About this episode
Do SSRIs help your brain?SSRI medications are among the most widely prescribed antidepressants, but what if we’ve misunderstood how they work? In this interview, Dr. Bret Scher sits down with biochemist and nutrition scientist Dr. Chris Masterjohn to explore a deeper, more systemic view of mental health and how we treat it.Dr. Masterjohn reveals why serotonin isn’t just a “mood booster,” how SSRIs may be disrupting mitochondrial function, and why focusing on lifestyle strategies that support brain energy metabolism could unlock new paths for treating depression.🔍 What you’ll learn:Chris’s personal journey from veganism to carnivoreThe importance of testing for nutrient deficienciesHow mitochondria influence mood and cognitionWhy SSRIs may disrupt brain energy metabolismThe truth about serotonin and morning sunlightWhy exercise & nutrition often outperform medicationWhat SSRIs really do (and what they don’t)If you've ever questioned the serotonin theory of depression, or sensed there’s more to the story than what mainstream medicine tells us, this conversation fills in some of the missing pieces.🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.👉 Subscribe to Metabolic Mind for more interviews, research, and updates in the field of metabolic psychiatry.Expert Featured:Dr. Chris Masterjohnhttps://www.chrismasterjohn-phd.com/https://substack.com/@chrismasterjohnphdhttps://x.com/ChrisMasterjohnhttps://www.facebook.com/chrismasterjohn/