About

The Walsh Protocol, developed by Dr. William J. Walsh and the Walsh Research Institute, is an individualized, nutrient-based approach to mental health that targets biochemical imbalances. These include copper overload, zinc deficiency, methylation disorders, pyrrole disorder, oxidative stress, and toxic metal overload. It is designed to restore optimal neurotransmitter balance and gene regulation by tailoring nutrient therapy to each person’s unique biochemistry

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The Science Behind The Walsh Protocol

The Walsh Protocol is grounded in decades of clinical data, comprising over 2.5 million chemical test results from thousands of patients with conditions such as autism, ADHD, depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. It emphasizes epigenetics, oxidative stress, biochemical individuality, and neurotransmitter regulation by nutrients. Notably, Dr. Walsh's approach proposes distinct biochemical "biotypes" of mental health conditions—including five depression subtypes (e.g., undermethylation, overmethylation, copper overload, pyrrole disorder, toxic metals).

Introducing the Walsh Protocol

How the Walsh Protocol is Diagnosed

The Walsh Protocol begins with a comprehensive evaluation of each person’s unique biochemical profile. Diagnosis does not rely on psychiatric labels alone, but on identifying underlying nutrient and biochemical imbalances that influence brain function. Assessment typically includes:

Clinical history and symptoms – detailed questionnaires exploring mood, behavior, attention, and physical signs.
Laboratory testing – measuring markers such as whole blood histamine, copper/zinc balance, plasma amino acids, vitamin D, oxidative stress markers, and pyrrole compounds (if indicated).
Biotype analysis – individuals are grouped into specific biochemical subtypes (e.g., undermethylation, overmethylation, copper overload, pyrrole disorder, toxic metal burden). By matching symptoms with lab evidence, the Walsh Protocol aims to pinpoint the core biochemical drivers of mental health difficulties.

Introducing the Walsh Protocol

Treatment within the Walsh Protocol is highly personalized and focuses on nutrient therapy, designed to normalize body chemistry and restore balance to neurotransmitter activity. Rather than using standard doses of vitamins or minerals, protocols are precisely tailored to the individual’s biotype. Examples include:

Methylation support or modulation – nutrients such as folate, SAMe, or methionine to correct under- or overmethylation.
Balancing copper and zinc – zinc supplementation and supportive cofactors to lower copper overload, or copper repletion if levels are deficient.
Antioxidant therapy – vitamins C and E, selenium, and other nutrients to reduce oxidative stress.
Targeted pyrrole support – vitamin B6, zinc, and omega-6 fatty acids for those with elevated pyrroles.Treatment plans are adjusted over time, based on follow-up testing and clinical response, with the goal of achieving stable mood, improved cognition, and long-term resilience.

Training in the Walsh Protocol

**Mastering Brain Chemistry Online Course** (MD/DO practitioners):
Self-paced study: March 13–April 16, 2026
Live webinars: April 17–18 and April 24–25, 2026
Covers neurotransmitter biochemistry, epigenetic regulation, testing protocols, and therapeutic frameworks holisticchildpsychiatry.com/the-walsh-protocol-and-biochemical-imbalances/

Advanced Course for Walsh-Trained Practitioners:
A three-day continuing education webinar based on 2025 prerecorded content, delving into methylation disorders, NMDA-targeted therapies, bipolar insights, pyrrole correction, and nutrient form improvements walshinstitute.org

Essential Principles (ADHD + Behavior Disorders):
A two-day prerecorded introduction to non-drug protocols for ADHD and behavioral control, backed by extensive clinical experience with thousands of patients walshinstitute.org.

Testing via Colab Services

Colab can offer or coordinate:

Biochemical screening interviews(trait questionnaires)

Laboratory testing packages – covering methylation markers, copper/zinc, pyrroles, vitamin D, histamine, homocysteine. These assessments align closely with the Walsh Protocol diagnostic process:

CLCP603 Walsh Nutrient Panel	View The Test
LM1506 B Complex Panel	View The Test
LM5545 Mineral Panel	View The Test
LM600 Nutrient Essential Elements	View The Test
Q92701 OmegaCheck	View The Test
TD206 Homocysteine	View The Test
LM983 Histamine	View The Test
BV170 Dietary Peptides	View The Test
BV120 Kryptopyrroles	View The Test
Q92771 F2 Isoprostane	View The Test
PR650 ProdromeScan	View The Test

Please contact us for curation of a bespoke panel including your preferred markers/tests.

The Walsh blood test profile includes tests for the trace elements copper and zinc along with three important vitamins – folate, B12, D – and a test for iron store levels and inflammation, ferritin. This is a set of tests often ordered by nutritional specialists to check the status of those following the Walsh Protocol – which is based on the hypothesis that imbalances in certain key nutrients can result in biochemical disturbance within the brain, and subsequent mental health disorders.

View All Our Metabolism/Glycaemic Flexibility/Nutrient status tests

Latest

Walsh Research Institute Updates

New Approaches:
A 2025 interview featuring Dr. David Epstein (a Walsh protégé) explores novel methylation-support protocols using alkalinity (bicarbonate) to enhance SAH clearance and creatine supplementation to reduce methylation demand Second Opinion Physician.