In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Dr. Iain Campbell, a metabolic psychiatry researcher at the University of Edinburgh, to explore the emerging science behind using ketogenic diets as a potential treatment for bipolar disorder and other serious mental health conditions.

With both scientific expertise and lived experience of bipolar type II, Iain shares how nutritional ketosis may be more than just a physical health tool — it might be a game-changer for mental health too. We dive into the connection between metabolism, brain energy, glutamate, circadian rhythms, and psychiatric medications — and what happens when these systems go off balance.

Whether you're dealing with bipolar disorder, supporting someone who is, or simply curious about the future of psychiatry, this episode offers deep insights and real hope.

00:00 Introduction & Why Metabolic Psychiatry Matters

01:57 Ketogenic Diet & Bipolar Disorder – Where It All Began

03:21 Iain’s Personal Battle with Bipolar & Path to Discovery

05:10 The Link Between Ketosis and Mood Stabilization

08:11 Ketone Levels – What’s Optimal for Mental Health?

12:20 Exogenous Ketones & MCT Oil for Rapid Relief

13:35 Evolution, Ketosis & Our Modern Diet

14:44 Ketosis, Mania, and Glutamate Explained

17:00 Fixing the “Engine” – Root-Cause Mental Health Solutions

18:18 The Spring Equinox & Seasonal Triggers in Bipolar

21:06 Evolutionary Advantage of Bipolar Genes?

22:25 Managing Mood Swings Through Diet

24:01 Insulin Resistance as a Driver of Psychiatric Disorders

26:37 Who Else Could Benefit from This Approach?

28:05 A Breakthrough Moment in Psychiatry’s Acceptance

31:00 How a Tweet Changed Everything

33:18 The Future of Metabolic Psychiatry Research

34:34 Diet + Medication – Why Integration Matters

36:38 The Power of a Patient-Driven Movement

39:02 Rethinking Side Effects of Psychiatric Medications

42:09 Can We Prevent Mental Illness with Early Intervention?

43:29 Hope for Young People Facing a Diagnosis 44:15 Upcoming Research & What’s Next

 ▬▬ Links ▬▬▬▬▬

Follow Dr. Iain Campbell: @iaincampbellphd

Learn more at: https://www.ketoforbipolar.com

Watch his patient interview series: Keto for Bipolar on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SaWFpW2U8o&list=PLzWI83-NWCL5wLVxPUIjg9fP92sl7bdhP

Dr. Chris Palmer’s work: https://www.brainenergy.com

Big thanks to the guys at https://octopod.productions for their fantastic audio and video editing!

✅ Check out the episode including all the extra show note links here: 

✅ Link to this YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/UZRkupq7ZCM

✅ Follow us on Twitter: https://x.com/biohackerslab

✅ Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BiohackersLab

✅ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biohackers.lab/

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who might benefit from this groundbreaking discussion. Your support helps us keep bringing these important conversations to light!

In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Dr. Iain Campbell, a metabolic psychiatry researcher at the University of Edinburgh, to explore the emerging science behind using ketogenic diets as a potential treatment for bipolar disorder and other serious mental health conditions.
With both scientific expertise and lived experience of bipolar type II, Iain shares how nutritional ketosis may be more than just a physical health tool &mdash; it might be a game-changer for mental health too. We dive into the connection between metabolism, brain energy, glutamate, circadian rhythms, and psychiatric medications &mdash; and what happens when these systems go off balance.
Whether you're dealing with bipolar disorder, supporting someone who is, or simply curious about the future of psychiatry, this episode offers deep insights and real hope.
00:00 Introduction &amp; Why Metabolic Psychiatry Matters
01:57 Ketogenic Diet &amp; Bipolar Disorder &ndash; Where It All Began
03:21 Iain&rsquo;s Personal Battle with Bipolar &amp; Path to Discovery
05:10 The Link Between Ketosis and Mood Stabilization
08:11 Ketone Levels &ndash; What&rsquo;s Optimal for Mental Health?
12:20 Exogenous Ketones &amp; MCT Oil for Rapid Relief
13:35 Evolution, Ketosis &amp; Our Modern Diet
14:44 Ketosis, Mania, and Glutamate Explained
17:00 Fixing the &ldquo;Engine&rdquo; &ndash; Root-Cause Mental Health Solutions
18:18 The Spring Equinox &amp; Seasonal Triggers in Bipolar
21:06 Evolutionary Advantage of Bipolar Genes?
22:25 Managing Mood Swings Through Diet
24:01 Insulin Resistance as a Driver of Psychiatric Disorders
26:37 Who Else Could Benefit from This Approach?
28:05 A Breakthrough Moment in Psychiatry&rsquo;s Acceptance
31:00 How a Tweet Changed Everything
33:18 The Future of Metabolic Psychiatry Research
34:34 Diet + Medication &ndash; Why Integration Matters
36:38 The Power of a Patient-Driven Movement
39:02 Rethinking Side Effects of Psychiatric Medications
42:09 Can We Prevent Mental Illness with Early Intervention?
43:29 Hope for Young People Facing a Diagnosis 44:15 Upcoming Research &amp; What&rsquo;s Next
&nbsp;▬▬ Links ▬▬▬▬▬
Follow Dr. Iain Campbell: @iaincampbellphd
Learn more at: <a href="https://www.ketoforbipolar.com">https://www.ketoforbipolar.com</a>
Watch his patient interview series: Keto for Bipolar on YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SaWFpW2U8o&amp;list=PLzWI83-NWCL5wLVxPUIjg9fP92sl7bdhP">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SaWFpW2U8o&amp;list=PLzWI83-NWCL5wLVxPUIjg9fP92sl7bdhP</a>
Dr. Chris Palmer&rsquo;s work: <a href="https://www.brainenergy.com">https://www.brainenergy.com</a>
Big thanks to the guys at https://octopod.productions for their fantastic audio and video editing!
✅ Check out the episode including all the extra show note links here:&nbsp;
✅ Link to this YouTube Video: <a href="https://youtu.be/UZRkupq7ZCM">https://youtu.be/UZRkupq7ZCM</a>
✅ Follow us on Twitter: <a href="https://x.com/biohackerslab">https://x.com/biohackerslab</a>
✅ Follow us on Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BiohackersLab">https://www.facebook.com/BiohackersLab</a>
✅ Follow us on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/biohackers.lab/">https://www.instagram.com/biohackers.lab/</a>
If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who might benefit from this groundbreaking discussion. Your support helps us keep bringing these important conversations to light!

The BioHackers Lab podcast explores how to improve your health including your gut, mind, and body so that you can live the best life you can. Lifestyle changes you make can be customised to how your body works. This is biohacking your own ideal life. Your host, Gary Kirwan, talks with people all around the world who are helping to improve health in interesting ways. This may includes different diets, using certain supplements, using exercise, mind training & health gadgets. The ideas shared are meant to be actionable so that you can start creating a better you starting today. Please go to the website https://www.biohackerslab.com for all episodes and summary notes from interviews.

The BioHackers Lab podcast explores how to improve your health including your gut, mind, and body so that you can live the best life you can. Lifestyle changes you make can be customised to how your body works. This is biohacking your own ideal life. Your host, Gary Kirwan, talks with people all around the world who are helping to improve health in interesting ways. This may includes different diets, using certain supplements, using exercise, mind training &amp; health gadgets. The ideas shared are meant to be actionable so that you can start creating a better you starting today. Please go to the website <a href="https://www.biohackerslab.com">https://www.biohackerslab.com</a> for all episodes and summary notes from interviews.

Discover How to Biohack Your Mind, Body and Gut Health For a Better You

BioHackers Lab: Health Show for How to Live Your Best Life

A health podcast show about biohacking your own ideal life. Your host, Gary Kirwan, talks with people all around the world who are helping to improve health in interesting ways. This may includes diet, supplements, exercise, mind training & gadgets. The ideas shared are meant to be actionable so you can start creating a better you starting today.

For more information about Biohackers Lab please go to the website BiohackersLab.com

A health podcast show about biohacking your own ideal life. Your host, Gary Kirwan, talks with people all around the world who are helping to improve health in interesting ways. This may includes diet, supplements, exercise, mind training &amp; gadgets. The ideas shared are meant to be actionable so you can start creating a better you starting today.
For more information about Biohackers Lab please go to the website <a href="https://www.biohackerslab.com">BiohackersLab.com</a>

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