Publications

In July 2022, Dr Rachel published her first book, Metabolic Madness. A groundbreaking exploration of how metabolic dysfunction and gut health lies at the root of many mental and neurological disorders.

The book brings together compelling scientific evidence revealing the deep connection between metabolism, brain health, and mental wellbeing.

It explains why ketogenic diets can be so effective in restoring brain function, improving mood, and reducing neuroinflammation, while also highlighting the common challenges people face when adopting such an approach.

It’s no coincidence that one of the first chapters is devoted to gut health.

The gut–brain-axis plays a pivotal role in mental health, and through her clinical experience, Dr Rachel has seen time and again how addressing gut inflammation not only calms IBD flares but also lifts symptoms of depression, anxiety, brain fog, and fatigue.

Other Publications:

Needham, N., Campbell, I. H., Grossi, H., Kamenska, I., Rigby, B. P., Simpson, S. A., McIntosh, E., Bahuguna, P., Meadowcroft, B., Creasy, F., Mitchell-Grigorjeva, M., Norrie, J., Thompson, G., Gibbs, M. C., McLellan, A., Fisher, C., Moses, T., Burgess, K., Brown, R., Thrippleton, M. J., Campbell, H., & Smith, D. J. (2023). Pilot study of a ketogenic diet in bipolar disorder. BJPsych Open, 9(6), e176. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2023.568

Rigby, B. P., Needham, N., Grossi, H., Kamenska, I., Campbell, I. H., Meadowcroft, B., Creasy, F., Fisher, C., Bahuguna, P., Norrie, J., Thompson, G., Gibbs, M. C., Mitchell-Grigorjeva, M., McLellan, A., Moses, T., Burgess, K., Brown, R., Thrippleton, M. J., Campbell, H., Smith, D. J., & Simpson, S. A. (2025). Pilot study of a ketogenic diet in bipolar disorder: a process evaluation. BMC Psychiatry, 25, Article 63. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-06479-y

Needham N., Kamenská I., Meadowcroft B., Brown R., Grossi H. “Metabolic dysfunction in severe mental illness: updates on prevalence, aetiology and treatment options.” BJPsych Advances. 2025; 31(4):201-210. https://doi.org/10.1192/bja.2024.52