Evolutionary Psychiatry & Brain Health | Emily Deans, MD

In this episode, board-certified psychiatrist and "Evolutionary Psychiatry" creator Dr. Emily Deans joins the show to explore the profound connection between what we eat and how we think and feel. We discuss the limitations of a purely pharmaceutical approach to mental health and examine how an evolutionary framework—looking at the mismatch between our hunter-gatherer biology and our modern industrial environment—can offer a more complete picture of brain health. Dr. Deans breaks down the science behind the gut-brain axis, explaining how the microbiome, vagus nerve, and hormonal signals constantly communicate between our digestive system and our brain to influence mood and cognition.

We also dive into the nuances of nutritional psychiatry, moving beyond "single nutrient" studies to look at whole-diet interventions like the modified Mediterranean diet. The conversation challenges common dietary dogmas, highlighting the critical role of brain-essential nutrients often missing from plant-exclusive diets—such as creatine, B12, and iron—and why red meat may actually support mental well-being despite its controversial reputation. From the dangers of "savory frosting" (ultra-processed foods) to the link between metabolic syndrome and depression, this episode offers practical, evidence-based insights for anyone looking to support their mental health through diet.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

02:05 Limitations of psychiatric medications

03:00 Evolutionary mismatch & modern life

05:51 Paleo diet vs. standard advice

08:11 How diet affects mood & cognition

12:21 The gut-brain axis: Vagus nerve & microbiome

15:54 Single nutrients vs. whole diets

18:24 The SMILES trial & Modified Mediterranean Diet

20:00 Diet and hippocampus size

22:39 Red meat and creatine

23:32 Nutrients in vegan vs. omnivore diets

25:09 Understanding inflammation

28:41 Ultra-processed foods ("Savory Frosting")

29:34 Metabolic syndrome & depression

32:34 Brain metabolism & mitochondria

Dr. Emily Deans

X: https://x.com/evolutionarypsy
Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/contributors/emily-deans-md
Private Practice: https://www.emilydeansmd.com

Connect with Ty

Website: https://www.tybeal.com
X: https://www.x.com/TyBealPhD
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tybeal
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tybealphd
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tybealphd
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tybealphd