Mental energy
Capacity for cognitive work
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] 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]