Metabolic Mind

• Why Setbacks Can Happen with Ketogenic Therapy for Mental Illness — and How to Respond

  What does it really look like to heal a serious mental illness with ketogenic therapy?At Metabolic Mind, we often highlight powerful stories of individuals putting serious psychiatric conditions into remission with ketogenic and metabolic therapies. But healing isn't always linear, and it's rarely easy.In this honest and deeply human episode, Dr. Bret Scher and Dr. Georgia Ede sit down with Matt Baszucki and Lauren Kennedy West to explore the real-world challenges of using ketogenic therapies for mental health.Together, they discuss:The emotional and practical realities of tapering psychiatric medicationsNavigating variable ketone levels and the effect on mood, cognition, and stabilityThe stigma around diet and mental illness, and the power of self-trustWhat it takes to sustain long-term lifestyle change (and the benefits of support)How setbacks can become opportunities for growth, resilience, and self-discoveryWhether you're just starting a metabolic therapy or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers validation, insight, and encouragement to keep going — even when the path is hard.👉 Subscribe to Metabolic Mind for more real conversations on metabolic psychiatry and mental health: https://www.youtube.com/@metabolicmind.#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #MetabolicTherapies #FoodAsMedicine #Schizophrenia #BipolarDisorderExpert Featured:Dr. Georgia EdeDr. Bret ScherMatt Baszuckihttps://www.youtube.com/@mattbaszuckihttps://x.com/BaszuckiMattInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattbaszucki/Lauren Kennedy Westhttps://www.livingwellafterschizophrenia.com/https://www.youtube.com/LivingWellwithSchizophreniahttps://x.com/LWSchizophreniaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/livingwellafterschizophrenia/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-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

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• A UC Davis Scientist on Why Meat Isn’t the Climate Villain

  Is the diet being promoted to “save the planet” actually based on environmental data?In this eye-opening interview, Dr. Frank Mitloehner, air quality specialist and director of the CLEAR Center at UC Davis, unpacks the claims behind the EAT-Lancet 2.0 report, particularly the idea that cutting animal-sourced foods will drastically reduce environmental harm. Despite widespread media framing it as a climate solution, Dr. Mitloehner reveals that the Planetary Health Diet is not grounded in environmental science at all — a fact even confirmed in the report’s own glossary.He also highlights a key finding from the UN’s FAO: shifting to plant-based diets was ranked among the least effective ways to reduce livestock-related emissions, far behind solutions like improving animal health and increasing productivity.📌 Key topics covered:Why the “Planetary Health Diet” isn’t actually about planetary healthWhat the data really says about livestock’s role in climate changeThe misplaced focus on animal agriculture vs. major carbon emittersConflicts of interest and misleading media narrativesProven methane reduction strategies already working in CaliforniaWhy plant-based diets are impractical to scale — and minimally effective for emissions💡 If you’ve ever wondered whether giving up animal foods is the answer to climate change, or if the environmental case against meat holds up to scientific scrutiny, this interview is a must-watch.👉Subscribe to Metabolic Mind for more of the latest news and research regarding metabolic health, neurological health, and proven dietary interventions: https://www.youtube.com/@metabolicmind.#MetabolicMind #FoodAsMedicine #PlanetaryHealthDietExpert Featured:Frank M Mitloehnerhttps://twitter.com/GHGGuruhttps://clear.ucdavis.edu/people/frank-mitloehnerhttps://clear.ucdavis.edu/https://www.youtube.com/@clearcenteratucdavishttps://www.instagram.com/ghgguru/Resources Mentioned:The Eat-Lancet Planetary Health Diethttps://eatforum.org/eat-lancet/the-planetary-health-diet/FAO Pathways Towards Lower Emissionshttps://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/a06a30d3-6e9d-4e9c-b4b7-29a6cc307208/contentCommon Ground Filmhttps://commongroundfilm.org/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...

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• Why People with Mental Illness Die Younger—and What We Can Do About It

  People living with serious mental health conditions face a dramatically higher risk of premature death, not only from psychiatric symptoms, but from the cardiometabolic complications that often accompany their treatment.Despite decades of awareness, this critical issue remains under recognized and under treated. In this episode of the Metabolic Mind podcast, Dr. Bret Scher speaks with two leading experts who are changing that:Dr. Margaret Hahn, Clinician Scientist in the Schizophrenia Division at the Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto.Dr. Sharmili Edwin Tharanajah, Physician and Research Associate at the University Hospital Frankfurt’s Clinic for Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy.Together, they unpack groundbreaking research on the metabolic consequences of psychiatric care, including antipsychotic-induced glucose dysregulation, obesity, and insulin resistance and explore how clinicians can better prevent, detect, and manage these risks.💡Their conversation covers:Why people with severe mental illness lose up to 20 years of life due to cardiometabolic diseaseHow antipsychotic and antidepressant medications affect glucose metabolism, even without weight gainPractical strategies for psychiatrists to monitor and manage metabolic side effectsThe growing role of metformin, GLP-1 receptor agonists, and ketogenic therapy in psychiatric careThis conversation is essential for clinicians, researchers, and anyone affected by mental illness who wants to better understand how metabolism and mental health are deeply interconnected, and what can be done to protect both.👉Stay up to date with the latest news, insights, and research on metabolic psychiatry by subscribing to Metabolic Mind: https://www.youtube.com/@metabolicmind#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #MentalHealthCareExpert Featured:Dr. Margaret HahnCAMH: https://camh.ca/en/science-and-research/science-and-research-staff-directory/margarethahnUniversity of Toronto: https://psychiatry.utoronto.ca/faculty/margaret-hahnDr. Sharmili Edwin ThanarajahGoethe-Universität — Medizin: https://www.unimedizin-ffm.de/einrichtungen/kliniken/zentrum-fuer-psychische-gesundheit/psychiatrie-psychosomatik-und-psychotherapie/team/assistenzaerztinnenassistenzaerzte/dr-med-sharmili-edwin-thanarajahResources Mentioned:Antipsychotic Drugs and Dysregulated Glucose Homeostasis Systematic Review and Meta-Analysishttps://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/2837755An Overview of Links Between Obesity and Mental Health:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13679-015-0164-9INTEGRATE: International guidelines for algorithmic treatment of schizophrenia

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• Can a Ketogenic Diet Help Treat Cancer?

  In this episode of the Metabolic Mind podcast, Dr. Bret Scher speaks with L.J. Amaral, a registered dietitian, certified in nutrition oncology, and PhD student researcher at Cedars-Sinai, about where ketogenic therapy may fit into cancer care. Together they emphasize a crucial point: in oncology, we’re not just treating the tumor, we’re treating the whole person. The quality of life, physical strength, and day-to-day function of patients matter in prognosis.L.J. covers:How shifting fuel toward ketones may influence metabolism, inflammation, fatigue, and even muscle preservation during treatment.Why many tumors crave glucose, and why that matters for dietary strategies.The potential of ketogenic therapy used alongside standard of care (surgery/chemo/radiation), with early signals around feasibility, daily living, and patient well-being.The real-world nuance of responders vs. non-responders, and why personalized coaching is key.How some patients pair fasting windows with treatment, and the practical safeguards to consider.What’s next: details on an NIH-funded, multi-center phase 2 trial comparing a ketogenic approach to an American Cancer Society–style diet.Ketogenic therapy in oncology is early but advancing. If you’re curious about science-backed nutrition strategies that support both treatment and daily life, this conversation is for you.👉Interested in learning more about metabolic health and ketogenic therapy? Subscribe to Metabolic Mind for the latest research, expert interviews, and updates: https://www.youtube.com/@metabolicmind.#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #CancerTreatment #FoodAsMedicineExpert Featured:L.J. AmaralLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ljamaral/Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Lj-AmaralResources Mentioned:A phase 1 safety and feasibility trial of a ketogenic diet plus standard of care for patients with recently diagnosed glioblastomahttps://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06675-6Successful application of dietary ketogenic metabolic therapy in patients with glioblastoma: a clinical studyhttps://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2024.1489812Free 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-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...

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• Go Slowly: A Beginners Guide to Psychiatric Drug Tapering (Part 2)

  Thinking about reducing or stopping psychiatric medication? It may not be the right approach for everyone, but for someone considering it, there's much to keep in mind.For instance, many individuals who adopt ketogenic therapy and other metabolic strategies often find themselves in need of reducing medication. But how can they do it safely and with minimal risk?In part 2 of our 2-part series on med tapering, Dr. Bret Scher and ‪@GeorgiaEdeMD‬ dive deep into how to safely and effectively taper psychiatric medications, offering guidance, caution, and hope for those exploring this path.Tapering antidepressants, antipsychotics, or mood stabilizers can be one of the most complex challenges in mental health care and it can come with serious risks. Dr. Ede breaks down what most clinicians miss about withdrawal, and why “slow and steady” isn’t just advice, it’s a necessity. She also explains how strategies like ketogenic therapy and other lifestyle interventions can support brain stability during the process.In this episode, you’ll learn:✅ Why individuals are looking to reduce or remove medication✅ The potential risks of not safely tapering✅ The “no sudden movements” rule and the concept of hyperbolic tapering✅ Tools and resources for safer dose reductions (compounding pharmacies, taper strips, and more)✅ How to increase your chances of feeling better with no or less medication✅ The role of metabolic health, nutrition, sleep, and stress management in effective tapering✅ What to do if your doctor is hesitant or resistant to adjusting your medication✅ Why you may want to consider avoiding supplementing during a taper🎥 To learn more about the importance of safe tapering and why it needs to be personalized, check out part 1 of this 2-part series: https://youtu.be/RVMvi-vU5E8Experts Featured:Dr. Bret ScherX: https://x.com/bschermdDr. Georgia EdeWebsite: https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/Book: https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/change-your-diet-change-your-mindYouTube: ‪@GeorgiaEdeMD‬X: https://xResources:The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelineshttps://a.co/d/5WWskZsCrossing Zero: The Art and Science of Coming Off - and Staying Off - Psychiatric Drugshttps://www.amazon.com/dp/8797625906?Taper Clinichttps://taperclinic.com/Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring’s free Taper Clinic programhttps://taperclinic.com/our-program/Outro Healthhttps://www.outro.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...

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