Mental illnesses of all kinds are on the rise, and yet we seem no closer to being able to treat them effectively. We're only able to treat the symptoms of mental illness, but aren't often able to put the illness into remission because its root cause has been a mystery.
My guest, however, believes he knows exactly what the root cause of mental illness is, and thus how to finally resolve it for good. His name is Dr. Chrisopther Palmer, and he's a Harvard psychiatrist and the author of Brain Energy: A Revolutionary Breakthrough in Understanding Mental Health. Today on the show, Chris unpacks his theory of mental illness, which basically comes down to this: if your brain cells aren't getting enough energy, they're not going to function properly. He explains how numerous and seemingly diverse mental illnesses, from anxiety and depression to ADHD and alcoholism, actually all have a common pathway: metabolic disorders. While we typically think of metabolism as related to the physical body, it also greatly affects the mind, and Chris explains how you can have the kind of metabolic problems that cause mental illness even if you're not overweight. Chris then shares how certain lifestyle changes, like switching to a ketogenic diet, may be able to completely cure mental illness.
Resources Related to the EpisodeListen to the episode on a separate page.
Download this episode.
Subscribe to the podcast in the media player of your choice.
Listen ad-free on Stitcher Premium; get a free month when you use code "manliness" at checkout.
A Guide for the Journey to Your True Calling
The Secrets to Making the Perfect Burger
The Surprising Pessimism of America's Founding Fathers
How to Use Digital Body Language to Build Trust and Connection
The Stranger in the Woods — The Story of the Last True Hermit
The Fraught, Relatable Relationship Between Winston Churchill and His Son
How to Make Your Life More Effortless
What's the Most Sustainable Diet?
Why Do We Want What We Want?
How to Predict the Weather (No Apps Required)
What Plato’s Republic Has to Say About Being a Man
The Men and Mission of WWII's Unsinkable U.S.S. Plunkett
How to Plan the Ultimate Road Trip
The Spartans at Thermopylae
The Art of Conversation — A Guided Tour of a Neglected Pleasure
Overcoming the Comfort Crisis
Did You Pick the Right Partner?
The (Non-Cliche) Life Lessons of Fly Fishing
The Best Tools for Personal Change
How to Keep Your Edge as You Get Older
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free