Metabolism, Mentation, and Behavior

Abstract

The ultimate supreme function of the body is mentation, or thinking Without mentation the body is of no significant use. Mentation plays the major role in all our pleasures and pains The amounts and types of mental and physical behavior depend upon the body’s metabolism. All abnormalities in mentation are associated with altered metabolism. Metabolic changes lead to psychic alterations and vice versa; often this sort of multicyclic relationship occurs in the same individual. Moreover, metabolic or psychic abnormalities can lead to changes in other parts of the body which further influence the metabolic and psychic states. The chemical and/or physical status of the brain can be altered by many influences. These include abnormalities within the brain itself, disorders in other parts of the body, and such influences from outside the body as social, climatic, and nutritional factors. There often is an interplay among these factors. For example, certain genetic enzyme abnormalities in the brain can tremendously alter behavior and, in turn, lead to adverse environmental conditions; contrariwise, abnormal environmental factors can markedly influence behavior. Even a total lack of sleep for a week can make a normal person have hallucinations. Each endocrine gland function can influence mentation; mentation can influence each endocrine and other metabolic function.

Based on material presented as the presidential address before the Endocrine Society (JCEM 31:461, 1970; reproduced by courtesy of the J. B. Lippincott Company). It should be consulted for further detail.