Metabolic Mind

Dr. Ben Bikman, a metabolic health researcher and professor at BYU, discusses innovative ways to use GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy. He suggests microdosing these drugs to curb cravings instead of high doses long-term. Bikman emphasizes the benefits of low-carb diets and the importance of habit changes for sustainable health. This approach aims to preserve muscle while facilitating fat loss, rethinking traditional obesity management as a temporary solution rather than a lifelong dependency on medication.

Dr. Cristina Nigro, a Neuroscience Program Officer at the Baszucki Group, dives into groundbreaking research on personalized nutrition. She reveals that blood sugar responses to foods can vary dramatically between individuals, spotlighting the study that categorized people as 'potato spikers' or 'grape spikers.' Further, she discusses how continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) can tailor dietary guidelines and improve mental health management. By emphasizing our unique metabolic profiles, Nigro challenges the one-size-fits-all approach to diet and health.

Can ketogenic therapy help treat multiple mental health disorders at once? In this video, we explore a dramatic case report where ketogenic therapy put bipolar depression, binge eating disorder, anxiety, PTSD, and ADHD into remission. Clinical psychologist Dr. Erin Louise Bellamy joins Dr. Bret Scher to discuss her recently published case report of a 38-year-old woman whose life went from “a mind shattered now restored” in just 12 weeks on a medically supervised ketogenic therapy program. Results so impressive that it forced other practitioners to dismiss the results as being “clinically improbable.” In this interview, we cover:- How achieving higher therapeutic ketone levels impacted her mental health symptoms- How they tailored her diet to achieve a level of ketosis that kept her symptoms in remission- Why ketogenic therapy may target shared mechanisms across psychiatric diagnoses- The concept of trans-diagnostic remission and treating root causes, not just symptoms- The role of dietary compliance, food addiction awareness, and tailored guidance- How ketogenic therapy can work alongside medications or as a primary intervention for some patientsWhile the results from this case report may seem out of this world, again and again we are seeing ketogenic therapy provide impressive levels of relief for individuals who are really struggling with mental illness. We hope that these stories will reset the expectations for what is possible in psychiatric care. #MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #MentalHealth #Psychiatry #BipolarDisorder #PTSD #ADHD #Anxiety #BingeEatingDisorder #NutritionAndMentalHealthExpert Featured:- Dr. Erin Louise Bellamy - Website: ikrt.org- X: https://x.com/erinlbellamy- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erinlouisebellamy/?hl=enResources Mentioned:Transdiagnostic remission of psychiatric comorbidity in post-traumatic stress disorder, ADHD, and binge-eating disorder using ketogenic metabolic therapy: a retrospective case reporthttps://www.researchgate.net/publication/392930410_Transdiagnostic_remission_of_psychiatric_comorbidity_in_post-traumatic_stress_disorder_ADHD_and_binge-eating_disorder_using_ketogenic_metabolic_therapy_a_retrospective_case_reportFollow 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/

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.

In this insightful discussion, Dr. Anders Sørensen, a Danish psychologist with a PhD in psychiatry, shares his expertise on tapering off psychiatric medications. He emphasizes the importance of tailored strategies and the psychological challenges of withdrawal. Listeners will learn how withdrawal can mimic relapse, the critical role of psychotherapy during the process, and why current clinical guidelines often overlook the nuanced experiences of long-term patients. Dr. Sørensen advocates for a holistic approach that includes lifestyle interventions to support emotional well-being.

In this engaging discussion, psychiatrist Dr. Georgia Ede, who advocates for metabolic therapies in mental health, delves into the complexities of treatment-resistant depression. She questions the traditional use of antipsychotics and highlights surprising links to suicide risk. Ede shares insights from new studies on the metabolic side effects of these medications and promotes alternative approaches like ketogenic therapy. This thought-provoking conversation challenges conventional treatments and underscores the potential of dietary interventions for better mental health outcomes.

Beth Zupec-Kania, a registered dietitian with over 30 years of experience specializing in ketogenic therapies, joins to debunk common myths about ketogenic diets. She addresses concerns like nutrient deficiencies, digestive health, and the truth about keto flu. Beth shares tips for managing bone health, sleep disturbances, and emotional challenges during keto transitions. Plus, she highlights how the ketogenic approach can be tailored for different lifestyles and health conditions, making it accessible for everyone looking to improve their metabolic and mental health.

Journalist Gary Taubes and Dr. David Ludwig, a pediatric endocrinologist, uncover the shortcomings in nutrition research and the impact on public health. They argue that current funding is misallocated, leading to bias in studies, particularly around low-carb vs. low-fat diets. The duo emphasizes the need for more rigorous, long-term research to tackle the growing chronic disease epidemic. They also critique the focus on ultra-processed foods, encouraging a clearer communication of dietary recommendations to improve overall health outcomes.

In a fascinating discussion, Dr. Karin Huizer, a psychiatry resident from the Netherlands, shares her groundbreaking research on using ketone esters for treating mental health issues. Living with bipolar disorder herself, she bridges personal experience with science. Dr. Huizer explains why exogenous ketones might offer hope for treatment-resistant patients. She details her pilot study's design, the role of wearable tech in tracking biomarkers, and the growing field of metabolic psychiatry. The conversation is rich in insight and compassion, envisioning innovative mental health interventions.

Youth mental illness is on the rise, and treatment options are often limited, especially for kids with bipolar disorder. This Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re highlighting a groundbreaking new real-world data collection funded by the Baszucki Group exploring ketogenic therapy as a promising intervention for children and adolescents living with bipolar disorder.In this interview, Elizabeth Errico, founder of the Children's Mental Health Resource Center (CMHRC), shares how her organization is implementing ketogenic therapy in a real-world setting for kids aged 6 to 17. The year-long study is part of a larger initiative supported by the Baszucki Group to expand mental health care options through metabolic approaches.Families in the program receive education, hands-on support, and guidance to help implement this dietary therapy at home—often with life-changing results.In this video, you’ll learn:Why early diagnosis and support for pediatric bipolar disorder is so criticalHow ketogenic therapy is being applied to youth in a structured, supportive wayWhat families need to implement this therapy successfullyEarly anecdotal outcomes from participating familiesWhy this research could help shift mainstream mental health treatmentThis is about more than data—it's about hope, empowerment, and building a better path forward for families navigating serious mental illness.Expert Featured:Elizabeth Erricohttps://cmhrc.org/Other Resources Mentioned:Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hopehttps://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illnesshttps://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615Follow 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.