WHY I’M EXCITED ABOUT METABOLIC THERAPIES AND MENTAL HEALTH
For years now, I've been eagerly consuming YouTube content published by Lauren Kennedy West, documenting her experience of schizophrenia. Via her channel, formerly known as "Living Well with Schizophrenia”, Lauren embraced the traditional view of schizophrenia as a lifelong diagnosis, focusing on acceptance and ongoing treatment. Her candid discussions about her experiences, including hospitalisations and daily challenges, offered invaluable insights into living - and thriving - with the condition.
This all changed in 2023, when Lauren started implementing a ketogenic diet under close medical supervision and professional guidance from her ‘Keto Coach’, psychotherapist Nicole Laurent. Staggeringly, Lauren says her symptoms are now in complete remission, and she has fully tapered off anti-psychotic meds—a profound transformation she shares with a small but growing number of individuals who now believe they have entered remission from diagnoses they once considered chronic and incurable.
My interest in schizophrenia is profoundly personal and goes all the way back to childhood. I was motivated and inspired by thinkers such as the highly controversial but unarguably revolutionary R.D. Laing, Rollo May and others associated with the so-called counter-cultural "antipsychiatry movement" when I discovered them in my twenties. The teaching culture during my university studies encouraged further critical thinking regarding using medical diagnoses for mental health conditions, the murky and sometimes downright comical origins of the DSM, and of the pharmaceutical industry. One of our lecturers at post-grad, Dr. James Davies, was the author of the book ‘Cracked : Why Psychiatry is doing more harm than good’. Suffice to say, this new and unexpected development in Lauren’s life was right up my street.
Metabolic Therapies & Mental Health
Metabolic therapies, particularly the medical ketogenic diet, are gaining attention as potential interventions for mental health conditions. This approach suggests that metabolic dysfunctions may underlie various psychiatric disorders, and addressing these could offer new therapeutic options.
Traditionally used to manage epilepsy, the ketogenic diet—a very high-fat, very low-carb regimen—is now being investigated for mental health applications. Studies are suggesting it stabilises mood and reduces symptoms in certain psychiatric conditions. For instance, a small clinical trial led by Stanford Medicine found that the metabolic effects of a ketogenic diet might help stabilise brain function in individuals with severe mental illnesses.
The ketogenic diet may not be suitable for everyone, and its long-term effects on mental health are still under investigation. Individuals considering this dietary change should consult healthcare professionals to ensure it's appropriate for their specific circumstances. Nonetheless, this seems exciting.
Emerging Therapies
The field of metabolic psychiatry is also exploring various interventions beyond diet, such as pharmacological metabolic treatments, aiming to provide comprehensive strategies for mental health management. Organisations like Metabolic Mind are at the forefront, dedicated to transforming the study and treatment of mental disorders by investigating the connection between metabolism and brain health.
The intersection of metabolism and mental health is bursting with possibility—hopeful, intriguing, and full of unanswered questions. But we’re still early in the story. What works wonders for one person might fall flat for another, so it goes without saying - a cautious, evidence-based approach is key. Anyone considering metabolic therapies should walk this path alongside a professional who knows the terrain really well. If you are considering working with a ketogenic therapist, Metabolic Mind is a good place to start your search, but take things slow. Do your research and soak up as much of this exciting new information as you can. That’s what I’ll be doing.
And I should make it clear that I am not a dietician or keto coach. I’m just a fascinated by-stander with a professional and personal interest in all of this.
That said—wow, what a moment we’re in! Metabolic therapies aren’t just fringe theories; they’re fast becoming serious contenders in the conversation about mental health. As research expands, these approaches could reshape what we thought was possible for those with chronic, treatment-resistant conditions.
If your curiosity is sparked, you might enjoy this deep dive into metabolic psychiatry and its potential:
