Mental energy

Not to be confused with Energy (psychological).

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] The philosopher and psychologist Karl F. Stifter wrote a dissertation on the "Philosophy of Mental Energy".^[6] In the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation's TV show "Vera", Stifter lifted 1000 kg with a lifting belt over his sacrum to prove that drastic increases in muscle strength can be achieved after special mental training.^[7] 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.^[8]

Neurotransmitters

Many different neurotransmitters have been theoretically implicated in the control of mental energy.^[8] This has often been based on the effects of drugs acting on these neurotransmitters.^[8] These neurotransmitters include dopamine, norepinephrine, orexin, serotonin, histamine, acetylcholine, adenosine, and glutamate.^[8] Hormones, including glucocorticoids like cortisol, as well as cytokines, have also been found to regulate mental energy.^{[9][10][11][12]}

Food, 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][8][9]

Drugs that may decrease mental energy include sedatives and hypnotics like antihistamines, benzodiazepines, and melatonin, as well as dopamine receptor antagonists like antipsychotics.^[1][13]

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][8][14]

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]

See also

• Disorders of diminished motivation