College Mental Health Crisis: How Students Can Combat Depression & Anxiety

Are there new treatment options for college students living with depression?Mental health challenges are rising at an alarming rate among young people—and college campuses are feeling the impact. Nearly half of students report depressive symptoms, and conventional treatments aren’t enough for many of them.But what if just changing what you eat could offer new hope?A recent pilot study out of The Ohio State University found that a ketogenic diet led to rapid and clinically significant improvements in depression symptoms among college students—with a 37% average reduction in depression scores in just two weeks, increasing to a 71% increase at 12 weeks.In this conversation, lead study investigator Drew Decker sits down with Drs. Georgia Ede and Bret Scher to discuss how his group was able to help 100% of completing participants experience clinically significant improvements in depression and the real-world feasibility of implementing ketogenic therapy in student populations.In this episode you’ll hear about:The current state of mental health on college campusesThe factors contributing to the decline in youth mental healthThe potential of ketogenic therapy for major depressive disorderHow OSU students were able to stay in ketosis 73% of the timeWhat colleges can do to better support mental wellness through nutritionStudents are searching for better options and they deserve more than just symptom management. They deserve access to therapies that could improve their quality of life and transform their futures.To learn more about the KIND study, check out our other content:Mini-Documentary: https://youtu.be/RZYjV9bo0SIDr. Volek & Decker Interview: https://youtu.be/kN0kHPVM3lwBlog Post: https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/news-views/blog/perspectives-in-metabolic-psychiatry/new-research-a-ketogenic-diet-improved-depression-in-college-students/Experts Featured:Drew Decker, OSU researcherInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drew_d_decker/Dr. Georgia Ede, MDWebsite: https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/Book: https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/change-your-diet-change-your-mindYouTube: ‪@GeorgiaEdeMD‬X: https://x.com/GeorgiaEdeMDIG: https://www.instagram.com/georgiaedemd/Resources Mentionedhttps://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-025-03544-8Free 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...

A groundbreaking study from The Ohio State University shows that ketogenic therapy may dramatically reduce symptoms of major depression in college students.In this interview, study research leads Dr. Jeff Volek and Drew Decker break down the results:100% of participants responded69-71% improvements in depression scoresImprovements in cognitive performance, body composition, and metabolic healthNo relapsesDr. Volek has decades of experience conducting research on ketogenic therapy. The Volek Low Carbohydrate Laboratory is one of the best in the game at conducting quality ketogenic science. In this interview Dr. Volek and Drew also cover:The feasibility of ketogenic therapy in college studentsHow student participants were supportedWhat the next steps are for researchAs evidence for metabolic psychiatry increases, let’s not forget ketogenic therapy’s roots in pediatric epilepsy. We know a ketogenic diet can be beneficial to our youth and we need more research like this to help pave the way for better youth mental health outcomes.📺 Watch now to hear how ketogenic therapy may become a new path to hope for young people struggling with depression.Want to learn more about this study? Check out our blog post: https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/news-views/blog/perspectives-in-metabolic-psychiatry/new-research-a-ketogenic-diet-improved-depression-in-college-students/#MentalHealth #KetogenicDiet #MetabolicPsychiatry #DepressionTreatment #NutritionScience #CollegeHealth #DrJeffVolek #MetabolicMindExpert Featured:Dr. Jeff VolekWebsite: https://lowcarb.osu.edu/Drew DeckerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drew_d_decker/Resources Mentioned:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-025-03544-8Free 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 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...

Are ultra-processed foods really the villain, or is the story more complicated? In this lively, no-nonsense conversation, endocrinologist Dr. David Ludwig (of Harvard and Boston Children’s Hospital) and journalist Gary Taubes unpack why “UPF” is an enticing label but a blunt tool for science, policy, and everyday guidance.They cover:Why defining “ultra-processed” is messy, and how lumping diverse packaged foods into one bucket can mislead.How high-profile trials are interpreted (and misinterpreted), from short study durations to dropout bias and carryover effects.The role of bias and confirmation bias in nutrition research and media narratives.Where the debate should go next: moving beyond slogans toward mechanisms like how carbohydrate processing affects blood sugar and insulin.What to do in the meantime: clearer study design, healthier discourse, and pragmatic takeaways people can use now.In this conversation, you’ll hear sharp disagreements, candid critiques, and concrete suggestions for doing better science. Plus a spirited back-and-forth on what “good evidence” should look like and how individuals, clinicians, and policymakers can each act on different standards of proof.What’s at stake isn’t academic nitpicking; it’s policy decisions, headlines, and, ultimately, what lands on your plate.👉 Stay for the debate, and subscribe to Metabolic Mind for more conversations at the intersection of metabolism and mental health.Expert Featured:Dr. David LudwigX: https://x.com/davidludwigmdDr. Ludwig's UPF Study: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2508694Gary Taubeshttps://x.com/garytaubeshttps://uncertaintyprinciples.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 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...

What happens when someone living in and out of homelessness, battling schizophrenia, and cycling through hospitals and medications discovers ketogenic therapy?In this powerful interview, Dr. Bret Scher speaks with registered nutritional therapist Moira Newiss about one of the most remarkable published case reports to date.Despite overwhelming socioeconomic challenges, including periods of living in shelters and cooking on nothing more than a hot plate, this individual achieved sustained ketosis on a simple, affordable carnivore-based ketogenic diet.The result? His schizophrenia and psychosis went into remission.In the interview, Moira shares:The details of his journey from homelessness and hospitalization to stabilityThe simple, affordable foods he used to stay in ketosisThe barriers he faced, from relapse cycles to limited resourcesWhy this case matters for clinicians, researchers, and anyone seeking hope in the face of serious mental illnessThis case is more than a single success story, it challenges assumptions about what’s possible with nutrition, even under the hardest circumstances. For someone who had been deeply embedded in psychiatric care in the UK and not improving on conventional treatment, ketogenic therapy offered a turning point.👉Want to learn more about the impact of ketogenic therapy on mental health? Subscribe to Metabolic Mind for more research, stories, and emerging evidence.Expert Featured:Moira Newisshttps://www.moiranewiss.co.uk/https://x.com/moira_newisshttps://www.facebook.com/thebrainenergyrebootexperthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/moira-newiss/https://www.instagram.com/moiranewiss/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 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...

Could tackling visceral fat be the key to finally reversing the chronic disease crisis?Unlike the fat you see on your waistline, visceral fat hides deep inside your body, wrapping around organs like your liver, pancreas, and even your heart. And far from being inert, this fat acts like an inflammatory organ, fueling disease, undermining your immune system, and raising the risk of diabetes, cancer, and heart attacks.In this interview, Dr. Bret Scher sits down with Dr. Sean O’Mara, a physician with an extraordinary background (from undercover narcotics agent to Army ER doctor) who has spent over a decade studying visceral fat.Dr. O’Mara explains:🐍 Why visceral fat is the true “head of the snake” driving chronic disease🧪 How to detect it (and why most doctors ignore it)💪 The surprising lifestyle interventions that can shrink it (fast).⚠️Why visceral fat may be the single most dangerous and overlooked threat to your healthIt may fly under the radar, but visceral fat isn’t beyond reach. With the right tools and lifestyle changes, we can take back control of our health—and rewrite the future of chronic disease.Expert Featured:Dr. Sean O’MaraWebsite: https://drseanomara.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drseanomara/X: https://x.com/DrSeanOMaraFollow 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.

Despite decades of therapy and pharmaceutical use, most patients with major depressive disorder fail to achieve full relief.In part three of our series, Harvard-trained psychiatrist and nutrition specialist Dr. Georgia Ede shares why lifestyle interventions are actually some of the most powerful tools we have for fighting treatment resistant depression.Drawing on years of clinical practice and pioneering work in metabolic psychiatry, Dr. Ede explains how metabolic health, sleep, exercise, circadian rhythm, and nutrition directly influence brain energy. She also breaks down why nutrition (especially carbohydrate restriction and ketogenic diets) hold unique promise for restoring brain function, even in people who haven’t responded to conventional treatments like medication and therapy.This conversation covers:How treatment-resistant depression is tied to brain metabolismThe role of exercise intensity in improving symptomsHow sleep and circadian rhythm shape brain healthHow nutrition is the #1 lever for changeClinicians, researchers, and individuals navigating depression: this conversation is a powerful reminder that patients have more power than they’ve been led to believe and deserve to know the full spectrum of tools available to them. Lifestyle interventions shouldn’t be “secondary”—they’re foundational. Check out Metabolic Mind's model for metabolic psychiatry to learn more.📌 In case you missed episode 1 and 2 of our 3-part Treatment Resistant Depression series:Episode 1: Breaking the Myth: https://youtu.be/q7jg6wlD6gYEpisode 2: TMS & Psychedelics: https://youtu.be/ay4RjudumHwExpert Featured:Dr. Georgia EdeWebsite: https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/Book: https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/change-your-diet-change-your-mindYouTube: ‪@GeorgiaEdeMD‬X: https://x.com/GeorgiaEdeMDIG: https://www.instagram.com/georgiaedemd/CMEs Mentioned:Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hopehttps://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illnesshttps://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615Follow 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...

Treatment-resistant depression can feel like the end of the road, but there are more options than most people realize. Beyond traditional antidepressants, a range of innovative treatments exist, including:Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)Repetitive Transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)Vagus nerve stimulationRapid-acting compounds like ketamine, esketamine, and psilocybinThese treatments are offering new hope for patients who haven’t found relief in the current standard of care.In this second part of our three-part series, Dr. Georgia Ede and Dr. Bret Scher dive deep into the science, effectiveness, and practical considerations of these approaches. You’ll learn how these treatments work, the evidence behind them, and what to expect in terms of accessibility, cost, and side effects.From the rapid results of ketamine (sometimes within a single day) to the growing public awareness of rTMS, this discussion explores both cutting-edge and underutilized options, plus the barriers that still keep many from accessing them.Watch now to discover why “treatment-resistant” doesn’t mean “hopeless,” and be on the lookout for Part 3, where we’ll explore powerful (and accessible) lifestyle and metabolic interventions that can complement or even replace medical treatments.Expert Featured:Dr. Georgia EdeWebsite: https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/Book: https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/change-your-diet-change-your-mindYouTube: ‪@GeorgiaEdeMD‬X: https://x.com/GeorgiaEdeMDIG: https://www.instagram.com/georgiaedemd/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 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.

GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro have become household names, celebrated as breakthrough treatments for weight loss and obesity. But while headlines showcase dramatic before-and-after photos and promises of rapid transformation, when we step beyond the marketing, a more nuanced reality comes to light.In this candid conversation, Dr. Mark Cucuzzella, a family medicine physician, and Dr. Tro Kalayjian, board-certified in internal and obesity medicine, draw on decades of clinical experience to examine where GLP-1s truly shine, where they fall short, and why the foundation for lasting health can’t come from a prescription alone.They make the case for integrating GLP-1s into a comprehensive care plan, one that addresses nutrition, movement, sleep, and stress. Without these pillars, patients face higher risks of side effects, reduced long-term benefits, and the all-too-common rebound weight gain.In this interview, you’ll learn:Which patients benefit most from GLP-1 therapy (and which may not)How “medication stewardship” ensures safe, responsible useWhy starting at the lowest effective dose and tapering mattersHow lifestyle-first programs can match or exceed drug results at a fraction of the costDrs. Cucuzzella and Kalayjian remind us that true success lies in restoring metabolic health and building habits that last long after the injection ends. GLP-1 medications can be powerful allies, but they’re not a silver bullet. Without a foundation of nutrition, movement, sleep, and stress management, they risk becoming just another short-term fix.Expert Featured:Dr. Mark CucuzzellaWebsite: https://www.drmarksdesk.com/Dr. Tro KalayjianWebsite: https://toward.health/IG: https://www.instagram.com/doctortro/X: https://x.com/DoctorTroResources Mentioned:TOWARD: a metabolic intervention that improves addiction and binge eating symptomshttps://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1612551CMEs Mentioned:Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hopehttps://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illnesshttps://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615Follow 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,...

What is treatment resistant depression and perhaps more importantly, what does it say about the ineffective care many receive?Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is defined as major depressive disorder (MDD) that fails to respond to at least 2 anti-depressant medications.Nearly 10% of the adult population in the U.S. experience a major depressive episode each year. The numbers in our youth are even more alarming with some studies suggesting that between 40-50% of college-aged students are living with depression.While anti-depressant medications tend to be the first-line treatment for MDD, as Dr. Georgia Ede highlights, “it’s more common not to respond to standard antidepressants than it is to respond to them.”This makes TRD the “norm”, but the name itself is misleading.It doesn’t mean your brain is broken or that you’ve run out of options. In fact, it says more about the limits of our current standard of treatments than about you.In this first episode of a three-part series, cardiologist Dr. Bret Scher sits down with Harvard-trained psychiatrist @GeorgiaEdeMD‬ to unpack what treatment-resistant depression really means, why it’s more common than most people think, and why the term can be so harmful.In this episode, you’ll learn:How depression is diagnosedThe surprising prevalence of TRDWhy antidepressants often fail to deliver lasting reliefThe biological factors (from inflammation to metabolic dysfunction) that may be driving MDDThe importance of broadening the treatment toolbox beyond medicationIf you or someone you love has been labeled with “treatment-resistant” depression, this conversation is an important reminder: there are other options to explore, and more importantly, there is hope.Be on the lookout for episode 2 of this 3-part TRD series, where Dr. Scher and Dr. Ede cover alternative treatments and cutting-edge therapies including neurostimulation, psychedelic-assisted therapy, and metabolic interventions that could offer new hope.Expert Featured:Dr. Georgia EdeWebsite: https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/Book: https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/change-your-diet-change-your-mindYouTube: ‪@GeorgiaEdeMD‬X: https://x.com/GeorgiaEdeMDIG: https://www.instagram.com/georgiaedemd/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 providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can...

Is food addiction a mental illness? Should ultra-processed foods rich in sugar and refined carbohydrates be classified alongside alcohol, nicotine, and other addictive substances linked to substance use disorders?Food addiction (especially to processed, packaged, carb-heavy foods) is real, widespread, and often misunderstood by both the public and healthcare professionals.Dr. Bret Scher and Dr. Georgia Ede sit down with Dr. Jen Unwin, a psychologist with over 30 years of NHS experience, to explore the science, diagnostic challenges, and recovery strategies for ultra-processed food addiction.In this interview, you’ll learn:Why food addiction isn’t yet formally recognized as a substance use disorderHow food addiction differs from emotional or disordered eatingBiological mechanisms driving addictive patterns, such as dopamine spikes from refined carbohydratesThe six WHO criteria for substance use disorder and how they apply to foodThe role of ketogenic and low-carb diets in recovery from food addictionThe influence of artificial sweetenersThe importance of defining the addictive substances involvedYou’ll hear practical strategies for treatment, including abstinence-based approaches, personalized dietary plans, group support, and brain-retraining education. The conversation also explores the rise of GLP-1 medications—where they can help, where they fall short, and how they compare to dietary interventions in addressing root causes.If you or your patients struggle with cravings, cycles of relapse, or feelings of helplessness around food, this discussion offers hope, clarity, and actionable next steps toward lasting recovery.Expert Featured:Dr. Jen Unwinhttps://x.com/drjenunwinwww.the-chc.orgDr. Georgia Ede‪@GeorgiaEdeMD‬Resources Mentioned:The International Food Addiction Conferencewww.the-chc.org/fas/conferenceDr. Unwin’s Bookhttps://www.amazon.com/Fork-Road-Hopeful-Guide-Freedom-ebook/dp/B08XZL1LLJ/CME’s Mentioned:Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hopehttps://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illnesshttps://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615Follow 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...