Metabolic Mind

College can be one of the most exciting times of your life, but it can also put enormous pressure on a brain that's still developing.Psychiatrist Dr. Georgia Ede spent 12 years working as an on-campus psychiatrist at Harvard University and Smith College. In this video, she explains why college can be such a vulnerable time for mental health and how sleep, nutrition, alcohol, smoking, vaping, and other everyday habits may affect brain metabolism and resilience.Dr. Ede explores the role of oxidative stress, why blood sugar and insulin matter for the brain, and how metabolic health can influence mood, concentration, memory, and the ability to cope with stress.She shares practical strategies students can use on campus, including:Choosing whole foods and reducing refined carbohydratesMaking better dining hall and snack choicesPrioritizing sleep and regular exerciseLimiting alcohol, smoking, and vapingUsing a continuous glucose monitor to better understand individual responses to carbohydratesWhen a very low-carbohydrate or ketogenic diet may be worth exploring for mental health concernsWhy reaching out for professional support is essential when college starts to feel overwhelmingAny dietary changes, especially ketogenic therapy, should be explored with a qualified clinician. This is particularly important for students taking psychiatric medications or anyone with a history of eating disorders or disordered eating.Taken together, these ideas show how metabolic health may support learning and relationships while students manage the everyday pressures of campus life.👉 Looking for more back-to-school mental health resources for college students? Explore our Back to School blog for stories, science, and practical support for navigating campus life with mental health in mind: metabolicmind.org/resources/library/blog/stories/back-to-school-metabolic-mental-health-guide/#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #BackToSchoolExpert:Dr. Georgia Ede, MD- Author, Change Your Diet, Change Your Mindhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/georgiaedemd/https://x.com/GeorgiaEdeMDhttps://www.instagram.com/georgiaedemd/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, Dr. Mariela Glandt, Dr. Deanna Kelly, Dr. Julie Milder, Dr. Zoltan Sarnyai, 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.

Does reducing carbohydrates improve metabolic health beyond what can be explained by weight loss alone?Dr. Bret Scher breaks down a new randomized controlled trial published in Cell Metabolism that compared three diets in people with prediabetes and fatty liver disease: a ketogenic diet, a higher-carbohydrate Mediterranean diet, and a very low-fat, plant-forward diet.One challenge with ketogenic diet research is that participants often lose more weight than those in comparison groups, making it difficult to separate the effects of carbohydrate reduction from those of weight loss itself.In this trial, researchers provided all of the meals, and participants achieved greater than 95% dietary compliance. Importantly, all three groups ultimately lost the same 10% of their body weight. That gave researchers an unusual opportunity to compare metabolic outcomes across the three diets without differences in weight loss muddying the picture.And even with weight loss held constant, the outcomes differed.The ketogenic group reduced liver fat by 67%, compared with 45% in the Mediterranean and plant-forward groups, and saw larger improvements in liver insulin sensitivity. Prediabetes remission also occurred in 50% of the ketogenic group, compared with 29% of the Mediterranean group and 7% of the low-fat, plant-forward group.Dr. Scher covers:Why similar weight loss across the three groups makes this trial especially informativeHow all three diets affected skeletal muscle insulin sensitivityWhy liver insulin sensitivity improved more with the ketogenic dietThe differences in liver fat reduction between the three groupsPrediabetes remission rates across each dietary approachHow carbohydrate reduction may suppress liver fat productionChanges in the glucagon-to-insulin ratio on ketogenic therapyWhat the study found about saturated fat, LDL cholesterol, and ApoBImprovements in triglycerides, VLDL, and lipoprotein insulin resistanceThe study’s limitations, including its small size and 4- to 5-month durationFor people with fatty liver disease or prediabetes, this study adds evidence that carbohydrate reduction may produce metabolic benefits beyond those achieved through weight loss alone.🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #FoodAsMedicineExpert Featured:Bret Scher, MD - Baszucki Group Medical Director & Host of the Metabolic Mind Podcasthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/bret-scher-08baaa102/https://www.instagram.com/drscher858/?hl=enhttps://x.com/bschermdResources Mentioned:Effect of diet macronutrient content on the cardiometabolic response to weight loss: A randomized clinical triallinkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1550413126002937Free 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, Dr. Mariela Glandt, Dr. Deanna Kelly, Dr. Julie Milder, Dr. Zoltan Sarnyai, 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 or establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications. In addition, it is important to note that people may respond differently to ketosis, and there isn't one recognized universal response.

For many women, the wellness strategies that carried them through their 20s and 30s can start to backfire in perimenopause. Changes in hormones, muscle mass, insulin sensitivity, sleep, and stress can make midlife feel like a completely different metabolic landscape.In this episode of Metabolic Mind, Dr. Bret Scher speaks with nurse practitioner Cynthia Thurlow about why perimenopause can act like a metabolic stress test. They explore how midlife can change the way women respond to carbohydrates, fasting, exercise, meal timing, and other strategies they may have relied on for years.As Women’s Health Month brings more attention to the health challenges women face across different stages of life, this conversation focuses on one that is still too often misunderstood: the metabolic transition through perimenopause and menopause.They cover:How perimenopause can affect insulin sensitivity and body compositionWhy preserving muscle becomes increasingly important in midlifeThe roles of sleep, stress, protein, meal timing, and strength trainingHow intermittent fasting may need to change across the menstrual cycle and menopauseWhen ketosis may help with metabolic symptoms, and why some women may benefit from more dietary flexibilityHow PMDD and severe PMS may relate to the perimenopause transitionWhere hormone replacement therapy may fit into an individualized planThe potential role of GLP-1 medications alongside lifestyle changesWhy fiber and the gut microbiome deserve more attention during menopauseSimple steps women can take now, including walking after meals, improving sleep, and staying well hydratedCynthia’s message is that while midlife can bring meaningful metabolic and hormonal changes, with the right support, there are practical ways to adjust nutrition, exercise, sleep, and other strategies to support overall health and wellbeing.👉 Want to stay up to date with the latest research on metabolic health and metabolic psychiatry? Sign up for our newsletter to stay informed: metabolicmind.org/about-us/newsletter/🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.#Menopause #Perimenopause #MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #WomensHealthExpert Featured:Cynthia Thurlow, NPhttps://www.cynthiathurlow.com/https://www.instagram.com/cynthia_thurlow_/?hl=enhttps://www.youtube.com/cynthiathurlowhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-thurlow/https://x.com/_CynthiaThurlowhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everyday-wellness-midlife-hormones-menopause-and/id1435214303https://cynthiathurlownp.substack.com/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, Dr. Mariela Glandt, Dr. Deanna Kelly, Dr. Julie Milder, Dr. Zoltan Sarnyai, 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.

Hannah Warren spent years living with severe bipolar I disorder before discovering metabolic therapies in 2021. Today, Hannah has been in remission for more than five years, is no longer taking psychiatric medication, and works as Metabolic Mind’s Community Engagement & Advocacy Manager, helping others understand the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry.In this course module, created as part of Nutrition Network’s broader low-carb course for vegetarians, Hannah combines her lived experience with practical guidance for using vegetarian and vegan ketogenic approaches to support metabolic and mental health.She explains how ketogenic therapy differs from general healthy eating, how nutritional ketosis changes the fuels available to the brain, and why that shift is being studied in metabolic psychiatryShe also takes a detailed look at the practical side of vegetarian and vegan ketogenic therapy, including:How to structure a meat-free ketogenic diet while maintaining ketosisWhy ketone testing is especially important for therapeutic useHow to think about carb limits, protein targets, and complete protein sourcesVegetarian and vegan sources of fat and omega-3sKey micronutrients and supplements to monitorMedication interactions and the importance of clinical supervisionHow to use lab testing to monitor metabolic healthCommon foods and meals that can make plant-based keto satisfying and sustainablePositive framing and behavior-change strategies that can support planning and long-term adherenceHannah also shares the mistakes she made when first starting ketogenic therapy, the strategies that helped her refine her approach, and why she believes people should be able to pursue metabolic treatment options without giving up deeply held dietary values.👉 Learn more about the benefits and implementation strategies for vegetarian low-carb diets with the full Nutrition Network course: courses.nutrition-network.org/p/low-carb-for-vegetarians🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #VegetarianketoExpert Featured:Hannah Warrenhttps://www.metabolicmind.org/team/hannah-warren/https://x.com/Radiantbeastinghttps://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-warrenjhoole/https://www.radiantbeast.com/https://www.instagram.com/radiant_beastingResources Mentioned:https://courses.nutrition-network.org/p/low-carb-for-vegetariansFree 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, Dr. Mariela Glandt, Dr. Deanna Kelly, Dr. Julie Milder, Dr. Zoltan Sarnyai, 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.

How can clinicians become more comfortable using ketogenic therapy in mental health care? In this episode of Metabolic Mind, Dr. Bret Scher speaks with Dr. Deanna Kelly about Live It, Launch It!, a training program designed to help clinicians learn ketogenic therapy by experiencing it themselves.Dr. Kelly explains why evidence-based treatments can still take years to reach everyday clinical practice, especially when providers don't feel confident using them. To address that gap, her team recruited clinicians for a program that combined ketogenic therapy education with four weeks of personally following a ketogenic diet and published it as a study: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1913325/fullClinicians started with very low confidence in their ability to use ketogenic therapy. With education alone, those scores improved substantially, and actually living the diet pushed confidence even higher. Participants also reported improvements in mental and physical health, along with an average weight loss of about five pounds.They cover:Why clinician confidence can limit adoption of new treatmentsHow Live It, Launch It! was designedWhy experiential learning added more than education aloneHow clinicians learned to troubleshoot ketosis in real timeWhat participants reported about mood, brain fog, anxiety, and physical healthWhy group support helped clinicians understand how differently people respondWhat side effects and challenges came up during the four weeksHow this model could be scaled across residency programs and health systemsWhy the next step is measuring whether clinicians actually use ketogenic therapy more often with patientsFor Dr. Kelly, the goal is to help clinicians move from knowing about ketogenic therapy to feeling prepared to discuss it and use it in practice as the evidence continues to grow.📖 Want to learn more about metabolic psychiatry? Check out our blog “Metabolic Psychiatry: A New Lens on Mental Health” to explore how researchers and clinicians are examining the connection between metabolism and mental health: metabolicmind.org/resources/library/blog/stories/metabolic-psychiatry-a-new-lens-on-mental-health/🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.#KetogenicTherapy #MetabolicPsychiatry #MetabolicMind #LiveItLaunchItExpert Featured:Dr. Deanna L. Kelly PharmD, BCPPhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/deanna-l-kelly-pharmd-bcpp-3a8b299b/https://www.instagram.com/dr.deanna.kelly/https://x.com/ProfDeannaKResources Mentioned:https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1913325/fullFree 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, Dr. Mariela Glandt, Dr. Deanna Kelly, Dr. Julie Milder, Dr. Zoltan Sarnyai, 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.