Episode Details

Is there evidence that the ketogenic diet can cure schizophrenia?

Recent comments from HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sparked headlines…and controversy. While “cure” isn’t the right word, the conversation has brought much-needed attention to an emerging field: metabolic psychiatry.

In this video, Dr. Bret Scher breaks down what the science actually shows about ketogenic metabolic therapy as a potential adjunctive treatment for serious mental illness, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder.

You’ll learn about:

1. What nutritional ketosis is and why brain energy matters for serious mental illness
2. How psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder involve underlying metabolic dysfunction
3. Early evidence on ketogenic therapy for serious mental illness from Stanford, Edinburgh, and The Ohio State University
4. How consistent lived experiences aligned with emerging clinical data warrant serious scientific exploration
5. What new research is on the way

Ketogenic therapy is emerging as a serious metabolic strategy that may expand how we think about treating complex psychiatric conditions. We are now faced with the opportunity to study it rigorously, apply it thoughtfully, and ensure patients have access to every tool that could help.

💡Learn more about the ongoing research in metabolic psychology on our Clinical Trials page: https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/science/clinical-trials/

🏛Check out our condition specific topic pages to see our best resources on keto for serious mental illnesses:

1. Keto for Schizophrenia: https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/topics/schizophrenia/
2. Keto for Bipolar Disorder: https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/topics/bipolar/
3. Keto for Depression: https://www.metabolicmind.org/resources/topics/keto-for-depression/

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

#MetabolicMind #KetogenicTherapy #Schizophrenia

Expert Featured:

1. Dr. Bret Scher
2. Baszucki Group Medical Director
3. https://x.com/bschermd

Resources Mentioned:

A pilot study examining a ketogenic diet as an adjunct therapy in college students with major depressive disorder