Brain Energy: A Revolutionary Breakthrough in Understanding Mental Health—and Improving Treatment for Anxiety, Depression, OCD, PTSD, and More

by Christopher M. Palmer

Let’s put this all together using our car analogy. A car has many parts—a fuel tank, fuel that goes into the tank (gasoline), an engine, a battery for electrical energy, a steering system, and a braking system for stopping. Problems can occur in different parts, and different symptoms can result. In some cases, the car may sputter or move slower (underactive function) if it gets water in the gas tank or if a spark plug has gone bad. If the battery begins to fail, it might be that the lights dim, or the windshield wipers slow down, or the radio doesn’t work, or the car won’t start at all (all underactive functions). These are very different symptoms, but they’re all related to energy—and usually with just one cause. Now let’s make the car like a living cell. Suddenly it requires energy to work and energy to maintain itself. Without enough energy, the tires start to deflate, the wheels get wobbly, the doors develop rust and holes (maintenance problems). The engine and battery get old. Battery acid starts to leak all over the engine (ROS). The oil hasn’t been changed in a while, and engine parts are getting damaged. This lack of maintenance makes the engine even worse (a positive feedback cycle). At some point, this car will become a danger to the other cars and the flow of traffic on the highway. The brakes stop working (hyperexcitability due to impaired off switch). Eventually, it may cause a car crash and shut down the highway. The car can be towed to the junkyard for recy...