BITESIZE: Dr. Georgia Ede’s Guide to Better Mental Health in College

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 carbohydratesMaking better dining hall and snack choicesPrioritizing sleep and regular exerciseLimiting alcohol, smoking, and vapingUsing a continuous glucose monitor to better understand individual responses to carbohydratesWhen a very low-carbohydrate or ketogenic diet may be worth exploring for mental health concernsWhy 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

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