Metabolic Mind

Dr. David Unwin, a pioneering NHS physician from the UK, has successfully guided over 150 patients to drug-free remission from type 2 diabetes through a low-carb ketogenic diet. He discusses the revolutionary potential of this approach, the importance of real-world data in changing medical practices, and the resistance he faces from traditional healthcare systems. Unwin also highlights the power of sharing patient success stories to inspire others and the role of social media in public health advocacy. His insights offer hope for those struggling with metabolic health.

Not all medical research is created equal, so how do we know which studies to trust?The phrase evidence-based medicine (EBM) is often misunderstood and misused. What does it truly mean to rely on evidence in clinical decision-making?Dr. Gordon Guyatt, the father of the term evidence-based medicine, explains how to assess scientific studies, understand the strength of different types of evidence, and apply findings to clinical decisions.Want to make better-informed health decisions? This interview will help you learn how to critically assess medical evidence for yourself. In this conversation, Dr. Guyatt breaks down:✅ Why some studies are more trustworthy than others✅ The limitations of observational studies in nutrition and medicine✅ How the GRADE framework categorizes evidence from high to low certainty✅ How to critically assess nutrition and mental health research✅ The importance of patient values in clinical decision-makingAs new chronic disease treatments emerge from rapidly evolving research, understanding the quality of evidence is more important than ever. The ability to distinguish robust data from weak correlations isn’t just a skill—it’s essential for making informed, effective decisions in patient care.#MetabolicMind #EvidenceBasedMedicine #MedicalResearch #NutritionScience #GRADEMethod #HealthDecisionsExpert Featured:Dr. Gordon Guyatt, MDResources Mentioned:Core GRADE WorkshopCMEs 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.

Dr. Kirk Nylen, a neuropharmacology expert and Managing Director at Baszucki Group, shares groundbreaking insights on the ketogenic diet's potential for improving pediatric mental health, particularly in children with bipolar disorder. He discusses two ongoing studies: CABIN, a multi-site trial assessing ketogenic therapy, and a real-world pilot study by CMHRC. The conversation emphasizes the urgent need for innovative solutions as youth mental health issues rise, highlighting how ketogenic interventions could enhance treatment options for clinicians.

Can you safely taper off psychiatric medications? And what are the potential harms of long-term psychiatric care?Laura Delano spent years as a professional patient, navigating psychiatric diagnoses, multiple medications, and a life defined by treatment.In this interview, Laura discusses her 13-year experience as a psychiatric patient, the impact of long-term medication use, and how she took control of her health to successfully taper off multiple psychiatric drugs.Now, as the founder of Inner Compass Initiative and author of Unshrunk: A Story of Psychiatric Treatment Resistance (available March 18, 2025), she’s dedicated to helping others navigate informed choices about psychiatric medications, diagnoses, and withdrawal.💡 In this episode, we cover:✅ Laura’s personal story of polypharmacy and its effects✅ The impact of long-term psychiatric medication✅ The challenges of tapering and withdrawal✅ How Laura has rebuilt her life beyond medications✅ How Laura built a nonprofit to support others on the same path✅ The role of diet, lifestyle, and community in mental health recovery✅ Why informed consent is crucial for psychiatric treatment decisions✅ The mission of Inner Compass InitiativeLaura’s new book Unshrunk: A Story of Psychiatric Treatment Resistance is available March 18, 2025.⚠️ Trigger Warning: This conversation includes discussion of suicidality and a suicide attempt. Please take care when watching.#MentalHealth #Psychiatry #Deprescribing #PsychiatricMedication #Tapering #MetabolicPsychiatryExpert Featured:Laura DelanoResources Mentioned:Inner Compass Initiativehttps://www.theinnercompass.org/Laura’a New Book: Unshrunk: A Story of Psychiatric Treatment Resistancehttps://www.amazon.com/Unshrunk-Story-Psychiatric-Treatment-Resistance/dp/1984880489The Challenges of Going off Psychiatric Drugshttps://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/04/08/the-challenge-of-going-off-psychiatric-drugsCMEs 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.

Brain Energy and metabolism appear to play critical roles in the development and treatment of psychiatric disorders like bipolar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia. And emerging research suggests that our gene expression influences how our brain uses energy, thus linking the fields of genetics and metabolism.In this episode, Dr. Harry Pantazopoulos, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, joins Dr. Bret Scher to discuss fascinating new research into the relationship between gene expression and metabolism in serious mental illness.Dr. Pantazopoulos’ study reveals a fascinating insight: while metabolic dysfunction is a common feature of serious mental illnesses, each condition exhibits its own distinct patterns of altered gene expression that impacts metabolic function. This suggests that the underlying metabolic dysfunction in mental illness arises through different mechanisms unique to each disorder.In this interview you will learn: The benefits of studying metabolic function and gene expression of the amygdala Which genes show altered expression in each mental illness, and how these changes affect metabolism How shifting the brain’s energy source from glucose to ketones could offer a promising way to address changes in metabolic gene expression How these study findings could translate to targeted clinical careAlthough these findings are not yet ready to directly influence clinical psychiatric care models, they provide a critical foundation for future research aimed at tailoring metabolic therapies to the unique needs of each individual.Expert Featured:Harry Pantazopoulos, MDLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harry-pantazopoulos-04460413/X: @HarryPantazopo1Studies Mentioned:Transcriptomic Analysis of the Amygdala in Subjects with Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder Reveals Differentially Altered Metabolic PathwaysDifferentially Altered Metabolic Pathways in the Amygdala of Subjects with Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder and Major Depressive DisorderCMEs Mentioned:Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of HopeBrain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental IllnessFollow 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.

Is psychiatry stuck in the 19th century? For decades, psychiatry has relied on trial and error but is there a better way to provide precise, personalized, and preventative treatment?Dr. Alexander Niculescu, professor of psychiatry at the University of Arizona and CEO of MindX Sciences, is at the cutting edge of transforming psychiatry into an objective, data-driven field. With blood tests evaluating specific biomarkers, doctors may now be able to measure mental health, better understand symptoms, and predict which treatments will work best.In this conversation, Dr. Niculescu explains how his research is helping reshape how we diagnose and treat mental illness allowing for a more personalized approach and potentially better outcomes. He shares research demonstrating how utilizing biomarkers can allow practitioners to better understand the current state of a patient’s mental health to assist in prevention and tailor both medications and lifestyle interventions for better outcomes.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why psychiatry is still practiced like 19th-century medicine and how to modernize itHow blood tests can pinpoint the right treatment for a patient including lifestyle interventions, medication choice, and dosingHow blood tests can identify the nuanced difference between mental illnesses like depression and bipolar disorder at a biological levelWhy these tests could be more reliable than genetic testingHow early screening could help prevent serious mental illnessThe future of personalized lifestyle recommendations for mental healthAt Metabolic Mind, we believe mental health care must evolve to incorporate metabolic interventions alongside innovative diagnostic tools. Our vision is a future where the metabolic health of every individual is assessed and addressed with evidence-based interventions, leading to improved mental health for all.Expert Featured:Dr. Alexander Niculescuhttps://mindxsciences.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-niculescu-md-phd-b460a75/Studies Mentioned:Special Report: Precise, Personalized, and Preventive Psychiatryhttps://doi.org/10.1176/appi.pn.2024.12.12.27CMEs MentionedManaging 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.

Is it possible for ketogenic therapy to significantly reduce schizoaffective symptoms in 2 weeks? What about putting symptoms into complete remission in 6 weeks?Licensed Mental Health Counselor Nicole Laurent joins Dr. Bret Scher to discuss her newly published case series showcasing the dramatic improvements in individuals with schizoaffective disorder using ketogenic metabolic therapy.In this interview, Nicole shares:The life-changing stories from the patients and their familiesHow she collaborated with healthcare teams to ensure better outcomesHow she determines the right type of ketogenic diet for each patientThe role of nutrient deficiencies and supplementation in treatmentHow medications were handled and her perspective on medication changes with ketogenic therapyThe profound transformations in her patients’ lives, including returning to school and regaining independenceThese stories offer hope and add to the growing evidence that ketogenic therapy can help individuals struggling with mental illness.Want to hear more real-life experiences of people reclaiming their mental health through metabolic therapy? Hear from our community of experts by experience, including their challenges, setbacks, and successes on the path to recovery at metabolicmind.org/think-smart.Expert Featured:Nicole Laurent, LMHChttps://mentalhealthketo.com/Founder and Medical Director of Mental Health KetoX: @KetoCounselorLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nlaurent/Instagram: mentalhealthketo/Studies MentionedKetogenic metabolic therapy for schizoaffective disorder: a retrospective case series of psychotic symptom remission and mood recoveryhttps://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2025.1506304CMEs MentionedManaging 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.

Dr. Iain Campbell, a researcher at the University of Edinburgh, discusses his groundbreaking pilot study on ketogenic therapy for bipolar disorder with Dr. Bret Scher. Having personally experienced the benefits of ketosis for his own bipolar type II depression, Dr. Campbell delves into the link between metabolic health and mental well-being.Dr. Campbell shares how his recent study reveals a correlation between higher ketone levels and improvements in mood, energy, impulsivity, and anxiety in patients with bipolar disorder. He also highlights the intriguing brain imaging results that indicate reductions in brain glutamate, hinting at one of the potential mechanisms behind ketogenic therapy's effectiveness.Key Topics Covered:The correlation between ketone levels and mood stabilizationDr. Campbell’s personal journey using ketogenic therapy for bipolar disorderHow ketosis impacts brain glutamate levelsThe role of metabolic psychiatry in treating mental illnessThe future of metabolic treatments at the newly established UK Metabolic Psychiatry HubDr. Campbell's pioneering work at the Metabolic Psychiatry Hub is advancing the field of metabolic psychiatry by integrating research and treatment, demonstrating how ketogenic therapy can be a powerful tool for addressing both metabolic and mental health in the treatment of bipolar disorder.New Study:A Pilot Study of a Ketogenic Diet in Bipolar Disorder: Clinical, Metabolic and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Findingshttps://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2024.841Experts Featured:Dr. Iain CampbellX: @IainCampbellPhDwww.metabolicpsychiatryhub.comFollow 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. Stephen Cunnane, a leading professor at the University of Sherbrooke, discusses groundbreaking research on brain metabolism and psychiatric medications. He reveals how ketone PET imaging provides new insights into brain energy use, especially in aging and dementia. Cunnane explores the impact of glucose decline on cognitive health, emphasizing the crucial role of ketones as a compensatory energy source. He also shares his research on first-episode psychosis, examining how medications disrupt metabolic health and influence brain function.

How can we make sense of conflicting studies? One paper suggests a ketogenic diet reduces all-cause mortality, while another claims it raises blood pressure. Are large-scale survey tools like NHANES—the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey—really the best way to answer these complex questions? In this insightful interview, Dr. Adrian Soto-Mota, an internal medicine clinician, educator, and data enthusiast, explains how to critically evaluate research findings. He highlights the strengths and limitations of different types of studies, using engaging analogies to help you better understand when and how to apply research conclusions. In this video you’ll learn: The importance of choosing the right tool (study) for the task Strengths and weaknesses of large population studies like NHANES Practical advice for interpreting conflicting health and nutrition research If you're passionate about understanding health research and making evidence-based decisions, this interview is a must-watch! Expert Featured: Dr. Adrian Soto-Mota X: @AdrianSotoMota Studies Mentioned Ketogenic diets are associated with an elevated risk of hypertension: Insights from a cross-sectional analysis of the NHANES 2007–2018 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcrp.2024.200342 Comparing Very Low-Carbohydrate vs DASH Diets for Overweight or Obese Adults With Hypertension and Prediabetes or Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Trial https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.2968 The ketogenic diet has the potential to decrease all-cause mortality without a concomitant increase in cardiovascular-related mortality https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-73384-x CMEs Mentioned Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616 Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615 Follow our channel for more insights and education from Dr. Bret Scher, 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.