Chris Palmer, M.D.

I received my medical degree from Washington University School of Medicine. My internship and psychiatry residency were at McLean Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School. I’m currently the director of the Department of Postgraduate and Continuing Education at McLean Hospital. In addition I’m an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.

For over 20 years treatment-resistant cases have been the focus of my clinical practice. This includes using medications, psychotherapy, as well as complementary and alternative treatments. However, I have always been looking for better treatments and outcomes. Unfortunately, far too many people who do not get better with our current approaches.

My experience with low-carbohydrate diets and mental Illness

I have been using the low-carbohydrate and ketogenic diets in practice for over 15 years now mostly for weight loss. Recently, I have found an anti-psychotic and mood stabilizing effect from specific types of the ketogenic diet. Now I am pursuing clinical research in this area to better understand the topic. As a result, I have also been speaking at national and international conferences on this topic. In addition, I am also consulting to patients from around the world.

Most importantly, I am working at the interface of metabolic and mental illnesses. Not only do I seek to better understand the causes of mental illness but also to share effective strategies for treatment. Finally, I also advocate for people suffering from these sometimes debilitating disorders.  

Education & Training

Degrees:

• 1991 BS, Purdue University
• 1995 MD, Washington University, St. Louis

Residency:

• 1995-1999 Residency in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, and Massachusetts General Hospital

Board Certifications:

• 2000 Diplomate, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology

Recent Articles by Chris Palmer, MD