How Ketosis Transformed My Mental Health: A Deep Dive into the Science of the Ketogenic Diet

Discovering Ketosis: A Personal Journey

I first learned about the benefits of a ketogenic diet two decades ago while studying dietetics in college. One of my textbooks briefly mentioned its use as a carbohydrate-restricted protocol for treating drug-resistant epilepsy in children. At the time, I wondered if this approach might also help manage my bipolar disorder, given that many of the medications I was prescribed were originally anticonvulsants for epilepsy.

However, the textbook’s brief description led me to misunderstand how the keto diet should be applied. I assumed that carb restriction alone was the key, unaware of the crucial role of healthy fats. My early attempts at a low-fat, high-protein keto diet yielded little benefit. While I continued to follow low-carb diets for weight management, I didn’t consider their potential for mental health treatment—until October 2022.

That month, I unintentionally entered ketosis, and the results were remarkable. (To read more about how I discovered the effects of ketosis on my bipolar disorder, see my article How Cutting Carbs Changed My Bipolar Brain.)

After just two weeks:
✅ Hypersensitivity, irritability, and chronic anxiety vanished.
✅ I could leave the house without overwhelming panic.
✅ My racing thoughts became clearer and more organized.
✅ Everyday tasks felt manageable with newfound mental clarity.

I needed to understand the science behind ketosis. Was this a fluke, or had I stumbled upon a legitimate metabolic treatment for mental illness?

What Is Ketosis? The Science Behind It

Physiological ketosis is the body’s natural response to low glucose availability. In other words, it’s how our metabolism adapts to periods of carbohydrate scarcity.

For most of human evolution, carbohydrates were not readily available—especially in colder climates during Ice Ages. Early humans thrived on diets rich in animal fats and proteins, with limited access to plant-based carbs.

Interestingly, carbohydrates are one of only two non-essential macronutrients (the other being alcohol). In contrast, fat and protein are essential for human survival.

So, how does the body adapt when carbs are unavailable?

• The liver begins breaking down fat into ketones, an alternative fuel source.

• Ketones efficiently power brain cells, providing stable energy and reducing blood sugar fluctuations.

• This system allows humans to survive food scarcity and function optimally on stored body fat.

How Ketosis Supports Mental Health

If ketosis is a natural metabolic state, why does it seem to be so beneficial for mental illness?

In a 2020 study published in Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Obesity, researchers Drs. Nicholas Norwitz, Shebani Sethi, and Christopher Palmer outlined four major reasons why ketosis may improve brain function:

1. Glucose Hypometabolism: Starving Brain Cells Get an Alternative Fuel

Many mental disorders, including bipolar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia, involve impaired glucose metabolism in the brain. This means that neurons are starving for energy despite plenty of glucose being available.

🔹 Ketones bypass this problem, fueling brain cells directly and restoring energy balance.

2. Neurotransmitter Balance: Regulating Dopamine, GABA, and Serotonin

Poor glucose metabolism affects the brain’s ability to produce neurotransmitters like:
✅ GABA (calming neurotransmitter)
✅ Dopamine (motivation, pleasure, and focus)
✅ Serotonin (mood stabilization)

Since ketosis enhances brain energy production, neurotransmitter function also improves, leading to better mood stability and cognitive function.

3. Reducing Oxidative Stress and Inflammation

Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress have been linked to mental health disorders, Alzheimer’s disease, and metabolic dysfunction.

🔹 Ketones reduce inflammation and oxidative damage, potentially reversing or slowing neurodegeneration.

4. Anti-Inflammatory Benefits: Healing the Brain from the Inside Out

Neuroinflammation is a common factor in bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety. Ketones have been shown to reduce inflammation, making them a powerful tool for mental wellness.

Can You Take Ketones in a Pill?

With all the benefits of ketones, why not just take exogenous ketones (ketone supplements)?

✅ Some studies suggest that exogenous ketones may help patients who struggle with dietary adherence, such as those with dementia or severe cognitive impairments.
❌ However, they are expensive and less effective than achieving ketosis through diet.
❌ A true ketogenic diet offers additional metabolic benefits beyond just ketone production.

For those who can follow a ketogenic lifestyle, the long-term benefits appear to be more profound than taking supplements alone.

Final Thoughts: Why Nutritional Ketosis Deserves More Attention

Two decades ago, I never imagined that ketosis could change my life. When I accidentally entered nutritional ketosis in 2022, I discovered a powerful metabolic therapy that significantly improved my mental health.

While more research is needed, the current evidence suggests that the ketogenic diet is a promising intervention for mental disorders.

As science continues to explore the link between metabolism and brain health, I believe nutritional ketosis will gain recognition as a viable therapy for bipolar disorder, depression, and cognitive decline.

For now, I’ll continue to share my journey, research, and insights in the hope that others struggling with mental health issues may find a path to healing—just as I did.