What Is Metabolic Psychiatry And Can It Improve Mental Health?
What Is Metabolic Psychiatry?
Metabolic psychiatry is an emerging field that explores the link between metabolic health and mental health. Instead of viewing mental illness as “just chemical imbalance” or purely psychological, metabolic psychiatry looks at how brain energy and cellular function impact mood, focus, anxiety, and behavior.
In simple terms:
Healthy metabolism → healthy brain function
Dysregulated metabolism → increased risk of psychiatric conditions
Research shows that issues like poor glucose metabolism, insulin resistance, inflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction are closely connected to conditions such as:
Depression & anxiety
ADHD / ADD
Bipolar disorder
Schizophrenia
Trauma-related disorders
Cognitive decline & dementia
In fact, growing studies show that improving metabolic health can reduce or even reverse psychiatric symptoms in many individuals.
Better metabolic health = improved brain energy = better mental health outcomes
How Metabolism Affects the Brain
Every brain cell needs a steady supply of energy to function. When metabolic health is compromised, brain cells struggle to fuel themselves properly, and symptoms appear.
Common signs of metabolic dysfunction affecting the brain include:
Brain fog
Low mood or depression
Anxiety or panic
Irritability or mood swings
Fatigue
Headaches
Memory problems
Lack of focus or motivation
When the brain struggles to produce and use energy, mood and cognition suffer.
What Is Metabolic Dysfunction?
Metabolic dysfunction occurs when the body struggles to efficiently convert food into energy.
Key contributors include:
Insulin resistance (including early stages before diabetes diagnosis)
Chronic inflammation
Mitochondrial dysfunction
High blood sugar swings
Obesity or rapid weight changes
These metabolic issues interfere with energy production in the brain, which can worsen, or even trigger, psychiatric symptoms.
Why Glucose & Insulin Matter for Mental Health
The body can run on two primary fuel sources:
Glucose (sugar)
Fat-derived ketones
Most modern diets keep us locked in constant glucose-burning mode through frequent carbohydrate intake and snacking. This causes insulin levels to spike repeatedly, eventually leading to insulin resistance, which blocks the body (including the brain) from efficiently accessing energy. If the brain can't access energy, emotional and cognitive symptoms follow.
This is one reason many people feel:
“Hangry” or irritable between meals
Foggy or fatigued after eating
Like they “need carbs to function”
These can be subtle signs of impaired metabolic flexibility.
How Ketones Support Brain Health
When carbs are reduced and insulin drops, the body switches to burning fat for fuel, producing ketones.
Ketones are:
A cleaner, more stable energy source for the brain
Neuroprotective
Anti-inflammatory
Supportive of mitochondrial function
This is why ketogenic metabolic therapy is being studied and used clinically for:
Depression
Anxiety
PTSD
Bipolar disorder
Schizophrenia (and psychosis)
Neurodevelopmental and cognitive conditions
People in ketosis commonly report:
Mental clarity
Calmness
Emotional stability
Better sleep
Reduced cravings
More energy
Decreased psychiatric symptoms
Nutrition & Mental Health: The Role of Macronutrients
Protein (essential)
Needed for neurotransmitters, hormones, immune function, muscle repair
Sources: meat, fish, eggs, dairy
Healthy fats (essential)
Critical for brain function, hormones, and cell membranes
Sources: fatty fish, eggs, dairy, avocado, olives/olive oil, nuts
Carbohydrates (not essential)
Broken down into sugar; excessive intake spikes insulin and inflammation
Sources: bread, rice, pasta, pastries, juice, chips, high-starch vegetables
You don’t need to avoid carbs entirely, but reducing ultra-processed and refined carbs can dramatically stabilize mood and energy.
Food is mood. Your brain chemistry depends on what you eat.
Why This Matters (Especially in the U.S.)
The Standard American Diet (SAD) is:
High in refined carbs and sugars
Low in quality protein
High in inflammatory seed oils
Low in nutrient density
Metabolic dysfunction has become an epidemic and mental health disorders are rising alongside it. Metabolic psychiatry offers a root-cause, whole-body approach to mental healing.
Is Metabolic Psychiatry a Replacement for Medication?
Not necessarily, but for many people it becomes a powerful alternative or complement to traditional treatment.
If you are currently taking psychiatric medication: Do NOT change or discontinue medication without medical supervision. Shifts in metabolism often require dosage adjustments. Always work with a trained clinician.
The Bottom Line
Metabolic psychiatry is transforming how we understand mental health.
For many, improving metabolic health can:
Reduce psychiatric symptoms
Increase mood and cognitive function
Improve medication response
Restore energy and emotional stability
There is hope and there are more tools available than ever before. If you or someone you love is struggling, this approach may offer a powerful path forward.
Please see the resources provided below if you are interested in receiving more information, or reach out if you need more support.
Metabolic Health Practitioner Directory: Provider Directory – Society of Metabolic Health Practitioners (thesmhp.org)
Dr Georgia Ede’s Website is filled with research and resources (she also has numerous talks on YT): https://www.diagnosisdiet.com/
Nicole Laurent, LMHC is a licensed therapist and is trained in implementing metabolic diets: https://mentalhealthketo.com/
Brain Energy by Christopher Palmer is a book all on metabolic psychiatry that outlines the current problems in the system and an alternative treatment using solid research.
Articles:
Ketogenic Diets and Psychiatric Medications: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/diagnosis-diet/201803/ketogenic-diets-and-psychiatric-medications
Podcast:
Stanford Psychiatrist explains metabolic psychiatry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=knnX0zFRazapxtq-&v=mVPhltup0IY&feature=youtu.be
