Ketogenic Therapy for Mental Illness | Nicole Laurent, LMHC | The Metabolic Link Ep.17

This week’s episode of The Metabolic Link features an interview with Nicole Laurent, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who helps her clients use ketogenic dietary therapy as a treatment for mental illness and neurological issues. Nicole was one of seven pioneers of Metabolic Psychiatry recognized by the Baszucki Brain Research Fund and the Milken Institute with the Metabolic Mind Award in 2022.

What is Metabolic Psychiatry?

Metabolic psychiatry is an emerging field that focuses on targeting and treating metabolic dysfunction to improve mental health outcomes. There is growing evidence of a connection between mental illness and altered metabolism in the brain, so focusing on metabolic dysfunction in addition to traditional mental health treatments can further improve treatment outcomes.

Nicole Laurent’s Story

Having already been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, Nicole developed trigeminal neuralgia while completing her graduate degree. Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain disorder involving sudden and severe facial pain, and despite trying various treatments, Nicole was prescribed increasing doses of pain medication. These came with a host of negative side effects including cognitive decline and reduced quality of life.

It wasn’t until Nicole addressed her underlying metabolic dysfunction through a ketogenic diet that her life changed: “…the energy came on, the lights came on, and I knew I was on the right track."

Nicole Laurent’s Work

Today, Nicole works as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and life coach, helping clients use nutrition to feed and heal their brains alongside traditional therapy modalities including CBT, DBT, and EMDR. 

In this episode, we cover:

• The challenges of promoting de-prescribing in a healthcare system focused on pharmaceutical interventions
• The role of micronutrients in combination with a ketogenic diet for mental health improvements
• The importance of working with a prescriber when implementing ketogenic therapy, especially to address potentiation effects and medication adjustments
• Resources to learn more about the connection between metabolic function and mental health… and more!

In every episode of The Metabolic Link, we'll uncover the very latest research on metabolic health and therapy. If you like this episode, please share it, subscribe, follow, and leave us a comment or review on whichever platform you use to tune in!

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Please keep in mind: The Metabolic Link does not provide medical or health advice, but rather general information that does not serve as a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional. Never delay in seeking medical advice from an appropriately licensed medical provider for any health condition that you may have.