Listen to the audio version:
(New to this series? I’m so glad you’re here! Radiant Beast: The Open Workbook series announcement lays the foundation for everything that follows.)
This article explores the idea of creating an analog to Alcoholics Anonymous for metabolic therapies—a grassroots movement centered on healing and transformation.
Metabolic Collective, a peer- and family-led nonprofit, is beginning to take on this work.
Toward the end, I share an early draft of a metabolic therapies equivalent to AA’s 12 steps, which will serve as the foundation for a book to guide our community building.
This is just the beginning. I would love your input and feedback as we shape the first version of this book together in the coming months.
Thinking out loud; Writing through evolving ideas
As promised, the Radiant Beast series is designed to be interactive. This form of writing is not about fully crystallized ideas, but about exploration and discovery amid a rapidly evolving paradigm shift. It gives me the opportunity to test experimental concepts in real time and to be inspired by those in our community who bring their unique perspectives.
I enjoy sharing my personal, ongoing journey with metabolic therapies, meditation techniques, and creative and spiritual activation through safe, brief, controlled altered states, as well as my passion for advocacy and community building.
This article focuses on advocacy work, something that has mattered deeply to me ever since volunteering for Dr. Christopher Palmer in 2022 to raise awareness of the brain energy theory. This was about a year into treating my bipolar I disorder with metabolic therapies, and the first time I met others who had transformed their mental health with a ketogenic diet.
This experience changed the trajectory of my life. It validated something I had intuitively sensed: that I had stumbled upon an approach to mental healthcare with the potential to transform millions of lives in the near term and, ultimately, to fundamentally alter how we understand psychiatric and neurological disorders.
An analog to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) for metabolic therapies?
My boyfriend is ten years sober. We had known each other in high school and reconnected a couple of years ago. The first time we spoke after nearly two decades, we shared our recovery stories. When he told me about his experience with AA and how it transformed his life, I could immediately see parallels to my own journey.
We became jogging buddies after that first meeting. I wasn’t looking for a relationship. I had just started my new job at Metabolic Mind and felt overwhelmed by how much was changing all at once. But eventually, I just couldn’t resist. A decision I will never regret.
Our shared understanding of the recovery process helped cement our bond. It was clear that post-traumatic growth had given us similar orientations to the world. We both experienced what it is like to reclaim our sense of agency and dramatically improve our quality of life. This kind of empowerment, after a period of vulnerability and hopelessness, gave us a deep appreciation for simple pleasures and a commitment to positive, spiritually grounded, and metabolically healthy practices. We don’t take anything for granted.
He told me about going to his first AA meetings, and how meeting aspirational role models—people who had conquered their substance use disorders and gone on to build meaningful, successful lives—motivated him to get sober.
It made me think: as more and more people recover from serious mental illnesses using metabolic therapies, how can we foster that same kind of community connection that sparks hope and fuels motivation for behavior change? How can we give people the opportunity to see what might be possible for their lives with persistent adherence? And how might we create an environment where those who are successful cheer on others in a way that not only offers strength and encouragement to those who are struggling, but also deepens their own devotion to metabolic therapies and continued self-development?
Many of us who have recovered are now leading lives that once felt unimaginable. What if my past self had met someone like the current me during the darkest times of debilitating symptoms and medication side effects? What if she had told me that remission was possible, that I could once again live a rich, fulfilling, creative life someday? How might those years have changed if I had been surrounded by people who believed in meaningful recovery, believed in me, and encouraged me to take steps toward improving my metabolic and mental health?
One of the most beautiful things I see in this movement, which closely mirrors AA, is that people who experience profound improvements in their quality of life often feel a deep desire to pay it forward. They want to support others on their journeys. And when they do, it reinforces their own adherence and growth along what is, ultimately, a lifelong path of self-development.
This is a massive opportunity for metabolic psychiatry. If we can ignite a grassroots wave of regional networks, similar to what AA has achieved, it could spark a true revolution in mental and neurological healthcare.
How can we do it?
The heart of AA is the Big Book, an inspiring text full of success stories and deeply spiritual concepts. From a practical perspective, it provides a shared philosophy that unites different groups, creating a framework for regional communities to build on.
In our effort to establish regional networks for metabolic therapies, I believe it is equally important to have a guiding reference, a source of truth that clarifies a shared philosophy and approach. There are two main audiences this text should serve:
- Established advocates who are eager to support others on their journeys. Involvement provides a foundation for sustained adherence, rooted in opportunities to serve others and experience continued growth and self-actualization.
- Individuals who are new to the concept of metabolic therapies, and are looking to better understand dietary and lifestyle approaches to improve their mental or neurological health. For newcomers, first and foremost, it is an invitation into a hopeful, supportive community that does not judge individuals for their symptoms or diagnosis. In and of itself, being part of this kind of community is a powerful metabolic therapy. At its core, it is also an opportunity to receive support in making dietary and lifestyle changes that can improve metabolic and mental health, in a way that respects each individual’s pace and autonomy.
We have formed our first working group to explore what a metabolic therapies analog to the Big Book could look like, clarify its purpose, engage our community in the process, and develop it in phases. The group includes me, co-founder of Metabolic Collective; our board President, Eddie Rodriguez; our Director of Impact and Operations, Natasha Smikles; and board members Wesley Braden and Ann Al-Bahish.
This book will not have a single author, but will be shaped by our Metabolic Collective working group and informed by ongoing input from our advocate ecosystem—ultimately becoming a co-created body of work. One of the things I love about nonprofits is that they have no true “owner,” but instead belong to the community that shapes them: staff, board members, volunteers, and participants. This naturally brings a diversity of perspectives, and while building consensus is not always easy, it is deeply rewarding. I believe our final book will be stronger because of it.
But is the time right for a metabolic therapies Big Book?
In some ways, the timing may seem wrong. To work on a book for this community now can feel daunting. There are many nuances to balance, and much still to be discovered about the intersection of metabolic and mental health. But it is important to remember that when the AA Big Book was written, the early recovery narrative was grounded in lived experience and may have seemed unconventional at the time, rather than aligned with what we would now consider evidence-based approaches. And yet, for those whose lives were transformed, there was a clear sense that they were onto something—and they moved forward with confidence.
The early foundation of AA was built on the experiences of a relatively small group, initially around a hundred individuals, who demonstrated what was possible, offering a powerful example of how a small group can catalyze a movement that ultimately impacts millions of lives. I see a similar passion and conviction in our early adopters, and I believe there is a comparable opportunity for a ripple effect with far-reaching impact.
Many of us early adopters once believed that suffering was our fate—that we were destined to manage a chronic illness, often alongside unwanted medication side effects. When life improves dramatically after losing years or even decades, most of us feel a deep desire to raise awareness and help others find this path sooner.
We know that science takes time. It is often a slow, incremental process. Even after research provides robust, gold-standard evidence for metabolic therapies through randomized controlled trials—which I believe it will—those findings take, on average, 17 years to translate into clinical care.
I have met parents who live with deep regret, having discovered metabolic therapies after their children were grown, wishing they had been well enough to be more present. I have also met individuals who are now able to enjoy life with their young children because of metabolic therapies— precious years they will never get back. I have met people who mourn the decades they lost, and the careers or potential they feel they never had the chance to fulfill. And I have met others who have returned to college or work after years of disability. People deserve to know that metabolic therapies are an option they can explore to make the most of the time they have. People don’t have more years of their lives to waste. They deserve the opportunity to find meaningful recovery now.
Now is the moment to build momentum—to create a foundation for grassroots community formation, mutual aid, and the kind of peer support that plays a critical role in helping individuals transform their lives. Based on what we have already seen, many—if not the majority—of individuals may experience meaningful benefits from metabolic therapies. And building community can only strengthen this movement while also fueling demand for the science needed to better understand the connection between mental and metabolic health. As a community, we must continue to advocate for cutting-edge research that uncovers and addresses root causes.
The book will be for anyone looking to improve their metabolic and mental health
There are, of course, important considerations in how this book is positioned for a broader audience. It must offer hope in a way that feels balanced, inviting, and accessible to many.
While our book will position ketogenic therapy as a crown jewel of metabolic interventions for those seeking new approaches, it will not be presented as the only path or as a necessity for involvement in Metabolic Collective groups. There are several important reasons for this.
Behavior change takes time, and it is essential to respect individual autonomy. By offering a foundational understanding of the connection between metabolic and mental health, alongside a supportive community, we can meet people wherever they are on their journey—whether that means giving up sugary beverages, shifting toward whole foods, or pursuing a ketogenic diet. This open and inclusive approach can invite more individuals into a transformative process, supported by the encouragement of others, while also introducing them to pathways they may not have previously considered, including ketogenic therapy. By defining a range of tools that individuals can use to improve metabolic and mental health, the framework encourages incremental progress and entry points that feel right for each individual, without judgment or pressure.The likelihood of successfully making changes to improve metabolic health increases dramatically when individuals remain connected to a supportive community that offers strength and encouragement.
This book has the potential to serve as the foundation for mutual aid communities unlike any currently existing in mental and neurological health. It will be rooted in mindsets that support behavior change, alongside community structures that reinforce those changes. And, as in the AA Big Book, a central component will be the power of helping others to sustain one’s own progress along a life-enhancing path.
Next steps
Our working group is developing a plan for the book, which we intend to release in stages, beginning with a lean guide to group formation in the coming months. The goal of this first version is to enable dedicated advocates to pilot online and regional groups in their communities, helping us understand how the model resonates with both group leaders and those new to the connection between metabolic and mental health.
As this work is just beginning, everything is still evolving. With that in mind, I wanted to share an early concept I drafted of what our equivalent of the 12 steps at Metabolic Collective might look like.
These steps are designed as a gentle way for seasoned advocates to introduce others to the world of metabolic psychiatry.
As the framework develops, the book will expand on each of these ideas in much greater depth.
1. You are energy
Renowned scientist Martin Picard emphasizes that “You ARE energy!” and the difference between a living human and a cadaver is the flow of energy. Energy is fundamental to life.
Much of our subjective experience is influenced by our energetic state. How the body transforms and utilizes energy is rooted in metabolism. When this system becomes dysfunctional, individuals may experience psychological and physical states that lead to a diagnosis.
2. Understand What Shapes Your Energy
We believe that the mind and body are connected, and that metabolic and mental health are inextricable.
Begin by developing an understanding of your body’s energy system, also known as metabolism. Your body can run on different fuel sources, and factors such as nutrition, movement, sleep, stress, and environment all influence your daily experiences of energy.
By learning about these factors, you can begin to understand how nutrition and lifestyle impact your biology, and how this may influence how you feel, think, and function. From there, you can begin to imagine what might be possible if you make changes to improve your energy system.
You might start by simply observing how you feel energetically on a daily basis, and gradually explore ways to shift your energy as you learn about different approaches.
3. You Are Not Your Diagnosis
Everyone is welcome at Metabolic Collective. We see you, not your symptoms.
When an individual’s energy system becomes dysregulated, they may experience overwhelming symptoms and feel unable to make positive changes—even when they believe those changes might help.
Separating identity from condition creates space for compassion, dignity, and the possibility of change.
4. Start with Self-Compassion
Change requires energy, and for many, symptoms are already a reflection of depleted or unstable energy.
Wherever you are in your understanding, and in your ability to make changes, we believe in giving yourself grace.
Move at your own pace as you learn about your energy and explore metabolic strategies that may help you build or stabilize it.
5. You Have Agency
We believe that individuals can be empowered to improve their brain health and mental well-being through dietary and lifestyle changes that influence metabolism.
Even while experiencing conditions that feel beyond your control, better outcomes are possible by focusing on what you can control and making progress at a pace that feels right for you.
Start wherever you can. Our community celebrates all progress. At Metabolic Collective, our true north is a kind, supportive community that encourages you on the journey to improve your metabolic health—a marathon, not a sprint.
5. Transformation Is Possible
Participating in a positive community—even if you feel unable to make other changes right away—is itself a form of metabolic therapy. Over time, it can have meaningful benefits and help you find the strength to make additional changes.
When it is difficult to access positive ways of thinking, community can help you find strength where you may struggle to find it on your own.
We believe you have the ability to envision better outcomes for yourself and to take steps to improve your body’s energy system and overall quality of life.
6. Cultivate Positive Energy
Energy can be understood in different ways. You may experience it in a spiritual sense—connected to your soul, God, or the cosmos—or in a strictly biological sense.
Either way, we believe that positive energy is real, and that we each have the capacity to cultivate it within ourselves and to share it with others.
It is our responsibility to be good stewards of our own energy and to contribute positively to those around us. Community, support, and kindness have real effects. When we focus on the positive energetic impact we can have, we help uplift both ourselves and others.
We cultivate positive energy by holding space for suffering, while also encouraging visualizations, affirmations, and a solutions-oriented approach. By focusing on what we want to grow—positive emotions, meaningful experiences, and supportive thought patterns—we strengthen these pathways over time.
8. Be Part of the Movement
We believe that psychiatric and neurological conditions have root causes, and that metabolic psychiatry is beginning to uncover them, offering new possibilities for treatment and recovery.
At the same time, we recognize that the science is still emerging, and that current approaches may not provide a complete solution for every individual.
We support individuals in exploring all paths toward better outcomes, and we honor each person’s unique journey—whether it includes metabolic therapies, pharmacological approaches, or other modalities.
We believe in personal agency, in the ability to move toward a meaningful and fulfilling life, and in the importance of continued advocacy for better science and broader access to care.
By coming together as a community, sharing lived experience, and supporting one another, we contribute to a larger movement working to improve outcomes for all.
We believe that people who have transformed their lives can become healers within society, helping to usher in a brighter future for their communities and the world at large.
You are invited to participate!
These draft steps are an early framework, open to evolution. My hope is that the finished book reflects the wisdom and insights of our broader community.
I would love your input as our working group continues refining these ideas.
- What feels true to your experience?
- Is anything missing?
- What would make this more helpful for someone at the beginning of their journey?
If you have walked this path yourself, your voice matters. And if you are just beginning to explore these ideas, your perspective matters just as much.
We are also creating opportunities for people to contribute more directly as the book evolves. If you are interested in being part of this work, please sign up for Metabolic Collective so we can invite you to future discussions, working groups, and community initiatives.
We are excited to welcome more individuals into this movement and work together to reach those who are still searching for hope and effective solutions. Together, we can help redefine how the world understands and treats psychiatric and neurological disorders.
