Metabolic Mind

Chris Masterjohn, a biochemist and nutrition scientist, dives deep into the complexities of serotonin and SSRIs. He challenges the notion that SSRIs are solely mood boosters, revealing their potential disruption of mitochondrial function. Masterjohn emphasizes the role of brain energy metabolism and argues that exercise and nutrition can outperform medication in treating depression. He also highlights the benefits of morning sunlight on serotonin levels and mitochondrial activity, suggesting new pathways for understanding and addressing mental health.

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:Why a whole food ketogenic diet can be ideal for mental healthHow to identify the best fat sources and avoid “factory fats”Ketogenic dieting for women’s healthWhy anxiety can worsen mid-journey, and how to adaptThe truth about alcohol, carb cycling, and ketosisIf 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 #QuestionAndAnswerExpert Featured:Dr. Bret Scherhttps://x.com/bschermd/https://www.linkedin.com/in/bret-scher-08baaa102/Dr. Georgia Edehttps://www.diagnosisdiet.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgiaedemdhttps://www.facebook.com/GeorgiaEdeMd/https://www.instagram.com/georgiaedemd/?hl=enResources Mentioned:Dr. Bret Scher’s Carb Cycling Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5bUc7TbS6oDr Madison Kackley: Keto for Women https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ8aGNwGB9cFree 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-ytFollow 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.

D. Parker Kelley, a postdoctoral fellow specializing in trauma and mitochondrial psychobiology, joins the conversation to explore the relationship between chronic stress and mental illness. He introduces the Allostatic Triage Model, which suggests that stress prompts the brain to prioritize limited energy resources, potentially leading to psychiatric symptoms. Kelley discusses how stress impacts metabolism, the significance of predictability in resilience, and how dietary choices and even psychedelics might aid brain energy regulation.

A recent trial by Novo Nordisk revealed that GLP-1 medications failed to significantly slow Alzheimer’s progression. Dr. Bret Scher discusses why these metabolic fixes may not be enough when it comes to neuronal damage. He highlights ketones as a promising alternative brain fuel and shares early research showing ketogenic therapy's potential benefits for cognition. The discussion emphasizes the need for more funding for nutritional therapies and a combined approach focusing on brain energy support and inflammation reduction.

Dr. Adam Wolfberg, Chief Medical Officer at Virta Health and former OBGYN, shares groundbreaking insights on reversing metabolic diseases. He discusses how carbohydrate-reduced and ketogenic diets can lead to significant health improvements, including a 56% lower risk of heart attacks and strokes. They explore the shift from managing chronic conditions to pursuing reversal, highlighting Virta’s success across various socioeconomic backgrounds. Wolfberg emphasizes the importance of personalized care and the economic benefits of a value-based healthcare model.

Ever wonder why your ketone levels dip after a few months on a ketogenic diet? Or how exogenous ketones compare to ketones produced naturally?In this Metabolic Mailbag episode, Dr. Bret Scher and Dr. Georgia Ede unpack the latest round of keto questions asked by the community.💡 You’ll learn:What lower ketone levels actually meanHow to know if you need to raise your ketonesHow exogenous ketones compare to ketones produced by the bodyHow to troubleshoot keto-induced insomniaThe difference between total and net carbs and which one you should be paying attention toHow much fat you should eat on a ketogenic dietIf you’re exploring ketogenic therapy for mental or metabolic health, this episode offers expert insights on the most common keto questions to help you feel confident in your journey.🎥Still have questions about ketogenic therapy and metabolic health? Check out our previous mailbag episodes, which cover a range of commonly asked questions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3m6Fm0nXaMQ👉Do you have a question about ketogenic therapy or metabolic psychiatry? Submit your question to our team here: metabolicmind.org/questions#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #FoodAsMedicine #QuestionAndAnswerExpert Featured:Dr. Bret Scherhttps://x.com/bschermd?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^authorhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/bret-scher-08baaa102/Dr. Georgia Edehttps://www.diagnosisdiet.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgiaedemdhttps://www.facebook.com/GeorgiaEdeMd/https://www.instagram.com/georgiaedemd/?hl=enResources Mentioned:Treatment Resistant Depression SeriesPart 1: https://youtu.be/q7jg6wlD6gYPart 2: https://youtu.be/ay4RjudumHwPart 3: https://youtu.be/nGTx-i42yFEMetabolic Psychiatry for Non-Prescribershttps://ally-academy-nw.ce-go.com/metabolic-psychiatry-for-non-prescribers-23-07-2025-503Keto Mojo Macronutrient Calculatorhttps://keto-mojo.com/mymojomacros-keto-macro-calculator/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-ytFollow 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. Georgia Ede, a seasoned psychiatrist specializing in ketogenic therapies, joins patient advocate Matt Baszucki and content creator Lauren Kennedy West, who shares her journey with schizoaffective disorder. They dive into the non-linear path of healing, tackling the emotional rollercoaster of tapering medications. Insights include managing variable ketone levels, stigma around dietary choices, and the importance of support systems. They also discuss how setbacks can drive personal growth, encouraging listeners to embrace challenges on the road to mental health.

Is the diet being promoted to “save the planet” actually based on environmental data?In this eye-opening interview, Dr. Frank Mitloehner, air quality specialist and director of the CLEAR Center at UC Davis, unpacks the claims behind the EAT-Lancet 2.0 report, particularly the idea that cutting animal-sourced foods will drastically reduce environmental harm. Despite widespread media framing it as a climate solution, Dr. Mitloehner reveals that the Planetary Health Diet is not grounded in environmental science at all — a fact even confirmed in the report’s own glossary.He also highlights a key finding from the UN’s FAO: shifting to plant-based diets was ranked among the least effective ways to reduce livestock-related emissions, far behind solutions like improving animal health and increasing productivity.📌 Key topics covered:Why the “Planetary Health Diet” isn’t actually about planetary healthWhat the data really says about livestock’s role in climate changeThe misplaced focus on animal agriculture vs. major carbon emittersConflicts of interest and misleading media narrativesProven methane reduction strategies already working in CaliforniaWhy plant-based diets are impractical to scale — and minimally effective for emissions💡 If you’ve ever wondered whether giving up animal foods is the answer to climate change, or if the environmental case against meat holds up to scientific scrutiny, this interview is a must-watch.👉Subscribe to Metabolic Mind for more of the latest news and research regarding metabolic health, neurological health, and proven dietary interventions: https://www.youtube.com/@metabolicmind.#MetabolicMind #FoodAsMedicine #PlanetaryHealthDietExpert Featured:Frank M Mitloehnerhttps://twitter.com/GHGGuruhttps://clear.ucdavis.edu/people/frank-mitloehnerhttps://clear.ucdavis.edu/https://www.youtube.com/@clearcenteratucdavishttps://www.instagram.com/ghgguru/Resources Mentioned:The Eat-Lancet Planetary Health Diethttps://eatforum.org/eat-lancet/the-planetary-health-diet/FAO Pathways Towards Lower Emissionshttps://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/a06a30d3-6e9d-4e9c-b4b7-29a6cc307208/contentCommon Ground Filmhttps://commongroundfilm.org/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-ytFollow 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.

People living with serious mental health conditions face a dramatically higher risk of premature death, not only from psychiatric symptoms, but from the cardiometabolic complications that often accompany their treatment.Despite decades of awareness, this critical issue remains under recognized and under treated. In this episode of the Metabolic Mind podcast, Dr. Bret Scher speaks with two leading experts who are changing that:Dr. Margaret Hahn, Clinician Scientist in the Schizophrenia Division at the Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto.Dr. Sharmili Edwin Tharanajah, Physician and Research Associate at the University Hospital Frankfurt’s Clinic for Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy.Together, they unpack groundbreaking research on the metabolic consequences of psychiatric care, including antipsychotic-induced glucose dysregulation, obesity, and insulin resistance and explore how clinicians can better prevent, detect, and manage these risks.💡Their conversation covers:Why people with severe mental illness lose up to 20 years of life due to cardiometabolic diseaseHow antipsychotic and antidepressant medications affect glucose metabolism, even without weight gainPractical strategies for psychiatrists to monitor and manage metabolic side effectsThe growing role of metformin, GLP-1 receptor agonists, and ketogenic therapy in psychiatric careThis conversation is essential for clinicians, researchers, and anyone affected by mental illness who wants to better understand how metabolism and mental health are deeply interconnected, and what can be done to protect both.👉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 #MentalHealthCareExpert Featured:Dr. Margaret HahnCAMH: https://camh.ca/en/science-and-research/science-and-research-staff-directory/margarethahnUniversity of Toronto: https://psychiatry.utoronto.ca/faculty/margaret-hahnDr. Sharmili Edwin ThanarajahGoethe-Universität — Medizin: https://www.unimedizin-ffm.de/einrichtungen/kliniken/zentrum-fuer-psychische-gesundheit/psychiatrie-psychosomatik-und-psychotherapie/team/assistenzaerztinnenassistenzaerzte/dr-med-sharmili-edwin-thanarajahResources Mentioned:Antipsychotic Drugs and Dysregulated Glucose Homeostasis Systematic Review and Meta-Analysishttps://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/2837755An Overview of Links Between Obesity and Mental Health:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13679-015-0164-9INTEGRATE: International guidelines for algorithmic treatment of schizophreniahttps://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(25)00031-8/abstractClinical management of major depressive disorder with comorbid obesityhttps://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(25)00193-2/fulltextFree 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-ytFollow 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/

L.J. Amaral, a registered dietitian and PhD student at Cedars-Sinai, dives into the potential of ketogenic therapy in cancer care. He discusses how ketogenic diets can shift metabolism, reduce inflammation, and preserve muscle, all crucial for patient well-being. The conversation highlights the importance of treating the whole person, not just the tumor, and addresses the nuances of patient responses to dietary changes. L.J. also shares insights on ongoing research, including a phase 2 trial that could transform dietary strategies for glioblastoma patients.