Mental health brain
back arrow Back to The Blog

What can our brain tell us about mental health?

Theoretical physicist Michio Kaku once said “the human brain has 100 billion neurons, each connected to 10,000 other neurons. Sitting on your shoulders is the most complicated object in the known universe.” The brain is clever, confusing and most of all, extremely complex. Humanity still has a long way to go in understanding the full extent of the brain, but what do we know about its part in mental health?

There are plenty of disputes between various organisations and individuals about the part the human brain plays in mental health.

After all, the three pound organ in our heads has been compared numerous times to the universe in terms of complexity, with some scientists suggesting the cosmos and its galaxies are just like a giant human brain and its neuronal cells.

With this being the case, how much can we know about the influence the brain has on our mental health?

Racking our brains

What we do know, is that poor mental health has been linked to a variation in certain brain chemicals – namely serotonin, a hormone that stabilises our mood – but no one understands why.

Many of today’s antidepressant medication increase the levels of serotonin in the brain, making them an effective treatment for those with moderate to severe depression.

Researchers have also discovered that natural light can reach and affect the brain’s hypothalamus (a mood-regulating area), causing some people to develop seasonal affective disorder (SAD) during autumn and winter months where there is less sunlight.

It is thought that the hypothalamus stops working properly in those with SAD because of the lack of sunlight, which in turn can lead to a variation in brain chemicals.

Similarly, there’s evidence to suggest that genes play a big role in whether or not we develop challenges with our mental health; and many of our genes influence the development and function of our brain.

Rethink Mental Illness’ research into inherited mental illnesses suggests that there is a one in 100 chance of someone in the general population developing bipolar compared to a staggering 40 in 100 if both parents have the condition.

A no-brainer

In summary, we still have a lot to learn about the brain, but we cannot deny its impact on mental health.

Whether it’s chemicals imbalances or genes, we are learning every day just how important mental health is and why we need to ensure we are taking care of ourselves mentally.

This is why the Charlie Watkins Foundation strives to raise funding for vital projects to help young people across the UK who are facing serious mental health challenges.

We are funded by your generosity and your kind support is pivotal in allowing us to continue our vital work.  If you would like to help us to continue to make a difference, please consider making a donation.

strip