Mental energy may be understood as the ability or willingness to engage in cognitive work.[1]

It is distinct from physical energy,[1] and has mood, cognition, and motivation domains.[2][3][4][5] Concepts closely related to mental energy include vigor and fatigue.[1]

Mental energy is not well-defined, and the scientific literature on mental energy is quite limited.[1] A variety of measures for assessing aspects of mental energy exist.[1]

Many people complain of low mental energy, which can interfere with work and daily activities.[1] Low mental energy and fatigue are major public health concerns.[1] People may pursue remedies or treatment for low mental energy.[1] Seeking to improve mental energy is a common reason that people take dietary supplements.[6]

Neurotransmitter

Many different neurotransmitters have been theoretically implicated in the control of mental energy.[6] This has often been based on the effects of drugs acting on these neurotransmitters.[6] These neurotransmitters include dopamine, norepinephrine, orexin, serotonin, histamine, acetylcholine, adenosine, and glutamate.[6] Hormones, including glucocorticoids like cortisol, as well as cytokines, have also been found to regulate mental energy.[7][8][9][10]

Foods, Drugs, sleep, diseases...

Mental energy can be affected by factors such as drugs, sleep, and disease.[1]

Drugs

Drugs that may increase mental energy include caffeine, modafinil, psychostimulants like amphetamines and methylphenidate, and corticosteroids like hydrocortisone and dexamethasone.[1][6][7]

Drugs that may decrease mental energy include sedatives and hypnotics like antihistamines, benzodiazepines, and melatonin, as well as dopamine receptor antagonists like antipsychotics.[1][11]

Foods, beverages etc

There are many marketing claims of foods, beverages, and dietary supplements improving mental energy, but data to substantiate such claims are limited or absent.[5][6][12]

Sleep

Sleep deprivation may decrease mental energy in an exposure-dependent manner.[1]

Disease

Various disease states, such as cardiac disease, cancer, stroke, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and certain mental health conditions like depression, may be associated with decreased mental energy.[1] Chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized by a lack of the energy needed for the basic activities of daily life.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Lieberman HR (2007). "Cognitive methods for assessing mental energy". Nutr Neurosci. 10 (5–6): 229–42. doi:10.1080/10284150701722273. PMID 18284031. S2CID 44452508.
  2. ↑ O'Connor PJ (July 2006). "Mental energy: Assessing the mood dimension". Nutr Rev. 64 (7 Pt 2): S7–9. doi:10.1111/j.1753-4887.2006.tb00256.x. PMID 16910215.
  3. ↑ Lieberman HR (July 2006). "Mental energy: Assessing the cognition dimension". Nutr Rev. 64 (7 Pt 2): S10–3. doi:10.1111/j.1753-4887.2006.tb00252.x. PMID 16910216.
  4. ↑ Barbuto JE (July 2006). "Mental energy: Assessing the motivation dimension". Nutr Rev. 64 (7 Pt 2): S14–6. doi:10.1111/j.1753-4887.2006.tb00253.x. PMID 16910217.
  5. 1 2 Gorby HE, Brownawell AM, Falk MC (December 2010). "Do specific dietary constituents and supplements affect mental energy? Review of the evidence". Nutr Rev. 68 (12): 697–718. doi:10.1111/j.1753-4887.2010.00340.x. PMID 21091914.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 O'Connor PJ, Kennedy DO, Stahl S (November 2021). "Mental energy: plausible neurological mechanisms and emerging research on the effects of natural dietary compounds". Nutr Neurosci. 24 (11): 850–864. doi:10.1080/1028415X.2019.1684688. PMID 31665988. S2CID 204968005.
  7. 1 2 Boksem MA, Tops M (November 2008). "Mental fatigue: costs and benefits" (PDF). Brain Res Rev. 59 (1): 125–39. doi:10.1016/j.brainresrev.2008.07.001. PMID 18652844. S2CID 206344941.
  8. ↑ Jager A, Sleijfer S, van der Rijt CC (January 2008). "The pathogenesis of cancer related fatigue: could increased activity of pro-inflammatory cytokines be the common denominator?". Eur J Cancer. 44 (2): 175–81. doi:10.1016/j.ejca.2007.11.023. PMID 18162394.
  9. ↑ Plihal W, Krug R, Pietrowsky R, Fehm HL, Born J (August 1996). "Corticosteroid receptor mediated effects on mood in humans". Psychoneuroendocrinology. 21 (6): 515–23. doi:10.1016/s0306-4530(96)00011-x. PMID 8983088. S2CID 23244238.
  10. ↑ Tops M, van Peer JM, Wijers AA, Korf J (November 2006). "Acute cortisol administration reduces subjective fatigue in healthy women". Psychophysiology. 43 (6): 653–6. doi:10.1111/j.1469-8986.2006.00458.x. PMID 17076823.
  11. ↑ Bruno RL, Creange SJ, Frick NM (September 1998). "Parallels between post-polio fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome: a common pathophysiology?". Am J Med. 105 (3A): 66S–73S. doi:10.1016/s0002-9343(98)00161-2. PMID 9790485.
  12. ↑ Fernstrom JD (January 2001). "Diet, neurochemicals, and mental energy". Nutr Rev. 59 (1 Pt 2): S22–4. doi:10.1111/j.1753-4887.2001.tb01889.x. PMID 11255799.
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