Emerging research is beginning to investigate metabolic dysfunction that may be associated with PTSD, opening another area of inquiry for a condition that urgently needs better treatment options.
A 2024 feasibility study led by Maria Edwards offered an early clinical look at ketogenic therapy in people living with PTSD. Inspired by her experience using metabolic therapies, which she has described as helping her bipolar 2 disorder reach remission, Edwards turned her lived experience into a research question (*).
Since then, the research base has begun to grow. A 2026 integrative review brought together 16 publications examining ketogenic therapy and PTSD. The evidence included human research and animal studies, along with reviews of proposed mechanisms. The authors identified preliminary signals of potential benefit while emphasizing that the evidence remains limited and larger, well-controlled clinical trials are needed (*).
Together, these studies raise a growing question in PTSD research: could targeting metabolism offer another way to support people living with the condition?
For individuals living with PTSD, finding better answers is especially urgent. Current treatments can help, but many people continue to experience persistent symptoms or have limited access to specialized care. Even when treatment is available, it may not provide enough relief. Studying the metabolic biology of PTSD could help widen the range of options under investigation and move the field toward more effective, personalized care.
The Desperate Need for Better PTSD Treatments
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects approximately 10 million people in the United States annually, with nearly 6% of adults experiencing it at some point in their life.
10M People affected by PTSD in the US annually
6% Of adults experience PTSD at some point in their life
Among veterans, the prevalence is even higher. Data presented by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs found that over 10% of veterans receiving VA care were diagnosed with PTSD (*). Notably, this figure reflects documented diagnoses among veterans receiving VA care and may not capture the full burden of PTSD across the veteran population.
While current treatments can be life-changing, they don’t always provide sufficient relief for everyone. Access to specialized, trauma-informed care also remains a significant barrier.
Over the past 20 years, more than 6,000 veteran suicides have occurred annually, with the steepest rise among those aged 18–34(*). These alarming statistics highlight a critical failure in the current care systems, leaving too many without the help they desperately need.
The shortcomings of treatment have led to tragic stories like those of Julia Larsen and Andrew Iles. Larsen, a former Navy firefighter, endured PTSD, psychosis, and military sexual trauma, only to be denied immediate care at her local VA clinic. Left without adequate support, she suffered a night of terror that led to the unthinkable: a tragedy that claimed the life of her mother.
Iles, a former Air Force technician, experienced fragmented care riddled with frequent changes in providers and an over-reliance on telehealth. In the grip of a paranoid delusion, he, too, faced a horrifying outcome, fatally harming his mother in a moment of crisis. Both cases reveal glaring gaps in access to care.
These harsh realities call for a new paradigm in PTSD care, one that prioritizes healing over symptom management, addresses the underlying mechanisms of the disorder, and provides veterans with the respect and support they deserve.
PTSD as a Metabolic Disorder
PTSD is commonly understood through its psychological and neurological effects, but emerging research is also examining whether changes in metabolism may be associated with the condition and its symptoms.
Some studies have reported differences in brain glucose metabolism among people living with PTSD. Researchers are investigating whether these differences contribute to symptoms or reflect other processes associated with the condition.
Let’s explore how these metabolic disruptions manifest in PTSD:
Glucose Hypometabolism: Some research has identified altered glucose metabolism in brain regions involved in memory processing, including the hippocampus(*). Dysfunctional glucose metabolism causes an energy deficit in the brain that can impair cognitive function and contribute to downstream effects such as neurotransmitter imbalances, oxidative stress, and inflammation.
Neurotransmitter Imbalances: PTSD has been associated with changes in several signaling systems involved in stress response and emotional regulation. Research has examined catecholamine activity as well as serotonin and GABA pathways, although findings do not establish one universal neurotransmitter pattern for everyone living with PTSD (**).
Oxidative Stress & Inflammation: Studies have reported associations between PTSD and markers of oxidative stress or inflammation. Researchers are investigating whether these processes may affect cellular health and the regulation of stress responses (*.
Understanding PTSD through this metabolic lens opens the door to innovative treatment approaches, including ketogenic therapies, that target the brain’s energy systems directly.
Ketogenic Therapy & PTSD
Researchers are investigating whether ketogenic therapy could influence metabolic processes that may be relevant to PTSD. During nutritional ketosis, ketones can serve as a complementary fuel source for the brain, which is particularly helpful for people who have trouble with brain glucose metabolism.
Furthermore, preclinical and mechanistic research is examining how ketogenic interventions may affect neurotransmitter signaling. Possible effects on oxidative stress and inflammation are also under investigation.
A 2026 integrative review gives a clearer picture of where the research stands today. The authors identified 16 publications examining ketogenic therapy and PTSD, including human studies, animal studies, and mechanistic reviews (*).
While the evidence base is still small, it now extends beyond theory. The review found preliminary symptom improvements in case reports and small human studies, along with reductions in trauma-related anxiety, avoidance, and stress responses in animal models. The authors concluded that these early findings are strong enough to justify larger, well-controlled clinical trials, while emphasizing that efficacy in humans has not yet been established.
One of the human studies included in the review was the feasibility trial led by Maria Edwards and her team. The study included three patients: two who completed four weeks of the ketogenic diet and one who participated for two weeks. For the two patients who completed the full intervention, ketosis was achieved quickly and maintained throughout the study. Importantly, both patients showed improvements in their PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) scores (a clinical measure of PTSD severity), as well as enhancements in quality-of-life metrics(*).
However, the study also highlighted potential barriers. Although there were no serious adverse reactions, participants reported some kind of adverse reaction on 70% of intervention days, with headaches and fatigue being the most common. While this does present potential issues with adherence and quality of life on the diet, it’s important to note that these are common side effects for people who are just beginning a ketogenic diet. If not properly managed through nutrition, low-carb diets can lead to dehydration and electrolyte deficiencies, which can contribute to headaches and fatigue. Additionally, the short duration of the study (4 weeks) may not have allowed sufficient time for full keto-adaptation, which could explain the reported fatigue.
This leaves ketogenic therapy for PTSD in an important but early stage. We now have mechanistic research, animal studies, case reports, feasibility data, and small clinical pilots pointing toward potential benefit. Larger, well-controlled human trials are still needed to determine whether these findings translate into reliable symptom improvement and whether ketogenic therapy could eventually be used alongside established trauma-focused treatments.
Hope and a Call to Action
PTSD takes a tremendous toll on individuals, families, and communities. Everyone living with this condition deserves better care, especially the men and women who have served our country. We owe it to them to explore every possible avenue for healing, including metabolic psychiatry and ketogenic therapies.
Stories like Maria Edwards’ remind us that innovation is possible and is a testament to the power of lived experience in driving scientific progress. Her research offers hope to those living with PTSD and highlights the need for more research. Advocating for improved care is essential to ensuring that individuals with serious mental health conditions like PTSD receive the effective and compassionate support they deserve.
Guest Author: Chris Irvin
Chris Irvin is a metabolic health researcher, content creator, and marketer. On social media he is known as The Ketologist for sharing information regarding ketogenic science and application. He holds a master’s degree in nutrition science from the University of Tampa and currently resides in Florida with his wife and two young children.
