Newsletter
McLean Hospital Launches the Metabolic and Mental Health Program
In a landmark initiative that promises to redefine the landscape of mental health treatment, McLean Hospital, the flagship psychiatric hospital of Harvard Medical School and a key component of Mass General Brigham, Boston's premier health care system, has announced...
Beyond ‘Eat Less, Move More’: The Myth of Inactivity
In a groundbreaking study published in Nature Metabolism, researchers led by John R. Speakman et al. have unveiled a critical, yet previously overlooked, factor in the obesity epidemic—a significant decline in basal energy expenditure (BEE) over the past three...
The Brain on Opioids: Metabolic Disruptions in Addiction
In recent years, the opioid epidemic has surged to alarming proportions, casting a shadow over communities worldwide. This crisis, fueled by an increase in the prescription of opioid medications and the illicit use of drugs like heroin, has led to a staggering rise...
Changing a Child’s Diet Might Help Prevent Mental Illness
We all know that diet plays an important role in health. It clearly plays a role in weight, diabetes, heart attacks, and strokes. Most people, however, aren’t too worried about these things in children. These are usually diseases of older people, so most parents don’t...
Depression in Parents May Influence Children’s Weight
In the intricate web of human biology, the relationship between mental health and physical well-being has always fascinated researchers and clinicians alike. It is a dynamic interplay where one's mental state can impact physical health and vice versa. A recent study,...
Craving Sweets? You Might Need More Sleep
It's a new year and many people are starting their annual diets. We all know that we are losing the battle to lose weight. Rates of obesity and diabetes continue to climb. Simple advice is abundant: Eat less, exercise more Practice mindful eating, savor each bite Cut...
Contraceptives and Mental Health
In recent years, our understanding of the intricate relationship between hormones and mental health has deepened significantly. From the rollercoaster of emotions during menstruation to the emotional challenges faced during pregnancy and menopause, it's clear that...
“It’s Not Magic, It’s Science:” Eric’s Story
When I was in my 40s and 50s, everything was going well. I had a happy life with my wife and son. My optometry business was successful. But I wanted to die. I would ask my psychiatrist again and again: if everything is great, why can’t I appreciate it? I never got a...
Physiology First: Revolutionizing the Way We Teach the Brain-Body Connection
Image credit: Physiology First I had the great honor of sitting down with David Bidler, the President of Physiology First. Physiology First is a nonprofit that focuses on educating and building a community that centers around educating others through various metabolic...
Harnessing Innovation at the Stanford Innovations in Mental Healthcare Summit 2023
The Stanford Innovations in Mental Healthcare Summit, held on November 29 and 30, 2023, brought together leading experts and innovators in the field of mental health research and practice. I was deeply honored to be among the esteemed speakers at this event, which...
The Link Between Depression, Metabolism, and Mortality
Depression is a common and often debilitating mental health condition. It has long been recognized for its profound impact on individuals' well-being. Rates of depression have been increasing for years and in 2023 reached new highs. Recent research has unveiled a...
Thanksgiving 2023: A Year of Gratitude, Progress, and Heartbreak
As we approach Thanksgiving, I find myself reflecting on a year filled with immense gratitude for the progress that we’ve made, but also a renewed determination to do even more. It’s hard to believe that it’s been a year since the publication of Brain Energy, a...
The Importance of Sleep for Brain and Mental Health
After a long and stressful day, it's not uncommon in our hyper-stimulated society to forgo a long, restful sleep for scrolling through seemingly-rewarding social media or binge-watching our favorite TV shows. Although not nearly as appealing, sleep is exactly what we...
Taking Life Back, One Day at a Time: Frank’s Story
Frank Voce’s life as a New York City police officer involved long days, longer nights, drama, trauma, and almost constant adrenaline. For three years, he witnessed many of the things that no one can ever truly prepare for. He took them in, compartmentalized them, and...
Transforming Metabolic and Mental Health Through Real Food
In a world increasingly burdened by the effects of poor diet and environmental neglect, both Eat Real and Brain Energy stand as beacons of change. By bridging the gap between individual choice and systemic transformation, they offer a holistic solution to some of the most pressing challenges of our time.
Gut Instincts: Decoding the Relationship Between the Gut Microbiota and Depression
The gut microbiota-brain axis forms a bidirectional highway linking our gut with our brain. This means that the gut can regulate emotional activity in the brain, and the brain can regulate gastrointestinal function.
Greek Lemon Feta Chicken
This sheet pan Greek lemon feta chicken is packed with savory flavor that the whole family can enjoy.
How Social Connections Support Your Mental Health
Research shows that strong social connections can help reduce the risk of depression and anxiety, improve self-esteem, and increase feelings of happiness and life satisfaction.
The Liver-Brain Connection: A Commonly Overlooked Cause of Dementia Symptoms
Dementia is a complex condition that significantly impacts both patients and their families, and finding effective treatments remains a challenge. However, a recent study highlights that not all cognitive impairments labeled as dementia are irreversible. In fact,...
Healthy Aging: The Crucial Role of Mental Health
Aging is a natural process, but how we age—physically, mentally, and emotionally—can be shaped by the choices we make. Much of the conversation surrounding healthy aging focuses on physical health, but there is increasing recognition that mental health plays a pivotal...
World Suicide Prevention Day: Addressing the Intersection of Mental and Metabolic Health
September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day, dedicated to raising awareness and taking action against the tragic reality of suicide. This observance provides a critical opportunity to reflect on how mental and metabolic health intersect and how addressing both can...
Optimizing Energy Levels for Peak Performance at Work: The Role of Metabolic Health
In today's fast-paced work environment, maintaining high energy levels, sharp focus, and consistent productivity can be challenging. Many professionals find themselves grappling with fatigue, brain fog, and declining performance. While various factors contribute to...
Carnitine and Mental Health: Exploring Its Role, Benefits, and Risks in Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Carnitine, a compound derived from amino acids, plays a critical role in energy production within the body. It acts as a key transporter of long-chain fatty acids into mitochondria, where these fats are oxidized to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the cell’s...
Light: A Metabolic Intervention with Broad Therapeutic Potential
In recent years, light therapy has emerged as a promising non-pharmacological treatment across a wide range of conditions, from chronic pain and dermatological disorders to vision problems, post-stroke depression, and cognitive decline in dementia. While light is most...
Stress, the Brain, and the Gut: New Pathways Unveiled
We’ve all heard about the importance of the gut-brain connection for both metabolic and mental health. New research just published in the prestigious journal Cell, titled "Stress-sensitive neural circuits change the gut microbiome via duodenal glands," has unveiled a...
Gratitude and Longevity: Bridging the Gap Between Mental and Physical Health
The relationship between mental and physical health has long intrigued scientists and healthcare providers. Many are skeptical of the relationship between “soft” signs, like gratitude, and overall health. Recent research, however, suggests we should take this more...
Linking Psychosocial Experiences and Brain Energy
New research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences highlights a fascinating connection between psychosocial experiences and brain energy, or more specifically, mitochondrial biology. This study, led by Caroline Trumpff, Anna S. Monzel,...
Stress, Psychiatric Disorders, and Mitochondria
In the realm of mental health, understanding the biological underpinnings that contribute to psychiatric disorders is crucial. The research paper "Stress and Psychiatric Disorders: The Role of Mitochondria" by Teresa E. Daniels, Elizabeth M. Olsen, and Audrey R. Tyrka...
Sign Up for Brain Energy Newsletter
