Can Ketogenic Therapy Put OCD Into Remission?

May 27, 2025

Dr. Chris Palmer, a psychiatrist at McLean Hospital and author of "Brain Energy," teams up with research assistant Aaron MacDonald to explore the potential of ketogenic therapy in alleviating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms. They delve into inspiring case studies showcasing dramatic symptom relief, sparking hope for treatment-resistant cases. The discussion highlights the intricate relationship between metabolic health and mental illness, stressing the urgent need for further research. Personal anecdotes enrich their insights, emphasizing a promising shift in mental health treatment.

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ANECDOTE

Rapid OCD Relief with Ketosis

One individual saw OCD symptoms vanish within two weeks of entering ketosis after initially improving by reducing grains.
This shows a stepwise dietary impact on OCD, with ketosis providing dramatic symptom relief.

ANECDOTE

Ketogenic Diet Transformed Severe OCD

A woman with severe OCD thought death was the only escape, but her symptoms resolved within two weeks on a ketogenic diet.
This personal story highlights the dramatic potential of ketogenic therapy in treatment-resistant OCD.

ANECDOTE

Keto Alleviates Medication Side Effects

Another individual with treatment-resistant OCD experienced debilitating medication side effects like sleeping 16-20 hours daily.
Ketogenic diet helped reduce side effects and brought back energy and passion for life.

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Can ketogenic therapy help reduce or even resolve symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)? Dr. Chris Palmer and research assistant Aaron MacDonald join Metabolic Mind to discuss one of the first published case series exploring metabolic and ketogenic interventions for OCD. In this video, you’ll learn: - Why OCD deserves more attention as a serious, life-limiting condition - How three individuals saw dramatic symptom relief using a therapeutic ketogenic diet - What role ketosis may play in symptom reduction and why results varied from two weeks to a full year - The potential mechanisms behind metabolic therapies and brain energy metabolism - Why more research, including randomized controlled trials, is urgently needed This conversation is especially valuable for clinicians, patients, and families seeking new approaches for treatment-resistant OCD. It also touches on broader implications of metabolic health across a range of mental illnesses, including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, and the importance of supervised, individualized treatment plans. Hear how both guests bring personal experience with OCD into their research, and why they’re hopeful this work will pave the way for better, much-needed options in mental health care. Experts Featured:- Dr. Chris Palmer, MD Website - https://chrispalmermd.com - Book: https://brainenergy.com - Aaron John MacDonald, research assistant in the Metabolic and Mental Health Program at McLean Hospital Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry. Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org

About us:Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.