Metabolic Psychiatry: Healing the Brain

Metabolic Psychiatry: Healing the Brain

Author: Functional Forum February 2, 2026 Duration: 35:56

In this episode of The Evolution of Medicine podcast, host James Maskell speaks with Dr. Matthew Bernstein about the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry. They explore how addressing metabolic health—particularly through ketogenic diets—can treat and, in some cases, reverse serious mental health conditions that conventional psychiatric medications often fail to resolve.

Through personal stories, clinical insights, and a forward-looking discussion on research and policy, the episode challenges the long-standing "chemical imbalance" narrative and reframes mental illness as a systemic, energy-based disorder rooted in metabolic dysfunction.

 

James Maskell interviews Dr. Matthew Bernstein on metabolic psychiatry, ketogenic diets, and the future of mental health care, exploring how metabolic health can reverse depression, bipolar disorder, and psychosis on The Evolution of Medicine Podcast.

 

Dr. Matthew Bernstein is a psychiatrist and pioneer in metabolic psychiatry. After a family health crisis involving his sons' diagnosis of PANS (Pediatric Acute Neuropsychiatric Syndrome), he shifted away from medication-centric psychiatry toward addressing root causes such as metabolic dysfunction, inflammation, and immune dysregulation. He is the founder of Accord, an immersive metabolic health program near Boston.

 

Website: https://www.jamesmaskell.com/ 

X: https://x.com/mrjamesmaskell 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjamesmaskell 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamesedwardmaskell/ 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmaskell

 

Thank you for listening.

Please subscribe and share.

This podcast is produced by DrTalks.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/


Hosted by the Functional Forum, Evolution of Medicine Podcast sits at the intersection of health, fitness, and alternative approaches to well-being. It’s a space for conversations that go beyond conventional treatment, exploring the ideas and practitioners actively reshaping how we think about care. Each episode features in-depth discussions with clinicians, researchers, and thought leaders who are redefining the patient journey. You’ll hear practical insights into functional medicine, preventative strategies, and the nuanced connections between lifestyle, nutrition, and long-term health. This podcast digs into the real-world application of these evolving principles, offering listeners a forward-looking perspective on what it means to truly support the body's innate capacity for healing. Tune in for a thoughtful exploration of the systems, science, and stories driving this shift, providing a valuable resource for both healthcare professionals and anyone invested in taking a more active role in their own wellness. The dialogue here is dedicated to understanding the full spectrum of what modern medicine can become.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Evolution of Medicine Podcast
Podcast Episodes
IFM AIC Recap - What You Missed [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:24
What if chronic disease isn't a single problem—but a breakdown across multiple biological networks? In this live Evolution of Medicine Podcast episode from the IFM conference, James Maskell speaks with Dr. Kristine Burke…
Functional Forum Live from San Francisco [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:39
What if chronic disease, cognitive decline, and even trauma were not fixed conditions—but modifiable biological states? In this Functional Forum episode, James Maskell and Matt Wiggins bring together leading clinicians a…
Your Voice Builds Trust: How Doctors Win Patients Through Podcasting [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:43
What if the fastest way to grow your medical practice isn't advertising—but conversation? In this episode of The Evolution of Medicine, James Maskell speaks with Bret Gregory, founder of DrTalks, about how podcasting is…
Resonance: The Art and Science of Human Connection [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:59
What if health is shaped less by individual optimization—and more by our relationships? In this episode of The Evolution of Medicine, James Maskell speaks with Michael Trainer, author of Resonance, about how relationship…
Parsley Health: Now In Network Across 150m Lives [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:31
What does it take to bring functional medicine into mainstream insurance systems? In this episode of The Evolution of Medicine, James Maskell speaks with Dr. Robin Berzin about Parsley Health's landmark achievement: beco…
Growbaby: Reducing Preterm Birth with Precision Nutrition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:57
What if the future of maternal healthcare began before conception? In this episode of The Evolution of Medicine , James Maskell and Emily Rydbom explore how nutrition, systems biology, and integrated care models are tran…
Psychedelic Therapy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:06
What does the future of psychiatry look like when psychedelics, functional medicine, and trauma therapy converge? In this episode of The Evolution of Medicine, James Maskell and Will Van Derveer, MD explore how psychedel…
A New Lever for Brain Health: Reversing Alzheimers 2.0 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:30
What if cannabis could support brain health and cognitive function? In this episode of The Evolution of Medicine, James Maskell and Dr. Bonni Goldstein explore how medical cannabis interacts with the endocannabinoid syst…
Reversing Alzheimers 2.0 Summit Preview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:59
What if cognitive decline and Alzheimer's could be reversed? In this episode of The Evolution of Medicine , James Maskell and Dr. Kristine Burke discuss the 2026 summit's advances in precision medicine and team-based app…
My Bevan Commission Presentation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:51
In this solo episode, I'm diving into a concept that's been coming up again and again—in my work, in the data, and in conversations with practitioners around the world: network insufficiency. Put simply, when connections…