How the Controversial Keto Diet May Enhance Mental Health

The West’s preoccupation with therapy culture and vague mental health objectives like “wellness” frequently overlook the needs of individuals facing the most severe mental health challenges.

These disorders—linked to criminal activities, persistent unemployment, and broken relationships—require immediate focus.

While expanding residential treatment and comprehensive care is critical, what if an affordable solution could supplement these efforts, helping to stabilize those at the greatest risk of harming themselves or others?

Take, for instance, the journey of Matt Baszucki. In 2016, as a freshman at the University of California, Berkeley, he began exhibiting symptoms of psychosis.

By March, he had spent two weeks in a psychiatric facility, where he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and prescribed medication. Despite various treatments, he was categorized as “treatment-resistant,” and no medication combination could maintain his stability or keep him from being hospitalized.

In search of solutions, Matt’s parents—Roblox co-founder David Baszucki and novelist Jan Ellison—sought help from Dr. Chris Palmer, a Harvard psychiatrist exploring the connection between metabolism and mental health.

Palmer, the author of “Brain Energy” and head of the Metabolic and Mental Health Program at McLean Hospital, suggested the ketogenic diet, a low-carb, high-fat diet originally utilized to manage epilepsy.

At first, Matt’s symptoms intensified on the diet, but with Palmer’s assistance, his condition slowly improved. Ultimately, his bipolar symptoms went into complete remission. Nearly three years later, Matt continues to be symptom-free and requires increasingly less medication.

“Matt’s experience is not uncommon,” Palmer shared with me via email. “Despite receiving the best possible care, he continued to struggle. [However], metabolic treatments have the potential to significantly improve the lives of many individuals.”

NPR recently reported on the increasing evidence connecting the ketogenic diet to enhanced mental health. It highlighted cases like that of Iain Campbell, a researcher in Scotland who struggled with bipolar disorder until he adopted the diet. Professionals like Dr. Georgia Ede, a psychiatrist from Massachusetts and author of “Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind,” corroborate Palmer’s assertions.

“The ketogenic diet is the most valuable therapeutic instrument I possess,” Ede stated in an email. She pointed out that the diet enhances the brain’s metabolic function, resulting in transformative outcomes for conditions ranging from ADHD and depression to psychosis and early Alzheimer’s.

Despite its potential, the notion that dietary adjustments could genuinely impact mental illness is met with skepticism. The backlash journalist Gary Taubes faced two decades ago when he questioned the low-fat diet trend of the early 2000s and instead supported high-fat diets is telling.

However, as public discussions progress, the ketogenic diet might gain wider acceptance—especially with advocates like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. promoting dietary reform as part of his “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) initiative.

While Kennedy’s stances on vaccines and autism are contentious, his MAHA project has ignited a national dialogue about the ties between diet and poor health. In a speech in August, Kennedy expressed concern over the chronic disease epidemic fueled by poor dietary choices.

By emphasizing figures like Dr. Casey Means and Calley Means, he criticized the United States food system’s dependence on sugar and processed grains, which he connected to metabolic issues and disease.

The Means siblings’ critique—popularized during an appearance on “The Tucker Carlson Show,” which became the most-shared episode of the year across all Apple Podcast platforms—aligns with fresh research indicating how metabolic dysfunction may contribute to mental health issues.

Lawmakers should seriously investigate the ketogenic diet’s possible role in addressing these concerns. While professionals like Ede underscore that the keto diet— which may elevate undesirable cholesterol levels—isn’t a sole remedy, she perceives it as a significant complement to traditional care, particularly when overseen by healthcare professionals.

“Tailored treatment plans and expert guidance are crucial for ensuring a safe and effective transition to ketosis,” Ede advises. She recommends that patients collaborate with clinicians skilled in metabolic psychiatry and ketogenic treatments.

Beyond psychosis, the ketogenic diet shows potential in addressing addictive behaviors that amplify societal problems. Ede has observed advancements in patients combating gambling, binge eating, and alcohol consumption.

A recent study even indicated that subjects undergoing alcohol withdrawal experienced fewer cravings and required less medication while on a ketogenic diet compared to the Standard American Diet (SAD).

Nonetheless, the ketogenic diet is not a cure-all for multifaceted issues like psychosis or addiction. However, proponents argue it can bolster the effectiveness of expensive treatments such as medications and inpatient care. As Kennedy emphasized, addressing chronic disease is not merely a moral responsibility—it’s also economically driven.

Chronic diseases cost the US economy $4 trillion annually, causing “a 20% burden on everything we do,” he stated. “We are harming the poor; we are systematically undermining the health of minorities across this nation.”

The ongoing mental health and addiction crises highlight the urgent need for innovative solutions. In cities like New York and Portland, heartbreaking incidents such as Ramon Rivera’s—who, afflicted by severe mental disorders, killed three people in a recent stabbing rampage—underscore the societal consequences of untreated conditions.

If experts including Palmer and Ede are correct, ketogenic diets—despite their limitations—might be crucial in stabilizing individuals facing mental health issues or addiction.

As the MAHA movement gains momentum, it’s time to recognize the significant connection between diet and mental wellness.