is for you. Dr. Mujica-Parodi also explains the concept of “control circuits” in physiology and how destabilization can trigger a cascade of disease. Plus, we cover the role of exogenous ketones vs. ketogenic diet and the future of brain health screening.

Watch to find out how you can act now, before symptoms appear, to give your brain the best shot at staying resilient and sharp for decades to come.

Expert Featured:

• Dr. Lily Mujica-Parodi, PhD
• Dr. Kirk Nylen, PhD

Resources Mentioned:

Dr. Mujica-Parodi’s website

• www.LCneuro.org

Brain aging shows nonlinear transitions, suggesting a midlife “critical window” for metabolic intervention

• https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2416433122

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

• https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

• https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/

About us:Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

Mitochondria 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 schizophrenia.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why mitochondrial health is essential for brain function
• How different brain regions rely on different types of mitochondria
• Why people respond so differently to the same metabolic dysfunction
• How future scans and biomarkers could help us measure brain energy non-invasively
• What it means to think of ourselves as “energetic beings” rather than just biological machines

When it comes to metabolic psychiatry, mitochondria are a key player. This research is a huge step towards better understanding these tiny organelles and the role they play in mental health and cognitive function.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Martin Picard

x.com/MitoPsychoBio

picardlab.org

Resources Mentioned:

Three Ways to Keep Your Mitochondria Healthy

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3dhmMcj17w&t=159s

A human brain map of mitochondrial respiratory capacity and diversity

• https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08740-6

CMEs Mentioned:

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

• https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

• https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/

About us:Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

Creatine 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 potential tool for improving mood and supporting mental health.

In this episode we dive into:

• What creatine is and how it works in the body and brain
• The growing body of research linking creatine to improvements in depression symptoms
• How creatine may enhance energy metabolism in the brain—a key focus of metabolic psychiatry
• Its synergy with other treatments, including SSRIs and cognitive behavioral therapy
• Practical considerations around dosing, diet, and safety
• The difference between dietary and supplemental creatine
• Creatine & sleep deprivation

Creatine is a well-studied, widely available supplement, and its low risk profile makes it an intriguing candidate for further exploration in psychiatric care. While more research is needed, this conversation is a hopeful and informed look at a promising metabolic intervention.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Nick Fabiano

X: https://x.com/NTFabiano?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author

Resources Mentioned:

Dietary creatine intake and depression risk among U.S. adults

• https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-020-0741-x

A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial of Oral Creatine Monohydrate Augmentation for Enhanced Response to a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor in Women With Major Depressive Disorder

• https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2012.12010009

Efficacy and safety profile of oral creatine monohydrate in add-on to cognitive-behavioural therapy in depression: An 8-week pilot, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled feasibility and exploratory trial in an under-resourced area

• https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2024.10.004

CMEs Mentioned:

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

• https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

• https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/

About us:Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

The 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 expert in adolescent bipolar disorder and the study’s lead investigator, joins Dr. Bret Scher to discuss the new trial.

As a Professor of Psychiatry at the UCLA Semel Institute and Senior Clinical Research Fellow at Oxford University, Dr. Miklowitz brings decades of insight to the discussion. Together, they explore the design and objectives of this groundbreaking study and share how families in Los Angeles, Cincinnati, Denver, and Pittsburgh can take part in this important research effort aimed at transforming outcomes for young people living with bipolar disorder.

In this interview you’ll learn:

✅ The challenges of diagnosing bipolar disorder in kids and teens

✅ How family involvement impacts long-term outcomes

✅ Why standard treatment approaches may not always work for adolescents

✅ The potential benefits of ketogenic therapy as an adjunctive treatment

For those interested in enrolling in the study, visit the link below to learn more about the study, the participant criteria, and how to enroll!

• https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06920940?term=miklowitz&rank=1

Expert Featured:

Dr. David Miklowitz

https://www.uclahealth.org/providers/david-miklowitz

Resources Mentioned:

• Living Well with Bipolar Disorder by Dr. David Miklowitz

CMEs Mentioned:

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

• https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

• https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/

About us:Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

Could 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. Dekeyster brings a rare blend of personal insight and scientific expertise. She opens up about her own experience with mood disorders and how ketosis helped shift her mental energy, leading her to dedicate her research to metabolic psychiatry.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• The early but promising evidence supporting ketogenic therapy in autism spectrum disorder
• The metabolic and neurological mechanisms involved
• A real-life case of a child with ASD whose symptoms improved on a ketogenic diet and the troubling response from the medical system
• The challenges and strategies around adherence to ketogenic interventions in neurodivergent populations
• Dr. Dekeyster’s vision for a collaborative, individualized care model that includes dietary, medical, and emotional support

While more research is needed to fully understand the impact of nutritional therapies for autism spectrum disorder, ketogenic therapy may offer meaningful hope to individuals and families navigating the challenges of ASD today.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Eline Dekeyster

https://www.instagram.com/lbi.research/

CMEs Mentioned:

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

• https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

• https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/

About us:Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

Did 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 underlying metabolic physiology.” This research used continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) to track how different individuals respond to carbohydrate-rich foods, and the results are eye-opening.

📌 In this conversation, you’ll learn:

• Which carb-containing foods were tested in the study.
• Why some people were labeled “potato spikers” or “grape spikers.”
• The importance of insulin sensitivity and resistance in mitigating glucose responses.
• How fiber, fat, and protein consumed before a meal can blunt sugar spikes—for some people.
• The role of CGMs in personalizing treatments for chronic diseases, including severe mental illness.
• How this data could inform future dietary guidelines and chronic disease treatment.

It’s time to recognize that we are all unique individuals down to the cellular level and our differences mean there may be unique requirements for each of us to maintain and improve health. Tools like CGMs offer powerful insight into how your body truly responds to food, and that information can be pivotal for tailoring interventions in chronic diseases, including serious mental illnesses. We are hopeful that research like this will lead to better treatment protocols and dietary guidelines.

Expert Featured:

• Cristina Nigro
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristina-nigro-19394127/

Resources Mentioned:

Individual variations in glycemic responses to carbohydrates and underlying metabolic physiology

• https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-025-03719-2#Sec2

CMEs Mentioned:

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

• https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

• https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/

Can 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 using a low-carb ketogenic approach. We also cover:

🔹 The science behind reversing type 2 diabetes

🔹 How his NHS clinic has achieved one of the highest diabetes remission rates in the world

🔹 The role of real-world data in changing medical practice

🔹 The resistance from traditional healthcare and how to overcome it

🔹 Why media coverage and patient success stories are crucial for spreading awareness

🔹 Practical tips for patients and doctors interested in metabolic health

Dr. Unwin's research-backed approach challenges conventional wisdom and offers a hopeful alternative for those struggling with metabolic conditions.

Join Dr. Bret Scher as he and Dr. Unwin dive into the science, data, and real-world applications of ketogenic therapy not just for diabetes, but for metabolic and mental health as well.

#MetabolicHealth #KetogenicTherapy #DiabetesRemission

Expert Featured:

Dr. David Unwin

X: https://x.com/lowcarbgp?lang=en

Resources Mentioned

• What predicts drug-free type 2 diabetes remission? Insights from an eight-year general practice cohort study
• Renal function in patients following a low carbohydrate diet for type 2 diabetes: a review of the literature and analysis of routine clinical data from a primary care service over 7 years
• Dr. Tro Kalayjian Publishes Research Paper Confirming the Benefits of Lifesyle-Based Metabolic Care
• TOWARD Health
• Dr. Unwin’s Low Carb Diet Sheet

CMEs Mentioned:

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

• https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

• https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/

About us:Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

Not 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 breaks down:

✅ Why some studies are more trustworthy than others✅ The limitations of observational studies in nutrition and medicine✅ How the GRADE framework categorizes evidence from high to low certainty

✅ How to critically assess nutrition and mental health research

✅ The importance of patient values in clinical decision-making

As new chronic disease treatments emerge from rapidly evolving research, understanding the quality of evidence is more important than ever. The ability to distinguish robust data from weak correlations isn’t just a skill—it’s essential for making informed, effective decisions in patient care.

#MetabolicMind #EvidenceBasedMedicine #MedicalResearch #NutritionScience #GRADEMethod #HealthDecisions

Expert Featured:

Dr. Gordon Guyatt, MD

Resources Mentioned:

Core GRADE Workshop

CMEs Mentioned:

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

• https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

• https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/

About us:Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

Can 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

🏥 Children’s Mental Health Resource Center (CMHRC) study – A real-world pilot study exploring the practical application of ketogenic interventions for kids with bipolar

🛠️ How data emerging from these studies could add new tools to clinicians' toolboxes

As the youth mental health epidemic continues to rise, we must continue to pursue better solutions. We are hopeful that this research will not only expand treatment options but also inspire more pediatric clinicians to consider the powerful role ketogenic therapy can play in improving mental health outcomes for children.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Kirk Nylen, PhD

Managing Director of Neuroscience as Baszucki Group

Resources Mentioned

Children’s Mental Health Resource Center

• https://cmhrc.org

CMEs Mentioned

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

• https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

• https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/

About us:Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

Timestamps:

• 0:00 - Introduction to ketogenic interventions for pediatrics and Kirk Nylen, PhD.
• 2:17 - The history of ketogenic therapies in pediatrics. How safe are ketogenic therapies for children?
• 6:37 - Bipolar study on children: background of the Child Bipolar Network study. How are they testing and what are they looking for?
• 10:11 - How does the Children’s Mental Health Resource Center address the gaps in pediatric bipolar research?
• 13:25 - Summary of the state of research on ketogenic therapies for bipolar in children and what questions remain.

Can 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 helping others navigate informed choices about psychiatric medications, diagnoses, and withdrawal.

💡 In this episode, we cover:

✅ Laura’s personal story of polypharmacy and its effects

✅ The impact of long-term psychiatric medication

✅ The challenges of tapering and withdrawal

✅ How Laura has rebuilt her life beyond medications

✅ How Laura built a nonprofit to support others on the same path

✅ The role of diet, lifestyle, and community in mental health recovery

✅ Why informed consent is crucial for psychiatric treatment decisions

✅ The mission of Inner Compass Initiative

Laura’s new book Unshrunk: A Story of Psychiatric Treatment Resistance is available March 18, 2025.

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This conversation includes discussion of suicidality and a suicide attempt. Please take care when watching.

#MentalHealth #Psychiatry #Deprescribing #PsychiatricMedication #Tapering #MetabolicPsychiatry

Expert Featured:

Laura Delano

Resources Mentioned:

Inner Compass Initiative

• https://www.theinnercompass.org/

Laura’a New Book: Unshrunk: A Story of Psychiatric Treatment Resistance

• https://www.amazon.com/Unshrunk-Story-Psychiatric-Treatment-Resistance/dp/1984880489

The Challenges of Going off Psychiatric Drugs

• https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/04/08/the-challenge-of-going-off-psychiatric-drugs

CMEs Mentioned:

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

• https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

• https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/

About us:Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

Brain 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 insight: while metabolic dysfunction is a common feature of serious mental illnesses, each condition exhibits its own distinct patterns of altered gene expression that impacts metabolic function. This suggests that the underlying metabolic dysfunction in mental illness arises through different mechanisms unique to each disorder.

In this interview you will learn:

The benefits of studying metabolic function and gene expression of the amygdala Which genes show altered expression in each mental illness, and how these changes affect metabolism How shifting the brain’s energy source from glucose to ketones could offer a promising way to address changes in metabolic gene expression How these study findings could translate to targeted clinical care

Although these findings are not yet ready to directly influence clinical psychiatric care models, they provide a critical foundation for future research aimed at tailoring metabolic therapies to the unique needs of each individual.

Expert Featured:

Harry Pantazopoulos, MD

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harry-pantazopoulos-04460413/

X: @HarryPantazopo1

Studies Mentioned:

Transcriptomic Analysis of the Amygdala in Subjects with Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder Reveals Differentially Altered Metabolic Pathways

Differentially Altered Metabolic Pathways in the Amygdala of Subjects with Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder

CMEs Mentioned:

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/

About us:Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

Is 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 how we diagnose and treat mental illness allowing for a more personalized approach and potentially better outcomes. He shares research demonstrating how utilizing biomarkers can allow practitioners to better understand the current state of a patient’s mental health to assist in prevention and tailor both medications and lifestyle interventions for better outcomes.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why psychiatry is still practiced like 19th-century medicine and how to modernize it
• How blood tests can pinpoint the right treatment for a patient including lifestyle interventions, medication choice, and dosing
• How blood tests can identify the nuanced difference between mental illnesses like depression and bipolar disorder at a biological level
• Why these tests could be more reliable than genetic testing
• How early screening could help prevent serious mental illness
• The future of personalized lifestyle recommendations for mental health

At Metabolic Mind, we believe mental health care must evolve to incorporate metabolic interventions alongside innovative diagnostic tools. Our vision is a future where the metabolic health of every individual is assessed and addressed with evidence-based interventions, leading to improved mental health for all.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Alexander Niculescu

https://mindxsciences.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-niculescu-md-phd-b460a75/

Studies Mentioned:

Special Report: Precise, Personalized, and Preventive Psychiatry

https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.pn.2024.12.12.27

CMEs Mentioned

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

• https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

• https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/

About us:Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

Is 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 families
• How she collaborated with healthcare teams to ensure better outcomes
• How she determines the right type of ketogenic diet for each patient
• The role of nutrient deficiencies and supplementation in treatment
• How medications were handled and her perspective on medication changes with ketogenic therapy
• The profound transformations in her patients’ lives, including returning to school and regaining independence

These stories offer hope and add to the growing evidence that ketogenic therapy can help individuals struggling with mental illness.

Want to hear more real-life experiences of people reclaiming their mental health through metabolic therapy? Hear from our community of experts by experience, including their challenges, setbacks, and successes on the path to recovery at metabolicmind.org/think-smart.

Expert Featured:

Nicole Laurent, LMHC

https://mentalhealthketo.com/

Founder and Medical Director of Mental Health KetoX: @KetoCounselor

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nlaurent/

Instagram: mentalhealthketo/

Studies Mentioned

Ketogenic metabolic therapy for schizoaffective disorder: a retrospective case series of psychotic symptom remission and mood recovery

https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2025.1506304

CMEs Mentioned

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

• https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

• https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/

About us:Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

Dr. 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 potential mechanisms behind ketogenic therapy's effectiveness.

Key Topics Covered:

• The correlation between ketone levels and mood stabilization
• Dr. Campbell’s personal journey using ketogenic therapy for bipolar disorder
• How ketosis impacts brain glutamate levels
• The role of metabolic psychiatry in treating mental illness
• The future of metabolic treatments at the newly established UK Metabolic Psychiatry Hub

Dr. Campbell's pioneering work at the Metabolic Psychiatry Hub is advancing the field of metabolic psychiatry by integrating research and treatment, demonstrating how ketogenic therapy can be a powerful tool for addressing both metabolic and mental health in the treatment of bipolar disorder.

New Study:

A Pilot Study of a Ketogenic Diet in Bipolar Disorder: Clinical, Metabolic and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Findings

• https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2024.841

Experts Featured:

Dr. Iain Campbell

X: @IainCampbellPhD

www.metabolicpsychiatryhub.com

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/

About us:

Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

Do 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 metabolism in the brain and understand how ketones support brain function when it struggles to use glucose for energy.

Now, Dr. Cunnane has turned his attention to metabolic psychiatry and is working on a new study looking at brain energy metabolism in individuals experiencing first-episode psychosis. This study will allow researchers insights into the metabolic state of the brain at the onset of major mental illness and how psychiatric medications influence brain energy use.

In this episode, you will learn:

• How the brain uses fuel as we age – Why glucose metabolism declines over time and how ketones may compensate in aging and neurodegenerative conditions.
• The first ketone PET imaging studies – How Dr. Cunnane’s team developed a method to directly measure ketone uptake in the brain and compare it to glucose metabolism
• Psychosis and brain energy metabolism – Examining glucose and ketone utilization in first-episode psychosis before and after antipsychotic treatment.
• Carbohydrate reduction in older adults – Findings from a study showing how moderate carb restriction improved metabolic and mental health in retirement home residents independent of weight loss.
• Parkinson’s disease and ketones – Investigating how exercise, exogenous ketones, and carbohydrate restriction may enhance brain energy supply and improve symptoms.

Dr. Cunnane has been a pioneer in the field of ketogenic therapy and brain energy. In addition to all the incredible work he is doing in the aging brain, we are excited to see his new research focusing on such critical components of metabolic psychiatry.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Stephen Cunnane

https://recherche-cerveau-sherbrooke.ca/en/laboratory-team/

Studies Mentioned

A reduced carbohydrate diet improves glycemic regulation in hyperglycemic older people in a retirement home: the SAGE study

https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2024-0277

Resources Mentioned

Brain Research Team Website

https://recherche-cerveau-sherbrooke.ca/en/

Revolutionizing Assisted Living: Hal Cranmer's Ketogenic & Carnivore Approach to Senior Wellness

https://youtu.be/s86CFw0qhVc?feature=shared

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources athttps://metabolicmind.org/

About us:Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

Can 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 interview, we cover:

- How achieving higher therapeutic ketone levels impacted her mental health symptoms

- How they tailored her diet to achieve a level of ketosis that kept her symptoms in remission

- Why ketogenic therapy may target shared mechanisms across psychiatric diagnoses

- The concept of trans-diagnostic remission and treating root causes, not just symptoms

- The role of dietary compliance, food addiction awareness, and tailored guidance

- How ketogenic therapy can work alongside medications or as a primary intervention for some patients

While the results from this case report may seem out of this world, again and again we are seeing ketogenic therapy provide impressive levels of relief for individuals who are really struggling with mental illness. We hope that these stories will reset the expectations for what is possible in psychiatric care.

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #MentalHealth #Psychiatry #BipolarDisorder #PTSD #ADHD #Anxiety #BingeEatingDisorder #NutritionAndMentalHealth

Expert Featured:

- Dr. Erin Louise Bellamy

- Website: ikrt.org

- X: https://x.com/erinlbellamy

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erinlouisebellamy/?hl=en

Resources Mentioned:

Transdiagnostic remission of psychiatric comorbidity in post-traumatic stress disorder, ADHD, and binge-eating disorder using ketogenic metabolic therapy: a retrospective case report

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/392930410_Transdiagnostic_remission_of_psychiatric_comorbidity_in_post-traumatic_stress_disorder_ADHD_and_binge-eating_disorder_using_ketogenic_metabolic_therapy_a_retrospective_case_report

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/

How 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 video you’ll learn:

If you're passionate about understanding health research and making evidence-based decisions, this interview is a must-watch!

Expert Featured:

Dr. Adrian Soto-Mota

X: @AdrianSotoMota

Studies Mentioned

Ketogenic diets are associated with an elevated risk of hypertension: Insights from a cross-sectional analysis of the NHANES 2007–2018

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcrp.2024.200342

Comparing Very Low-Carbohydrate vs DASH Diets for Overweight or Obese Adults With Hypertension and Prediabetes or Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Trial

https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.2968

The ketogenic diet has the potential to decrease all-cause mortality without a concomitant increase in cardiovascular-related mortality

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-73384-x

CMEs Mentioned

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

Follow our channel for more insights and education from Dr. Bret Scher, including interviews with leading experts in metabolic psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/.

About us

Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

Pediatric 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 her experiences implementing ketogenic therapies in children and young adults.

In this interview, you’ll learn:

• What’s the difference between ketogenic therapy for adults vs. children?
• How to introduce ketogenic therapy to children and young adults
• The importance of having families on board with ketogenic therapy
• How to help children and young adults adhere to ketogenic therapies

Everyone deserves access to better mental health care, especially the young minds that hold the future to our society.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Lori Calabrese

X: @loricalabresemd

LoriCalabreseMD.com

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/

About us: Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

How 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 life stages such as postpartum and perimenopause.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Insights from the SHE IS Lab on ketogenic therapies for PCOS, postpartum depression, perimenopause, and more.
• How ketogenic therapies are helping restore menstrual cycles and improve hormonal health.
• The importance of personalized approaches and cycle tracking in women's health research.
• When ketone supplements may be beneficial for women’s health.
• How to adjust exercise and nutrition for different stages of the menstrual cycle.

Join us as Dr. Kackley shares her passion for addressing the gaps in women-specific health studies and the promising future of metabolic-based interventions for women’s health.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Madison Kackley

X: @KackleyMLPhD

CMEs Mentioned:

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

Follow our channel for more insights and education from Dr. Bret Scher, including interviews with leading experts in metabolic psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/.

About us:

Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

Mental 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, inflammation, and oxidative stress.

In this interview, Dr. Palmer dives into the science behind mental illnesses and shares groundbreaking insights into how ketogenic therapy is changing lives.

In this interview, you’ll learn:

This conversation highlights the urgent need for change in psychiatry, how metabolic therapies are offering new hope for those living with mental illness, and the path towards more effective evidence based care and better patient outcomes.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Chris Palmer

X: @ChrisPalmerMD

www.ChrisPalmerMD.com

Purchase Brain Energy: https://brainenergy.com/#order-window

Studies Mentioned

Beyond comorbidities: metabolic dysfunction as a root cause of neuropsychiatric disorders

The Ketogenic Diet as a Transdiagnostic Treatment for Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Mechanisms and Clinical Outcomes

CMEs Mentioned

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/

About us: Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

What 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 you won’t want to miss!

Expert Featured:

Hal Cranmer

https://aparadiseforparents.com/

X: @HalCranmer

Instagram: @assisted_living_hal_cranmer

Follow our channel for more insights and education from Dr. Bret Scher, including interviews with leading experts in metabolic psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/.

About us

Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

How 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.
• How a holistic, lifestyle-based approach can complement traditional treatments.
• The mechanisms linking exercise to improved mental health, including metabolic health benefits and social interaction.
• How to personalize exercise prescriptions for individuals based on their physical and mental health needs.
• Challenges of integrating exercise into psychiatric care

Movement is a core pillar of our THINK + SMART program, embodying the 'M' in the acronym. Exercise not only has the remarkable ability to provide an immediate boost to mood and mental clarity but also fosters long-term adaptations that support both metabolic and mental health. As the field of metabolic psychiatry continues to grow, we are optimistic that exercise will become a foundational component in the standard of care for mental health treatment.

Expert Featured:

Nicholas Fabiano, MD

X: @NTFabiano

Studies Mentioned:

How to Prescribe Physical Activity for Depression

• *https://doi.org/10.1024/2674-0052/a000099**

Importance of Frequency, Intensity, Time and Type (FITT) in Physical Activity Assessment for Epidemiological Research

https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03404889

The Effect of Exercise on Suicidal Ideation and Behaviors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2023.02.071

CMEs Mentioned

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

Follow our channel for more insights and education from Dr. Bret Scher, including interviews with leading experts in metabolic psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/.

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/

About us: Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

The 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 interview:

• What is the importance of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans?
• How is the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee committee selected?
• How is the DGA created and what is the quality of evidence?
• What are the conflicts of interest in current and past DGA committees?
• How are decades-old biases shaping current dietary policies?
• How is the DGA failing to consider individual needs?
• What do we know about the upcoming 2025 DGA?
• What are we hoping for in the upcoming 2025 Dietary Guidelines?

This timely discussion brings both hope and urgency as they address the question: Will the next guidelines reflect the latest research or continue to steer us in the wrong direction?

Expert Featured:

Nina Teicholz

X: @bigfatsurprise

IG: @ninateicholz

Substack: https://unsettledscience.substack.com/

Publications Mentioned

Scientific Report of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee

• https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/2025-advisory-committee-report

Redesigning the Process for Establishing the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK469833/

Report: Nearly Half of Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Have Conflicts of Interest

• https://usrtk.org/investigations/dietary-guidelines-advisory-committee-conflicts/

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/

About us: Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

Learn 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 & Peers page: https://www.metabolicmind.org/families-and-peers Clinician Directory: https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/directory Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry. Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/ About us: Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them. Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications. #MetabolicMind #MetabolicNeuroscience #KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #NutritionalKetosis#AlternativeTreatment#MedicalKeto#KetogenicTherapy #MetabolicHealth#Insulin#CGM

Dr. 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 Surprising links between exercise, mitochondria, and the microbiome Emerging research on fecal transplants and their transformative potential Why personalized nutrition might be the future of healthcare
Experts Featured Dr. Jack Gilbert X: @gilbertjacka LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjackagilbert/ Gilbert Lab: https://gilbertlab.ucsd.edu/ Dirt is Good: https://www.amazon.com/Dirt-Good-Advantage-Childs-Developing/dp/1250132606 Hack Your Health: https://www.netflix.com/title/81436688
Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry. Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/
About us: Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.
Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

Dr. 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 root causes and the challenges of long-term use, including tolerance, side effects, and withdrawal. The Role of Metabolic Therapies Hear about the surprising success stories of patients who used dietary changes like ketogenic or gluten-free diets to overcome severe mental health conditions, reduce medication reliance, and regain their quality of life. Deprescribing in Practice Dr. Josef shares his patient-led approach to tapering medications, including practical tips on dosage reduction, liquid formulations, and the importance of balancing withdrawal risks with ongoing medication effects. Dr. Josef’s message challenges conventional psychiatry by prioritizing patient-centered care and exploring innovative therapies that focus on the root causes of mental health challenges. This conversation provides hope and practical insights for individuals and clinicians navigating the complexities of psychiatric medication. Experts Featured Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring Taper Clinic https://taperclinic.com/dr-josef-witt-doerring/ X: @taperclinic Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taperclinic/ Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry. Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/ About us: Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them. Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications. #MetabolicMind #MetabolicNeuroscience #MetabolicPsychiatry#KetogenicMetabolicTherapy #KetogenicTherapy#KetoForMentalHealth#Keto#TaperingMedications #Deprescribing

Can 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 connection
• The role of adenosine in addiction and how it balances dopamine activity
• The role of ketogenic diets in boosting adenosine
• Other mechanisms supporting keto for treating addiction
• Why food, sugar, and even phone addiction may share common roots
• How metabolic therapies could support recovery from addiction, depression, and more

Dr. Masino also shares insights on how habits, stress, inflammation, and neuroplasticity all intersect with metabolic health—and what that means for mental health and addiction treatment going forward.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Susan Masino

• https://internet3.trincoll.edu/facprofiles/default.aspx?fid=1117011

Resources Mentioned:

Ketogenic diet, adenosine, and dopamine in addiction and psychiatry

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1492306/full

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/

About us:Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.