This week’s topic might ruffle some feathers.
But it’s one I think we have to talk about — with honesty, compassion, and curiosity.
Let’s start here:
What if mental health wasn’t just about brain chemistry — but also about brain energy?
What if the way we fuel and care for our body directly impacts our mood, motivation, and mind?
I’m currently reading Brain Energy by Dr. Christopher Palmer, a Harvard psychiatrist who’s spent decades studying the connection between mitochondria (your cells’ energy engines) and mental health.
And friends, it’s blowing my mind — and making so many things click.
❗️ Medication Can Help — But Is It the Whole Story?
To be clear: I’m not anti-medication.
Many people find relief and stability with traditional treatments.
But what I’ve seen — and what I’ve experienced personally — is that sometimes medication is just the beginning, not the full picture.
Many people find relief and stability with traditional treatments.
But what I’ve seen — and what I’ve experienced personally — is that sometimes medication is just the beginning, not the full picture.
When we only treat the symptoms (anxiety, depression, fatigue, brain fog), we may miss the root cause — what’s actually going on at a cellular level.
Dr. Palmer’s work is showing us something powerful:
Mental health challenges often reflect a deeper issue — how our cells are producing and using energy.
And guess what affects that?
Blood sugar, sleep, stress, movement, inflammation, food quality, circadian rhythms — the daily things we overlook or dismiss as “lifestyle.”
🧬 Mitochondria & Mental Health: The Connection
When your mitochondria aren’t functioning well, your brain cells don’t have the energy they need.
That can lead to:
That can lead to:
- Mood instability
- Low motivation
- Trouble focusing
- Burnout
- Anxiety or depressive episodes
- Fatigue that sleep doesn’t fix
And here’s the kicker:
These aren’t just “in your head.”
They’re happening in your cells.
It’s not about willpower. It’s about biology.
These aren’t just “in your head.”
They’re happening in your cells.
It’s not about willpower. It’s about biology.
❤️ So What Can We Do?
Here’s the hope-filled part.
There are small, daily changes that can help support your mental health from the inside out.
There are small, daily changes that can help support your mental health from the inside out.
Things like:
- Prioritizing quality sleep
- Reducing ultra-processed foods
- Eating protein and fiber first, carbs last
- Walking after meals
- Managing stress and nervous system load
- Checking your blood sugar or fasting insulin
- Aligning your habits with your natural circadian rhythm
- Staying hydrated and moving your body gently
- Bringing compassion into your healing — not just “motivation”
These aren’t meant to replace medical care.
They’re meant to complement it — and sometimes unlock new progress when things have plateaued.
🌱 Final Thought: It’s Not Your Fault — But You Can Choose to Heal
If you’ve struggled with your mental health, please hear me:
You are not broken.
You are not lazy.
You are not a failure.
You are not broken.
You are not lazy.
You are not a failure.
You may simply be underpowered — running on a (cellular) empty tank for far too long.
And that’s not your fault. But it is something you can support.
And that’s not your fault. But it is something you can support.
You don’t have to do it perfectly.
You just have to begin paying attention to your body with love.
Because that’s where the real healing starts.
You just have to begin paying attention to your body with love.
Because that’s where the real healing starts.
With you in this,
Rachel xo
Rachel xo
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