Rethinking Serotonin And Depression: What SSRIs Really Do & What May Work Better

Do SSRIs help your brain?SSRI medications are among the most widely prescribed antidepressants, but what if we’ve misunderstood how they work? In this interview, Dr. Bret Scher sits down with biochemist and nutrition scientist Dr. Chris Masterjohn to explore a deeper, more systemic view of mental health and how we treat it.Dr. Masterjohn reveals why serotonin isn’t just a “mood booster,” how SSRIs may be disrupting mitochondrial function, and why focusing on lifestyle strategies that support brain energy metabolism could unlock new paths for treating depression.🔍 What you’ll learn:Chris’s personal journey from veganism to carnivoreThe importance of testing for nutrient deficienciesHow mitochondria influence mood and cognitionWhy SSRIs may disrupt brain energy metabolismThe truth about serotonin and morning sunlightWhy exercise & nutrition often outperform medicationWhat SSRIs really do (and what they don’t)If you've ever questioned the serotonin theory of depression, or sensed there’s more to the story than what mainstream medicine tells us, this conversation fills in some of the missing pieces.🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.👉 Subscribe to Metabolic Mind for more interviews, research, and updates in the field of metabolic psychiatry.Expert Featured:Dr. Chris Masterjohnhttps://www.chrismasterjohn-phd.com/https://substack.com/@chrismasterjohnphdhttps://x.com/ChrisMasterjohnhttps://www.facebook.com/chrismasterjohn/https://www.instagram.com/chrismasterjohn/Resources Mentioned:Substack: Prozac is a Performance Enhancing Drughttps://chrismasterjohnphd.substack.com/p/prozac-is-a-performance-enhancingMitome: Mitochondrial Analysishttps://www.mito.me/Free CME Clinician Trainings:Are you a clinician...

Is carb-cycling okay on a ketogenic diet? What about high histamine foods?In this episode of Metabolic Mailbag, Dr. Bret Scher and Dr. Georgia Ede answers questions on everything from the best sources of dietary fat to how to handle anxiety, perimenopause, and alcohol while maintaining ketosis.They unpack how to build a nutrient-dense, brain-supportive ketogenic diet using whole foods, why “keto-friendly” processed products can sometimes derail progress, and when supplements might be beneficial. You’ll also learn why histamine sensitivity, caffeine, or cycling in and out of ketosis can affect mood, and how to troubleshoot each.This conversation covers:Why a whole food ketogenic diet can be ideal for mental healthHow to identify the best fat sources and avoid “factory fats”Ketogenic dieting for women’s healthWhy anxiety can worsen mid-journey, and how to adaptThe truth about alcohol, carb cycling, and ketosisIf you’re exploring ketogenic therapy for mental or metabolic health, this episode offers practical, science-based guidance to help you refine and personalize your approach.🔎&nbsp;Have questions about ketogenic diets or how to apply ketogenic therapy effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.👉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 #FoodAsMedicine #QuestionAndAnswerExpert Featured:Dr. Bret Scherhttps://x.com/bschermd/https://www.linkedin.com/in/bret-scher-08baaa102/Dr. Georgia Edehttps://www.diagnosisdiet.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgiaedemdhttps://www.facebook.com/GeorgiaEdeMd/https://www.instagram.com/georgiaedemd/?hl=enResources Mentioned:Dr. Bret Scher’s Carb Cycling Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5bUc7TbS6oDr Madison Kackley: Keto for Women https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ8aGNwGB9cFree 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:<a href="https://www.metabolicmind.org/for-clinicians/trainings-courses/?utm_medium=organic-social&amp;utm_source=youtube&amp;utm_campaign=cme-yt" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

New research links chronic stress, brain energy, and psychiatric conditions, including PTSD, depression, and bipolar disorder.Stress doesn’t just impact your mood; it affects how your brain allocates energy. In this interview, Dr. Bret Scher sits down with Dr. Parker Kelly, a postdoctoral fellow at UCSF and the San Francisco VA, to unpack the Allostatic Triage Model of Psychopathology, a new framework proposing that psychiatric symptoms may emerge when the brain is forced to triage limited metabolic resources under chronic stress. Co-authored with mitochondrial researcher Dr. Martin Picard, this model could shift how we understand and treat mental illness.In this conversation, you’ll learn:How stress drives brain energy dysfunctionWhy mitochondria and metabolism may be central to mental illnessWhich brain networks are impacted by energy deficitsThe role of predictability and routine in stress resilienceHow metabolic therapies like nutrition, sleep, and even psychedelics, may support brain energy regulationThis conversation bridges neuroscience, metabolism, and mental health, offering a unique and unifying lens on complex psychiatric conditions.👉Subscribe to Metabolic Mind for more conversations about metabolic health, metabolic psychiatry, and mental health: https://www.youtube.com/@metabolicmind.#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #NeuroscienceExpert Featured:D. Parker KelleyX.com/sequencemyneurohttps://bsky.app/profile/sequencemyneuro.bsky.socialhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/dparkerkelleyphd/Resources Mentioned:The allostatic triage model of psychopathology (ATP Model): How reallocation of brain energetic resources under stress elicits psychiatric symptomshttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2025.106419Free 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&amp;utm_source=youtube&amp;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...

Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceutical company behind popular GLP-1 medications like Wegovy and Ozempic, recently announced that its phase 3, two-year trial examining GLP-1 medications for Alzheimer's failed to produce a significant reduction in disease progression.While these results are discouraging, they may have revealed something vital about Alzheimer’s treatment.In this video, Dr. Bret Scher breaks down the recent failure of Novo Nordisk’s evoke and evoke+ trials and what it teaches us about the limitations of a drug-only approach to Alzheimer’s treatment.Key topics covered:Why GLP-1s may not be enough for Alzheimer’sThe link between glucose metabolism and brain energy failureHow ketones offer an alternative fuel for the brainEarly research on ketogenic therapy for cognitive impairmentWhy nutritional interventions deserve more scientific attentionWith Alzheimer’s affecting millions and costing billions, it’s time to shine a light on metabolic strategies that directly support brain energy, reduce inflammation, and improve cognitive function.🧠 Explore our full playlist on ketogenic therapy for Alzheimer’s and cognitive decline: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzWI83-NWCL4f7uVRIWUHCC2nF6t_5DLw#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #AlzheimersExpert Featured:Dr. Bret ScherBaszucki Group Medical Directorhttps://x.com/bschermdResources Mentioned:Novo Nordisk A/S: Evoke phase 3 trials did not demonstrate a statistically significant reduction in Alzheimer's disease progressionhttps://www.novonordisk.com/content/nncorp/global/en/news-and-media/news-and-ir-materials/news-details.html?id=916462#Associations of semaglutide with first-time diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease in patients with type 2 diabetes: Target trial emulation using nationwide real-world data in the UShttps://doi.org/10.1002/alz.14313Brain energy rescue with ketones improves cognitive outcomes in MCIhttps://alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/alz.059627Randomized crossover trial of a modified ketogenic diet in Alzheimer's diseasehttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33622392/Ketogenic strategies for Alzheimer’s disease and other memory impairments: History, rationale, and 288 caregiver case reportshttps://esmed.org/MRA/mra/article/view/5316Metabolic Mind Ketogenic Therapy for Dementia Playlisthttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzWI83-NWCL4f7uVRIWUHCC2nF6t_5DLwFree 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?...

What if your diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or fatty liver wasn’t a permanent sentence, but a condition that could improve or even reverse through targeted intervention?In this episode of the Metabolic Mind podcast, Dr. Bret Scher sits down with Dr. Adam Wolfberg, Chief Medical Officer at Virta Health, to explore groundbreaking data that challenges the conventional approach to managing chronic metabolic disease. They dive into Virta’s latest annual report, which highlights powerful clinical and economic outcomes that could reshape the future of medicine.In this interview, you'll learn:Why "reversal" is replacing "management" in the metabolic care conversationHow Virta’s data shows a 56% reduced risk of heart attack, stroke, or deathThe role of carbohydrate-restricted and ketogenic nutrition in improving metabolic healthHow patients across socioeconomic backgrounds, including those in food deserts, are seeing resultsWhere medications like GLP-1 fit into a lifestyle-first modelWhat this model means for healthcare costs, medication reduction, and long-term patient outcomesVirta’s annual report highlights how a shift toward value-based care and personalized, nutrition-driven approaches can drastically improve patient outcomes.Check it out here: https://www.virtahealth.com/reversal-report#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #MetabolicHealth #FoodAsMedicineExpert Featured:Dr. Adam WolfbergChief Medical Officer at Virta Healthwww.Vitrahealth.comLinkedIn.com/in/adamwolfbergResources Mentioned:Virta’s 2025 Annual Report on Metabolic Disease Reversalhttps://www.virtahealth.com/reversal-reportHealthcare utilization and cost impact of telehealth-delivered nutrition therapy for type 2 diabetes and obesity: a retrospective claims-based studyhttps://doi.org/10.1101/2025.11.09.25339829Real-World Cardiovascular Outcomes with a Carbohydrate-Reduced Telemedicine Interventionhttps://doi.org/10.1101/2025.10.27.25338916Reduced Onset of MASLD, MASH, and Advanced Liver Disease in patients who received Individualized Nutrition-Focused Remote Care for Adults with Type 2 Diabetes and Obesityhttps://doi.org/10.1101/2025.10.24.25338753Effectiveness of telehealth nutritional therapy in preventing chronic kidney disease among adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity: a real-world, retrospective, propensity score–matched cohort studyhttps://doi.org/10.1101/2025.10.17.25338238Free 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

Ever wonder why your ketone levels dip after a few months on a ketogenic diet? Or how exogenous ketones compare to ketones produced naturally?In this Metabolic Mailbag episode, Dr. Bret Scher and Dr. Georgia Ede unpack the latest round of keto questions asked by the community.💡 You’ll learn:What lower ketone levels actually meanHow to know if you need to raise your ketonesHow exogenous ketones compare to ketones produced by the bodyHow to troubleshoot keto-induced insomniaThe difference between total and net carbs and which one you should be paying attention toHow much fat you should eat on a ketogenic dietIf you’re exploring ketogenic therapy for mental or metabolic health, this episode offers expert insights on the most common keto questions to help you feel confident in your journey.🎥Still have questions about ketogenic therapy and metabolic health? Check out our previous mailbag episodes, which cover a range of commonly asked questions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3m6Fm0nXaMQ👉Do you have a question about ketogenic therapy or metabolic psychiatry? Submit your question to our team here: metabolicmind.org/questions#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #FoodAsMedicine #QuestionAndAnswerExpert Featured:Dr. Bret Scherhttps://x.com/bschermd?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^authorhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/bret-scher-08baaa102/Dr. Georgia Edehttps://www.diagnosisdiet.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgiaedemdhttps://www.facebook.com/GeorgiaEdeMd/https://www.instagram.com/georgiaedemd/?hl=enResources Mentioned:Treatment Resistant Depression SeriesPart 1: https://youtu.be/q7jg6wlD6gYPart 2: https://youtu.be/ay4RjudumHwPart 3: https://youtu.be/nGTx-i42yFEMetabolic Psychiatry for Non-Prescribershttps://ally-academy-nw.ce-go.com/metabolic-psychiatry-for-non-prescribers-23-07-2025-503Keto Mojo Macronutrient Calculatorhttps://keto-mojo.com/mymojomacros-keto-macro-calculator/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

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.👉&nbsp;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&amp;utm_source=youtube&amp;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 <a href="https://metabolicmind.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

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...

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<a...

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&amp;utm_source=youtube&amp;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...