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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
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]
Mental energy can be affected by factors such as drugs, sleep, and disease.[1]
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]
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 deprivation may decrease mental energy in an exposure-dependent manner.[1]
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]
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