College can be one of the most exciting times of your life, but it can also put enormous pressure on a brain that's still developing.
Psychiatrist Dr. Georgia Ede spent 12 years working as an on-campus psychiatrist at Harvard University and Smith College. In this video, she explains why college can be such a vulnerable time for mental health and how sleep, nutrition, alcohol, smoking, vaping, and other everyday habits may affect brain metabolism and resilience.
Dr. Ede explores the role of oxidative stress, why blood sugar and insulin matter for the brain, and how metabolic health can influence mood, concentration, memory, and the ability to cope with stress.
She shares practical strategies students can use on campus, including:
- Choosing whole foods and reducing refined carbohydrates
- Making better dining hall and snack choices
- Prioritizing sleep and regular exercise
- Limiting alcohol, smoking, and vaping
- Using a continuous glucose monitor to better understand individual responses to carbohydrates
- When a very low-carbohydrate or ketogenic diet may be worth exploring for mental health concerns
- Why reaching out for professional support is essential when college starts to feel overwhelming
Any dietary changes, especially ketogenic therapy, should be explored with a qualified clinician. This is particularly important for students taking psychiatric medications or anyone with a history of eating disorders or disordered eating.
Taken together, these ideas show how metabolic health may support learning and relationships while students manage the everyday pressures of campus life.
👉 Looking for more back-to-school mental health resources for college students? Explore our Back to School blog for stories, science, and practical support for navigating campus life with mental health in mind: metabolicmind.org/resources/library/blog/stories/back-to-school-metabolic-mental-health-guide/
#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #BackToSchool
Expert:
Dr. Georgia Ede, MD- Author, Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind
Free CME Clinician Trainings:
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Follow 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 metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.
Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.
