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In this episode, I explain the biology, symptoms, causes and types of bipolar disorder (sometimes called bipolar depression). I discuss neuroplasticity and how the brain normally regulates mood, energy, and perceptions; then, I contrast that with the biology of bipolar disorder, which is characterized by extremes of energy and mood, e.g., mania and depression. I outline the mechanisms through which bipolar disorder manifests in the brain, including deficits of interoception and reduced connections between the parietal and limbic systems. I also outline how treatment options (such as lithium) work in part through homeostatic plasticity.’ I discuss not only lithium but also the treatment of bipolar with ketamine, different talk therapies, electroconvulsive therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and nutraceuticals, including Omega-3 and Inositol supplementation. This episode should interest anyone who has or knows someone with bipolar disorder and, more broadly, those interested in how the brain works to create a balance between thoughts, energy levels, focus, and mood.
Articles
- The Long-term Natural History of the Weekly Symptomatic Status of Bipolar I Disorder (JAMA Psychiatry)
- A Prospective Investigation of the Natural History of the Long-term Weekly Symptomatic Status of Bipolar II Disorder (JAMA Psychiatry)
- Lithium salts in the treatment of psychotic excitement (Bulletin of the World Health Organization)
- Longitudinal Changes in Structural Connectivity in Young People at High Genetic Risk for Bipolar Disorder (American Journal of Psychiatry)
- Targeting Homeostatic Synaptic Plasticity for Treatment of Mood Disorders (Neuron)
- Omega-3 fatty acid treatment, with or without cytidine, fails to show therapeutic properties in bipolar disorder: a double-blind, randomized add-on clinical trial (Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology)
- Omega 3 fatty acids in bipolar disorder: a preliminary double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (JAMA Psychiatry)
- Reduced mania and depression in juvenile bipolar disorder associated with long-chain ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation (European Journal of Clinical Nutrition)
- Omega-3 fatty acid treatment and T(2) whole brain relaxation times in bipolar disorder (The American Journal of Psychiatry)
- Brainstorm: Occupational choice, bipolar illness and creativity (Economics & Human Biology)
Other Resources
Timestamps
- 00:00:00 Bipolar Disorder
- 00:02:23 Momentous Supplements
- 00:03:42 Tool: Appetite Suppression & GLP-1, Parallel Pathways, Yerba Mate
- 00:10:23 InsideTracker, ROKA, Blinkist
- 00:14:24 Prevalence & Severity of Bipolar Disorder
- 00:16:30 Bipolar Disorder I, Diagnostic Criteria of Mania
- 00:28:58 Bipolar Disorder II, Individual Variability
- 00:33:07 Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II: Manic, Depressive & Symptom-Free States
- 00:38:20 Consequences of Bipolar Disorder, Heritability
- 00:46:53 Bipolar Disorder vs. Borderline Personality Disorder
- 00:51:51 Mania & Depression, Negative Impacts
- 00:53:06 History of Lithium Treatment
- 01:02:44 Lithium Treatment & Side-Effects
- 01:05:05 Effects of Lithium: BDNF, Anti-inflammatory & Neuroprotection
- 01:10:10 Neural Circuits of Bipolar Disorder, Interoception, Hyper- vs. Hypoactivity
- 01:17:11 Neural States & Mania, Parietal Lobe & Limbic System
- 01:22:58 Homeostatic Plasticity, Synaptic Scaling, Lithium & Ketamine
- 01:36:00 Talk Therapies: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Family-Focused Therapy, Interpersonal & Social Rhythm Therapy
- 01:43:18 Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)
- 01:48:01 Psylocibin, Cannabis
- 01:51:50 Lifestyle Support, Supplements: Inositol & Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- 02:03:31 Omega-3s, Membrane Fluidity & Neuroplasticity
- 02:06:44 Mania, Creativity & Occupations
- 02:15:33 Bipolar Disorder: Diagnosis, Neural Circuits & Treatment
- 02:17:45 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous Supplements, Instagram, Twitter, Neural Network Newsletter