The Real Reason I Tapered Off My Antipsychotics

[@LivingWellAfterSchizophrenia]

*JOIN OUR ONLINE PEER SUPPORT COMMUNITIES* Metabolic Therapies for Mental Disorders: www.metabolictherapysupport.com/ Schizophrenia Peer Support Community: www.schizophreniapeersupport.com

[@ezflash]

thank you for sharing... that's amazing !! super intelligent... good luck with your recovery sweetheart.

[@piperlynne1]

Who wouldn't want to be off medication if you can manage your illness without them? It's great that some people can do this and thank you for sharing your story so that people can try this option should they choose.

[@aaymathebest4705]

Some people have severe conditions and some have mild conditions..she can manage without medicines, it's not necessary that her condition match with others...some people can't cope without medication...

[@piperlynne1]

@@aaymathebest4705 Yes exactly what I said. For some people there is another choice to try.

[@4GSLmusic]

@@aaymathebest4705literally what the person above you said… it’s for some

[@SprocketWatchclock]

Metabolic therapy would be a whole lot harder for me to do then just taking a pill every morning and my current meds don't really give me much in the way of side effects.

[@ameliab324]

@@aaymathebest4705 That's why she said 'IF you can manage your illness without them'.

[@theodandyace]

I also delevoped tardive dyskinesia while on antipsychotics. I developed such an intense tremor that I couldn't sip out of an open cup without spilling and I couldn't make art. I was on an injectable version so I went cold turkey under my psychiatrists watch while the dose that I had wore off. I'm not on a keto diet but I focused very hard on stress management and reduction because my psychosis was originally triggered by chronic stress. I'm 2 years off now and it was hard but I'm in a better space mentally then I have been in almost a decade

[@Plop_I]

Internet stranger is happy for you. Well done

[@enjoyyourlife279]

You explained your reasons very well, and experts (psychiatrists e.g.) should take notice of it and seriously examine alternatives. You have excellent verbal skills. Please know you are supported and appreciated. Best wishes.

[@katejacobs5491]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Haliotro]

INCREDIBLE journey and video, Lauren! Cheers from a psychiatrist who plans to provide advanced support for keto/metabolic therapies in his practice, not in small part due to the privilege of hearing/following your story for the past many years.

[@alijane6675]

Uh huh. Where do you practice? Where did you study?

[@Haliotro]

@@alijane6675 Practicing in Utah

[@jeremetirschmann1253]

LoL 😅😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@kata6966]

Patients will be lucky to have you as their doctor. Wish we had someone who can help us in Tulsa, OK.

[@benjones1452]

​@@alijane6675 sarcasm aside, I can give you a list of practising doctors, psychologists and psychiatrists who both subscribe to and prescribe metabolic therapies, but you know that, any cursory googling will show you as much. What interests me is why are you so sceptical, if you are convinced that it won't be effective, what's the basis for that belief. I would love to look at your sources. I have made an obsidian database of all the papers I've collected, that include that are inconclusive or even negative. So please if you have the energy to go more than just sit on the sidelines and made sarcastic comments show us something interesting, undermine the claims made here, why not share this and then we can all learn something from it, hey?

[@joannewall5499]

You look amazing, your eyes are brighter and you seem so alive

[@amadahyrose]

I am delighted you found a level of healing that was beyond what you had hoped. I celebrate this for you! Thank you for sharing and helping others.

[@CheezhOfficial]

Olanzapine has really been a blessing after my brain started turning on itself.

[@benjones1452]

It’s a great medication.

[@user-xr9db2zw7y]

Do you intend to try keto?

[@RexytheRexy]

Abilify has been my miracle antipsychotic. It's been wonderful to experience symptom relief whilst still feeling like myself (instead of an exhausted husk). Unfortunately, I can only take it during episodes rather than every day, due to it increasing my cholesterol. I'm so glad you've found an antipsychotic that works for you. My dream for every single one of us is symptom relief without side effects that hurt us, however we achieve that.

[@Jthewalker]

I live with schizophrenia also, and zyprexa/olanzapine has been a tremendous blessing to me also. In fact it has been the best medicine of them all tbh

[@MoMo-nj2oc]

Olanzipine is the worst…

[@Evans-p8l]

Thanks for all your videos. You speak very well. I have schizophrenia and my antipsychotics give me a lack of speech. I speak a lot less and I can't go in depth when I talk. That's why I come off my meds at times. Sometimes I feel like the way I feel on medication is not worth it

[@annekenniston7551]

Thank you for being here and continuing to share your story, even if the rest of the world doesn't understand it just yet, you are accomplishing change by having these conversations

[@Zaeiouy_dB]

I believe you have made the correct choice to get off your medications. The reason my wife lost her teeth according to a dentist was the 30+ years of being on Lithium... I'm sure all the other antipsychotics and antidepressants also impacted her Metabolic Health. Thank you for your openness. My wife has yet to fully commit to getting in ketosis, but she's definitely been enjoying new clothes since she has been losing weight and feeling better even with limited changes to her food choices.

[@Dan-k4c]

This is a assumption, there is no evidence out there, that lithium carbonate is bad for your teeth. It is your own bad luck - should have brushed your teeth.

[@mars4697]

I appreciate you sharing your experience and insight with your personal experiences.

[@thrivingwithbipolar]

I love your attitude. So much balance and acceptance in the way you talk about meds or no meds. I think you are very inspiring. Thank you 🙂

[@mariarozon2950]

Loving this recent series on altering your treatments to serve you better. If you step away from it and think about it clinically, all you did is switch from one less effective set of interventions to a more effective one. If meds weren’t a piece of this it wouldn’t even be something people think twice about. I applaud you prioritizing yourself and sharing it with others in such a thorough and thoughtful way. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season!

[@diannlimo4502]

Love to hear this. Your eyes are sparkling 💕

[@Emma.Valenti]

Hello dear Lauren, my name is Emma, nice to virtually meet you 😊 I’ve been a happy subscriber for about two years now, and it’s been truly amazing to see your transformation happen in real time. When you announced that you were no longer experiencing symptoms of your disorder after such a short period of time fully immersed in this new lifestyle, I was truly stunned. With that, a question formed in my mind that I believe would make a very interesting video: what was it like, emotionally, going from having daily symptoms to having no symptoms at all in just two and a half months (if I am remembering correctly)? Obviously, I don’t want to be indiscrete through my question, so please feel free to ignore this comment if you do not want to answer. However, if you do feel like responding, it would be amazing to hear your thoughts on this matter ❤️ sending lots of love and a fast recovery for your anke 😉

[@objetivista686]

She did a video in which she said about her feelings during this period. She said she is feeling a full person.

[@jesusdidntcharge143]

Thank you for being a brave and articulate pioneer in mental health. May the care systems wake up.

[@benjones1452]

Two months is great progress but my Keto journey was more tricky. I am off medication now and have been for over a year but at the end of the tapering process I needed to go back to a small dose for six months before I tried again.

[@thenutritionalhealer7233]

yes that happens for people, you just need a bit more time, and you will get there,

[@user-xr9db2zw7y]

Can you share what are in your keto diet, how to do proportions without scale or measurements etc please. Thanks 🙏

[@benjones1452]

@@user-xr9db2zw7yI do use scales and even have a plastic cup for approx measuring in the field-so pretty strict. I don’t miss carbs as much as I used to at the beginning. Honestly my blood sugar is so stable these days. I even have a cheeky spirit at hosted celebrations. I still cook carbs for my partner and daughter. I find I’m not so hungry these days, there’s always macadamia nuts and they’re so rich it’s enough to eat a couple and you’re set.

[@summersalix]

I'd love to know more about how u tailor your diet too. It's easy for me to eat protein, but high fat is hard bc it's way less volume

[@kata6966]

@@benjones1452 can you tell us what medication you were on during the taper?

[@broken_rebirth]

It's really uplifting to have someone with a series health condition talk about coming off medications. Too often doctors jump on medication first vs. any other type of therapy even when a patient has concerns about these horrible side effects. I mean some of the top side effects I can think of based off loved one's experiences on various types of antipsychotics are the following: 1. reduced bone density resulting in osteoarthritis as early as age 45 after taking these meds since teen years. Imagine being a young adult with osteoarthritis and no family history of this condition. 2. loss or disruption of period therefore impacting the ability to conceive and have a overall healthy reproductive cycle when no prior reproductive health issues were present. 3. thyroid and insulin issues resulting in severe weight gain --and once again no family history of these medical issues. Weight gain was in excess of 50lbs over a year, metabolism went stagnant resulting in the need for gastric by pass surgery to use the "starvation" or "stomach shrinking" method to lose any sort of weight due to a total weight gain of over 200 lbs since teen years. Note: when my loved one had gone cold turkey of her own accord off her meds due to this negative side effect and LOST ALL THE WEIGHT she had felt amazing and didn't feel she needed such a high dose of meds or meds at all. She was then forced back onto the medication as her health care proxy/family demanded she go back on it if she wanted to have a place to live. Her mental health was stable when she lost the weight and was exercising and eating properly. Once antipsychotics were started again she rapidly regained the weight and my loved one can no longer lose weight again as the meds have stunted her metabolism, messed up her insulin, etc. etc. and on top of that, she stretched her stomach out needing another surgery to lose weight again. 4. teeth issues--teeth literally rotting and falling out. This is likely related to how these meds can affect bone density. 5. hair loss 6. rapid blinking and other eye health things like severe dry eyes or the feeling like there is sand in one's eye. Very problematic when you can't wear glasses and need contacts. 6. insomnia or other sleep disturbances. Alternatively, inability to really stay away and function like normally. 7. lack of emotional expression or the ability to feel emotions and feel like "one's self". My loved ones have best described it as similar to how someone will have flat affect due to autism or CPTSD. The emotion is present but the ability to really feel your emotions in the moment, or be able to express them in the present moment when you do know you are experiencing a specific emotion is stunted. I can related to this as I am autistic with CPTSD. So I totally understand how life can feel 'lack luster' because typically you feel very flat and even when you know something excites you, or makes you angry or sad. Showing this on the outside can be very challenging. In my case my brain simply doesn't understand facial expression in relation to emotions. For my loved ones, they understand how to emote their emotions, but just don't feel them to such an extent anymore. FOr obvious reasons this profoundly negatively impacts quality of life with other human beings and with your personal relationship with 'self'. 8. simply not feeling like one's self. Everything feels off and like your body is hijacked. Like you have no control over who you are. THat is the best way my loved ones have described it. But along with this, they reported increase anxiety and depression and overall distress because they feel so not like themselves and what they know as their healthy baseline. This side effect has resulted in their dr's feeling their meds needed to be increased because of the side effects OF THE SIDE EFFECT! lol Like the irony. The meds caused them to feel off and this stressed them out leading to worsened depression and anxiety...so what does the dumbass dr do? INCREASE THEIR MEDS?!?!?!!? WTF!!!! I could go on. The issue is that these meds are tested on men primarily. Not women. And for whom I am referring to..are women in my life. Our hormonal fluctuations make dialing in the right meds and dose, VERY VERY challenging. I have a friend who's been trying for 2 years now to find the right med and dose because she's terrified of going off them. But the meds are literally destroying her ability to work. To take care of her family who needs her to work. I've watched women prefer d#ath of life on meds for what they have done to their bodies. And the reality is, medical care is no longer about wellness, it is about profit. As soon as you are documented as having any sort of "mental illness" medical staff treat you differently and ask for your "care giver" even if you do not need one. So having a conversation with a dr to discuss going off meds, or going on a lower dose becomes a battle. There are few people who will just go off meds of their own accord and without dr's helping them taper off...they feel lost and scared to do so even when they have demonstrated and proposed alternative therapies they want to try. Sadly, most patients have limited insurance options. So finding a dr that really care about you and your beliefs and what you want to try that align with your beliefs, is rare. Again I am speaking from my life experiences with several women in my life who have tried trying alternative therapies and not being given the support, and/or having the money to pay out of pocket to simply switch to a provider who will support their needs and values for a higher quality of life. I myself have had dr's recommend antipsychotics for being autistic. Having a sensory processing disorder is very challenging, but medication of that type is traditionally not used in most individual with autism. Typically it is used when an autistic person has a comorbidity where medication has been proven to help improve their overall daily functioning such as seen with ADHD. But depression and anxiety often cooccur with autism because of society and how we are generally treated and unaccommodated. It takes a strong mind to basically flip society off and live your life how you need to live it. If that means going out in public with a support animal, noise canceling head set, music blasting on your phone, and doing all the "annoying" stims that NT people hate, you just do it because you are not harming anyone and you need that for your mental health and to function. I guess I'm trying to say, being unashamed to advocate for yourself and simply be yourself without shame will heal your depression and anxiety. When you stop caring about what others think of YOU TAKING CARE OF YOUR INDIVIDUAL HEALTH NEEDS, life become sso much easier. You do not need to explain or justify why you need something or why you are doing something. If someone is being nosey, simply say "I have a medical condition and this is needed for my physical and mental needs." I am comfortable enough with myself to spell it out to people as I love educating people. But not everyone is. Sometimes having a friend with you can just make navigating the world so much easier. But never give up on fighting for becoming the best version of yourself.

[@jeand2392]

You perfectly described the side effects. Not an easy med to be on!

[@Lain-ku4eb]

This is AMAZING girl! You keep on doing what you're doing. Thanks to you I have also started researching Keto and I have made that lifestyle change to improve not just my mental health but also some physical challenges that I have been dealing with. I am now almost a month into it and I can already see its effects. I have also had to deal with the Keto Flu, feeling exhausted and moody at times, but I'm past the worst of it now and I think my body has actually adapted to a zero to very low carb diet and a bit more exercise than I usually did. I follow all your videos, you are such an inspiration. Wishing you and your family good health and prosperity. From South Africa 😀

[@philipripper1522]

The #1 indicator of whether or not someone will have future psychotic episodes is their medication adherence. If you want to play the odds, the best way to avoid decompensation episodes is to continue antipsychotics. I'm not saying this to you, Lauren, but to your audience. I say it with deep care and affection.

[@Kevin_Finch]

It's always been nice to hear your success story with alternative treatments. I've struggled with schizoaffective most of my life and have run the full gamut of antipsychotics and such.

[@yahainHotPink]

I just love seeing your journey throughout the years Lauren. Thank you for sharing. 💖

[@Irishrose777]

Love your channel Lauren! Would you consider making more videos on how you cook your keto meals? That would be really helpful to get ideas for those of us on keto!

[@NAESKI4U]

Bravo Lauren! Well explained. Much love girl!

[@susanne4028]

Thank you Lauren for all your interesting and inspiring videos. You are wonderful and so is your family.💜💜💜💜

[@Ftf1979]

I'm sure someone will pick apart something you said that can be seen in a different light & jump on you for it! Great video, thanks

[@ginnyleedays]

I have watched you for years. I am so proud of you. This is the best I’ve seen you. I believe you’re on the right path. When society realizes when you reach out to natural things, change how you are living, it can be done. You’re an inspiration to me. I have made it finally, completely off all meds. After years of trying many, and nothing working finally at 51, I am free it can be done💜

[@janethansen9612]

I periodically go through periods of severe anxiety but don't take medication because when I have trialed them I have experienced significant adverse reactions to where I am recorded as having allergies to these medications, so I find your discussion around other ways to manage mental illness super helpful.

[@MichaelM-ll3yd]

such a pleasure to find a community that is like minded . Im thinking of your support groups and how I so much would appreciate belonging to such a group or community. Keep doing what your doing ,,,great stuff . Ty .Michael

[@Avengers21stC]

How to describe tapering off process is simple: I felt more and more alive. Feeling alive is feeling... the whole of nature has given you, true for every living thing.

[@juliyan7301]

Thanks for sharing your brave journey. I think you will more and more realize the many natural options of treating symptoms. And that's what it mostly is... symptoms. It sounds like you are still so holding onto the symptoms as "my illness". You don't have to own it, that's not who you are! You look healthy and I applaud you in this recovery !!!!

[@pennysmason5134]

Cheers to your good health, go Lauren!🌞

[@DouglasGross6022]

Let's hope the new administration will fund research into this therapy.

[@TerenaTCloud]

Thank you for sharing your mental health journey.

[@hannahwestrop-no9vq]

Paliperadone has ruined my life. I have extremely high prolactin. Movement disorder s shaking legs hands and head . High cholesterol, I have also gained five stone. I am stiff and can barely get out of bed ❤️

[@ertwoytohij]

Thank you for being so open about your treatment. It has given me a lot of food for thought. I have treatment resistant depression - ECT has helped me out of some pretty big holes. And then medications keep me going. But I also have Huntington’s (mutant protein leaving deposits on my brain). I use a CPAP to help me keep breathing during sleep. I have a lot of trepidation about trying keto but your experience has definitely given me hope.

[@benjones1452]

@@ertwoytohij so sorry that’s a bitter pill, I had a friend with Huntington’s chorea.

[@tarjavulto1809]

Laureen it sounds almost that you are excusing yourself feeling better!! This is FANTASTIC NEWS!!! Who would even question why you do not continue to take meds! Of course it is always better not to take medication if absolutely not needed. In fact this type of treatment should be one natural alternative instead of all the medication with sometimes horrific side effects! I know because my son has schizofreni and he suffers a lot taking his medication! I really need to find out if metabolic treatment is available in Sweden where we live! Your story is sooo inspirational and as said EVERYBODY should have this option from the beginning of the sickness! ❤❤❤

[@ccrgrl]

I'm happy your doing so well.❤

[@aethylwulfeiii6502]

I know someone else who tried to go off meds and do a keto diet. She ended up right back in hospital with symptoms.

[@zezezep]

how quickly did she go from meds to no meds??? it can take years but it seems most medical people do not know this.

[@lindah8838]

This gives me hope. Thank you.

[@visionfrontier]

I would love to see a video about safety planning. Thank you for your amazing content.

[@christenwhite52]

I agree. Think this great. But would love to know the plan if something happens.

[@visionfrontier]

I am replying back to this. @christenwhite52 commented precisely what I was thinking, but I am also considering food shortages, etc. In a diet-based intervention in a culture that has had rising food costs and several issues in the supply chain, this would be a good consideration.

[@IsabelMendocilla]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience, and being so honest.

[@Jennifer_7600]

I suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome, depression and anxiety… and I’m very curious if metabolic keto could help my debilitating chronic fatigue. Thanks again Lauren!! You and your channel are a gift to us all! More than you’ll ever know!! 🙏🌈🌻❤️

[@reinerschafer1708]

No one can tell you if it will help your particular circumstances. I can tell you that it is very common in the keto community to hear stories of depression and anxiety getting much better and almost universally everyone has more energy. Look up Mikhaila Peterson's story if you are not already aware of it. She had severe depression with very little energy, unable to get out of bed for days on end. You would never know it seeing her now.

[@robinjanz-buhr4427]

Me too girl, me too.

[@Crystalsgarden]

I agree about long term side effects. I do not have diabetes but due to antipsychotic medications over the years I now have peripheral neuropathy in both feet. It is very painful. But I am not able to stop my meds.

[@ashleynoelle7429]

Amazing update.

[@Sebastiaan_Y]

You look stunning! Thank you for the update.

[@cmwild1613]

Good on you is worth going the whole hog and giving getting of meds a go, see what the future holds worst case you will need hopefully a small dose for the rest of your life, the way I see it is a small dose will just about guarantee you will stay well for years to come where as no meds we enter the vast unknown. Good luck, is great that you will be willing to go back on meds if you need so thumbs up 👍

[@kavitadeva]

I was sharing in my last comment that I dont have the same will and determination that you have. I wish I did. However I am barely able to do anything. I live in an old rusty small barely drivable small RV. IT reminds me of people who say you need to act more christ-like. And my responses but I am not Jesus I am very far from being Jesus I am a human being with a lot of struggles and I can barely get through my own life the reason I'm bringing this up Lauren is I am more than thrilled for you. You have no idea how excited and how absolutely jazzed that I am that this ketogenic metabolic Therapies have worked for you however it makes me feel horrible about myself because I don't have what it takes to be able to buy that kind of food eat that kind of food and stay on a regimented program I'm not well enough. And that makes me feel so horrible about myself that I can't do something like that to possibly cure my mental illness I hope you get this comment

[@benjones1452]

People have said that you can eat keto even if you are on food stamps. I would say that since keto I eat much less, this is because of the satiating quality of fat, but also because your blood sugar level become much more stable so you crave things less. We are talking: 1. Eggs, 2. Ground meats, caned meats and fish, chicken legs, thighs etc. 3. Cabbage, greens, actually most green salade ingredients with oil vinaigrette (oil salt vinegar a bit of mustard.) 4. Butter and cheese. 5. Nuts and Sunflower Seeds/Pumpkin Seeds; 6. Pork rinds, 7. and a lot of broth-based soups (no carbs in them). etc.

[@kavitadeva]

@benjones1452 thank you so much for your reply and just so I can share with you I've been on keto before and it's a great way to eat it makes you feel better all that what I was trying to say is if you read the comment I don't have the will or the determination I'm too ill on physically physically sick and disabled and I have mental problems such as severe depression and complex PTSD that was my only point that I just don't have what it takes everyday is thinking about am I going to take my life or not take my life how am I going to stay alive I have nothing now it's just a bad time and I'm very sorry that I'm talking so negatively but it's the truth and that's all I can say I lost my home I lost my motorhome and now I have nowhere to go. Thank you so much for being so kind

[@benjones1452]

I hear you, I'm sorry for that - it takes courage to reach out by drafting a reply to KZbin, I hope that things improve to the extent that you have more control over things, again best wishes Kavita. I love your avatar, btw.

[@kavitadeva]

@benjones1452 that made me cry. Thank You. That's my serce dog Finn. He all I have, and he's my best friend. I hope you are feeling ok.

[@kateelario6235]

People habe been pretty judgemental and a bit bullying towards you I've seen and I'm sorry about that. It's wonderful to hear that you're doing great! Jealousy is one hell of a trip...

[@declankaster7375]

Her work is pretty pioneering and when people see something they’re not used to they can be judgmental towards it.

[@shastajustice3753]

It's funny when people take offense after posting on the WORLD WIDE INTERNET and someone's comment isn't to their liking. LOL!!

[@amandasmith6342]

@@shastajustice3753 there is a big difference to not liking a comment to when people are getting bullying comments directed at them! Ok

[@hopegold883]

Not so much judgement, but fear. Or the fear is what gives birth to the judgement, to cope. When you’ve found something that really helps you come out of a devastating state, any hint of taking That away again is terrifying.

[@LWilkes]

@@shastajustice3753I didn’t see anyone saying they were offended. It looked like an observation to me. And I have observed the same thing. Lauren has gotten many very mean comments on her videos since starting ketogenic therapy. It’s mind-boggling to me.

[@AGameCharacter]

Antipsychotics are sedatives…Your body is made to be active during the day and sedated during the night. If you sedate yourself every day, your body will find mechanisms to cope with the trauma of sedation, which is against its design…and ofc, what would be the purpose of schizophrenia as per design? I don’t know yet, but what I do know is that sedatives only reduce your responsiveness to various stimuli, not your “schizophrenic disorder”. There’s a girl on YT, Kit. She takes many very addictive drugs just to make her barely functional while she’s having “hallucinations” every day. I’m using quotes because I am not sure what they really are…

[@jamiemacfarlane7701]

Both body and mind for coping mechanisms for sedation..I've had to, to some degree, adopt "spoon theory" to deal with sedation from my medications.

[@Filthycoffin]

Psych meds gave me permanent suicidal akathisia and TD. Shit drugs. I was originally prescribed zyprexa for nausea couldn’t get off it because my body became dependent on it. Been off all meds 3 years

[@Tammyfrom1972]

So happy for you.

[@JayValmire]

Not you as your not the norm;but ive seen people who get tired of meds, got off them, and ended up going on the manic/depressive rollacoster again repetitively ending up institutionalized again.

[@zezezep]

many folk just DO NOT REALISE how powerfully psych meds affect the brain and the central nervous system. in good ways and in bad ways. to stop taking them suddenly is irresponsible and often very dangerous.

[@argban]

Same situation for me. Good luck 🤞🏼

[@sterredezeeuw3325]

I'm autistic and I used to take ompletely different medication. I always thought I'd stay on them forever but 2 years ago my father got very very sick. He almost died but they couldn't find the reason why he got so sick. They think it might have had to do with him taking medication for many years and that really got me thinking. Now 2 years later I'm off medication and have my own business in which I thrive because I can plan everything in a way that's easy for me to deal with. I still know I wouldn't have been able to go off medication before because of school etc but now it's different. Things can change and it's okay!!!

[@mpicar2]

Thank you, Lauren!

[@ScreamOfTheButterfly1]

I wish you a long life with a good outcome and the darkness that does fall suddenly on man spare you for years

[@bernhard254]

I am amazed how clear and aware you are. I myself was diagnozed with hebephrenic schizophrenia. What helps me the most is Qigong from Shaolin Wahnam. I am now at a low dose of both antipsychotics and antidepressants. I could reduce the medicine 5 steps between january and summer this year. Now i have to be more healthy to stop the medicine but i think i can reach that goal next year. What i wonder in your case what happens if you stop eating keto? And is there more to it than eating keto?

[@user-xr9db2zw7y]

Are qigong and meditation working for you? You haven’t tried keto? Is it possible I connect with you to ask about how you do qigong and meditation please? Thanks

[@bernhard254]

​@@user-xr9db2zw7y yes Qigong works for me. Step by step i become healthy. And no i have not tried keto so far and honestly i think i will not. I think the best for you is to write to my Qigong Sifu (master/teacher). His international website is called shaolintreasurehouse I don't write the full link here because it is the third time i post here and every time the comment is gone. On lots of KZbin channels links are not allowed. Or are you from a german speaking country because then there is a different website. On the websites it must say by Shaolin Wahnam. There are huge differences in Qigong Schooles and this workes for me.

[@bernhard254]

@user-xr9db2zw7y a few hours ago i answered your question five times and the comments didn't show up. Yes Qigong works for me and no i haven't tried keto. Yes we can connect but how. Often youtube doesn't allow to post links and mail.

[@user-xr9db2zw7y]

@@bernhard254 thanks. I’m not good at tech so wouldn’t know how too. Even about looking for KZbin replies to me

[@user-xr9db2zw7y]

@ how did you reduce your meds? How long did it take and how much each time?

[@robertwhiteley-yv1sy]

Lauren, you need to stop apologising for getting better. I completely understand your hesitation to start promoting that which saved you but there’s an uncomfortable reality. Medical findings take on average 30 years to implement. The data is in for medical keto, it works. Do you want to help others escape the suffering you endured and overcame or do you want to keep encouraging medications that were never really going to work. I think you want to help people and that’s noble, unfortunately you will have to take the negative feedback if you are to be successful.

[@philmecup]

I’ve been watching her for awhile, and can say I believe she already understands this

[@robertwhiteley-yv1sy]

@ it’s true. No good deed goes unpunished.

[@alexandria3004]

I took myself off my antipsychotic. I felt it was keeping me over weight and it didn't treat my symptoms. I think meds are good, but we are our own advocates. I hope my NP will understand my decision.

[@tzippysegal1883]

Dear Laurel, You are a source of support and hope. Can you please tell us if you know of integrative Psyquiatrists that would treat people in this way you are describing and not only the symptoms of mental disorders? We are having a hard time finding the right doctor here in New York Thank you!!!!

[@user-xr9db2zw7y]

People tell me that long term keto or even not long term, is no good, it can cause heart, cancer, high cholesterol and other diseases . I’m worried. We eat butter on it own and meat with more fat for fats sources, and we mainly fry beef, lamb, salmon in butter or extra virgin olive oil. Lauren and anyone has suggestions please?

[@unrespiro]

Maybe you could try to do Mediterranean keto?

[@user-xr9db2zw7y]

@ what does Mediterranean keto look like please?

[@reinerschafer1708]

I am on keto BECAUSE I have heart disease. Many of us are. Look up Dr. Thomas Seyfried, well respected, who has a whole protocol on curing cancer with metabolic therapy, of which keto is a big part. Cholesterol is not a disease but rather a blood marker for heart disease and has only a small correlation with heart disease in the general population and basically no correlation in people eating a whole food keto diet. Maybe even an inverse relationship.

[@unrespiro]

@@user-xr9db2zw7y I'm not an expert but I was thinking about trying this variation since I can't do normal keto. It's better if you Google it, because I can be mistaken, but I think that Mediterranean keto diet reduces saturated fat, so most of calories come from extra virgin olive oil and fatty fish, eggs and some nuts and dairy. it reduces consumption of red meat, bacon and butter. Meat sources are from chicken, turkey and rabbit, so pretty lean meat. And lots of vegetables. I live in Spain, so Mediterranean diet is the norm here, but it includes many grains and legumes, fish and very little red meat. So Mediterranean keto would be a normal Mediterranean diet without carbs. But it depends on how much fat you need to consume daily, because I think it's more difficult to obtain all necessary quantity of fat from Mediterranean keto diet than normal one.

[@katherinegreen-we1ec]

Or....vegan keto....

[@Sam12361]

Abilify is great 😊

[@TAG_Underground]

Agreed

[@BeingBetter]

I agree. That's what I'm taking. It doesn't make me feel sedated at all.

[@Cal619Guy]

you're super pretty. :) you look more full of life. you seem more alert and cheerful now. awesome!!!

[@TheStitchesWitch]

Dear Laureen, I wanted to join your keto community on Discord but the link seems experied.

[@devonhouston1091]

I'm sure the Ect helped too , a girl on the comment section said it took her voices away .

[@GuteBesserung8]

This week I had 2 first consultations in my doc's office with women in their 30's that have simply doubled theyr weight along with the psy meds, and both got diagnosed with diabetes recently. Keto ist great. And so are you. Period.

[@alijane6675]

You had consultations. In your doctor’s office. Where you’re a doctor. Uh huh.

[@scottmelchior7100]

Don't know about keto, but avoiding vegetable oil helped me greatly. Video here: Recommend these for anyone looking to be informed about those medications:

[@idylledoll]

In my opinion, not having to rely on meds is having full control of your devices. It’s freedom and I hope this triggers the industry to reconsider their outdated practices and hope your story inspires others to try healthier alternatives. People act like meds are the be all and end all and don’t consider the truth of big pharma. In westernised countries, every single commercial you see is for some kind of drug, yet you never see commercials about how to eat healthy.

[@khernandez7903]

I hope everyone understands the changes, discipline and time involved figuring this out. I know if this was so easy if there was a time in your life that you wanted this done it would have been during your pregnancy, but you had a long way to go yet. We all need to go back and review your videos to how you got here.

[@TimothySharpe-d9t]

I have schizoaffective disorder and my doctor took me off my mood stabilizer. so far I'm good but I'm still on a low dose old antipschotic called Thiothixene. I have a Sociology degree. Do you think you will go into Social Work? I bet you would be a very compassionate Social Worker and you can keep up the channel too.

[@benjones1452]

Ok, I was on one of those tricyclics in my twenties, trifluoperazine similar though, I hated it - but for me the tardive dyskinesia was the reason I discontinued it and moved to olanzapine when it was the new thing. But I hear though that there is less risk of insulin resistance on it. Anyway, I don't take anything now.

[@nuiwai5402]

Well said.

[@raincoathaveli]

I am not saying this won't work for some people, I do thinknit can be a slippery slope because a lot of folks with schizophrenia/schizo-effective disorder often go off their beds and are then are unable to recognize if they spiral into an episode.

[@davidayoub6829]

What is exactly Metabolic Therapies ?

[@reinerschafer1708]

It's a little complicated to explain in a reply comment on KZbin. You could learn a lot from watching a Dr. Chris Palmer interview or lecture or reading his book Brain Energy. In a nutshell, these are therapies designed to fix your metabolism and in the case of mental illnesses, specifically the mitochondria in brain cells, both in numbers and function so they can once again do their job properly.

[@amandasmith6342]

@@reinerschafer1708 Reiner you are a very lovely soul. Your replies to people’s comments is very helpful 👍💗

[@zezezep]

@@reinerschafer1708 your clear description is really appreciated

[@b0tterman]

I'm bi-polar type 2. My meds actually saved my life. But I want to get off them. So far, I'm too afraid to. But this is inspiring. How do you plan the right diet?

[@benjones1452]

I can imagine, there was in the beginning such a boost in energy and honestly difficulty sleeping that I thought that it might be the beginning of a manic episode. I think it needs careful monitoring, I'm not trying to put you off.

[@melihapaydn2137]

WHAT İS HER MEDİCATİON GOD SAKE SOMEONE TELL ME

[@MylesSPearson]

Lauren, I have been diagnosed with “hyper religious” schizophrenia. While this diagnosis does not exist in the DSM 5 or ICD, it is what I am faced with. While I contribute my actions to my spiritual life (Christianity), my psychiatrist sees my intelligence as delusional (i.e. I can describe a dopamine circuit, yet i have issues concentrating at work). While, the only reason I am on antipsychotics (Haldol) is a promise to the administrating psychiatrist that I would take the medication if he let me see my dying dad. Which, after my release, my dad died days later. I am not in a position to try metabolic therapy, as I can barely afford to eat, much less be choosy about it. What advice would you give to someone in a position such as mine?

[@CashMoneyMoore]

You can eat in a metabolically healthy way on food stamps. Trust me it can be done. Look at her food video or keto on a budget videos. You can get 90% of the way there with cheap ground beef, cheap eggs, butter and bacon

[@jiriwiesner]

@@CashMoneyMoore I second this approach. But you will need to get the protein-fat content of the diet right so that you would stay in ketosis, as measured by a ketone meter.

[@CashMoneyMoore]

@@jiriwiesner absolutely, dial up or down the fat same with protein. Fat is very very cheap these days, the higher fat ground beef is usually cheaper, butchers will literally give you fat trimmings if you ask for it.

[@bzzwiebel963]

Well I read that you had some serious psychotic breaks hence going off the meds seems taking a huge risk. What does your partner think?

[@Familylawgroup]

When you were on the meds and entering psychosis you seemed self aware to a degree that you could recognize that you were slipping into psychosis and you were courageous in sharing your mental health shifts with your spouse, your care team and your audience. Now that you are off the anti-psychotics, do you feel you remain as self-aware? How would your family, including your jidsm, describe you today versus last year? You are fortunate enough to have a spouse who is intently aware of your mental status. Are there others in your care team who might speak with you weekly or every other week who might notice any changes since they are outside of the home bubble? If your kids were to notice something "off" with you, what language have you taught them to use and have you taught them to make sure dad knows everything since an unstable mind can be an unreliable narrator? I am very interested in how your kids perceive normal mommy and unstable mommy? Am I correct in thinking your last in hospital stay was the impetus for you to get started on metabolic treatment? Will you need to be on this diet for life? Do you expect it to change when you hit menopause? Has it affected your thyroid levels since you have hypothyroidism? Are you at any risk of become diabetic or hypo ycemic from this regimen? How do you balance your medical diet so that it doesn't turn into an OCD manifestation such as anorexia or other eating disorder?

[@NatureHeadSupreme]

Eating healthy and exercising is part of treatment for illness. Why all the sudden is it profound now? What is the difference?

[@ALINA-eo1cr]

I was thinking the same.

[@unrespiro]

I suppose it's because keto is not considered healthy. For example, I'm eating very healthy and I still can't manage my mental illness, only keto helped with that. But I can't do keto due to some health issues, so I went to normal healthy diet and all the symptoms came back. Although eating healthy is much better of course than not.

[@CashMoneyMoore]

"healthy eating" does not mean keto in most peoples mind. "healthy eating" in the us is 2-300 grams of carbs per day from complex carbs (bread, pasta etc) these things are absolutely not compatible with ketogenic treatment

[@lynetteruest480]

I admre your journey

[@user-xr9db2zw7y]

Has anyone able to get off olanzapine with or without keto? Thanks

[@passantyasser9777]

I have been off Olanzapine since 2023 for months but started taking it again later on, however it’s no longer a regular dosage everyday for example I just take it whenever necessary. It can be once a month, twice a month or once every few months depending on how well my brain is handling itself.

[@user-xr9db2zw7y]

@ with or without keto?

[@benjones1452]

Yes, I came of Olanzapine with keto.

[@passantyasser9777]

@@user-xr9db2zw7y without, I just knew about keto from this channel a few months back

[@DavidFolkesfooa]

So proud

[@NKRAIEM]

You're wonderful !

[@lorenaegas8460]

It would be great if you make videos about the psychology of healing. When you get into a healing process that it’s not symptom focus but pursuing a long term result: such as brain healing. The mindset is very important specially when everything you tried before didnt get to the root cause, or beign try Ing different approaches for many years without results for many of us. How to go from dissapointment and desempowerment (BC of perpetúated suffering) to learn to walk through a Path to real freedom. We Can talk About skills to have the right mindset, the right thought patterns and approach to healing through a metabolic therapy ❤

[@leinad5243]

How many years were you on anti psychotics? Any permanet damage?

[@user-xr9db2zw7y]

Lauren, are you still eating the same keto food as before off meds?

[@sarahh1331]

I'd love to join the community but i can't do apps. I know this is common these days to do things via apps but i find it terribly isolating and frustrating.

[@ScreamOfTheButterfly1]

Statically are you going to be well, or statically phycosis is going to happen

[@mazzystarr7078]

what if your area suddenly has difficulty finding food that keeps you in Keto?

[@reinerschafer1708]

Why would that happen? If things got really bad (wars or such), it's processed food that would have more problems getting to us. If farms are affected, well then we are all in for some very bad times. Also, shortage of food, would put more of us in ketosis than less of us. Fasting is the quickest way to get ketones.

[@mazzystarr7078]

@@reinerschafer1708 just a question, if they got flooded, stuck where they were, canned food only, power goes out.

[@reinerschafer1708]

@@mazzystarr7078 you can eat keto with canned food only if you wish. Canned veggies, canned fish, probably other canned meat, although I personally have never had any, but I'm sure it would be fine. You could stay in ketosis and it would still be far healthier than what most people eat these days.

[@elenaiacob2451]

May I please know for how long you’ve been on them for before tapering them off. Have you experienced any insomnia as withdrawal symptom?Thanks.

[@happyepicpanda]

Hi. So I have schizoaffective, and I was wondering what you mean by metabolic therapy. Is it just your diet? Also once you got off your medication do you have to keep doing keto or can you get back to a normal diet and stay off your medication

[@saraha7632]

Is keto safe long term? I have always heard it was short term only.

[@reinerschafer1708]

It seems to be. People who have been eating low carbs and high fat for decades seem to only have good health as a side affect. Also, most humans were probably in ketosis the vast majority of their lives up until at least 10,000 years ago, when agriculture came on the scene. Once we started eating grains as a staple, things changed.

[@saraha7632]

@reinerschafer1708 that's hopeful, I am attempting to learn what I can. I have 5 mental health diagnosis, it would be nice to eat better and potentially have good outcomes.

[@reinerschafer1708]

@@saraha7632 I hope things work out for you. I can for sure tell you that no one is going to get less healthy switching from processed foods to eating whole foods and eating less carbs, especially refined carbs. I do understand that for some people it can be difficult.

[@JessieShirley-e7d]

As someone who manages Bi-polar 1 and also has children I worry about my children and the genetics involved in the disease, is it the same with you disorder?

[@reinerschafer1708]

Yes, genes play a part in all mental disorders but epigenetics play a bigger part. The genes need to be "switched on" somehow. The correlation between mental illnesses and metabolic illnesses is very interesting. It's almost like something is mutually aggravating/causing both. Those that have metabolic abnormality have a much higher likelihood of developing a mental illness. Over the years, metabolic illnesses keep increasing, as do mental illnesses. Coincidence? Maybe.

[@mapodev]

It's highly irresponsible to teach something like that. Because I made the same mistake and in 2021 I stopped taking my medication and only tried keto and what did it turn out to be? After 6 months I suddenly fell into my worst episode ever. Keto is deceptive because it only extends the time where there is no episode, but it's been proven in studies that keto lasts at most 6 months and then patients fall into an episode. So don't listen to Lauren and please take your medication, because keto doesn't help, because the symptoms are guaranteed to come back after 6 months. And that is scientifically proven.

[@Filthycoffin]

Did you do a hyperbolic taper over the course of years to come off meds? I’ve seen doctors heal using the gaps diet. You probably went into a late onset withdrawal

[@kassi4837]

She's been on this for way more than six months.

[@mapodev]

@ does this change the fact, that the majority in studies develop an episode after six months?

[@Susanne-qp8vj]

Can you reference the mentioned study?

[@sgibson4115]

It’s simple, isn’t it? We don’t take medicine that we don’t need. Why would anyone use pharmaceuticals that they don’t actually need?

[@joannaskor316]

I'm so happy about your transformation I've been trying to convince my son to change his diet. Can you do a video about your diet and hiw you navigate your nutrition

[@RexytheRexy]

This is exactly what I was afraid of: parents and loved ones of people like me/us trying to push keto (in case you aren't aware, the person running this channel partners with a metabolic diet company, so she isn't exactly an unbiased source). If you have a child who is Schizoaffective and willing to comply with medication and treatment who is happy where they are, don't push it. Keto or any other dietary change should be his choice. If he says no, respect that. Your child is a person with agency. We all are. Being pressured often makes us feel like we aren't doing enough, when we're doing everything we can. Keto can have major long-term side effects. It's not a diet to be taken lightly. Talk to his mental health professionals first.

[@paulbreen8533]

How does it affect your food bill? Is it viable for people on welfare?

[@bayandino-j8k]

please check out jesse inchauspes way of eating fibre then meal, it lowers glucose spikes

[@lisagreene4193]

You repeatedly refer to metabolic therapies in the plural. What metabolic therapies are you referring to besides the keto diet? Are there others that you're doing?

[@lexamdelac28]

she exercises, focuses on sleep - those big ones come to mind

[@unrespiro]

For example, for depression there is bright light therapy (both bright (not for bipolar though cause it can trigger hypo and mania), also red and NIR light therapy for mitochondrias; regulating circadian rhythms for example with glasses that block blue light or lamps without blue light in the evening; exercising of course, and there are some supplements and vitamins that support mitochondrias, etc...