Solo Episode
July 25, 2022

The Science & Treatment of Bipolar Disorder

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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.

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  • 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

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