Christopher M. Palmer

Brain Energy: A Revolutionary Breakthrough in Understanding Mental Health--and Improving Treatment for Anxiety, Depression, OCD, PTSD, and More

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Last updated Sep 20, 2026 at 2:27am
Christopher M. Palmer

About this product

“[A] revolutionary road map for people suffering from depression, anxiety, bipolar disease . . . almost any brain disorder." —Mark Hyman, MD, New York Times bestselling author of Young Forever
Discover the surprising link between your metabolism and mental health in this cutting-edge guide with practical advice for treatment and care.
We are in the midst of a global mental health crisis, and mental illnesses are on the rise. But what causes mental illness? And why are mental health problems so hard to treat?
In Brain Energy, Harvard psychiatrist Dr. Chris Palmer unites our existing knowledge about mental illness within a single framework: Mental disorders are metabolic disorders of the brain. The root cause of mental illness isn’t merely genetics or a chemical imbalance, but rather the energy available for your brain.
Palmer explains this new understanding of mental illness in detail, from symptoms and risk factors to what is happening in brain cells, and sheds light on the new treatment pathways this theory opens up for all mental disorders, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, alcoholism, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, autism, and even schizophrenia.
This groundbreaking book reveals:
Why classifying mental disorders as “separate” conditions is misleading
The clear connections between mental illness and common health disorders linked to metabolism, including diabetes, heart attacks, strokes, pain disorders, obesity, Alzheimer’s disease, and epilepsy
The link between metabolism and every factor known to play a role in mental health, including genetics, inflammation, hormones, neurotransmitters, sleep, stress, and trauma
The evidence that current mental health treatments, including medications and therapies, really work by affecting metabolism
New treatments available today that readers can use to promote long-term healing
Brain Energy pairs cutting-edge science with practical advice and strategies to help people reclaim their mental health. Read more

Editor's Take

Amazon reviewers say this book is very informative, well-researched, and well-written, with many readers praising its clear explanations, practical advice, and case studies. Some reviewers describe it as groundbreaking and life-changing, while a minority note the book can feel repetitive or too technical. Goodreads reviews are broadly positive, with readers often highlighting the book’s central idea that mental health may be tied to metabolism and brain energy. On Reddit, users in psychiatry-related discussions describe it as thought-provoking and convincing, though some comments question how actionable the treatment guidance is. Independent review blogs are also generally favorable, often praising the science and the accessible writing style, while a few mention the need for more concrete next steps. A YouTube result for a review video was found, so one relevant video ID is included below.

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Specifications

Topic Mental Health

Product Details

Publisher BenBella Books
Publication date November 15, 2022
Language English
Print length 320 pages
ISBN-10 1637741588
ISBN-13 978-1637741580
Item Weight 1.14 pounds
Dimensions 6.26 x 1.18 x 9.29 inches
Best Sellers Rank #9,730 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #9 in Medical Neuropsychology #15 in Popular Neuropsychology #23 in Post-Traumatic Stress
Customer Reviews 4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars (1,947)

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