Metabolic Approaches to Mental Illness: The Role of Ketogenic Therapies in the Treatment of Severe Mental Illness (Main)
Severe mental illnesses such as depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia have traditionally been understood through the lenses of neurotransmitters, psychology, and social stressors. Increasingly, however, research is revealing that metabolism—how the body and brain generate and use energy—plays a fundamental role in brain function and mental health.
This talk will explore the growing science linking metabolic dysfunction to psychiatric illness and introduce ketogenic therapies as a promising, evidence-informed approach for individuals with serious mental illness.
Drawing from clinical research and real-world experience, the presentation will examine how ketogenic interventions may influence brain energy metabolism, inflammation, and neural signaling—and how, for some people, these changes can reduce symptoms and even lead to remission and recovery for people with treatment-resistant SMI.
The goal of this talk is to provide education, context, and hope, while emphasizing that ketogenic therapies should be approached thoughtfully, safely, and in collaboration with qualified healthcare professionals.