Metabolic Mind

?? “If you don’t tell the world what is possible, how are people to be hopeful?” — Dr. David Unwin For many clinicians, type 2 diabetes is still viewed as a chronic, progressive condition. Dr. David Unwin is challenging that narrative and has now documented over 150 cases of drug-free remission using a low-carbohydrate dietary approach. His success is not just clinical—it's a call to action. Dr. Unwin emphasizes the *power of real-world data*. By carefully auditing and publishing outcomes, he’s helped shift national guidelines and inspired global change. Now he’s urging fellow clinicians: ? Track your outcomes ? Audit your data ? Publish your results Real-world evidence has the power to challenge outdated paradigms and elevate patient care across disciplines—including psychiatry, endocrinology, and primary care. ?? Watch the full interview with Dr. Bret Scher here: https://lnkd.in/gwKG-ZxF

Could a ketogenic therapy change the way we approach PTSD care? Emerging research suggests that PTSD is deeply connected to metabolic dysfunction, including impaired glucose metabolism, neurotransmitter imbalances, and inflammation. This opens the door to metabolic treatment approaches including ketogenic therapy. A new feasibility study led by Maria Gabriela Persdotter Edwards explores whether a ketogenic diet could help address PTSD’s underlying metabolic issues. While this study focused on feasibility rather than efficacy, the results are compelling: participants saw improvements in PTSD severity and quality of life measures. ?? Given the urgent need for better care, exploring metabolic psychiatry is not just innovative–it’s imperative. ?? Read more about this groundbreaking research and what it could mean for the future of PTSD treatment: https://lnkd.in/gfzBvAJj #PTSD #MentalHealth

Join us LIVE for an exclusive Q&A with Nicole Laurent, LMHC, as she breaks down the therapist’s role in metabolic psychiatry. ?? From assembling a care team to navigating professional disagreements, Nicole will answer patients’ biggest questions: ?? Do I need a nutrition coach? ?? What if my doctor disagrees with my plan? ?? Are there psychiatrists who coach ketogenic therapy? If you’re a psychotherapy professional looking to understand where you fit into this growing field, you won’t want to miss this. ?? March 28 ? 9 AM PT ?? Instagram Live: https://lnkd.in/gADvTny5 Have questions? Drop them in the comments, and we’ll answer as many as we can LIVE!

"Matthew Walker, PhD explains that each night, we enter a state of temporary psychosis—hallucinations, delusions, time distortion. We call it dreaming. This altered state isn’t a glitch but a natural function of the human mind This shifted my perspective: Psychosis isn’t an anomaly—it’s an inherent part of the human condition. With metabolic healing and lasting stability, I no longer fear my past #bipolar I psychotic episodes. Instead, I find the silver lining, uncovering new meaning as I integrate and appreciate the hidden wisdom buried within these altered states." —Hannah Warren

Matt Baszucki spent years battling the extreme manic highs of bipolar disorder—enduring four hospitalizations, weeks roaming the streets, and a life dictated by medications and crisis psychiatric care. Despite seeing dozens of doctors and trying multiple psychiatric treatments, stability remained out of reach. Everything changed when he discovered the ketogenic diet and other metabolic therapies. By focusing on ketogenic therapy, sleep, exercise, and other lifestyle strategies, Matt found a path to recovery that traditional treatments alone did not provide. Matt has worked hard to slowly, carefully continue tapering off his medications and no longer experiences debilitating unwanted effects. Now, with a stable mood, a full-time job, and a fulfilling life, Matt reflects on what he wishes he had known sooner about the connection between metabolism and mental health. Want to hear from other individuals like Matt who are improving their mental health and achieving long-term wellness using ketogenic and metabolic strategies? Explore THINK+SMART, a free, community-inspired framework that helps individuals employ metabolic therapies to improve mental health ?? https://lnkd.in/gD_aATxN.

Laura Delano spent years as a professional patient, following every treatment protocol, taking multiple medications, and doing everything "right" only to watch her quality of life deteriorate. Eventually, Laura took back control. After receiving permission to taper too fast from psychiatric professionals, she suffered terrible withdrawal symptoms. But she stayed the course. Now, she’s helping others approach tapering with much safer protocols. Through her nonprofit, Inner Compass Initiative, and her consulting work, Laura empowers people with the information they need to make informed choices about psychiatric medications and appropriate de-prescription. A new frontier for those interested in tapering off meds could be ketogenic therapy, which has helped many achieve a foundation of metabolic brain health that supports reducing or even eliminating psychiatric medications. Especially for those with serious mental illnesses, metabolic therapies may ease both unwanted and withdrawal effects. This week’s Metabolic Mind podcast is a powerful exploration of the complexities of psychiatric treatment, the role of medication, and the path to reclaiming agency over one's own health. Check out the full interview here: Youtube: https://lnkd.in/g_jAnnVB Apple Podcast: https://lnkd.in/gBXxgd3v Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gjXafFKw To hear more about Laura’s story, grab a copy of her new book: Unshrunk: A Story of Psychiatric Treatment Resistance available today, March 18th! ?? https://lnkd.in/gXN_DjXm

?? What is THINK? THINK (Therapeutic Integration of Nutritional Ketosis) is a medically supervised approach using low carbohydrate ketogenic dietary strategies designed to reduce or eliminate symptoms of psychiatric illness and other chronic diseases. Psychiatric illnesses such as #bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and major depression are increasingly being recognized as metabolic disorders involving insulin resistance, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammation. THINK leverages ketosis to target this aspect of #metabolichealth and prevent, reduce, or eliminate symptoms of psychiatric illness. A well-designed THINK protocol typically includes: ?? Clinical oversight and a plan for monitoring and adjusting prescription medications ?? Target minimum duration for ketogenic therapy ?? Lab work you will use to measure your metabolic function, nutritional status, and medication levels ?? Nutritional supplements you will take, as needed ?? Specific foods you will or won’t eat ?? Target macronutrient ratio ?? Time-restricted feeding/fasting pattern ?? Target ketone level (in mmol/L - millimoles per liter) ?? Ketone measurement tool(s) ?? Set frequency and time of day for measuring ketones Metabolic therapies like THINK are changing lives. Just ask Lauren Kennedy West, who found more profound relief from metabolic therapy than from medications alone. Learn more about THINK and its integration into clinical practice: https://lnkd.in/gzqfDXRn

We often hear that a ketogenic diet is too hard and that those living with serious mental illnesses can’t stick with it. However, research suggests it is not only feasible but also potentially transformative. Stanford University's pilot trial published last year looking at ketogenic therapy for bipolar and schizophrenia demonstrated: ? 96% of participants achieved ketosis. ? 79% saw clinically meaningful psychiatric improvements. ? 100% eliminated metabolic syndrome. Read the study: https://lnkd.in/gfuRdDcb Now, the first European pilot study on ketogenic therapy for bipolar disorder builds on this foundation: ? 91% of ketone readings throughout the duration of the study were positive for ketosis. ? Ketones were correlated with improved mood, energy levels, speed of thought, impulsivity, and anxiety. ? Participants remained free of bipolar cycling for the duration of the study. ? Brain imaging revealed reductions in excitatory neurotransmitters typically elevated in bipolar disorder, suggesting a potential mechanism behind a ketogenic diet’s effectiveness Read the study: https://lnkd.in/eYi9KDAq As metabolic psychiatry continues to evolve, these findings highlight the need for larger, controlled trials to further investigate the therapeutic potential of ketogenic therapy for serious mental illness.

Can ketogenic therapy help children with bipolar disorder? We are thrilled to announce that new research is now exploring this important question. ?? For decades, ketogenic therapy has been a proven treatment for epilepsy in kids, yet its potential for serious mental illness in children remains largely unexplored. Now, two groundbreaking studies (one a randomized controlled trial and the other a real-world pilot study) are shedding light on how ketogenic therapy could impact pediatric bipolar disorder. Watch the full interview with Dr. Kirk Nylen to learn about: ? The science behind using keto for brain-based disorders ? How a multi-site clinical trial is testing ketogenic therapy for pediatric bipolar disorder ? Why a pilot study is gathering real-world insights on feasibility and adherence ? How metabolic health plays a crucial role in mental illness outcomes ???Full Interview: https://lnkd.in/gTfBsxuc

Two weeks ago, we announced the publication of a new study out of the University of Edinburgh demonstrating the impact ketogenic therapy can have on individuals living with bipolar disorder. Today, we are thrilled to announce TWO new initiatives exploring this metabolic approach for youth bipolar! Read more about this exciting announcement?? and stay tuned for tomorrow’s interview with Dr. Bret Scher and Dr. Kirk Nylen, where they’ll discuss the details of these new trials! ?? https://lnkd.in/eAa2V98G