It was such a pleasure to get to talk more with Dr. Shebani Sethi, Clinical Associate Professor at Stanford University and Founding Director of the Metabolic Psychiatry Clinic, to explore the cutting-edge field of metabolic psychiatry. Dr. Sethi shares how her expertise in psychiatry and obesity medicine led her to connect brain health and metabolism, addresses the gaps this emerging field fills in traditional psychiatry, and discusses the results of her recent clinical trial using the ketogenic diet to improve serious mental illness.
We dive into the future of metabolic psychiatry, including ongoing RCTs, training for psychiatrists, the role of GLP-1 agonists, and ways to integrate metabolic therapies into current treatment protocols. Dr. Sethi also reflects on the identity shifts this paradigm presents for both patients and clinicians, and what needs to happen to bring systemic change to mental health care.
If you’re curious about the connection between metabolism and mental health or want to learn about the transformative potential of this new approach, this is an interview you don’t want to miss!
Thank you so much Dr. Sethi for sharing your perspective and approach to psychiatry with us.
You can learn more about Dr. Sethi and the Stanford Metabolic Psychiatry program (founded by Dr. Sethi) - https://www.metabolicpsychiatry.com/
You can learn more about the results of Dr. Sethi's pilot study 'Ketogenic Diet Intervention on Metabolic and Psychiatric Health in Bipolar and Schizophrenia: A Pilot Trial' here - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165178124001513
Preprint paper 'Metabolic Psychiatry: A Conceptual Framework Targeting Metabolic Dysfunction in Psychiatric Disease' - https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/wm8g3?view_only=
Find Dr. Sethi on social media here:
Instagram: @metabolicpsychiatry / @shebanisethi
Twitter: @ShebaniMD
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to Dr. Shebani Sethi
01:40 - Making the connection between metabolism and mental health
05:40 - Gaps in how we approach traditional psychiatry that metabolic psychiatry could help to address
08:40 - Metabolism based interventions to improve psychiatric outcomes beyond just the ketogenic diet (including medications)
13:28 - Results from her Stanford pilot trial that looked at ketogenic therapy for bipolar and schizophrenia (and what's next!)
18:14 - Addressing criticisms of this pilot trial
25:30 - Where is the field of metabolic psychiatry going from here? Will it become more enmeshed in mainstream psychiatry?
31:05 - How could metabolic psychiatry integrate with existing treatment protocols? (ie medication that may impede metabolic functioning)
34:11 - GLP-1 agonists (drugs like Ozempic) vs. ketogenic therapy for improving metabolic functioning
40:00 - How identity is enmeshed into mental illness and how that can play out at both a patient and clinician level
50:10 - Improving quality of life as the primary goal
51:10 - Where is the research focus going to be in the next 5-10 years?
*MEDICAL KETO RESOURCES*
Learn more about medical keto for mental illness:
• Metabolic Mind YouTube channel: youtube.com/@metabolicmind and website: www.metabolicmind.org
• My keto coach, Nicole Laurent’s website: http://www.mentalhealthketo.com
• Brain Energy by Dr. Christopher Palmer: http://www.brainenergy.com
*JOIN OUR COMMUNITIES*
• Metabolic Therapies for Mental Disorders: http://www.metabolictherapysupport.com
• Schizophrenia Peer Support Community: http://www.schizophreniapeersupport.com
*HOW TO TEST YOUR KETONES* (important for medical keto!)
• Keto Mojo Monitor: Finger prick test for ketone and glucose levels. Save 10% with our affiliate link: http://bit.ly/ketomojolivingwell
• SiBio Continuous Monitor: Wearable for continuous ketone tracking. Save 15% with code “LIVINGWELL15” and link: http://bit.ly/sibio
*SPEAKING & CONSULTING*
Looking for a mental health advocate for your event or project? Learn more: http://www.laurenkennedywest.com
*MENTAL HEALTH APPAREL*
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