Medicine Redefined 191. Psychiatry Abandoned Biology: The Metabolic Crisis in the Brain | Matt Bernstein, MD
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Jan 5, 2026 Dr. Matthew Bernstein, a clinical psychiatrist with over 25 years of experience, dives into metabolic psychiatry, challenging traditional views on mental health. He posits that worsening outcomes stem from focusing solely on neurotransmitters, advocating for a comprehensive approach that includes metabolism, insulin resistance, and lifestyle changes. Bernstein explores how addressing brain energy needs can significantly improve mood and function. He also discusses innovative interventions, emphasizing the importance of family involvement and carefully tapering medications.
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Diagnostic System Lost Biological Validity
- Psychiatry prioritized diagnostic reliability over biological validity starting with DSM-III, disconnecting diagnoses from underlying biology.
- That framework leads to treatments that target downstream symptoms rather than root biological causes.
Metabolism Is Central To Brain Health
- Metabolic psychiatry links nutrient-to-energy processes with brain health and psychiatric symptoms.
- It reframes many mental illnesses as consequences of impaired cellular energy and metabolism.
Neurotransmitters Are Often Downstream
- Neurotransmitter changes are often downstream effects of metabolic dysfunction rather than primary causes.
- Medications that alter neurotransmitters rarely produce full recovery and commonly cause side effects.
