The Missing Link: Why Metabolism Matters for Mental Health – Life Possible Podcast Episode 106 – Lauren Alston-Close, PMHNP

What if mental health isn't just about brain chemistry—but also about brain energy?In this episode of The Life Possible Podcast, Dr. John Barnes sits down with Lauren Alston-Close, a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, to explore the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry and the growing connection between metabolism, nutrition, and mental health.Together, they discuss how blood sugar regulation, inflammation, mitochondrial function, and metabolic health may influence anxiety, depression, brain fog, cravings, and even significant mental disorders including bipolar schizophrenia. The brain is part of the body. And improving metabolic health may be one of the most powerful—and overlooked—tools we have to support mental and emotional well-being.Whether you or someone you love is struggling with anxiety, brain fog, mood swings, cravings, low energy, or worse, this episode will help you understand and empower you to make nutritional changes to help impact your mental health.