Is Bipolar Disorder Really a Diet Problem?

What if the relentless cycles of depression and mania in bipolar disorder are not a permanent chemical imbalance, but symptoms of a metabolic crisis in the body that can be reversed?

In this Dr. Hyman Show episode, Dr. Mark Hyman talks with Dr. Iain Campbell, a neuroscientist from the University of Edinburgh who brings a rare dual perspective to this question. Not only is he a leading researcher in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, but he has also lived with the crushing reality of bipolar II disorder himself.

Dr. Campbell shares his harrowing personal story—from being a successful music producer to facing periods of catatonic depression and suicidal ideation where conventional medications failed him. The turning point in his life came unexpectedly when he tried a form of the ketogenic diet and, for the first time, felt the lights in his brain click back on. This profound experience of remission launched his scientific quest to understand the biological roots of his condition.

We dive deep into the science of metabolic psychiatry, exploring the radical idea that mental illnesses are often energy disorders. We discuss how our modern diet dysregulates ancient survival mechanisms, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction, insulin resistance, and brain inflammation that drive these conditions.

In this episode, we unpack:

• What it means when mental health symptoms start in the body—not just the brain

• How to tell if metabolism, sleep, or inflammation are driving your mood swings

• Why seasonal changes impact energy and mood, and how you can stay steady year-round

• When keto might help where meds haven’t, and what to know before trying it

• How to catch metabolic red flags before they affect your mental health

When we shift how we see mental health, real healing becomes possible. There are answers, and this episode can help you find them.

This is one of the most hopeful conversations I’ve had about the future of mental healthcare. It challenges the stigma and offers a new map for a journey toward recovery and true wellness.

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#BipolarDisorder #MetabolicPsychiatry #KetoDiet #MentalHealth #DrMarkHyman #FunctionalMedicine #BrainHealth #InsulinResistance #Depression #Keto #NutritionalPsychiatry #Psychiatry #Mitochondria #BrainEnergy

(0:00) Introduction to bipolar disorder and mental health
(0:23) Exploring the ketogenic diet's impact on mental health
(1:14) Critique of traditional psychiatry and historical perspectives
(4:06) Functional medicine's approach to mental health
(6:20) Personal experiences with bipolar disorder and suicidal ideation
(11:16) Discovery and effects of the ketogenic diet on mental health
(18:00) Discussing energy, metabolism, and mitochondrial dysfunction in bipolar disorder
(22:41) Introduction to metabolic psychiatry and the brain's energy crisis
(27:11) Critiquing DSM-5 and exploring novel diagnostic tools in psychiatry
(35:18) Chronic illnesses and shared metabolic issues in mental health
(37:47) Seasonal variations in bipolar disorder and metabolic implications
(44:48) Genetic factors and metabolomics in mental health
(53:49) Pilot study on ketogenic diet's effects on bipolar disorder
(55:20) Sponsor: Function Health
(57:06) Metabolic dysfunction in teenagers and mental health implications
(59:06) Cellular energy crisis and psychiatric illnesses
(1:03:20) Brain imaging and elevated brain glutamate in mental health
(1:06:51) Ketogenic diet's impact on brain metabolism
(1:09:51) Intranasal insulin as a potential therapy
(1:13:37) Evolving perspectives and funding in mental illness research
(1:17:56) Advice and advancements in functional medicine for mental health
(1:22:17) The relevance of The Ultramind Solution and current research trajectories
(1:23:09) Therapeutic trials, nutritional supplements, and empowering knowledge
(1:24:15) Opportunities for clinical trial participation and resources for learning
(1:24:52) Closing remarks and acknowledgments