Metabolic Mind

New results from first-of-its-kind randomized controlled trial on a ketogenic diet for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder with psychosis offer important insights into metabolic psychiatry and mental health treatment. In this interview, Dr. Bret Scher sits down with Dr. Julie Milder to walk through the study results, recently published in Schizophrenia Bulletin . As the first RCT in psychosis-spect...

New evidence from the first-ever RCT shows ketogenic therapy can rapidly improve metabolic health in schizophrenia-spectrum and bipolar I disorders, and shows early signals of psychiatric improvement. In this video, Dr. Bret Scher breaks down this newly published study led by Dr. Judith Ford at UCSF: the first randomized controlled trial with peer-reviewed results investigating ketogenic therapy i...

Why are seed oils suddenly everywhere in nutrition debates? What is anhedonia? Is the dawn phenomenon something to worry about? And how can you tell the difference between nutritional ketosis and ketoacidosis? In this Metabolic Mailbag episode, Dr. Bret Scher and producer Erica Gerard answer some of the most common questions from our community about ketogenic therapy, mental health, metabolism, an...

A newly published study called NATURE-CT is generating significant attention in the cardiovascular and ketogenic communities, but some of the conclusions being drawn online don't hold up to scientific scrutiny. Dr. Bret Scher walks through what the study actually shows, what it doesn't, and why comparisons being made to ketogenic therapy are scientifically misleading. In this discussion, you'll le...

What should you eat on keto? A ketogenic diet shifts your body from burning carbs to burning fat and ketones, and it can be a powerful tool for supporting metabolic health as well as mental health. But knowing what to eat, what to avoid, and how to get started makes all the difference. Here, Dr. Bret Scher walks you through the essentials: The best proteins, fats, and low-carb vegetables for keto...

David Baszucki - founder and CEO of Roblox - sits down with his son Matthew for the first time on a podcast together. They walk through Matthew's five-year journey with severe, treatment-resistant bipolar I disorder: the first manic episode in 2016, multiple hospitalisations, the dozens of medications, the 2017 incident in Los Angeles when David flew down on a rescue mission to find Matt homeless...

The Cholesterol Code documentary is challenging long-held assumptions about LDL cholesterol, ketogenic diets, and what really matters for cardiovascular risk. In this interview, Dr. Bret Scher sits down with Dr. Eric Westman, internist and low-carb researcher, to discuss the film's impact and what it could mean for the future of clinical practice. From Dave Feldman's citizen science journey to the...

Can ketogenic therapy help atrial fibrillation? What should you make of the KETO-CTA study? And do higher ketones always mean better results? In this Metabolic Mailbag episode, Dr. Bret Scher answers audience questions about cardiovascular health, ketosis, ketone levels, and how to personalize a ketogenic approach based on your goals and metabolic health. From AFib concerns to cholesterol controve...

Are eggs bad for you because they may raise cholesterol? It's one of the most common nutrition questions in cardiology, and one of the most misunderstood. The reality is that raising cholesterol and harming your health aren't always the same thing, and when it comes to eggs, the data tells a much more nuanced and reassuring story than most people have been led to believe. In this conversation, Dr....

Can ketogenic therapy challenge mainstream thinking on cholesterol, diabetes, and evidence-based medicine? At the CoSci conference, Dr. Ken Berry shares his reaction to The Cholesterol Code documentary and explains why more clinicians are questioning long-standing assumptions about metabolic health, LDL cholesterol, and the treatment of chronic disease. In this conversation, Dr. Berry discusses th...

Protein recommendations have changed and not everyone is happy about it. Here's what the new federal protein guidelines actually mean for your health, and why the pushback is missing the point. A recent PBS article argued that doubling the current protein guidelines would push people toward junk food and processed products. But as a cardiologist, Dr. Bret Scher explains why that concern, while und...

A new Alzheimer’s study linked omega-3 fish oil (EPA & DHA) supplement use to faster cognitive decline, but the real story is far more nuanced than the headlines suggest. In this discussion, cardiologist Dr. Bret Scher breaks down the study and explains why the quality, freshness, and source of omega-3s may matter more than most people realize. The study used data from the Alzheimer’s Disease...

After losing his brother to suicide despite being in psychiatric care, entrepreneur Kristian Ranta began asking difficult questions: Why do so many people struggle despite treatment? What if mental health care is overlooking key drivers of recovery? In this conversation, Dr. Bret Scher sits down with Kristian Ranta, founder of Meru Health, to explore a model that approaches mental health care diff...

Anorexia nervosa has one of the highest mortality rates of any psychiatric illness, yet effective biological treatments remain limited. For many people living with the condition, even after successful weight normalization, persistent psychological symptoms, including obsessive thoughts about food, shape, and weight, continue to drive relapse. In this conversation, Dr. Bret Scher sits down with Dr....

A new study demonstrates that ketogenic therapy could be an option for individuals living with weight-normalized anorexia nervosa. One of the primary goals of anorexia nervosa treatment is restoring weight, and while this is an important milestone, many individuals continue to experience psychological symptoms. Dr. Guido Frank, Professor of Psychiatry at UC San Diego, has spent more than 25 years...

Lower triglycerides, lower remnant cholesterol, lower ApoB. Zero change in coronary artery plaque. A new clinical trial is forcing a bigger conversation about how we treat cardiovascular disease. The drug was Olezarsen, an APOC3 inhibitor. The blood work looked impressive. The heart scans did not. So why would lowering well-established cardiovascular risk factors fail to move the needle on plaque?...

Could ketogenic therapy help people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders engage more successfully with CBT? A new conceptual framework explores this powerful adjunctive approach. CBTp is considered a gold-standard treatment for schizophrenia spectrum disorders, but many patients struggle to initiate, participate in, and complete it. Cognitive deficits, sleep disturbances, low distress tolerance,...

How many carbs should you eat on a ketogenic diet? Do ketone levels matter? And why do cravings hit so hard? Is Dairy recommended? In this Metabolic Mailbag episode, registered dietitian and medical student Temple Stewart breaks down some of the most common challenges people face when starting and maintaining a ketogenic diet, especially for PCOS (PMOS), metabolic health, and long-term sustainabil...

A recent report highlighted a surprising trend: individuals using GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy may be facing even more social stigma than those who remain overweight. And while neither deserves any stigma at all, it raises an important question about how we judge health choices in modern medicine. In this conversation, Dr. Bret Scher reflects on whether his own critiques of GLP-1 m...

Psychiatric medication tapering* is becoming one of the most important and controversial conversations in mental health care. In the wake of the American Psychiatric Association Annual Conference, Dr. Bret Scher explores the growing debate around psychiatric medication “deprescribing,” responsible tapering, overprescription, and the urgent need for better research and clinician guidance. This disc...

A new study suggests that eating more eggs may be linked to a lower risk of dementia. But what does the research actually show? Dr. Bret Scher breaks down the headlines, the limitations of observational nutrition research, and the surprisingly important detail hidden in the baseline data. The people eating the fewest eggs entered the study with what many would consider “healthier” lifestyles: 👉 L...

Fatty liver disease (MASLD) is a major cause of liver disease and even liver failure. But many are surprised to learn it’s not primarily a liver problem. Growing evidence suggests the root issue may be metabolic dysfunction affecting the entire body, and that perspective can drastically change how we approach treating and preventing it. In this interview, Dr. Bret Scher sits down with Dr. Adam Wol...

Can insulin resistance increase the risk of suicide? In this video, Dr. Bret Scher breaks down a new study published in Translational Psychiatry that links metabolic dysfunction with higher rates of suicidal ideation, attempts, and death. Dr. Scher covers: How biomarkers like blood glucose, insulin, lipid profiles, and waist circumference relate to suicide risk How this study fits with the growing...

For decades, nutrition advice has centered on a single idea: that there’s one “right” way to eat for everyone. The standard low-fat, Mediterranean-style diet approach has shaped how we think about health. But it’s missing a critical piece. Here, Dr. Bret Scher breaks down the limitations of universal dietary recommendations and why relying on observational nutrition research may not provide clear...

Can ketosis trigger insomnia or even mania? Do you need supplements like L-carnitine to support ketone production? Is whey protein helping or hurting your metabolic health? And how do you maintain or gain weight on a ketogenic diet without losing ketosis? Harvard-trained psychiatrist Dr. Georgia Ede and cardiologist Dr. Bret Scher tackle your biggest questions in this Metabolic Mailbag episode, br...