Mental Work Requires Physical Energy: Self-Control Is Neither Exception nor Exceptional

Frontiers in Psychology
Benjamin C AmpelEwan C McNay

Abstract

The brain's reliance on glucose as a primary fuel source is well established, but psychological models of cognitive processing that take energy supply into account remain uncommon. One exception is research on self-control depletion, where debate continues over a limited-resource model. This model argues that a transient reduction in self-control after the exertion of prior self-control is caused by the depletion of brain glucose, and that self-control processes are special, perhaps unique, in this regard. This model has been argued to be physiologically implausible in several recent reviews. This paper attempts to correct some inaccuracies that have occurred during debate over the physiological plausibility of this model. We contend that not only is such limitation of cognition by constraints on glucose supply plausible, it is well established in the neuroscience literature across several cognitive domains. Conversely, we argue that there is no evidence that self-control is special in regard to its metabolic cost. Mental processes require physical energy, and the body is limited in its ability to supply the brain with sufficient energy to fuel mental processes. This article reviews current findings in brain metabolism and seek...Continue Reading

References

Jan 1, 1975·Progress in Brain Research·J L McGaughJ Haycock
Apr 1, 1979·Physiological Reviews·H Lund-Andersen
Sep 1, 1992·Behavioral and Neural Biology·C A ManningP E Gold
Jan 1, 1991·The Journal of Adolescent Health : Official Publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine·C MichaudL Mejean
Sep 1, 1988·Neurobiology of Aging·P E Gold, W S Stone
May 1, 1986·Behavioral and Neural Biology·P E Gold
Sep 1, 1986·Behavioral and Neural Biology·P E GoldJ L Hall
Sep 1, 1986·Behavioral and Neural Biology·J L Hall, P E Gold
Jan 1, 1984·Annals of Neurology·L Sokoloff
Feb 1, 1995·The European Journal of Neuroscience·A VahabzadehM Fillenz
Apr 1, 1995·The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition·P E Gold
Jul 1, 1994·Diabetes Care·P E CryerH Shamoon
Nov 1, 1994·Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental·A B WeberR S Sherwin
Feb 1, 1996·Behavioural Brain Research·C Messier, M Gagnon
Apr 16, 1998·The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition·D L Korol, P E Gold
Aug 27, 1999·JAMA : the Journal of the American Medical Association·W L ClarkeB Kovatchev
Mar 8, 2000·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·E C McNayP E Gold
Apr 5, 2000·Psychological Bulletin·M Muraven, R F Baumeister
Feb 24, 2001·The Journals of Gerontology. Series A, Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences·E C McNay, P E Gold
Oct 25, 2002·Diabetes/metabolism Research and Reviews·Daniel J CoxWilliam L Clarke
Mar 17, 2004·Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin·Mark Muraven, Elisaveta Slessareva
May 19, 2004·Archives of Neurology·Zoe ArvanitakisDavid A Bennett
Jan 29, 2005·FASEB Journal : Official Publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·Andrea M VincentEva L Feldman
Oct 18, 2005·Neurobiology of Aging·Paul E Gold
Jun 17, 2006·Annual Review of Neuroscience·Marcus E Raichle, Mark A Mintun
Jul 11, 2006·Magnetic Resonance Imaging·Adam W AndersonJohn C Gore

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jan 11, 2020·Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience·Nathalie AndréRoy F Baumeister
Dec 18, 2020·Primary Health Care Research & Development·Lina EjlertssonH Ingemar Andersson
May 27, 2021·Public Health Nutrition·Tatyana A TserneElvira E Symaniuk

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

Personality and Social Psychology Review : an Official Journal of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Inc
Christopher J Beedie, Andrew M Lane
Zhonghua yi xue za zhi
Li-wei ZhangPeng Zhang
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved