"Brain Energy explains this new understanding of mental illness in detail, from symptoms and risk factors to what is happening in brain cells. Palmer also sheds light on the new treatment pathways this theory opens up-which apply to all mental disorders, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, alcoholism, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, autism, and even schizophrenia"-- Provided by publisher.

Introduction -- Part I: Connecting the dots. What we're doing isn't working: Mental health today -- What causes mental illness and why does it matter? -- Searching for a common pathway -- Could it all be related? -- Part II: Brain energy. Mental disorders are metabolic disorders -- Mental states and mental disorders -- Magnificent mitochondria -- A brain energy imbalance -- Part III: Causes and solutions. What's causing the problem and what can we do? -- Contributing cause: Genetics and epigenetics -- Contributing cause: Chemical imbalances, neurotransmitters, and medications -- Contributing cause: Hormones and metabolic regulators -- Contributing cause: Inflammation -- Contributing cause: Sleep, light, and circadian rhythms -- Contributing cause: Food, fasting, and your gut -- Contributing cause: Drugs and alcohol -- Contributing cause: Physical activity -- Contributing cause: Love, adversity, and purpose in life -- Why do current treatments work? -- Putting it all together: Developing your metabolic treatment plan -- A new day for mental and metabolic health.