r/keto • u/One_Acanthisitta_589 • 3d ago

Has there been any studies better mental health keto creates?

When I was on keto in 2017 I like 70-80 lbs but I was sleeping better, i had suddenly become sharp, my anxiety was gone, I started developing self awareness.

I miss that feeling for sure but I’m curious of anyone has done any studies to see what about keto diet improves mental health so much?

22 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

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u/Stenotic 3d ago edited 3d ago

Mental health and the massive reduction in inflammation in my brain, stomach, joints and every part of my body is the main reason why I always go back to keto after no more than 4 days of higher carb. I don't know if there is much of any real research on keto's impact on mental health but I have proved time and time again how effective it is for my brain the last 20 years. I feel so much better on keto.

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u/No_Atmosphere_6348 3d ago

Same. Lots of mental clarity and less reactivity.
Not to mention no heartburn or migraines. Ugh I need to go back to it. My knees hurt.

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u/Slight_Tiger2914 3d ago

I picked up an ADHD book that did sight a few things like this.

Does it help? YES.... How effective is it?

Depends on the person and personally my thoughts are more clear and I'm able to deconstruct information and numbers in a way that I couldn't when I was younger.

Although when you get to this point (I've had this since I was kid)

It's hard to really know WHAT to do with it... like you're used to operating a certain and now that that way has  fundamentally changed you kinda question your current self MORE.

I've been doing this going on 4 years. I FEEL night and day smarter. The clarity is there its just things at work now feel even LESS like I use my brain. So there's a new balance you're gonna have to find with yourself.

Keto and food too... learning what to eat and what to cut. When to stop.

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u/matchacatisgreencat 3d ago

Which mental health has good effect on keto? I’m falling off keto cuz carbs are too yummy

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u/Suitable-Seaweed-389 2d ago

i'd pay real money to see an actual study on this, the clarity difference is so stark it feels like a cheat code. the brain fog lifting within days is what keeps me coming back too, more than any scale number

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u/adoptachimera 3d ago

Yes. Many. Check out the work of Metabolic Mind.

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u/No-dress_rehearsal 3d ago

Yes, go to the Metabolic Mind website.

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u/HelenEk7 2d ago

This is definetely the first one to check out. High quality info and advice. Also everything Psychiatrist Georgia Ede (a book and lots of lectures and interviews on youtube).

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u/Renntopia 3d ago

Originally keto was created to help epilepsy sufferers in the 30’s to help cut down seizures with great success. The evidence for keto improving mental health is staggering. Especially for Bipolar and Schizophrenia although depression anxiety and adhd receive some benefits too.
There is a new branch of medicine about two years old called Metabolic Psychiatry.

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u/matchacatisgreencat 2d ago

How dose it work for bipolar ?

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u/Renntopia 2d ago

Dr Palmer is considered one of the pioneers of metabolic psychiatry. He wrote a book called Brain Energy about the theory that mental illness is a metabolic disorder and not a chemical imbalance in the brain.

Here’s an article he wrote about bipolar disorder: https://www.google.com/goto?url=CAEShgEB6zswFcRnJIXOSPl323eWngc_Wy5-36CCwup7HRiItYZ74w6EBnne1zGpaQcq4lnI7kwV6XE03BMhxdS5WhkH9nBECzRCejhCvQpPu3schJ1V8HX1OfrMeDTa7KaNntI26AEnCjmJ8FHTu1sbkoVYQPpd-PXNKXTd8kGZnUIO2aFzW_IRQA

I would also recommend you do a search for some of his interviews on YouTube where he talks about the first bipolar patient he treated using the ketogenic diet in the treatment. His work is truly inspiring and groundbreaking.

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u/matchacatisgreencat 2d ago

Thank you I’m going to watch his YouTube :)

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u/Obvious_Sandwich3983 2d ago

Im also experiencing mental clarity, less anxiety, better decision making. I started keto 3 month ago. I’m wondering if this would also be the case with a low carb diet, or do you actually have to maintain ketosis to experience it.

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u/One_Acanthisitta_589 2d ago

Thats what im trying to figure out too. Is it the ketosis thats making my brain better or is it something else like low calories. Keep it up you really get to see who you truly are when your mind gets cleared up.

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u/ReverseLazarus MOD Keto since 2017 - 40F/SW215/CW135 2d ago

I’ve been eating keto at maintenance since hitting my goal weight in 2018 and I still enjoy the mental health benefits while no longer eating at a deficit, so my personal (anecdotal!) experience is that it’s not a lower calorie intake that drives it. 🙂.

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u/One_Acanthisitta_589 2d ago

Very good input thank you

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u/Odd-Tangerine8250 2d ago

They say the brain runs more efficiently on ketones than glucose.

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u/Bennydinero 3d ago

No idea but for me honestly I’m never more clear minded and sharp than I am on Keto I’m also happier in general, I literally said to my partner yesterday that maybe I just have to stick to it for life if not low carb whole foods eventually

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u/BrenjustBren 3d ago

It does make my anxiety worse within the first months.

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u/[deleted] 2d ago

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u/BrenjustBren 2d ago

Some things I think get worse at first and then better.

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u/One_Acanthisitta_589 2d ago

Really? What do you eat on keto?

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u/BrenjustBren 2d ago

My usual meals… eggs, avocado and cheese in the mornings. Then my dinner… cabbage with bacon and whatever for more protein. Or ground beef in cheese tacos. Electrolytes, water and club soda. Sometimes I’ll have Lilly’s and peanuts when I need sugar because I’m female.

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u/One_Acanthisitta_589 2d ago

Something in that combo might be giving you spikes of anxiety

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u/DapperDemonz 2d ago

It’s a lot of high histamine foods, could be a culprit 

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u/Renntopia 2d ago

What are you using as a wrap for the tacos? If it’s one of those keto tortillas that has a lot of added fibre to bring down the carb count that could be the issue. For some people these are fine and don’t take them out of ketosis. For some people however they cause a spike in blood sugar. Maybe you are one of those? Some people might also not respond well to things like Xantham Gum and some artificial sweeteners. Check out the ingredients in any prepared and processed food you eat.

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u/BrenjustBren 2d ago

I use cheese, I fry and then use that.

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u/fnezio 2d ago

That’s strange. The only anxiety I get is nightmares about having eaten ice cream..

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u/Midgetforsale 2d ago

I have nightmares about having eaten chocolate cake! Haha

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u/Odd-Tangerine8250 2d ago

Look up some podcasts with dr Chris Palmer, he talks a lot about mental health and keto. Some great conversations out there!

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u/Sweet-Sir-10 2d ago

Ketones are more neuroprotective than the usual fuel source we use. Our brains seem to prefer them.