Metabolic Mind
Bret Scher
Metabolic Mind is working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. Metabolic interventions like ketogenic therapy are being used to treat serious mental illnesses like Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, and Major Depressive Disorder. We explore topics that can help you understand how Metabolic Psychiatry might help you or a loved one treat mental disorders
Watch our videos at https://www.youtube.com/@metabolicmind
Our channel is for information only. Consult your physician before changing your lifestyle or medications.
Watch our videos at https://www.youtube.com/@metabolicmind
Our channel is for information only. Consult your physician before changing your lifestyle or medications.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 11, 2026 • 5min
What the Ketone Heart Risk Headlines Got Wrong
They dissect a high-profile paper linking ketones to heart risk and show why the data were misinterpreted. They explain that measured ketone levels came from a general population, not people on ketogenic diets. They outline non-diet reasons ketones can be elevated and highlight epidemiology pitfalls like confounding and reverse causation.
Mar 9, 2026 • 35min
The Hidden Metabolic Cause of Fatty Liver Disease
Dr. Karen Jerome-Zapadka, a gastroenterologist using ketogenic care to reverse metabolic liver disease, and Dr. Amy Goss, a pediatric nutrition scientist studying low-carb effects on liver fat, discuss why metabolic dysfunction drives rising fatty liver rates. They explore carbohydrate restriction, ketogenic nutrition, pediatric trials, clinical reversals, comparisons with other treatments, and practical metabolic care steps.
Mar 6, 2026 • 5min
Low-Carb Diets Improve Metabolic Health But Should We Be Worried About LDL?
A deep dive into a large meta-analysis showing carb restriction boosts body composition, blood pressure, triglycerides, HDL, and inflammation markers. Clear definitions of low-carb and keto groups are explained. The conversation highlights small LDL changes, reporting bias, and why broader metabolic context and monitoring matter.
Mar 4, 2026 • 8min
Who Should NOT Try the Ketogenic Diet? (Important Safety Guide)
Clear rules for who should avoid ketogenic therapy and why are explained. The difference between absolute and relative contraindications is unpacked. Rare inborn metabolic disorders and acute illnesses that truly forbid keto are highlighted. Special situations like pregnancy, diabetes, heart disease, psychiatric conditions, cholesterol concerns, and medication interactions are discussed with emphasis on careful clinical supervision.
Mar 2, 2026 • 30min
How Experts Recommend Using Ketogenic Therapy In Psychiatry (New Consensus)
Dr. Georgia Ede, a Harvard-trained psychiatrist focused on nutritional psychiatry and ketogenic therapy, and Dr. Matthew Bernstein, a Harvard-trained psychiatrist leading clinical integration of metabolic approaches, discuss a new expert consensus on using ketogenic metabolic therapy in serious mental illness. They cover how the consensus was developed, who may be appropriate candidates, safety and contraindications, recommended monitoring, trial length, and practical implementation tips.
Feb 25, 2026 • 4min
Ketogenic Therapy in Psychiatry: What the Experts Agree On
Dr. Georgia Ede, Harvard-trained psychiatrist specializing in nutritional approaches to mental health. She discusses a Delphi consensus on ketogenic metabolic therapy for serious mental illnesses. Short statements cover who may be appropriate, safety and screening, monitoring standards, and how to integrate KMT with standard psychiatric care.
Feb 23, 2026 • 35min
The Metabolic Fix for PCOS & Infertility
Dr. Steven Palter, reproductive endocrinologist and founder of Gold Coast IVF, champions metabolic approaches to PCOS and infertility. He reframes PCOS as a metabolic disorder tied to insulin resistance. He discusses ketogenic and low-carb strategies, rapid benefits for ovulation and mood, limits of symptom-focused care, and how metabolic repair differs from GLP-1 medications.
Feb 20, 2026 • 6min
What the Science Really Says About Ketogenic Diets and Heart Health
They unpack whether ketogenic diets really harm cardiovascular health and clarify which studies actually test true ketosis. They discuss how cholesterol often behaves differently on low carb and why triglycerides, HDL, insulin, and inflammation may matter more. They compare ketogenic approaches to DASH for blood pressure and explain how saturated fat in whole foods differs from processed high-fat/high-carb meals.
Feb 19, 2026 • 5min
RFK Jr. Sparks Debate: Can Keto Help Serious Mental Illness?
A breakdown of nutritional ketosis and why switching the brain’s fuel might matter for serious mental illness. Discussion of metabolic dysfunction linked to schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression. Review of early pilot trials and upcoming randomized studies from major research centers. Personal recovery stories and keto’s long clinical history are highlighted as reasons for rigorous scientific follow-up.
Feb 16, 2026 • 27min
Ketogenic Therapy for PTSD? New Research Underway
Robin Engelhardt, a German PhD in psychology who overcame complex PTSD, is launching a pilot study testing ketogenic metabolic therapy. He discusses his personal recovery with nutritional ketosis. The conversation covers target ketone levels, practical challenges, proposed study design, and biological mechanisms that might link ketosis to PTSD recovery.
