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So I finally sorted out what happened to my brain

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Re: So I finally sorted out what happened to my brain

#42
post #29
post #10

> I "depleted my brain of dopamine and glucose" causing "Functional Neurological Disorder" (FND - DSM-5 code 300.11) Is this a real thing? I can't find any evidence of Google about this and the author didn't link any sources. "300.11" is pretty vague and seems to refer to a problem that doesn't match any other criteria. I can't find any reference to it being caused by glucose or dopamine levels. Edit: https://twitter…

I find it all very doubtful. Sounds more like someone not wanting to admit to burn-out in order to protect their career.

Lol he lost his job - this didn’t protect his career.

Re: So I finally sorted out what happened to my brain

#44

I have had something similar to this (heavy fog and inability to continue creative work) and I use coffee, bulk vitamins and regular walks with music to work through it. I also started eating more fresh food and less frozen food, even if it meant eating-out fresh, because it was much worse when I was reheating a lot of tasteless frozen food. But no matter how hard I try, I have focused my career into an area that req…

This hits close to home.

Re: So I finally sorted out what happened to my brain

#45
I don't necessarily doubt the author, but how do you chronically deprive your brain of glucose?

Afaik you would get glucose back whenever you ate anything. Unless you were doing keto, but then your body and brain run on ketones. And if you did somehow deprive your brain of fuel, you would get symptoms in a much shorter span.

Maybe undereating, but he doesn't list weight loss, and if you're rapidly losing weight and start to notice these symptoms it would seem pretty obvious to try eating more.

Re: So I finally sorted out what happened to my brain

#47
post #43

Hmm this is somewhat scary... does anyone know how much actually is required for this to happen? I work 10-13 hour days quite often. I love every second of it, but it can be intense. Also... what foods are high in glucose or whatever brain food I need?

You don't need any special "brain food." You just need to take breaks and eat regularly.

Edit: And of course you should try to eat a balanced, "healthy" diet, but the issue being described in the Twitter thread is pushing through far beyond what's physically or psychologically healthy.

Re: So I finally sorted out what happened to my brain

#48
post #43

Hmm this is somewhat scary... does anyone know how much actually is required for this to happen? I work 10-13 hour days quite often. I love every second of it, but it can be intense. Also... what foods are high in glucose or whatever brain food I need?

Eating foods high in glucose seems like a good way to give yourself insulin resistance and diabetes. That does not seem like the answer.

Re: So I finally sorted out what happened to my brain

#49

Low Dopamine and glucose in the brain leading to seizures. I wonder if taking adderall/stimulants as an external dopamine source + sugary drinks/food for the glucose could have helped with this.

When burnout similar to OP hit me, the company I was working at had free soda available all the time. I'd get slow while working stupid hours, and so I'd be guzzling soda to pep me up (or so I convinced myself... actually I was just addicted to the sugar). It was the lack of rest that was the cause of the debilitating burnout that destroyed me for years, and not for lack of glucose.

Re: So I finally sorted out what happened to my brain

#50

I don't necessarily doubt the author, but how do you chronically deprive your brain of glucose? Afaik you would get glucose back whenever you ate anything. Unless you were doing keto, but then your body and brain run on ketones. And if you did somehow deprive your brain of fuel, you would get symptoms in a much shorter span. Maybe undereating, but he doesn't list weight loss, and if you're rapidly losing weight and s…

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