Book Review: Brain Energy

Brain Energy: A Revolutionary Breakthrough in Understanding Mental Health--and Improving Treatment for Anxiety, Depression, OCD, PTSD, and More by Christopher M. Palmer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book proposes that mental disorders are metabolic disorders of the brain and that successful treatments likely work by affecting metabolism.

The book has three parts: Part I: Connecting the Dots, Part II: Brain Energy, and Part III: Causes and Solutions. I recommend this book to someone eager to dive deep into understanding mental health treatments and how this theory of brain energy may be the key.

In chapter 15, Contributing Cause: Food, Fasting, and Your Gut, the author states that diet plays a significant role in metabolism and mitochondrial health. It is important to assess nutritional status, address deficiencies, remove allergens, avoid trans fatty acids, remove junk food, and fix insulin resistance. “There is also evidence that fasting, intermittent fasting, and fasting-mimicking diets [ketogenic] may play a role in treating mental disorders” (p. 248).

Brain Energy Theory: “Mental disorders are metabolic disorders of the brain. Although most people think of metabolism as burning calories, it’s much more than that. Metabolism affects the structure and function of all cells in the human body. Regulators of metabolism include many things, such as epigenetics, hormones, neurotransmitters, and inflammation. Mitochondria are the master regulators of metabolism, and they play a role in controlling the factors just listed. When mitochondria aren’t working properly, at least some of the cells in your body or brain won’t function properly” (pp. 162-163).

Although this proposed metabolism theory and its impact on mental health are complex, the author incorporates analogies, chapter summaries, and case studies to illustrate the concepts. If you are not well-versed in the field of mental health, you will learn a lot. The author’s tone and passion offer hope to those who have a mental illness.

The book is technical; the dense information may be too much for the average person. Some may expect more detailed recommendations and how-to steps.

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Book Review: The Lazy Genius Way

The Lazy Genius Way: Embrace What Matters, Ditch What Doesn't, and Get Stuff Done by Kendra Adachi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Determine what matters most to you and make it a priority. By going through the 13 principles presented in this book, you will learn what these priorities are and how you can optimize and grow in these areas. It will also help you leave behind what is not that important to you. There are 15 chapters packed with practical productivity hacks, solutions, case studies, and prompts to get started.

 

13 Principles:

1. Decide once
2. Start small
3. Ask the magic question
4. Live in the season
5. Build the right routines
6. Set house rules
7. Put everything in its place
8. Let people in
9. Batch it
10. Essentialize
11. Go in the right order
12. Schedule rest
13. Be kind to yourself

Each chapter has a summary of the key points and an exercise to try. The author’s personal examples, case studies, and tips are down to earth and help illustrate the principles. I especially enjoyed the magic question examples, e.g., how to make coming home from vacation easier.
Some things you know, may do already, or haven’t been successful at implementing. Sections that were not relatable, I just skimmed. For example, I don’t have young kids, so these ideas and case studies were not applicable to my situation. Other ideas seemed too tedious or obvious to try.

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