What If Depression Is Actually a Brain Energy Problem? | Drew Decker

What if depression is partly a metabolic problem?In this episode, Ben sits down with researcher Drew Decker from Dr. Jeff Volek’s lab to explore groundbreaking new research on the ketogenic diet and mental health.Drew shares the results of a pilot study investigating the effects of nutritional ketosis on individuals suffering from major depressive disorder — with participants seeing an average 70% improvement in depression scores.The conversation dives into:* The connection between metabolism and mental health* Why ketones may act as an alternative fuel source for the brain* Brain energy, mitochondrial health & BDNF* Why ketogenic diets may improve mood, cognition & resilience* The feasibility of keto in real-world college students* The role of ketosis in anxiety, depression & PTSD research* Exogenous ketones vs nutritional ketosis* Why metabolic psychiatry could transform mental health treatmentDrew also shares his personal story of overcoming migraines and mental health struggles following a traumatic brain injury — and how ketogenic nutrition changed the trajectory of his life and career.This is a fascinating conversation at the intersection of neuroscience, nutrition, and mental health.If you enjoyed the episode, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who might benefit from the conversation.Follow Drew:Instagram: @drew_d_deckerVolek Lab: lowcarb.osu.eduTimestamps:00:00 Introduction01:10 Drew’s personal story & ketogenic diets03:40 The mental health crisis05:29 Brain energy & depression06:06 The study hypothesis10:58 Key study results14:25 Ketogenic diets & accessibility19:22 What defines a ketogenic diet?23:44 The future of metabolic psychiatry30:54 PTSD & future research#Keto #MentalHealth #Depression #KetogenicDiet #MetabolicPsychiatry #Nutrition #Ketosis #Neuroscience #brainhealthDisclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your diet, lifestyle, or medical treatment.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Exploring the benefits of red and infra light therapy? Our community receive 10% off via this linkWant to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTubeInstagram  @degreesofhealthDisclaimer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.