This Molecule Might Be the Key to Beating Addiction

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Jun 30, 2025

Join Dr. Susan Masino, a neuroscience and psychology professor at Trinity College, as she unpacks her groundbreaking research on adenosine and its potential in treating addiction. She discusses how adenosine balances dopamine activity and its link to cravings. The conversation explores how ketogenic diets might enhance adenosine levels, aiding in recovery from substance and food addictions. Additionally, Masino touches on the connections between metabolic health, mental well-being, and emerging therapies that could revolutionize addiction treatment.

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INSIGHT

Adenosine Dampens Dopamine Spikes

Adenosine and dopamine have a regulatory relationship where increased adenosine reduces dopamine activity.
This 'gas and brake' dynamic could mitigate excessive dopamine spikes linked to addiction.

ANECDOTE

Anecdote: Keto Diet Resolves Addiction

Some people addicted to cocaine and alcohol reported resolution after starting a ketogenic or low-carb diet.
These personal experiences suggest diet changes might profoundly impact addiction recovery.

ADVICE

Use Keto to Stabilize Metabolism

Applying ketogenic diets may help smooth blood sugar fluctuations involved in eating disorders and addiction.
Targeting metabolic health can address multiple psychiatric conditions simultaneously.

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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.