This Molecule Might Be the Key to Beating Addiction

Can adenosine and a ketogenic diet help treat addiction? New research explores the powerful role of adenosine, dopamine, and metabolic health in addiction, and how dietary strategies could support recovery.

In this interview, Dr. Bret Scher speaks with Dr. Susan Masino, a neuroscience and psychology professor at Trinity College, about her groundbreaking work on adenosine and its potential to regulate addiction through metabolic pathways. They dive into:

The dopamine-addiction connection
The role of adenosine in addiction and how it balances dopamine activity
The role of ketogenic diets in boosting adenosine
Other mechanisms supporting keto for treating addiction
Why food, sugar, and even phone addiction may share common roots
How metabolic therapies could support recovery from addiction, depression, and more

Dr. Masino also shares insights on how habits, stress, inflammation, and neuroplasticity all intersect with metabolic health—and what that means for mental health and addiction treatment going forward.

Expert Featured:
Dr. Susan Masino
https://internet3.trincoll.edu/facpro...

Resources Mentioned:
Ketogenic diet, adenosine, and dopamine in addiction and psychiatry
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/...

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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.

Timestamps:
0:00 - Can diet help treat addiction?
1:13 - Meet Dr. Susan Masino
2:00 - What is dopamine?
3:41 - What is adenosine?
7:10 - The relationship between dopamine and adenosine
8:52 - Adenosine and addiction
10:13 - The connection between ketosis and adenosine
13:36 - Where does research stand on adenosine and addiction?
16:53 - What about alternative addictions (food, social media, etc.)?
18:37 - Treating addiction AND mental illness together
20:58 - Inflammation’s role
22:52 - Adenosine, ketosis, and (good?) stress
26:16 - How can we advance these adenosine studies?
28:50 - Learn more about Dr. Masino