Brain Metabolism: Why Energy Matters

One of the most exciting and rapidly growing topics in the field of brain health is metabolic psychiatry.

Metabolic psychiatry (or metabolic psychology as we will refer to it from now on, just to avoid the suggestion that we are psychiatrists) is gaining increasing awareness in the scientific community as an effective approach to enhancing brain health and function at physical, mental, and emotional levels. This field focuses on the relationship between metabolism and mental health, exploring how metabolic processes impact the brain and contribute to psychiatric conditions.

When we talk about brain health, we often focus on thoughts, emotions, or chemicals in the brain. But underneath all of that is something more basic:

The brain needs a steady supply of energy to function well.

If that energy supply becomes unstable, many aspects of brain function can suffer — including clarity, mood, focus, resilience, and emotional regulation.

What Do We Mean by “Brain Metabolism”?

Metabolism simply refers to how the brain produces and uses energy.

Your brain:

  • Uses around 20% of the body’s total energy

  • Needs energy constantly — not just when you’re thinking hard

  • Is highly sensitive to fluctuations in fuel supply

When energy production is smooth and reliable, the brain tends to feel:

  • Clear

  • Stable

  • Calm

  • Resilient

When it isn’t, people may experience:

  • Brain fog

  • Fatigue

  • Migraines

  • Anxiety or low mood

  • Reduced concentration

  • Feeling mentally “wired but tired”

Why Energy Problems Can Affect the Brain

The brain can use different fuels to generate energy. For many people, this system works well. For others, it can become less efficient due to factors such as:

  • Blood sugar instability

  • Chronic stress

  • Inflammation

  • Poor sleep

  • Insulin resistance

  • Mitochondrial stress (the brain’s energy-producing structures)

When energy delivery becomes inconsistent, the brain may compensate by becoming more sensitive, reactive, or fatigued.

This doesn’t mean anything is “wrong” with you — it means the system may need better support.

How This Relates to Symptoms

An increasing amount of research suggests that many brain-related symptoms share a common thread: energy instability.

For example:

  • Migraines are increasingly linked to impaired brain energy regulation

  • Brain fog often improves when energy supply becomes more stable

  • Anxiety can worsen when the nervous system perceives energetic stress

  • Cognitive fatigue often reflects an overloaded or inefficient system

Supporting metabolism doesn’t replace other approaches — but it often makes them work better.

Supporting Brain Energy in Practice

At LoveYourBrain, we focus on practical, lifestyle-based ways to support brain metabolism, such as:

  • Nutrition strategies that promote more stable energy

  • Improving sleep quality and circadian rhythm

  • Reducing unnecessary inflammatory stress

  • Supporting stress regulation and nervous system balance

  • Helping the brain access fuel more efficiently

For some people, this may involve Mediterranean-style nutrition. For others, lower-carbohydrate or ketogenic approaches may be appropriate.

There is no single “correct” diet — the goal is fit, not ideology.

This Is Not About Perfection

Optimising metabolism is not about:

  • Extreme diets

  • Constant tracking

  • Cutting out everything you enjoy

It’s about:

  • Reducing unnecessary strain on the system

  • Making energy supply more reliable

  • Creating conditions where the brain can function with less effort

Small, well-chosen changes often make the biggest difference.

How Metabolism Fits Into the Bigger Picture

Metabolism is one piece of the puzzle, not the whole story.

Brain health is influenced by:

  • Energy supply

  • Nervous system regulation

  • Sleep and recovery

  • Psychological stress

  • Meaning, purpose, and connection

Our work looks at how these pieces interact — rather than treating them in isolation.

A Complementary Approach

The metabolic perspective is intended to complement medical care, not replace it.

We do not diagnose medical conditions or prescribe medication.
Instead, we focus on supporting the underlying systems that influence how the brain feels and functions day to day.

In Simple Terms

If you strip it right back, the idea is this: A brain with reliable energy is more resilient, more flexible, and easier to live with.

Supporting metabolism helps create that foundation.

The Importance of Mitochondria for Mental Health

The health of your brain is deeply connected to the health of your metabolism. Every thought, memory, and emotion relies on the brain’s ability to use energy efficiently. Central to this process are the mitochondria, the "powerhouses" of our cells, which produce the energy the brain needs to function optimally. When brain cells are unable to produce enough energy, it can lead to cognitive decline, mood disorders, and other mental health challenges.

A key factor in brain metabolism is how the brain manages insulin, the hormone that regulates glucose (the brain's primary fuel source). Insulin resistance (where cells become less responsive to insulin) can disrupt this delicate balance. When the brain cannot effectively use glucose for energy, it struggles to maintain normal function, contributing to issues like brain fog, memory loss, and mood disorders. Understanding and supporting brain metabolism is crucial for maintaining mental health and overall cognitive well-being.