Keto for Bipolar: Cure or Craze?

Can following a keto diet help people with bipolar disorder reduce or even eliminate medication? While keto is often promoted as a potential game-changer for mental health, there’s a crucial question: Can it really help manage bipolar symptoms? In this episode, Dr. Nicole Washington shares insights from clinical experience, balancing keto’s possible benefits against the dangers of going off medication. Gabe Howard, who lives with bipolar, raises concerns about how fad diets can lead people to potentially harmful decisions, while Dr. Nicole explains what science currently says about keto’s effects on the brain. Together, they debunk myths and discuss how to safely consider diet changes without jeopardizing stability. Perfect for anyone curious about diet trends, mental health, and the complex intersection between the two. Listen now! “I have followed a keto diet. It is hard. If you really are saying, I want to commit, you need to do your research. You need to learn about macros and what a keto diet is, and how many grams of protein should you be taking in a day? How many grams of fat? What kinds of fats? How many grams of carbs should you limit yourself to? Are you going to intermittent fast with your keto? Like, there's so many parts to this, know what you're getting yourself into.” ~Dr. Nicole Washington To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit the official episode page. This episode is sponsored, in part, by Cornbread Hemp. They produced the first-ever USDA-certified organic CBD gummies in America. Save 30% on your first order using code "Inside30." Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. To learn more about Gabe, or book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com. You can also follow him on Instagram and TikTok at @askabipolar. Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Washington has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions. Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.