10+ hours of podcasts, in 5 minutes.
8 quotes from 1 episode on Huberman Lab, each with a timestamped link to the source.
Metabolic interventions alter brain chemistry by changing mitochondrial function, according to Chris Palmer. The ketogenic diet regulates levels of serotonin and dopamine and eliminates seizures for 1/3 of treatment-resistant patients.
Physicians created the ketogenic diet in 1921 for the sole purpose of treating epilepsy.
“The ketogenic diet, unbeknownst to most people, was actually developed 100 years ago, 1921, by a physician for one and only one purpose, to treat epilepsy.”
Mitochondria contain the specific enzymes required to synthesize steroid hormones like cortisol.
“In terms of their role in cortisol, we know that mitochondria actually have the enzyme required for the synthesis of steroid hormones…”
Understanding the science of mitochondria connects the various pieces of the mental illness puzzle.
“I believe once you understand the science of mitochondria, you can actually connect all of the dots of the mental illness puzzle.”
Early trials of the ketogenic diet stopped seizures completely for 50% of epilepsy patients. In the 1970s, Johns Hopkins applied the diet to treatment-resistant cases and eliminated seizures for 1/3 of them.
“Early results were extraordinarily positive. 50% of patients who used the ketogenic diet became seizure-free and another 35% had a 50% or greater reduction in their seizure frequency. So about 85% efficacy rate.”
“And so, in the 1970s, the ketogenic diet was resurrected at Johns Hopkins for these treatment-resistant cases, and lo and behold, it works. Not for all of them, but it works, and about 1/3 become seizure-free.”
The ketogenic diet changes brain chemistry by rebalancing glutamate and GABA. The metabolic shift also regulates the calcium levels required for proper cellular activity.
“We know that the ketogenic diet is influencing neurotransmitter levels, in particular, glutamate, GABA, adenosine. It changes calcium channel regulation, and calcium levels, which is really important in the function of cells.”
Cellular mitochondria actively produce and release serotonin, dopamine, and acetylcholine for synaptic transmission.
“Mitochondria play a direct role in the production and release and regulation of some really key neurotransmitters, including serotonin, dopamine, glutamate, acetylcholine…”
“If you think of the cell as a computer, a lot of people think of mitochondria as the power cord to that computer, cuz they're providing the power…”
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