Three Journeys of Recovery from Mental Illness

[@henryzhao4622]

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

[@charliehobson33]

Where can you get info about a healthy keto diet? As in what to eat and quantities

[@metabolicmind]

@@charliehobson33 Here are some guides that detail keto basics: www.metabolicmind.org/families-and-peers#ketolowcarb

[@caitlinhoey841]

Same here! Lauren’s videos changed my life as well.

[@NenadGrbic-bp5kq]

Same here.

[@mahmodali9394]

Congrats 👏 may I ask how much it reduced your OCD on a scale 1 to 10

[@happynjoyousnfree]

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 ❤

[@lyndafindley1930]

@@happynjoyousnfree I believe the nutrition psychiatry is going to blow the lid off our horrible food industry- sugar and flour is a lot more than calories, add fat to that then load up the preservatives. A whole generation that don’t cook from scratch are getting their brains and bodies hyjacked

[@J-wd3kh]

It's been 47 days, and I have been gaining a bit of my shine slowly since day 1 of starting keto 🌟

[@m.walter2178]

Be sure to drink plenty of water, consume electrolytes, dont be discouraged if/when you experience old symptoms etc... it is temporary. it's part of the healing process.

[@naomi8097]

@@m.walter2178did you try keto? How long to see improvements. I get the impression that it recovers quickly

[@Waves353]

47:03 yes!! This is how I was polydrugged into oblivion. I knew I was experiencing withdrawal effects and/or side effects. But who believes the person with the “mental illness”.

[@vickyshe8065]

Amazing! You guys, made me cry🥹 I work with young adults who struggle with mental disorders and I will share it with them during my next groups with them.

[@gjahncke]

Eat carnivore and the brain bugs will go away

[@lexamdelac28]

It all speaks to me. For a few months, I've been going down on olanzapine super slowly while on keto and yes, the psychiatrist told me it's the illness returning when I was experiencing very concerning symptoms and I really freaked out but Nicole Laurent gave me hope and said we may never know why I experienced some really strong suicidality and some intense insomnia for a bit of time while on keto and tapering. The symptoms did pass and I continue to go down slowly without them returning so I am confident in keto, esp over time. My improvement is slow and winding but worth it. Still no psychosis or mania.

[@lyndafindley1930]

Perhaps a bit of addiction slipping away from the food we are no longer eating? Stopping smoking was really hard too! Mood swings, irritability…..

[@naomi8097]

How are you now

[@lexamdelac28]

@@naomi8097 thanks for asking! Still no psychosis/mania/delusions, but each time I lower the dose of olanzapine I do experience some insomnia/anxiety/other withdrawal effects. It's frustrating and I'm going very slow with the taper. I've had some amazing days that Nicole reminds is what is to come, but trying to get off olanzapine to reap full keto benefits is trial and error, frustrating, exhausting. It's just that I still experience olanzapine side effects at the same time so want to get off.

[@unitysprings3631]

@@lexamdelac28 It's highly addictive, whether the psychiatric world will acknowledge that or not! I suspect you're experiencing some withdrawals as you taper. Take extra VitC and hold tight! The last few crumbs are the hardest, but you can literally crush a pill and take the tiniest amount, until you're done. My son had horrific withdrawals from olanzapine, but the last few days he literally just took a crumb at night for a couple of nights and he was settled and done with it. Good luck!

[@naomi8097]

@@lexamdelac28 that’s great! I’m curious what your diet was before keto?

[@markwickens2756]

I love all of you! Stay well! Thank you Bazsucki family for doing this great work!

[@rodneyhopkins2241]

Great to hear more talks in regarding mental illness. When I started the ketogenic way of living almost six years ago and having multiple benefits. My ketone levels have come way down from when I had started. Getting very mixed messages on how high my ketone levels need to be for clinical benefits.

[@metabolicmind]

That is a great question, and it is something that may change over time. We know some people's ketone levels can decrease over time. We wonder if that means someone "needs" less to have the same effect. Hopefully, we can learn more with ongoing research and growing clinical experience.

[@RosalynEdwards-rl4gi]

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[@DanEngell]

Check out the interview between Ben Azadi and Dr. Chris Palmer. Chris discusses that topic from his clinical experience as well as recommending using a blood ketone meter for accuracy.

[@rodneyhopkins2241]

I have learned to best help people around me we each just have to become a lighthouse and not a fog horn.😊

[@watchmethriving]

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!

[@MsLeenite]

Thank you all for sharing your experiences.

[@annacourville4622]

Thank you Matt B! I have epilepsy. I have cut down my meds by 2/3 and 3/4. For the final bit I found your and your father’s 10% taper. Started first decline and all is going well. It will take a while but hopefully can drop the last little bit of the drugs.

[@jan_ellison_baszucki]

So happy to hear this!

[@anamariafernandezpabon822]

Annacurville Hi! I am so glad for you!!! I am also Epileptic. How long it took you to withdrawal your meds? GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS YOU!

[@heatherrj9980]

This was amazing!

[@liliyalas9731]

Indeed, so inspiring and educational. Definitely worth the time spent.❤

[@cherylhood6088]

Thank you for sharing your experiences. You are all so intelligent!

[@creatoratplay]

Thank you for spreading awareness on metabolic interventions! They are life changing!

[@caitlinhoey841]

Yay 😁 I was hoping you would share this content!

[@AngieGriffin-t9n]

Thank you to Lauren, as I have been watching her channel for quite some time on KZbin. 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.

[@m.walter2178]

Our bodies will heal themselves when given the proper tools.

[@NenadGrbic-bp5kq]

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.

[@brittanywilcox7377]

My girl Lauren! I'm so proud of you!

[@LucyBu11]

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.❤

[@Listen966]

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.

[@sammnew]

I’m so sorry 😢

[@marcK599.]

Very true

[@mischelemiller5020]

I don't know you, but Lauren has many signs I see of schizophrenia, but seems verry high functioning. I dont know if its a guy girl thing. My brother is much like your son.but did go to collage and never got the job. Doesn't work doesn't drive lives with mom ect. I'm sorry for you. I really want him to try this. I believe it is worth a try. It can't hurt. My mom just died 2 years ago Colan cancer. I take care of my brother now.

[@Listen966]

@mischelemiller5020 Thank you. You have a hard task at hand. I will keep you in prayer. Sorry about your mom. Blessings to you my dear one.

[@mischelemiller5020]

My mom was so alone so ashamedand did her verry best to be there for him. I am proud of my kind brother. He has been threw so much, in such an unkind un understanding world. I am sending you light and love, blessings and peace to you and your son @listen966

[@Alison7357]

I wonder if it would be beneficial for Westley to go full carnivore as mentioned in the change your diet, change your mind book by Dr. Ede, as more helpful to some people.

[@andrewpenny9265]

😊

[@hellie_el]

❤❤❤

[@Zaeiouy_dB]

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.

[@pdxoregon1]

Nicole Laurent is in Washington.

[@michellemcdermott2026]

Hang in there! We are all in this together

[@dakotaflynn2835]

There is a website that you can search keto trained doctors or therapists. I think it is on dr edes website

[@andrewkonizeski7123]

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?

[@jan_ellison_baszucki]

You bring up very important questions. There is one inpatient study for very ill individuals. Hoping they can figure out the answers to some of these questions. We need to get payers on board for sure as a start. And we have a long way to go.

[@andrewkonizeski7123]

@@jan_ellison_baszucki my aim was more to highlight the importance of their support networks. As I listen to recovery stories through ketogenic lifestyle I continue to find that is present for many and not highlighted enough in my opinion. Of course it’s the deficit in my own short lived experience of ongoing self care through ketogenic lifestyle. (6mos n counting). My life can only improve by getting my mind n body right, is it sustainable or even worth it without meaningful tangible presence in daily life? It’s only a question I can answer. Still I think it’s important factor to highlight in recovery stories. Thank you for all you are doing for present and future mental health care😀

[@charliehobson33]

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

[@metabolicmind]

Here is a good starting point www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/keto/foods

[@jan_ellison_baszucki]

Georgia Ede's book is good for this, too. It has some recipes.

[@BipolarCourage]

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.

[@chelseagow993]

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

[@metabolicmind]

Everyone will likely have a different approach to tapering medications. While we can't speak for Wesley, we did a video with Dr. Ede and Matt Baszucki to share their approaches in detail. We hope that helps. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mobckGSMjJxsbc0

[@chelseagow993]

@@metabolicmind Thank you. Very helpful

[@mischelemiller5020]

I want a poll on how many people the medical keto has helped??? Is there any numbers

[@markpatrick5246]

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 ?

[@metabolicmind]

We are so sorry for your loss and the struggles you have been experiencing finding effective treatment. It is hard to say how well ketogenic therapy would work in each individual circumstance. But we know that it can change the brain fuel and chemistry in just about everyone who tries it, and that certainly has the potential to impact brain function. We recommend that anyone looking to try it discuss it with their healthcare team.

[@markpatrick5246]

@@metabolicmind thank you

[@sandystrait3878]

Thanks for caring for your family members. I lived on a carnivore diet for 6 months to clear my debilitating brain fog and suppressed mood. I now occasionally revert back to a meat only diet when I start to feel unwell. Hamburger is cheap if you know when where to shop. Boring but effective. My favorite food is ribeye steak.

[@DanEngell]

At 41:10, Lauren, did you mean Lorazepam? I've heard of Trazodone but not Lorazodone. Thank you!

[@lexamdelac28]

Lurasidone is Latuda.

[@Catlily5]

Lorazepam is an antianxiety medication. Lurasidone is an antipsychotic medicine

[@louisepolley9707]

How does someone get involved in a career in metabolic health

[@jan_ellison_baszucki]

Perhaps check out the Society for Metabolic Health Practitioners web site?

[@Catlily5]

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.

[@bikrampradhan7525]

Why do they say you need carbs for life span?

[@metabolicmind]

I am not sure who says that, but I would like to see the evidence to support that claim.

[@schizophreniaketosistherapy]

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.

[@metabolicmind]

Unfortunately, that psychiatrist's practice is full and we are not able to share her information. On this page of our website, you can find many resources as well as clinician directors: www.metabolicmind.org/families-and-peers

[@JungleJargon]

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.

[@catheriner6281]

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?

[@metabolicmind]

We have a number of videos on ketosis for eating disorders. Here's a link if you want to explore them. kzbin.info/aero/PLzWI83-NWCL4t_57bTvro3_Umzvr19KBF

[@pdxoregon1]

Eating distaste largely caused by improper diet. To get through sugar /carb addiction withdrawals, try Sugar and Carb Addicts Anonymous SCAA.

[@marciaprevost]

What are you talking about? Everyone hasn't stated the problem for me to stay with you.

[@metabolicmind]

They are sharing their experiences of treating their mental illness with ketogenic and metabolic therapy. So sorry if that wasn't clear.

[@murielbrown3013]

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.

[@jackiecoupland3620]

Was thinking that to 👌🏻

[@metabolicmind]

Some people, like Hannah Warren who is featured in this video, choose to be vegetarian for personal reasons, even when it may not be optimal from a nutrition perspective. When following a plant-based diet, it is important to supplement properly. Hannah is in remission from bipolar 1 disorder using vegetarian ketogenic therapy. She is currently physically and mental healthy. Read her article about vegetarian and vegan keto here: www.metabolicmind.org/blog/is-vegetarian-or-vegan-ketogenic-therapy-possible