Science
The First Randomized Trial of a Ketogenic Diet for Psychosis
For years, clinicians and researchers have asked an important question: Can a ketogenic diet actually help people with serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder? Until now, most of the evidence has come from case reports and pilot studies. Now, the first randomized controlled trial has been published.
Food and Mental Health: More Complicated—and More Hopeful—Than You Might Think
When people think about treatments for mental health conditions, they usually think of medications and psychotherapy. Few think about food. That may be changing. Over the past decade, a growing body of research has demonstrated that nutrition can influence how our...
“My Psychiatrist Has Never Heard of This”
For years, people living with mental illness, and their families, have been told some version of the same thing: “Take your medications.” “Go to therapy.” “Learn to cope.” Those interventions can absolutely help, sometimes dramatically. But many people are still...
Can Keto “Cure” Schizophrenia? Here’s What We Actually Know
I’ve never received more press attention than I have over the past two weeks—thanks, in part, to comments from the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., about the ketogenic diet and serious mental illness. I’ve been interviewed by the...
Brain Energy in 2025: A Year of Momentum, Evidence, and New Possibilities
As 2025 comes to a close, I want to pause and reflect—not just on how much work has been done, but on what it represents. For decades, we’ve approached mental illness largely as a disorder of neurotransmitters, psychology, or social context. Those perspectives...
Mental Health Labels Aren’t Causes: It’s Time to Get Curious Again
One of the most frustrating and overlooked problems in psychiatry is the way diagnostic labels are too often mistaken for causes. It’s a subtle but profound error that shapes the entire field. Take these common examples: “She has hallucinations because she’s...
Treatment-Resistant Depression and Suicidal Ideation: A Metabolic Disorder?
Major depressive disorder (MDD) remains a leading cause of disability worldwide. For those with treatment-resistant depression (TRD), the stakes are even higher. A recent study by Pan et al. (2023) identifies a strong association between metabolic...
Now on YouTube! Six Ways Diet Can Affect Your Mental Health
Discover the powerful link between diet and mental health in this deep dive. It’s not nearly as simple as most people think. Learn six different ways that your food choices can impact mood, energy, and even severe mental health conditions. From nutrient deficiencies...
Does Mental Health Treatment Work? It Depends on Your Definition of “Work.”
When asking whether mental health treatment works, it’s essential to begin by defining what “work” actually means. For many, it’s about finding relief from overwhelming symptoms. For others, it’s about regaining a sense of purpose, building meaningful relationships,...
Diet and Mental Health: Untangling Complex Mechanisms
Diet’s Influence Goes Beyond “Healthy Foods for Your Brain” The connection between diet and mental health is undeniable, but it’s far more complex than simply eating "healthy foods for your brain." Diet influences mental health through diverse mechanisms—ranging from...