Three Journeys of Recovery from Mental Illness
In early May 2024, Baszucki Group and Metabolic Mind hosted “The Promise of Metabolic Psychiatry: From Mechanisms to Clinical Practice” in Austin, Texas, before the Society of Biological Psychiatry (SOBP) Annual Meeting. This video, filmed live, captures a lived-experience panel at the event.
Jan Ellison Baszucki founded Baszucki Group and Metabolic Mind after helping her son, Matt Baszucki, implement metabolic therapies, including a medical keto diet, and witnessing him put his treatment-resistant bipolar 1 disorder into remission. She moderated the discussion with panelists, Lauren Kennedy, Wesley Braden, and Hannah Warren, who shared their experiences implementing metabolic interventions, including ketogenic therapy.
Lauren founded the prominent YouTube channel Living Well with Schizophrenia. Her ongoing Keto and Metabolic Health Project 2024 has documented her journey of putting schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, into remission with metabolic treatments. Wesley uses metabolic therapies to treat OCD and bipolar 2 disorder; he describes them as life-changing. He is now leveraging his tech marketing background in the metabolic health field as senior marketing manager with Virta, a company that assists patients with low-carb diets to treat type 2 diabetes. Hannah has a background in nonprofit social entrepreneurship. She started as the Mental Health Communications and Advocacy Manager at Metabolic Mind in November 2023. She has been using metabolic treatments, including ketogenic therapy, as her sole form of treatment since the summer of 2021, and her bipolar 1 disorder is in complete remission.
Clinicians and researchers in attendance had the opportunity to ask questions of the panelists and to learn more about the game-changing impact metabolic therapies can have on patients’ lives. Scientists, clinicians, and individuals with lived experience can work together to raise awareness of metabolic therapies and to change the way that psychiatric conditions are understood and treated as metabolic disorders of the brain.
Experts in this video:
Jan Ellison Baszucki
X: @janellison
https://metabolicmind.org/
Lauren Kennedy
X: @LWSchizophrenia
https://www.livingwellwithschizophrenia.org/
https://www.youtube.com/@LivingWellAfterSchizophrenia
Keto and Metabolic Health Project 2024
Hannah Warren
X: @Radiantbeasting
https://www.metabolicmind.org/blog
https://www.metabolicmind.org/blog/five-reasons-i-no-longer-label-myself-bipolar
Wesley Braden
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesleybradeniv/
Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.
Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/
About us:
Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.
Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.
Timestamps
0:00 Introduction
2:06 About the panelists
3:50 The panelists before their diagnosis
26:34 Trying ketogenic therapy
46:32 Tapering psychiatric medications & withdrawal
50:18 How has ketogenic therapy changed the panelists’ lives?
53:54 How long did it take to feel the impact of ketosis?
58:59 Weight changes on a keto diet
1:01:11 How has keto impacted Wesley’s OCD?
1:03:14 How to inspire others to try ketogenic therapy
1:11:27 Conclusion
#MetabolicMind
#KetoForMentalHealth
#MetabolicPsychiatry
#BipolarTreatment
#KetogenicMetabolicTherapy
#NutritionalKetosis
#MentalIllness
#Bipolar
#OCD
#Schizoaffective
#AlternativeTreatment
50 Comments
Started keto for my Howard Hughes level severe OCD… going wel so far. Lauren may have partially saved my life by making her video about keto
Where is best place to get info on a healthy keto diet, as in what to eat and in what quantities?
I keep seeing great videos but never on what to eat and with which quantity and some meal examples
I'm an addictions counselor and have worked in mental health. Everyone needs to hear about this! Thanks to all the panelists for sharing their stories ❤
Indeed, so inspiring and educational. Definitely worth the time spent.❤
Wesley mentioned his psychiatrist in Chicago was familiar with the keto diet. Would it be possible to get the name of that psychiatrist please? Thank you.
❤❤❤
Yay 😁 I was hoping you would share this content!
If anyone knows a psychiatrist in the Pacific Northwest that believes in Therapeutic Nutritional Ketosis I would love to get their contact info. I'm trying to convince my wife to try this Therapeutic approach to her Schizophrenia and Bipolar and Major Depression… I now have hope.
Thank you panel for sharing your stories.
I would be curious to hear why Wesley felt the need to still be on Lithium on the keto diet. I believe he said he decreased the number of other medications he was on but not that one
Search the internet for “ find a low-carb doctor near me” and “ find a keto doctor near me.” Several search engines will come up that you can use to find a doctor by specialty
It's been 47 days, and I have been gaining a bit of my shine slowly since day 1 of starting keto 🌟
Thank you for spreading awareness on metabolic interventions! They are life changing!
They all have strong support networks, managed to have relationships, careers n young enough to still have families. What hope is possible for those whose lives are isolated from devastating consequences, is it only to live med free? No careers for those over 50, or possibly to become mom or dad, even if they get better through a ketogenic lifestyle.
How did they afford their care, rent etc? How do you help those at the bottom who have to use social programs that are restricted by government regulations?
Thank you all for sharing your experiences.
1900 AWST
What a fabulously inspirational and motivating video. Thank you all for sharing your stories. I have been following Metabolic Mind for many months and yours similarly Lauren. I have a history of mental poor health and my son has serious and severe mental ill health. Of course I want to encourage him towards a ketogenic diet but he won't. Possible factors for this are his ASD with PDA traits and the dopamine seeking behaviours of ADHD – seeking sugary things to eat.
The potential for my son's recovery using a metabolic intervention is keeping me hopeful through my son's suffering.❤
How does someone get involved in a career in metabolic health
Thank you for sharing your experiences. You are all so intelligent!
So sorry to hear these stories
I do not trust the Mental health doctors
Oh that poor vegetarian girl, the plant based diet since childhood was probably a major factor in the development of her mental problems in the first place. Animal foods are so essential for proper brain development and function.
Ok. It's time to get my life back. I feel like I am living my vanilla sky life that turnd into nightmare, and I cant wake up. It's time to ask myself, what is happines for you. Schizophrenia took my life. take back your soul forget your emptyness.
I love all of you! Stay well! Thank you Bazsucki family for doing this great work!
These three adults are not nearly as sick as my son with Schizophrenia. He never achieved anything. No school degree, job experience, social interaction, no marriage, children, speaking ability. Not even a dream to dream. I am not down grading their suffering, but from their stories, behavior, and attitude prior to keto, they did manage to achieve. My son has been in bed for over a decade with Schizophrenia.
Anyone know how people with chronic eating disorders could manage keto diet. All eating disorders treatment is about balance and all food groups inclusive. Wouldnt keto trigger a spiral in someone trying to recover?
My girl Lauren! I'm so proud of you!
When I did a three day fast I ended up in the psychiatric hospital. It wasn't hard for me physically but mentally it did not go well. So I have avoided fasting since then.
I am interested in a Keto diet but I have a hard time taking care of myself due to executive functioning problems.So I don't know if I can handle it.
Like every intervention, keto will be applied to everyone with no understanding as to the relationship between the diet and the disease. The truth is that in this video the second individual's story is so vague and the diagnosis of "schizoaffective disorder" is also so suspect "catch-all diagnosis" generally more consistent with borderline personality. In psychiatry, there is such a drive to disconnect any dysfunction from the will or choice. But there is no doubt that a diet both forces an individual to behave in an organized manner. The popularity of new fads like keto provides additional incentive. One's available energy is likely effected which therefore translates into more moderated behavior patterns. It might be calming. But developing better coping patterns if that is the problems requires psychotherapy and intentionality beyond just changing one's diet.
I want a poll on how many people the medical keto has helped??? Is there any numbers
Thank you for these stories! On July 1st I have an appointment with a mental health dietitian who will be guiding me through keto. I was blessed to find her and she's covered by my insurance. My psychiatric nurse practitioner had never heard of keto being used for mental health but said it makes sense and gave me her blessing to try it. Of course she made me promise to never adjust medications on my own, which I would never do anyhow. I have a great working relationship with her and would never do anything to break that trust.
Hearing the stories from these 3 individuals is giving me so much hope and has given me things to think about, like potential symptoms to watch for. Thank you so much!
Is there any room for someone who recovered by themselves without any counseling or medication? I recovered before I even knew what schizophrenia is. I learned to ignore and not believe in my hallucinations and delusions.
Our bodies will heal themselves when given the proper tools.
I’m 63 and lived with anxiety panic depression ptsd my whole life but never tolerated meds and it was mostly running( marathon runner) ,excercise ,religion but mostly love of my parents that kept me functional and not in distress . 10 yrs ago I started caring for my parents full-time until they died 18 months ago. I fell into the deepest depression and severe anxiety panic ocd ptsd where I quickly became nonfunctional and bedridden ..no longer running or working and very suicidal …my psychiatrist tried every med possible , tms, ketamine , intense counseling, hospitalization etc but I’ve progressively become worse …my severe mental illness was triggered by grief and being akone w no family ..wondering if medical ketogenic diet would work for mental illness ( not schizophrenia or bipolar) triggered and maintained by psychological issues ?
Strictly Fatty beef, salt n water with sprinting and heavy weights. (60 y o in oct.)is working for me.(type 1 B.P. since 1995) In 8 months down from 800 to 500mg lithium. Tapering exceedingly slowly now. Would love to find a professional to oversee and monitor this last, slow but gradual phase of withdrawal. My NHS consultant is the most pompous know it all, a condescending attitude of 'my way or the highway' … he's not someone I can talk too.
Thank you to Lauren, as I have been watching her channel for quite some time on YouTube. I am so happy for her; it is just unbelievable to see the difference the ketogenic therapy has made for her. My 32 yo son has schizoaffective, bipolar type and is on clozapine and metformin, and this gives us hope that eventually he may be able to adapt the ketogenic diet and also reduce his medications. He is not sure he can eat the keto diet as he says he is so addicted to carbs, but I am going to do try convincing him that he needs to try it. In addition, I have severe depression and need to go on this diet as well.
Why do they say you need carbs for life span?
Wouldn't it be more accurate to say "management" than "recovery"? I would expect "revovery" would mean no longer need to do anything, including a strict diet.
My concern is that when some people come off these medications they are in danger of becoming unalive. When you say "push through" the withdrawals? Not everyone will withstand that. We've seen this with people who go off depression meds, they go on, they go off. Then one day/year when they have gone off again they become suicidal and follow through. So, I am not sure this is as safe as is being presented here for everyone at all. So I'd like to see a more balanced panel. A discussion from both sides if you will. Because as a parent of someone who does well on their medication the possible negative and devastating outcomes are rightfully terrifying.
I went to in remission around 2016
Bless you all for share your experiences. It really gave me hope to find a way to improve my son's mental health. Thanks
Yes! Read Brain Energy by Dr. Chris Palmer on Dec. 17, 2022 started metabolic therapies the next day. My life is forever changed. So grateful for all of you carrying the message forward!!! This is life changing intervention and people need to be aware. You all are so courageous to share your testimonies. I am forever grateful for Metabolic Mind and the Baszukis for all they are doing to push this treatment forward giving hope to so many! Myself invited. ❤
Very inspiring, thank you all!
Their recoveries seem smooth and quick. For those who don’t get results in weeks, like the panel, this is disappointing. How about interviewing someone who it took a bit longer and perhaps some bumps along the way?
Hi I have suffered from bipolar illness for the last 40 years managing it with Lithium. Exercise was my only tool until mindfulness came into play. Always felt I was psychologically impaired but now know with the keto diet this is not the case. It has made a profound difference to my life – no more tiredness or brain fog. I am now enjoying a vibrant life! They only drawback is the reaction from doctors and some family members who say "slow down, don't stress yourself".
how do I find someone in my city who does keto coaching? I'm ready to try this.
I would love to participate in a clinical trial if anyone is looking for volunteers. I have chronic pain, depression, and anxiety to the point it has destroyed my marriage, and my 22 year career in Aerospace is on its last leg. I also have a girlfriend whom I met in treatment last year who has been hospitalized for psychosis for the second time this year and several times in last couple years. This is a woman who is an RN and mother of 2 daughters and developed thyroid cancer and had her thyroid removed along with a crap ton of other stuff lymph nodes, blood vessels etc. with her thyroid. I hypothisis that missing her thyroid along with her digestive issues (nausua and vomitting) some of which are side affects to the meds she is on could be exascerbating her psychosis. Anyway shes not currently in a position to start using this diet for her condition, but i am already attempting it and am experiencing difficulties with appetite, and increase of my mental health symptoms, but I just had back surgery a couple weeks ago, then oral surgery last week, so my immune system is somewhat comprimised which is why I caught something that gave me bronchitis. I am currently trying to get enrolled with Nicole L. program, she is within my time zone, as I also looked into the program through IKRT, with Dr. Erin. I found metabolic mind through watching Lauren K. youtube videos, looking for something to help my girlfriend since she suffers from psychosis although hers is in relation to bipolar diagnosis, but as we all know thos hold very little water especially since it seems each diagnosis has a psychosis component, which is one I dont have although seeing her demeaner when in full blown psychosis, she is almost completely unware of what is going on around her. Meanwhile my conditon I sitll maintain all of my faculties but diminished by overwheming dread and hopelessness and anhedonia which is not my default setting at all but has been almost exclusivily for several years now. I have tried TMS, Ketamine (which works better than TMS but only temporarily in my case) and residential, PHP, IOP and everything except ECT, I think Ive ranted long enough, really appreciate all you are doing to turn the tide of psychiatry and obviously your not going to get much support from the pharmecutical industry since they dont have a patent on ketogenic diet. Namaste god bless
Very disappointed to see people laughing about God and Church.
The next time my little nephew asks to sponsor Roblox..I need to oblige… what a blessing and a curse
No talk on metabolic encephalopathy?
Title says metabolic
Thank you so much, you inspired me a lot ❤ I've got back to medical keto for bipolar type 2 and suspected thyroid cancer ❤ greetings from Mexico
Please bring continuous ketone meters to the USA like they have in other countries.