I usually don't write comments... But I saw myself in Ben and I can totally relate to the topic. I've had a very similar story. Then started with keto, saw some improvements, but maybe 30%. Went a step further and gone to carnivore... And oh my god. That is something totally different. Best decision in my life. I am a new person. I am still "struggling" on how to "handle" myself as I am so different than before that I need some time to get used to the "new me". Carnivore gave me my life back.

44 years ago, when I graduated in medicine, we were taught that depression came in various mixes of melancholic (biological) and psychgenic contributions. Each person had their own contributing factors. So good to have this validated and the hope of being to identify who will respond to what therapy

HIs experience was like an exact replica to mine in the beginning. The prior year (pre Jan 2022) I had a worsening downslide of depression and mental health issues. Some people online had anecdotes of improved clarity of mind on keto, so I thought why not. I had tried so many other things with limited success (exercise, nootropics, supplements, whole food diet, etc.). 10 days into keto (definitely an increase in depressive symptoms during that period, which I knew was possible) my brain just wakes up and fog finally clears. I finally had happiness, energy, clarity of mind, and hope that I had finally fixed the root cause of the problem. Like Ben I was able to then tap further into exercise to keep the flywheel going since exercise had always been an important pillar of health. Luckily I don't have the acute slip into depression when eating too many carbs like Ben does, but I need to keep clear of any high amounts of sugar due to cravings and overeating. Additionally I knew nothing of metabolic psychiatry before starting, it was just something that was worth trying. This makes me think it's not really some sort of placebo effect. Additionally I was already at a healthy weight and haven't really lost any weight on keto for the most part. Afterwards I went on a journey to figure out "WTF happened?", and that is when I stumped across this emerging field of metabolic psychiatry and metabolic health in general. Thanks again so much for all your guys work, and thanks Dr. Scher for all your podcasts, videos, and other tools that were instrumental for lots of success stories. APOE 4/4 here as well for what it's worth and stumbled upon similar birds of a feather like Dr. Nick Norwitz in my searches for truth about how all these metabolic pieces fit together. Wish I had done a lot more baseline bloodwork and other health reports beforehand to see where I was at prior to my keto journey, but oh well. I'm just glad I found a powerful tool to help myself and others.

Thank you for this interview. I lost both of my parents to suicide so I know that there is a strong possibility that I share the genetics for depression. I’m happy to hear that there is research being done to help people in the future. I know that the low carbohydrate diet has really helped me. Thanks again for sharing this message.

This makes so much sense to me. I was on antidepressants for 18 years. I got off of them when I realized that my emotions were flat and my creativity had fled. Most importantly, it never helped with the biggest driver of my mental health issues, mainly food insecurity. The poor diet only exacerbated my issues. I am grateful for all that I learned from Diet Doctor that helped me uncover the nutritional roots of my mental health issues and helped me find a good way to eat that improved my mental and physical health.

This moves the debate about carbs and depression from anecdotal to real.

Great for you, Ben! I have schizophrenia and I am reading Dr. Chris Palmer’s book. I just talked to my psychiatrist about making the switch to a keto diet. Thanks for the inspiring conversation!

Thank you so much for sharing another amazing testimonial, Dr. Scher. Ben, you're amazing to share your story! I was totally intrigued to listen to this, especially when I read in the show notes about your position as the Director of Stanford's Healthcare Innovation Lab. I live an hour south of Stanford, in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and I've used a well-formulated vegan ketogenic diet for bipolar one triggered postpartum. Incorporating ketogenic therapy into my life (in tandem with meds) has been an incredible, wonderful experience. (In the Bipolarcast podcast #23, you can learn about my experience.) I wish you both the absolute best, and have a wonderful holiday! Dyane

Wow thank you so much for sharing your story. It sounds so much like my own dealing with bipolar disorder and discovering what keto/ketosis has been able to do. Hearing about your journey and seeing the similarities with mine is truly reassuring.

Wow! What an incredible episode. I need to listen again and take notes. As I was listening to this episode, while working in the kitchen, I began to feel weak, sweaty, & dizzy. I thought surely my blood sugar was low, but it was 135…which is high for me, about 40% so. I can only attribute it to some ice cream I ate last night, more than 12 hrs ago! One day, maybe today, I will realize it’s not worth it, now and in the long run. Thanks again for such helpful content!

This interview is going to change lives. My mental health transformation on keto then carnivore was miraculous. It’s awesome to hear Ben’s perspective as a health professional and a recovering carb addict. His excellent description of his journey is truly inspiring and hopeful. THANK YOU, Dr. Sher!!!❤🎉

This was a brilliant brilliant interview. Ben is a charismatic speaker and his journey was extremely engaging. And he is not just a "common man" narrating how his keto journey turned around his life but is qualified enough to discuss the inner working of what happens inside the body as well as smart enough to see the "big picture" in how it will help humanity. Now if only the AMA and their ilk would get out of the way 😊

This is great and yes I’ve spent 30 yrs searching for relief. Thank you❤ My son is 19 and has trouble remembering this and it makes him so mad

Thanks Ben for sharing this amazing story. So many things get better. I loved your story about your wife's thoughts on whether or not you should eat carbs again. Awesome. Michael

I know what it's like to be very discouraged from being a hemophiliac and also being addicted to carbs and not even know it. Physical limitations and employment almost out of the picture. Constant brain fog and attention span issues. Honestly the list can go on . However being carb free and sugar free has allowed me to experience the way all types of food effects the brain. With keto I am free of being over weight. Ketosis is very powerful. No drugs like it. It just simply has cleared my thinking process and has allowed me to focus free of fear.

I’m so INTERESTED in this…THANK YOU!!! How can I speak about my journey? 🤞

It’s just over three years now when I actively planned to end it all. My Service Dog Raider provided me with the example that, like him, there are many ready to welcome me home. Through research, I realized prescription drugs were part of my problem and a ketogenic lifestyle could be the answer. I’ve lost nearly 50 lbs, off all prescription medications and my desire to 0:03 give into my suicidal ideation nearly nonexistent. I am better equipped now to live a long, healthy and fulfilling life.

Thank you for sharing your story!

This! This has been my experience!

I appreciate this discussion very much. This is my story too, only mine was directly correlated to my monthly cycle (PMDD). I spent decades in turmoil, but I am eternally grateful for this WOE!!

I'm absolutely biogenic depression and hope buproprion will help. Literally i feel how the lights in my brai don't light up, how relevant neurons for enjoyment somehow are missing. I really hope it can give me an aid. Already on keto and stuff but it ain't enough. (Yet?)

Thank you so much for sharing this interview with us .

Thank you for the video

Very inspiring, thank you truly

Thank you Ben for sharing :)

Thank you so much for this

Thank you! Ben, when you talked about not being able to plan the future... and now being able to take trips and without worrying about how you'd manage, that resonated with me. I'm struggling from benzo withdrawal (year five... ahhh) and I started the ketogenic diet a month ago. I'm starting to believe I have a future that includes traveling without fear of complete, acute suffering far from home. I'm really hopeful I can biohack my way back to a healthy brain like you have. Your story gives me hope. Thank you, Metabolic Mind, for your work! I'm feeling better! I've got a long way to go, but I'm believing this will continue to help me.

Inspirational interview thanks

Great content. 2 bones to pick: 1) I;m exhausted by the number of times the guest said "like" ( 206! times from the halfway mark!!!!) , very distracting. 2 )at 37:10 he refers to "normal" kids, I'd argue we ARE "normal" it's the SAD that is wrong and causing so many problems for so many of us, just as it did for the guest

This interview answered a question I had about whether other people could feel an impact the next day after eating carbs. I was on keto for a year and half and felt it cured my depression. It was exactly what Ben describes. Completely life changing. My energy level was through the roof and I felt like I could stay on keto for life. I then started having some breakthrough depression. it's possible that I wasn't being as strict as I thought. Then my cholesterol went up over 400 and I felt that I had to change my diet. I'm researching now on whether I can go back on it.

What a beautiful discussion!

Thank you, Ben, for such an impactful personal testimonial, and for your powerful vision of a future with drastically reduced suffering as a result of metabolic interventions paired with precision medicine. So encouraging!

Bret, just gotta say: You're doing a fantastic job man, great interviewer! And what a wonderful story. I see so much of myself in Ben.

The change of diet, and mindfulness helped a lot, a mindfulness book called 30 Days to Reduce Depression by Harper Daniels I find to be very useful.

Thank you both, Ben I totally connect with your life experiences. This conversation has been very helpful. Now I have to understand how to get myself into ketosis? What do I eat???

This resonates so much!!! I suffered from major depression since I was a teenager. I found myself pregnant at 40. Became sober and tried an SSRI. Along with a great therapist this has helped A LOT. But I still get depressed. It's so frustrating. I feel like I am doing all the right things and as a single mom I cannot afford being depressed. I've been coming across this information for the last 3 weeks. My one concern is would this react badly to Hashimoto? And is it long-term?

Why is it that some people can eat carbs and unhealthy snacks all day and never feel depressed or anxious?

Does Ben have his own channel?

What was he eating before the kero?

I'm 59. I was diagnosed/labeled with depression at the age of 13. I tried to Ketogenic diet for quite sometime a few years ago. Three things happened: 1) When in ketosis, I DID feel a certain kind of "brain energy" 2) I got fat 3) It did nothing to alleviate depression.

How do we learn how to get into and stay in ketosis - I have the ketone breathe meter and I can’t get above 3

What about dopamine going below baseline line from carb responses. And that might be cause of low energy and mood. Anna Lempke Dopamine Nation book. Pain pleasure balance

Dr. Kelly Brogan. Your welcome.

I appreciate the aspect that bio-genics are helpful. But we can't limit ourselves into believing only one thing is going to cure mood disorders. Therapy and energetic modalities blended with nutrition is a better approach to addressing mood disorders.

What is the genotype he mentions? Was it EPO4?

❤

Im a 46 year old obese black grandmother raising my grandkids alone. Ive been so depressed I've hoped and prayed someone would murder me and have purposely put myself in harns way. Ive hated being alive since early childhood due to childhood trauma, adult trauma, and genes. Started Keto last Friday and finally feeling ok, plus am down 9 pounds. I can describe my depression as feeling like the walking dead, and I've dreadfully wanted so badly to be dead. Ive tried so many meds including adderall and ritalin and med combos and none helped much except for with my Insomnia mainly. Its only been 6 days and hopefully its not just my imagination, but i dont feel like I'm m half dead, I have more energy, and am starting to feel like I can possibly beat depression soon. Im not happy to live necessarily, but im not feeling every moment like i wish someone would put me out my misery. I'm doing keto, intermittent fasting, and drinking black coffee 2 x day. I pray everone here has some relief from their suffering!!

Not having any family makes things much more difficult... Not having even a friend to share the real feelings, is a horror movie...

Fasting Insulin testing is the key here - I'm involved in development of an easy & quick home test for this if anyone is interested

Mmmm, pumpkin pie.

Transplanting new, healthier mitochondria without mutations, then we work to reproduce them

Am i the only one who struggles with sleep on carnivore / keto ?

You know