What if the key to mental health lies in how your brain makes and uses energy? In this episode of Real Food Mental Health, host Cody Cox sits down with Dr. Matt Bernstein, a board-certified psychiatrist and pioneer in metabolic psychiatry. Together, they explore how nutrition, lifestyle, and metabolic health directly influence the brain—and how these tools can transform recovery from conditions like depression, bipolar disorder, and even schizophrenia.

Dr. Bernstein shares his journey from traditional psychiatry into functional and metabolic approaches after witnessing profound changes in patients using ketogenic therapies. He explains why therapeutic ketogenic diets differ from weight-loss versions, the importance of monitoring labs and ketones, and the lifestyle factors—like exercise, sunlight, and stress management—that make the biggest difference for brain and body health.

Whether you’re a clinician, a patient, or simply curious about the connection between food, metabolism, and mental health, this conversation will leave you inspired and informed.

• How metabolic psychiatry is reshaping mental health care

• Why the brain sometimes “starves” for energy despite normal blood sugar

• The differences between therapeutic ketogenic diets and popular “keto-friendly” foods

• Key lifestyle practices—like exercise, sunlight, and mind-body work—that amplify metabolic brain health

• How gut health, supplements, and lab testing tie into psychiatric outcomes

• The role of insulin resistance in both physical and mental illness

• Practical tips for finding the right clinician trained in metabolic therapies

• Books:

  • Brain Energy by Dr. Christopher Palmer

  • Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind by Dr. Georgia Ede

  • Good Energy by Dr. Casey Means

• Technology tools:

  • Blood ketone meters (Keto-Mojo)

  • Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) Click here for the Lingo by Abbott and use discount code ABNTP-Hnv03 for 10% off.

• Dr. Bernstein’s program: Akkord MH

Dr. Matt Bernstein is a psychiatrist with 25 years of experience helping individuals achieve recovery and mental wellness. After serving in leadership roles at Massachusetts General Hospital/McLean, he turned his focus to metabolic psychiatry. He now serves as Chief Medical Officer at Ellenhorn and runs a pioneering residential program integrating ketogenic therapy and lifestyle interventions. Dr. Bernstein also co-leads research, advises nonprofit boards, and is a leading advocate for metabolic health in mental health care.

• LinkedIn: Matt Bernstein, MD

• Program Website: accordmh.com

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Keywords:

Metabolic psychiatry

Metabolic psychotherapy

nutritional psychiatry

nutritional psychotherapy

nutrition and mental health

ketogenic therapy

metabolism

brain energy

natural ways to overcome mental illness

depression

anxiety

bipolar

epilepsy