Metabolic Mind

Bret Scher
  • 4.8 (75)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

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.

  1. 2H AGO

    Saturated Fat & the Dietary Guidelines: A Cardiologist Weighs In

    Saturated fat is back in the headlines, and so is the confusion. The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans just dropped, and while there’s clear progress (more support for animal-based protein, low-carb options, and reduced sugar), they’ve kept the 10% cap on saturated fat. But does the science still support that limit, and does it make sense with the rest of the recommendations? In this episode, Dr. Bret Scher breaks down the real story on saturated fat: where the guidelines get it right, where they fall short, and why context is everything when it comes to fat, food, and metabolic health. He covers: ✅ The 5 main types of evidence on saturated fat ✅ Why source and dietary context matter more than grams ✅ What randomized trials, ketogenic studies & LDL data really show ✅ The problem with lumping steak and pizza into one category ✅ Why blanket limits may harm people trying to improve their metabolic health The saturated fat debate isn’t just about grams, it’s about individual metabolic health. When we zoom out and look at the full picture, it becomes clear that not all saturated fat is created equal. Understanding where it comes from and how it fits into an overall dietary pattern is key to moving the conversation forward. 👉 Subscribe to Metabolic Mind for more conversations, research, and updates on metabolic health and metabolic psychiatry. #MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #FoodAsMedicine #SaturatedFat 🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode. Expert Featured: Dr. Bret Scher https://x.com/bschermdhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/bret-scher-08baaa102/ 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-yt Follow 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...

    18 min

  2. 1D AGO

    Healing Beyond Psychiatry: A Mother’s Story of Bipolar Disorder and Recovery

    In this deeply personal and powerful conversation, Metabolic Mind founder Jan Ellison Baszucki joins mental health advocate Laura Delano to share a mother’s journey through her son’s bipolar disorder diagnosis, years of psychiatric crisis, and ultimately, hope. After five years, 29 medications, multiple hospitalizations, and a system that offered few lasting solutions, Jan’s son Matt found real and sustained stability through metabolic therapies, including a therapeutic ketogenic diet. In this conversation, you’ll hear: • What it’s like to navigate the mental health system as a parent • How conventional care fell short, and what was missing • Why Jan calls metabolic psychiatry “energetic medicine for the mind” • How diet, sleep, light, and lifestyle can transform mental health • A powerful message for other families searching for answers This experience didn’t just transform Jan’s family; it sparked a mission. Jan and her family founded Metabolic Mind to raise awareness about the therapeutic potential of metabolic interventions for serious mental illness. Today, Metabolic Mind is helping to bridge the gap between psychiatry and metabolic health by supporting research, educating clinicians and families, and empowering those still searching for answers. 💡Learn more at metabolicmind.org 👉 Subscribe to Metabolic Mind for more interviews, research, and updates in the field of metabolic psychiatry. 🔎 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 #BipolarDisorder Expert Featured: Jan Ellison Baszucki President of Baszucki Group and founder of Metabolic Mindhttps://x.com/janellisonhttps://www.instagram.com/jan_ellison_baszucki/https://www.linkedin.com/in/janellisonbaszucki/ Laura Delano https://www.lauradelano.com/https://www.facebook.com/laurafdelanohttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMgs1cXo8Frtf1v7WcNvwuQhttps://www.instagram.com/_lauradelano_/ 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,

    23 min

  3. 1D AGO

    A New Hope for Depression: The Power of Ketogenic Therapy

    Can a ketogenic diet help with depression when other options have failed? Emerging suggests the answer may be yes. In this video, Dr. Bret Scher shares the latest clinical data on ketogenic therapy for depression, including two new studies showing meaningful improvements, even remission, in people with moderate to severe symptoms. For individuals struggling with treatment-resistant depression, these findings offer real hope and open the door to a new therapeutic pathway: metabolic interventions that target brain energy. In this video, you’ll learn: How ketosis may support brain function and mental healthWhat two new pilot studies reveal about keto for depression and anhedoniaHow researchers are beginning to rethink the metabolic roots of mood disorders 🔍 Explore more and dive into the research on our Depression Topic Page: https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/topics/keto-for-depression/ 👉 Subscribe to Metabolic Mind for more interviews, research, and updates in the field of metabolic psychiatry. 🔎 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 #Depression #MetabolicPsychiatry Expert Featured: Dr. Bret Scher Baszucki Group Medical Directorhttps://x.com/bschermd Resources Mentioned: A pilot study examining a ketogenic diet as an adjunct therapy in college students with major depressive disorder https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-025-03544-8 Medically supervised ketogenic diet as an adjunctive treatment for moderate to severe depression: A pilot study https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2025.121079 Keto For College Depression Blog https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/library/blog/perspectives-in-metabolic-psychiatry/new-research-a-ketogenic-diet-improved-depression-in-college-students/ Depression Topic Page https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/topics/keto-for-depression/ THINK+SMART Page a href="https://www.metabolicmind.org/thinksmart/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    6 min

  4. 4D AGO

    Remote Keto Therapy for Depression? Results from New Clinical Evidence

    The second-ever pilot trial (published in the Journal of Affective Disorders) is making waves: a virtual medically supervised ketogenic diet showed impressive improvements in people with moderate to severe depression, including nearly 7 out of 8 study completers achieving clinical remission. In this interview, Dr. Bret Scher sits down with lead researcher Dr. Elisa Brietzke, Professor of Psychiatry at Queen’s University, to explore the inspiration, execution, and implications of this study. What began as a bold idea, that metabolic dysfunction plays a role in depression, evolved into a fully remote clinical intervention. Despite skepticism and challenges, the results were clear: ketogenic therapy can be safely and effectively implemented in a remote outpatient setting. Participants who completed the study experienced improvements in depression, anxiety, and anhedonia (the loss of pleasure). In this conversation, Dr. Brietzke shares: Why she turned to metabolic therapy for mental healthHow the team pulled off a fully remote ketogenic trial during the pandemicThe science behind how inflammation, insulin resistance, and brain energy affect moodWhy traditional antidepressants often fail to address anhedoniaWhat’s next for research, and how this could shape depression treatment guidelines 👉 If you or someone you know is struggling with treatment-resistant depression, learn more about metabolic therapies on our Depression Topic Page: https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/topics/keto-for-depression/ 🔎 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 #FoodAsMedicine #Depression #Anhedonia Expert Featured: Dr. Elisa Brietzke https://psychiatry.queensu.ca/news/welcome-dr-elisa-brietzkehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/elisa-brietzke-844606281/?originalSubdomain=cahttps://www.instagram.com/dr.elisabrietzke/https://x.com/@e_brietzke Resources Mentioned: Medically supervised ketogenic diet as an adjunctive treatment for moderate to severe depression: A pilot study https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2025.121079 Free CME Clinician Trainings: Are you a clinician who would like to learn...

    31 min

  5. FEB 2

    Breaking Down the 2025 Dietary Guidelines with Dr. David Ludwig & Gary Taubes

    The 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans have arrived, and they’re sparking serious debate. Are we finally seeing a meaningful shift toward metabolic health? What do the guidelines get right, and where is there still room for improvement? To unpack it all, Dr. Bret Scher is joined by two long-time voices in nutrition science: Dr. David Ludwig and Gary Taubes. Together, they dig into what the new guidelines get right, what they overlook, and what this all means for public health, clinical practice, and the food industry. They explore: The shifting stance on animal protein, and the controversy it’s stirredA long-overdue move away from refined carbohydratesWhy the term “ultra-processed food” was intentionally left outThe important nod to low-carb diets for chronic diseaseHow school lunches and government food programs may (or may not) changeThe tension between dietary health and environmental goalsWhy robust clinical trials, not just policy documents, are urgently needed This lively discussion blends agreement, disagreement, and deep insights into what these guidelines mean, not just on paper, but in real life. Whether you're a clinician, policymaker, parent, or just trying to eat healthier, this episode will help you rethink the “official” nutrition narrative. 👉 Subscribe to Metabolic Mind for more conversations covering metabolic health, nutrition, food as medicine, and more. #MetabolicMind #FoodAsMedicine #DietaryGuidelines 👉Do you have a question about ketogenic therapy or metabolic psychiatry? Submit your question to our team here: metabolicmind.org/questions Expert Featured: Gary Taubes taubes@gmail.comhttps://x.com/garytaubes Dr. David Ludwig David.Ludwig@childrens.harvard.eduhttps://x.com/davidludwigmd Resources Mentioned: https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/ 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...

    42 min

  6. JAN 26

    Q&A: Keto & Heart Risk, Liver & Kidney Safety, Keto Snacks, Supplements & More

    Can a ketogenic diet affect cardiovascular risk? Do nuts belong in a low-carb diet? What about ice cream, supplements, and electrolytes? In this episode of Metabolic Mailbag, Dr. Bret Scher tackles some of the most common and misunderstood questions about ketogenic therapy for metabolic and mental health. From concerns about LDL cholesterol to fears of liver and kidney damage, this conversation cuts through the noise with nuance, evidence, and practical guidance. This episode covers: LDL cholesterol spikes on a ketogenic diet: what’s normal, what’s not, and how to think beyond one lab numberStatins vs. individualized risk assessment (imaging, metabolic markers, trends over time)How nuts fit into a ketogenic diet and when they become a problemKetogenic diets and liver/kidney health: what human data actually shows“Good keto” vs. “bad keto” and the role of whole foodsSupplements, electrolytes, and when they’re truly neededSnacking, sweeteners, keto desserts, and staying in ketosis Whether you’re just starting a ketogenic diet or fine-tuning it for long-term metabolic or mental health, this episode offers clarity where confusion is common. By unpacking real-world questions with a clinical lens, Dr. Scher empowers you to think critically, personalize your approach, and make decisions rooted in human evidence—not fear or headlines. Do you have more questions? Check out our other Mailbag Q&A episodes with Dr. Bret Scher and Dr. Georgia Ede: Episode 1: https://youtu.be/PDgM-SD3Fx4Episode 2: https://youtu.be/3m6Fm0nXaMQEpisode 3: https://youtu.be/UgaaYl6RPbsEpisode 4: https://youtu.be/roMq4YU58rcEpisode 5: https://youtu.be/_eSVU5_P7YsEpisode 6: https://youtu.be/TcfGZ3m-lzE 🔎 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 #MetabolicPsychiatry #QA Expert Featured: Dr. Bret Scherhttps://x.com/bschermda...

    36 min

  7. JAN 21

    NEW Research Challenges Everything We Know About Carbs & Exercise

    Is carb-loading really the key to endurance and performance? A groundbreaking 100-page publication led by Dr. Andrew Koutnik says it’s time to question the dogma. For decades, athletes have been told that more carbs mean better performance. Strategies like carb-loading before and using sugary gels during exercise have become staples of endurance performance. But recent research has unveiled a shocking truth. Many athletes, even those who look healthy on the outside, are showing glucose levels consistent with prediabetes on the inside. In this interview, Dr. Bret Scher and Dr. Andrew Koutnik unpack the new landmark publication that challenges outdated sports nutrition guidelines and reveals another approach to fueling human performance. 📌 What you’ll learn: How carb-loading is increasing the risk of prediabetes in fit, lean, athletesHow glycogen and carbohydrate intake have been mistaken as the primary predictors of performanceWhy maintaining stable blood glucose is the real key to performanceA new model for fueling that prioritizes brain energy and metabolic health This conversation is for athletes at every level, from elite competitors to everyday movers, and for anyone curious about how metabolism shapes performance, resilience, and long-term health. 👉 Subscribe to Metabolic Mind to stay up-to-date on the latest in metabolic health, ketogenic therapy, and mental wellbeing: https://www.youtube.com/@metabolicmind. 🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode. 📨 Sign up for the Metabolic Mind Newsletter for the latest research, science, and tools for metabolic therapy at https://www.metabolicmind.org/about-us/newsletter/ #MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #SportsNutrition Expert Featured: Dr. Andrew Koutnik X.com/@AKoutnikinstagram.com/andrewkoutnikphdyoutube.com/andrewkoutnikphdwww.andrewkoutnik.com Resources Mentioned: Carbohydrate Ingestion on Exercise Metabolism and Physical Performance https://doi.org/10.1210/endrev/bnaf038 Coalition For Metabolic Health a href="http://coalitionformetabolichealth.org" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    35 min

  8. JAN 19

    Q&A: Cholesterol, CRP, & Ketogenic Therapy — A Cardiologist Weighs In

    In this special Metabolic Mailbag episode, cardiologist Dr. Bret Scher steps into the hot seat to answer your most pressing questions about ketogenic therapy, heart health, and metabolic markers. Drawing directly from listener questions, this conversation tackles the confusion and concern many people face when lab results change after starting a ketogenic diet. 📌 In this video, you’ll learn: Why LDL may rise on a ketogenic diet and when that change is clinically meaningfulWhat cholesterol markers actually tell us about heart disease riskHow to think about hyper-responders and familial hypercholesterolemia (FH)How to interpret CRP and other inflammation markers in contextWhether you really need to track ketones and affordable ways to do itHow often to test labs like LDL, CRP, and other key markers There’s a lot of confusion around ketogenic diets, cholesterol markers, and heart disease risk. In this episode, Dr. Scher debunks some of the most common myths and offers a clearer, more nuanced understanding of how ketogenic therapy can impact, and often improve, metabolic and cardiovascular 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. #MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #Q&A #HeartHealth Expert Featured: Dr. Bret Scherhttps://x.com/bschermdhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/bret-scher-08baaa102/ 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-yt Follow 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...

    29 min
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4.8
out of 5
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Bret Scher
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    161
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Bret Scher, MD FACC
  • Show Website
    Metabolic Mind

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