Metabolic Mind

Ketogenic therapy for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression is gaining attention, but how can it be safely implemented into clinical practice? A newly published expert consensus provides practical recommendations to help clinicians thoughtfully apply ketogenic metabolic therapy (KMT) for serious mental illnesses. In this in-depth conversation, Dr. Matt Bernstein and Dr. Georgia Ede, both members of the expert committee, discuss how this Delphi consensus was developed, what it includes, and how it can be responsibly integrated into psychiatric practice. In this interview, they discuss: Importantly, the authors emphasize that ketogenic metabolic therapy is not a replacement for standard psychiatric treatment. Rather, it may be considered alongside first-line therapies, particularly for individuals who have not responded adequately, cannot tolerate medications, or are seeking additional options. Reflecting on the value of this work, Dr. Bernstein shares: “I would have loved to have read this six years ago when I was starting to think about implementing these types of practices. It would have given me confidence to charge forward… I probably would have been further along now than I am.” With randomized controlled trials ongoing and more research expected in the coming years, this consensus provides a thoughtful, experience-informed framework for clinicians who are seeing growing interest in metabolic approaches. If you are a clinician, we encourage you to read the full publication. If you are a patient or family member, consider sharing this interview and the paper with your care team to support an informed discussion about whether metabolic strategies may be appropriate in your individual case. As always, clinical decisions should be made in partnership with qualified healthcare professionals. 📚 Read the Paper: Published in Frontiers in Nutrition: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2026.1749406 🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode. Expert Featured: Dr. Georgia Ede https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/ Dr. Matthew Bernstein https://accordmh.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-bernstein-5743338/ Dr. Bret Scher https://x.com/bschermd Resources Mentioned: Awareness and Best Practices in using Ketogenic Therapy to Treat Serious Mental Illness: A Modified Delphi Consensus https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2026.1749406 Ketogenic Diets for Mental Health Clinician Training Course https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/training Free CME Clinician Trainings: Are you a clinician who would like to learn more about the science behind these therapies and how to implement them in practice? Earn CME with our growing library of courses from some of the top experts in the field including Dr. Chris Palmer, Dr. Georgia Ede, Dr. Matthew Bernstein, Dr. Mariela Glandt, Dr. Deanna Kelly, Dr. Julie Milder, Dr. Zoltan Sarnyai, and Dr. Bret Scher with more coming soon. Our courses have been made FREE by grants from Baszucki Group, so we can spread these powerful therapies as widely as possible. Earn CME/CNE credits: https://www.metabolicmind.org/for-clinicians/trainings-courses/?utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=cme-yt 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....

Is a low-carb diet bad for your health? A recent New York Times article suggests so, but it leaves out critical context about ketogenic metabolic therapy and the role of metabolic health in chronic disease. In this video, Dr. Bret Scher explains why balanced reporting on low-carbohydrate and ketogenic diets truly matters, especially for people with insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, PCOS, fatty liver disease, and many psychiatric conditions. Ketosis isn’t simply “eating fewer carbs.” It’s a distinct metabolic state that shifts the body’s primary fuel source and has documented therapeutic benefits in multiple conditions. In this video, you’ll learn: While it’s true that not everyone needs to follow a low-carb or ketogenic diet, dismissing it without a clinical perspective does a disservice to the many who could benefit. 💡Interested in learning more about the safety and efficacy of ketogenic therapy? Check out our “Is Keto Safe?” topic page: https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/topics/is-keto-safe/ 🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode. #MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #FoodAsMedicine Expert Featured: Dr. Bret Scher https://x.com/bschermd Free CME Clinician Trainings: Are you a clinician who would like to learn more about the science behind these therapies and how to implement them in practice? Earn CME with our growing library of courses from some of the top experts in the field including Dr. Chris Palmer, Dr. Georgia Ede, Dr. Matthew Bernstein, Dr. Mariela Glandt, Dr. Deanna Kelly, Dr. Julie Milder, Dr. Zoltan Sarnyai, and Dr. Bret Scher with more coming soon. Our courses have been made FREE by grants from Baszucki Group, so we can spread these powerful therapies as widely as possible. Earn CME/CNE credits: https://www.metabolicmind.org/for-clinicians/trainings-courses/?utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=cme-yt 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 can doctors, psychiatrists, and other health practitioners implement keto for serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression? In this short interview, Dr. Bret Scher sits down with Dr. Georgia Ede to discuss a newly published Delphi consensus paper in Frontiers in Nutrition, authored by eight experienced clinicians and researchers to establish best practices for the use of ketogenic metabolic therapy (KMT) in serious mental illnesses. Using a structured expert consensus process, the group created 33 statements clarifying things like: These statements were then brought to a larger group of experienced clinicians to assess broader consensus, which resulted in all 33 statements reaching the consensus threshold. This paper is not a set of formal treatment guidelines. Instead, they represent an important first step in delivering practical, experience-informed guidance for clinicians who are seeing growing patient interest in metabolic approaches to serious mental illness As research continues to evolve, this consensus provides a thoughtful framework for psychiatrists, primary care clinicians, therapists, dietitians, and multidisciplinary teams who wish to incorporate ketogenic metabolic therapy into individualized treatment plans. If you are a clinician interested in learning more about metabolic approaches in psychiatry, we encourage you to explore the full publication. If you are a patient or family member, consider sharing this paper with your care team to start an informed discussion about whether metabolic strategies may be appropriate in your individual case. With the clinical evidence still accumulating and randomized controlled trials ongoing, we expect this clinical guidance to continue to evolve as more data and real word experience becomes available. 📚 Read the Paper: Published in Frontiers in Nutrition: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2026.1749406 #MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #MetabolicPsychiatry 🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode. Expert Featured: Dr. Georgia Ede https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/ Dr. Bret Scher https://x.com/bschermd Resources Mentioned: Awareness and Best Practices in using Ketogenic Therapy to Treat Serious Mental Illness: A Modified Delphi Consensus

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the leading cause of infertility in women, but what if the real issue isn’t the ovaries? In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Bret Scher speaks with Dr. Steven Palter, reproductive endocrinologist and founder of Gold Coast IVF, about the powerful connection between PCOS, metabolic health, mental health, and fertility. For decades, PCOS has been treated symptom-by-symptom: birth control for irregular cycles, fertility drugs for ovulation, IVF for infertility. But Dr. Palter explains why this approach often misses the root cause: insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction. When you address the metabolic driver, everything can change. Ketogenic and low-carbohydrate dietary approaches are showing promise in improving insulin sensitivity, restoring ovulation, improving mood, and even supporting fertility, often before significant weight loss occurs. In many cases, women who were preparing for IVF are conceiving naturally after correcting their metabolic health. In this video, you’ll learn: If you or someone you know is struggling with PCOS, infertility, or unexplained hormonal symptoms, this episode offers a hopeful and science-based perspective on what’s possible when metabolic health becomes the priority. As always, consult your healthcare provider before making significant dietary changes. 💡Learn more about the safety and efficacy of ketogenic therapy on our “Is Keto Safe?” topic page: https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/topics/is-keto-safe/ 🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode. #MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #PCOS #InsulinResistance Expert Featured: Dr. Steven Palter https://www.instagram.com/stevenpaltermdhttps://www.tiktok.com/@stevenpaltermdhttps://www.youtube.com/@StevenPalterMDhttps://www.facebook.com/@stevenpaltermd Resources Mentioned:

February is Heart Health Month, making it the perfect time to challenge common misconceptions about diet and cardiovascular health. One claim that always resurfaces? That ketogenic diets are bad for your heart. But when you take a closer look at the science, that assumption simply doesn’t hold up. In this video, Dr. Bret Scher breaks down the real evidence behind ketogenic diets and cardiovascular risk, addressing: ✅ How many “keto” studies don’t actually study true ketogenic diets ✅ The truth about LDL cholesterol on keto (it doesn’t go up for everyone!) ✅ Why triglycerides, HDL, insulin, and inflammation may matter more than LDL ✅ How keto compares to DASH for blood pressure and metabolic health ✅ Why saturated fat from real food behaves differently in the body ✅ The critical difference between ultra-processed high-fat/high-carb diets and low-carb, whole-food ketogenic diets 💡 Using the most up-to-date clinical evidence, Dr. Scher explains why ketosis can be a heart-supportive strategy, especially for those with type 2 diabetes, hypertension, insulin resistance, or poor metabolic health. If you’re interested in learning more about the safety of ketogenic therapy, check out our “Is Keto Safe” topic page: https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/topics/is-keto-safe/ 🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode. #MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #FoodAsMedicine #HeartHealth Expert Featured: Dr. Bret Scher https://x.com/bschermd Free CME Clinician Trainings: Are you a clinician who would like to learn more about the science behind these therapies and how to implement them in practice? Earn CME with our growing library of courses from some of the top experts in the field including Dr. Chris Palmer, Dr. Georgia Ede, Dr. Matthew Bernstein, Dr. Mariela Glandt, Dr. Deanna Kelly, Dr. Julie Milder, Dr. Zoltan Sarnyai, and Dr. Bret Scher with more coming soon. Our courses have been made FREE by grants from Baszucki Group, so we can spread these powerful therapies as widely as possible. Earn CME/CNE credits: https://www.metabolicmind.org/for-clinicians/trainings-courses/?utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=cme-yt 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...

Is there evidence that the ketogenic diet can cure schizophrenia? Recent comments from HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sparked headlines…and controversy. While “cure” isn’t the right word, the conversation has brought much-needed attention to an emerging field: metabolic psychiatry. In this video, Dr. Bret Scher breaks down what the science actually shows about ketogenic metabolic therapy as a potential adjunctive treatment for serious mental illness, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. You’ll learn about: Ketogenic therapy is emerging as a serious metabolic strategy that may expand how we think about treating complex psychiatric conditions. We are now faced with the opportunity to study it rigorously, apply it thoughtfully, and ensure patients have access to every tool that could help. 💡Learn more about the ongoing research in metabolic psychology on our Clinical Trials page: https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/science/clinical-trials/ 🏛Check out our condition specific topic pages to see our best resources on keto for serious mental illnesses: https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/topics/schizophrenia/https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/topics/bipolar/https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/topics/keto-for-depression/ 🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode. #MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #Schizophrenia Expert Featured: https://x.com/bschermd Resources Mentioned: A pilot study examining a ketogenic diet as an adjunct therapy in college students with major depressive disorder

In this powerful interview, Dr. Bret Scher speaks with Dr. Robin Engelhardt, a German researcher and PhD in psychology, who is launching a pilot study investigating ketogenic metabolic therapy as a treatment for PTSD and complex PTSD. Using his own personal experience of healing from PTSD through nutritional ketosis, Dr. Engelhardt is now launching a pilot study to explore whether this approach can help others. His pilot study will test feasibility, safety, and symptom response, paving the way for future randomized controlled trials. 📘 What you’ll learn in this video: This conversation is a rare look at the intersection of personal healing and scientific discovery, and a glimpse into the future of trauma treatment through metabolic approaches. Whether you're a clinician, researcher, or someone impacted by PTSD, this is an interview you won’t want to miss. 👉 For more information on metabolic psychiatry and PTSD, check out our blog: Hope for PTSD: The Potential of Ketogenic Metabolic Therapies 🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode. #MetabolicMind #MetabolicPsychiatry #PTSD #KetogenicTherapy Expert Featured: Robin Engelhardt keto@unibw.de Free CME Clinician Trainings: Are you a clinician who would like to learn more about the science behind these therapies and how to implement them in practice? Earn CME with our growing library of courses from some of the top experts in the field including Dr. Chris Palmer, Dr. Georgia Ede, Dr. Matthew Bernstein, Dr. Mariela Glandt, Dr. Deanna Kelly, Dr. Julie Milder, Dr. Zoltan Sarnyai, and Dr. Bret Scher with more coming soon. Our courses have been made FREE by grants from Baszucki Group, so we can spread these powerful therapies as widely as possible. Earn CME/CNE credits: https://www.metabolicmind.org/for-clinicians/trainings-courses/?utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=cme-yt 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

Saturated fat is back in the headlines, and so is the confusion. The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans just dropped, and while there’s clear progress (more support for animal-based protein, low-carb options, and reduced sugar), they’ve kept the 10% cap on saturated fat. But does the science still support that limit, and does it make sense with the rest of the recommendations? In this episode, Dr. Bret Scher breaks down the real story on saturated fat: where the guidelines get it right, where they fall short, and why context is everything when it comes to fat, food, and metabolic health. He covers: ✅ The 5 main types of evidence on saturated fat ✅ Why source and dietary context matter more than grams ✅ What randomized trials, ketogenic studies & LDL data really show ✅ The problem with lumping steak and pizza into one category ✅ Why blanket limits may harm people trying to improve their metabolic health The saturated fat debate isn’t just about grams, it’s about individual metabolic health. When we zoom out and look at the full picture, it becomes clear that not all saturated fat is created equal. Understanding where it comes from and how it fits into an overall dietary pattern is key to moving the conversation forward. 👉 Subscribe to Metabolic Mind for more conversations, research, and updates on metabolic health and metabolic psychiatry. #MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #FoodAsMedicine #SaturatedFat 🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode. Expert Featured: Dr. Bret Scher https://x.com/bschermdhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/bret-scher-08baaa102/ Free CME Clinician Trainings: Are you a clinician who would like to learn more about the science behind these therapies and how to implement them in practice? Earn CME with our growing library of courses from some of the top experts in the field including Dr. Chris Palmer, Dr. Georgia Ede, Dr. Matthew Bernstein and Dr. Bret Scher with more coming soon. Our courses have been made FREE by grants from Baszucki Group, so we can spread these powerful therapies as widely as possible. Earn CME/CNE credits: https://www.metabolicmind.org/for-clinicians/trainings-courses/?utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=cme-yt 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...

In this deeply personal and powerful conversation, Metabolic Mind founder Jan Ellison Baszucki joins mental health advocate Laura Delano to share a mother’s journey through her son’s bipolar disorder diagnosis, years of psychiatric crisis, and ultimately, hope. After five years, 29 medications, multiple hospitalizations, and a system that offered few lasting solutions, Jan’s son Matt found real and sustained stability through metabolic therapies, including a therapeutic ketogenic diet. In this conversation, you’ll hear: • What it’s like to navigate the mental health system as a parent • How conventional care fell short, and what was missing • Why Jan calls metabolic psychiatry “energetic medicine for the mind” • How diet, sleep, light, and lifestyle can transform mental health • A powerful message for other families searching for answers This experience didn’t just transform Jan’s family; it sparked a mission. Jan and her family founded Metabolic Mind to raise awareness about the therapeutic potential of metabolic interventions for serious mental illness. Today, Metabolic Mind is helping to bridge the gap between psychiatry and metabolic health by supporting research, educating clinicians and families, and empowering those still searching for answers. 💡Learn more at metabolicmind.org 👉 Subscribe to Metabolic Mind for more interviews, research, and updates in the field of metabolic psychiatry. 🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode. #MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #BipolarDisorder Expert Featured: Jan Ellison Baszucki https://x.com/janellisonhttps://www.instagram.com/jan_ellison_baszucki/https://www.linkedin.com/in/janellisonbaszucki/ Laura Delano https://www.lauradelano.com/https://www.facebook.com/laurafdelanohttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMgs1cXo8Frtf1v7WcNvwuQhttps://www.instagram.com/_lauradelano_/ Free CME Clinician Trainings: Are you a clinician who would like to learn more about the science behind these therapies and how to implement them in practice? Earn CME with our growing library of courses from some of the top experts in the field including Dr. Chris Palmer, Dr. Georgia Ede, Dr. Matthew Bernstein,

Can a ketogenic diet help with depression when other options have failed? Emerging suggests the answer may be yes. In this video, Dr. Bret Scher shares the latest clinical data on ketogenic therapy for depression, including two new studies showing meaningful improvements, even remission, in people with moderate to severe symptoms. For individuals struggling with treatment-resistant depression, these findings offer real hope and open the door to a new therapeutic pathway: metabolic interventions that target brain energy. In this video, you’ll learn: 🔍 Explore more and dive into the research on our Depression Topic Page: https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/topics/keto-for-depression/ 👉 Subscribe to Metabolic Mind for more interviews, research, and updates in the field of metabolic psychiatry. 🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode. #MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #Depression #MetabolicPsychiatry Expert Featured: Dr. Bret Scher https://x.com/bschermd Resources Mentioned: A pilot study examining a ketogenic diet as an adjunct therapy in college students with major depressive disorder https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-025-03544-8 Medically supervised ketogenic diet as an adjunctive treatment for moderate to severe depression: A pilot study https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2025.121079 Keto For College Depression Blog https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/library/blog/perspectives-in-metabolic-psychiatry/new-research-a-ketogenic-diet-improved-depression-in-college-students/ Depression Topic Page https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/topics/keto-for-depression/ THINK+SMART Page

The second-ever pilot trial (published in the Journal of Affective Disorders) is making waves: a virtual medically supervised ketogenic diet showed impressive improvements in people with moderate to severe depression, including nearly 7 out of 8 study completers achieving clinical remission. In this interview, Dr. Bret Scher sits down with lead researcher Dr. Elisa Brietzke, Professor of Psychiatry at Queen’s University, to explore the inspiration, execution, and implications of this study. What began as a bold idea, that metabolic dysfunction plays a role in depression, evolved into a fully remote clinical intervention. Despite skepticism and challenges, the results were clear: ketogenic therapy can be safely and effectively implemented in a remote outpatient setting. Participants who completed the study experienced improvements in depression, anxiety, and anhedonia (the loss of pleasure). In this conversation, Dr. Brietzke shares: 👉 If you or someone you know is struggling with treatment-resistant depression, learn more about metabolic therapies on our Depression Topic Page: https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/topics/keto-for-depression/ 🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode. #MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #FoodAsMedicine #Depression #Anhedonia Expert Featured: Dr. Elisa Brietzke https://psychiatry.queensu.ca/news/welcome-dr-elisa-brietzkehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/elisa-brietzke-844606281/?originalSubdomain=cahttps://www.instagram.com/dr.elisabrietzke/https://x.com/@e_brietzke Resources Mentioned: Medically supervised ketogenic diet as an adjunctive treatment for moderate to severe depression: A pilot study https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2025.121079 Free CME Clinician Trainings: Are you a clinician who would like to learn...

The 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans have arrived, and they’re sparking serious debate. Are we finally seeing a meaningful shift toward metabolic health? What do the guidelines get right, and where is there still room for improvement? To unpack it all, Dr. Bret Scher is joined by two long-time voices in nutrition science: Dr. David Ludwig and Gary Taubes. Together, they dig into what the new guidelines get right, what they overlook, and what this all means for public health, clinical practice, and the food industry. They explore: This lively discussion blends agreement, disagreement, and deep insights into what these guidelines mean, not just on paper, but in real life. Whether you're a clinician, policymaker, parent, or just trying to eat healthier, this episode will help you rethink the “official” nutrition narrative. 👉 Subscribe to Metabolic Mind for more conversations covering metabolic health, nutrition, food as medicine, and more. #MetabolicMind #FoodAsMedicine #DietaryGuidelines 👉Do you have a question about ketogenic therapy or metabolic psychiatry? Submit your question to our team here: metabolicmind.org/questions Expert Featured: Gary Taubes taubes@gmail.comhttps://x.com/garytaubes Dr. David Ludwig David.Ludwig@childrens.harvard.eduhttps://x.com/davidludwigmd Resources Mentioned: https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/ Free CME Clinician Trainings: Are you a clinician who would like to learn more about the science behind these therapies and how to implement them in practice? Earn CME with our growing library of courses from some of the top experts in the field including Dr. Chris Palmer, Dr. Georgia Ede, Dr. Matthew Bernstein and Dr. Bret Scher with more coming soon. Our courses have been made FREE by grants from Baszucki Group, so we can spread these powerful therapies as widely as possible. Earn...

Can a ketogenic diet affect cardiovascular risk? Do nuts belong in a low-carb diet? What about ice cream, supplements, and electrolytes? In this episode of Metabolic Mailbag, Dr. Bret Scher tackles some of the most common and misunderstood questions about ketogenic therapy for metabolic and mental health. From concerns about LDL cholesterol to fears of liver and kidney damage, this conversation cuts through the noise with nuance, evidence, and practical guidance. This episode covers: Whether you’re just starting a ketogenic diet or fine-tuning it for long-term metabolic or mental health, this episode offers clarity where confusion is common. By unpacking real-world questions with a clinical lens, Dr. Scher empowers you to think critically, personalize your approach, and make decisions rooted in human evidence—not fear or headlines. Do you have more questions? Check out our other Mailbag Q&A episodes with Dr. Bret Scher and Dr. Georgia Ede: https://youtu.be/PDgM-SD3Fx4https://youtu.be/3m6Fm0nXaMQhttps://youtu.be/UgaaYl6RPbshttps://youtu.be/roMq4YU58rcttps://youtu.be/_eSVU5_P7Yshttps://youtu.be/TcfGZ3m-lzE 🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode. #MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #MetabolicPsychiatry #QA Expert Featured: https://x.com/bschermd

Is carb-loading really the key to endurance and performance? A groundbreaking 100-page publication led by Dr. Andrew Koutnik says it’s time to question the dogma. For decades, athletes have been told that more carbs mean better performance. Strategies like carb-loading before and using sugary gels during exercise have become staples of endurance performance. But recent research has unveiled a shocking truth. Many athletes, even those who look healthy on the outside, are showing glucose levels consistent with prediabetes on the inside. In this interview, Dr. Bret Scher and Dr. Andrew Koutnik unpack the new landmark publication that challenges outdated sports nutrition guidelines and reveals another approach to fueling human performance. 📌 What you’ll learn: This conversation is for athletes at every level, from elite competitors to everyday movers, and for anyone curious about how metabolism shapes performance, resilience, and long-term health. 👉 Subscribe to Metabolic Mind to stay up-to-date on the latest in metabolic health, ketogenic therapy, and mental wellbeing: https://www.youtube.com/@metabolicmind. 🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode. 📨 Sign up for the Metabolic Mind Newsletter for the latest research, science, and tools for metabolic therapy at https://www.metabolicmind.org/about-us/newsletter/ #MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #SportsNutrition Expert Featured: Dr. Andrew Koutnik X.com/@AKoutnikinstagram.com/andrewkoutnikphdyoutube.com/andrewkoutnikphdwww.andrewkoutnik.com Resources Mentioned: Carbohydrate Ingestion on Exercise Metabolism and Physical Performance https://doi.org/10.1210/endrev/bnaf038 Coalition For Metabolic Health

In this special Metabolic Mailbag episode, cardiologist Dr. Bret Scher steps into the hot seat to answer your most pressing questions about ketogenic therapy, heart health, and metabolic markers. Drawing directly from listener questions, this conversation tackles the confusion and concern many people face when lab results change after starting a ketogenic diet. 📌 In this video, you’ll learn: There’s a lot of confusion around ketogenic diets, cholesterol markers, and heart disease risk. In this episode, Dr. Scher debunks some of the most common myths and offers a clearer, more nuanced understanding of how ketogenic therapy can impact, and often improve, metabolic and cardiovascular health. 🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode. #MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #Q&A #HeartHealth Expert Featured: https://x.com/bschermdhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/bret-scher-08baaa102/ Free CME Clinician Trainings: Are you a clinician who would like to learn more about the science behind these therapies and how to implement them in practice? Earn CME with our growing library of courses from some of the top experts in the field including Dr. Chris Palmer, Dr. Georgia Ede, Dr. Matthew Bernstein and Dr. Bret Scher with more coming soon. Our courses have been made FREE by grants from Baszucki Group, so we can spread these powerful therapies as widely as possible. Earn CME/CNE credits: https://www.metabolicmind.org/for-clinicians/trainings-courses/?utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=cme-yt 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...

The science of metabolic psychiatry is advancing, but the movement behind it is just getting started. In this episode, Dr. Bret Scher sits down with Natasha Smikles and Eddie Rodriguez from Metabolic Collective, a new nonprofit working to build an international advocacy network for ketogenic and metabolic therapies. Their goal: accelerate awareness, adoption, and support for metabolic interventions in mental health. They cover: Metabolic psychiatry is growing, and movements like this are helping close the gap between research and real-world impact. From mental health challenges to neurological disorders, the Metabolic Collective hopes to spread the word about metabolic therapies and empower patients with alternative options to standard of care. 👉Learn more about the Metabolic Collective at https://metaboliccollective.org. 👉Read the Metabolic Collective case for support at https://metaboliccollective.org/case-for-support/. #MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #MetabolicPsychiatry 🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode. Experts Featured: Natasha Smikles natasha@metaboliccollective.orghttps://www.instagram.com/natasha.smikles/https://x.com/NatashaSmikleshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-smikles-93753523a/ Eddie Rodriguez https://www.instagram.com/brainheal_th_/?hl=enhttps://www.youtube.com/@BrainHeal_th_https://x.com/BrainHealth919 Resources Mentioned:

Is caffeine sabotaging your mental health progress? Should you try a carnivore diet if keto isn't working? What if your meds lower ketones? In this new Metabolic Mailbag episode, Dr. Georgia Ede joins Dr. Bret Scher to answer your most pressing questions about metabolic therapies, mental health, and more. Together, they dive into nuanced, evidence-informed conversations about: Metabolic psychiatry is a promising frontier, and we’re here to empower individuals navigating serious mental illness with tools and knowledge rooted in science, compassion, and real-world experience. 🔎Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode. 🔔 Subscribe to Metabolic Mind and join the growing community exploring metabolic therapies for mental health: https://www.youtube.com/@metabolicmind #MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #FoodAsMedicine #QuestionAndAnswer Expert Featured: Dr. Bret Scher https://x.com/bschermd/https://www.linkedin.com/in/bret-scher-08baaa102/ Dr. Georgia Ede https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgiaedemdhttps://www.facebook.com/GeorgiaEdeMd/https://www.instagram.com/georgiaedemd/?hl=en Resources Mentioned: Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind by Dr. Georgia Ede Taper Down Slowly: A Beginners Guide to Psychiatric Drug Tapering (Part 1) Go Slowly: A Beginners Guide to Psychiatric Drug Tapering (Part 2)

Do SSRIs help your brain? SSRI medications are among the most widely prescribed antidepressants, but what if we’ve misunderstood how they work? In this interview, Dr. Bret Scher sits down with biochemist and nutrition scientist Dr. Chris Masterjohn to explore a deeper, more systemic view of mental health and how we treat it. Dr. Masterjohn reveals why serotonin isn’t just a “mood booster,” how SSRIs may be disrupting mitochondrial function, and why focusing on lifestyle strategies that support brain energy metabolism could unlock new paths for treating depression. 🔍 What you’ll learn: If you've ever questioned the serotonin theory of depression, or sensed there’s more to the story than what mainstream medicine tells us, this conversation fills in some of the missing pieces. 🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode. 👉 Subscribe to Metabolic Mind for more interviews, research, and updates in the field of metabolic psychiatry. Expert Featured: Dr. Chris Masterjohn https://www.chrismasterjohn-phd.com/https://substack.com/@chrismasterjohnphdhttps://x.com/ChrisMasterjohnhttps://www.facebook.com/chrismasterjohn/https://www.instagram.com/chrismasterjohn/ Resources Mentioned: Substack: Prozac is a Performance Enhancing Drug https://chrismasterjohnphd.substack.com/p/prozac-is-a-performance-enhancing Mitome: Mitochondrial Analysis https://www.mito.me/ Free CME Clinician Trainings: Are you a clinician...

Is carb-cycling okay on a ketogenic diet? What about high histamine foods? In this episode of Metabolic Mailbag, Dr. Bret Scher and Dr. Georgia Ede answers questions on everything from the best sources of dietary fat to how to handle anxiety, perimenopause, and alcohol while maintaining ketosis. They unpack how to build a nutrient-dense, brain-supportive ketogenic diet using whole foods, why “keto-friendly” processed products can sometimes derail progress, and when supplements might be beneficial. You’ll also learn why histamine sensitivity, caffeine, or cycling in and out of ketosis can affect mood, and how to troubleshoot each. This conversation covers: If you’re exploring ketogenic therapy for mental or metabolic health, this episode offers practical, science-based guidance to help you refine and personalize your approach. 🔎 Have questions about ketogenic diets or how to apply ketogenic therapy effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode. 👉Stay up to date with the latest, news, insights, and research on metabolic psychiatry by subscribing to Metabolic Mind: https://www.youtube.com/@metabolicmind #MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #FoodAsMedicine #QuestionAndAnswer Expert Featured: Dr. Bret Scher https://x.com/bschermd/https://www.linkedin.com/in/bret-scher-08baaa102/ Dr. Georgia Ede https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgiaedemdhttps://www.facebook.com/GeorgiaEdeMd/https://www.instagram.com/georgiaedemd/?hl=en Resources Mentioned: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5bUc7TbS6ohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ8aGNwGB9c Free CME Clinician Trainings: Are you a clinician who would like to learn more about the science behind these therapies and how to implement them in practice? Earn CME with our growing library of courses from some of the top experts in the field including Dr. Chris Palmer, Dr. Georgia Ede, Dr. Matthew Bernstein and Dr. Bret Scher with more coming soon. Our courses have been made FREE by grants from Baszucki Group, so we can spread these powerful therapies as widely as possible. Earn CME/CNE credits:

New research links chronic stress, brain energy, and psychiatric conditions, including PTSD, depression, and bipolar disorder. Stress doesn’t just impact your mood; it affects how your brain allocates energy. In this interview, Dr. Bret Scher sits down with Dr. Parker Kelly, a postdoctoral fellow at UCSF and the San Francisco VA, to unpack the Allostatic Triage Model of Psychopathology, a new framework proposing that psychiatric symptoms may emerge when the brain is forced to triage limited metabolic resources under chronic stress. Co-authored with mitochondrial researcher Dr. Martin Picard, this model could shift how we understand and treat mental illness. In this conversation, you’ll learn: This conversation bridges neuroscience, metabolism, and mental health, offering a unique and unifying lens on complex psychiatric conditions. 👉Subscribe to Metabolic Mind for more conversations about metabolic health, metabolic psychiatry, and mental health: https://www.youtube.com/@metabolicmind. #MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #Neuroscience Expert Featured: D. Parker Kelley X.com/sequencemyneurohttps://bsky.app/profile/sequencemyneuro.bsky.socialhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/dparkerkelleyphd/ Resources Mentioned: The allostatic triage model of psychopathology (ATP Model): How reallocation of brain energetic resources under stress elicits psychiatric symptoms https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2025.106419 Free CME Clinician Trainings: Are you a clinician who would like to learn more about the science behind these therapies and how to implement them in practice? Earn CME with our growing library of courses from some of the top experts in the field including Dr. Chris Palmer, Dr. Georgia Ede, Dr. Matthew Bernstein and Dr. Bret Scher with more coming soon. Our courses have been made FREE by grants from Baszucki Group, so we can spread these powerful therapies as widely as possible. Earn CME/CNE credits: https://www.metabolicmind.org/for-clinicians/trainings-courses/?utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=cme-yt 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...