Dr. Georgia Ede on ADHD, Brain Metabolism, and Ketogenic Therapy

ADHD is often described as a problem with attention or hyperactivity, but psychiatrist Dr. Georgia Ede argues that the condition is much more complex, involving executive function, dopamine regulation, and potentially brain energy metabolism.

In this episode of Metabolic Mind, Dr. Bret Scher and Dr. Georgia Ede take a deeper look at ADHD, from how it is diagnosed and treated to emerging research on nutrition and glucose metabolism, including questions about ketogenic therapy

Dr. Ede draws on years of experience treating ADHD, including her time at Harvard University, Smith College, and the Hallowell Center. She explains why some people living with ADHD can focus intensely on things that interest them while struggling with everyday tasks, why stimulants can be so effective for some people, and where lifestyle strategies may fit alongside conventional care.

They cover:

• What ADHD actually is and why the name can be misleading
• How inattentive and hyperactive symptoms can look very different
• Why ADHD can affect work, relationships, self-esteem, and quality of life
• How stimulant and non-stimulant medications work
• What older studies found when children living with ADHD followed simplified whole-food diets
• Evidence of altered brain glucose metabolism in ADHD
• Why researchers are exploring possible links between ADHD and metabolic health, including research on mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammation
• What Dr. Ede has observed clinically with whole-food and ketogenic approaches
• How ketogenic therapy may interact with stimulant medications
• Why there is no established ketone level for ADHD
• The first randomized controlled trial now underway at Oxford studying ketogenic therapy in adults living with ADHD and depression

The clinical evidence for ketogenic therapy in ADHD is still early, and Dr. Ede emphasizes that we do not yet know how effective it will be or who is most likely to benefit. But with research now underway, the metabolic side of ADHD is becoming an important area to watch.

Anyone considering dietary or medication changes should discuss them with their healthcare provider. Medication adjustments require supervision from a prescribing clinician.

👉 Interested in learning more about the potential connection between ADHD and metabolic health? Check out our blog: https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/library/blog/stories/ketogenic-therapy-for-adhd/

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

#ADHD #KetogenicTherapy #MetabolicPsychiatry

Expert Featured:

Dr. Georgia Ede, MD- Author, Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgiaedemd/
• https://x.com/GeorgiaEdeMD
• https://www.instagram.com/georgiaedemd/

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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.