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Metabolism & Mental Health

We believe that the twin epidemics of metabolic and mental illness are intimately intertwined, and hope to promote evidence-based nutritional approaches to both. We support basic, translational and clinical research investigating the brain energy dynamics of psychiatric disorders. We aim to fuel the nascent fields of metabolic psychiatry and metabolic neuroscience to deliver breakthrough treatments promoting prevention, recovery and remission in those at risk for or living with mental health conditions.

With an initial focus on serious mental illness, we hope our work will grow to impact a broad range of neuropsychiatric, neurological, neurodegenerative and metabolic conditions.

Our Story

In 2016, our founders experienced the challenges of a mental health crisis firsthand when the eldest of their four children, their son, Matt, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age 19. After battling bipolar illness for five years, Matt achieved a full recovery from his condition using a metabolic ketogenic therapy with 100 years of evidence in epilepsy. The Baszuckis speak openly about their experience to offer hope to other families. They believe fighting stigma requires not only ground-breaking science, but open conversations and life stories.

Program Areas

We partner with scientists and innovators across the biomedical research and venture ecosystem to promote the development and delivery of metabolic approaches to brain health.

Metabolic Psychiatry We fund research on existing and emerging ketogenic and metabolic interventions for psychiatric disorders. View
Mental Health Advocacy We invest in organizations that are bringing the voices of those most impacted by mental illness to the forefront. View
Bipolar Disorder We partner with researchers and their teams to advance basic, translational and clinical bipolar research. View
Metabolic Neuroscience We support high-risk, high-impact research in the nascent field of metabolic neuroscience. View
Metabolic Mind We leverage science and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges. View

Featured Videos

The Connection Between Metabolic and Mental Health with Dr. Bret Scher

Jan 16, 2023 – Metabolic Mind director Dr. Bret Scher explores the important connection between metabolic and mental health as well as emerging evidence that metabolic therapies, like ketogenic diets, may help reduce or even eliminate symptoms of psychiatric illness.

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Bipolarcast Episode 10: Jan and Matt Baszucki Live from Keto-Live

August 8, 2022 — An interview with Jan Ellison Baszucki, author and president of Baszucki Group, and Matt Baszucki, music producer at Roblox, on their family’s journey with bipolar and discovering a ketogenic metabolic therapy.

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Brain Energy, Mitochondria, and Mental Health with Harvard’s Dr. Chris Palmer

Oct 3, 2023 – An interview with Dr. Chris Palmer, founder and director of the Metabolic and Mental Health Program at McLean Hospital and assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.

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