Understanding the mechanisms linking diet and mental health is like finding the gears of a clock—only by seeing how they turn together can we unlock the full potential of food as medicine for the mind.
Mechanisms explain how nutrition and psychology interconnect to influence psychological health and well-being. They illuminate events and processes at the molecular, cellular, and physiological levels (brain, hormonal, and chemical) arising from dietary intake that underlie specific biological or psychological functions or responses. —CNP
Mechanisms in Nutritional Psychology explain how nutrition and psychology interconnect to influence psychological health and well-being. Mechanisms illuminate events and processes at the molecular, cellular, and physiological levels (brain, hormonal, and chemical) arising from dietary intake that underlie specific biological or psychological functions or responses (e.g., feeling happy, depressed, or craving certain foods). These mechanisms involve complex biochemical pathways, molecular interactions, and cellular processes that influence mood, cognition, and behavior and collectively contribute to the overall functioning of living organisms.
While NP 120 Parts I & II introduced the MGBA as a major mechanism within nutritional psychology, this course introduces additional mechanisms central to nutritional psychology, including biological, neurobiological, neuroimmunological, psychoneuroimmunological, psychological, behavioral, social, and environmental mechanisms.
Some of the mechanisms explored in this course include the interconnections between DMHR and macronutrients, micronutrients, nutritional deficiencies, phytonutrients, and neuroactive compounds. Additional mechanisms explored include dietary patterns, the microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA), early life nutrition, hormonal regulation, neuroendocrine pathways, and major brain structures, including the amygdala, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, hypothalamus, and ventral striatum. The interconnection between diet and emotions, memory, decision-making, appetite, and food-seeking behaviors via neurotransmission, neurogenesis, neural repair, neuroplasticity, neurotrophins, neuropeptides, and neuroinflammation are revealed.
Additionally, this course investigates how dietary patterns and specific nutrients influence immune-brain communication, inflammation, oxidative stress, microglia, mitochondrial function, and the blood-brain barrier. We examine these insights in the context of their effects on psychological functioning and clinical mental health disorders.
This course prepares learners to enroll in NP 150 Part II. Completing NP 110, NP 120 Parts I & II, and NP 150 Parts I & II fulfills the NP 100 Series Introductory Certificate requirements in NP and prepares you to enroll in the NP 200 Series in Educational Applications in Nutritional Psychology (available 2026).
This course is fully online, self-paced, and text-based, with figures/diagrams, powerpoint presentations, and short animated videos. This course has a syllabus, four modules and quizzes, one final exam, and a course evaluation. The pace with which you complete this course will depend on your personal reading, comprehension, and learning style. See the NP 150 Part I Course Flyer.
Once enrolled, Learners have full online access to this course for 4 months (120 days). This course is fully self-contained, and no additional materials are needed for its completion. This course and evaluation must be completed to receive course credit and an NP 110 Certificate of completion. No partial credit is given. This course is not downloadable. However, for each module, Learners may download a Module Download Kit containing all of the Terms & Definitions, Figures, Lightbulb moments (short evidence-based factoids), and APA-formatted References.
CNP is committed to identifying and resolving potential conflicts of interest in planning, promoting, delivering, and evaluating its continuing education curriculum and programs. As an APA-approved continuing education sponsor, and consistent with concepts outlined in the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, no individual involved in the planning, promotion, delivery, or evaluation of CNP continuing education has any personal, professional, legal, financial, or other interests that could reasonably be expected to impair his, her, or their objectivity, competence, or effectiveness.
CNP is approved to sponsor Continuing Education (CE) for professionals through the following organizations:
CNP maintains responsibility for this program and its content. CNP, the organization offering this course, is committed to ethical standards, resolving conflicts of interest in its programs, and ensuring unbiased, evidence-based education. Registering for NP 110 indicates that you have read and agreed to CNP’s Course Policy.
NP 150 Part I provides 39.25 CE for Psychologists, RDs, DTRs, LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs, and 37.25 CE for National Certified Counselors (NCCs). For NCCs, The National Board of Certified Counselors excludes learner time spent on syllabi, quizzes, and the course final. Please contact the NBCC should you have questions.
There are no prerequisites to take NP 150 Part I, the fourth of five courses in the Introductory Certificate in Nutritional Psychology (NP 100 Series). However, taking this course before enrolling in NP 150 Part II is recommended. Those wanting to obtain the introductory certificate in NP should take all five courses in the following sequence: NP 110, NP 120 Part I, NP 120 Part II, NP 150 Part I, and Part II.
This course presents evidence, knowledge, and conceptual learning (psychonutritional education) on how MGBA (and diet) influence all aspects of the diet-mental health relationship within nutritional psychology. This course is not designed to provide diagnosis, nutritional, or therapeutic intervention outside of one’s existing professional scope of practice. This course does not provide the following:
This course provides the following:
A: Yes, this course is taught fully online through the CNP educational platform and can be completed at your own pace. Note: once enrolled, each course has a time limit to complete (usually several months and in NP 150 Part I case -- four months).
A: Yes, NP 150 has open enrollment, and you can begin any time.
A: NP 150 Part I is estimated to take 34.5 hours to complete, depending on your learning style and previous experience in nutrition and psychology and whether you've taken NP 110. If this information is new to you, or you are a deep learner, it may take more time to complete.
Citing the whole course (NP 150): Instructor(s). (Year). Title of course [Type of course]. Name of Platform. URL Example: Behairy, S. F. (2024). Mechanisms in the Diet-Mental Health Relationship (DMHR) [Online course]. The Center for Nutritional Psychology. https://www.nutritional-psychology.org/np-150/ Citing a specific module: Instructor(s). (Year). Title of module or chapter. In Title of course [Type of course]. Name of Platform. URL Example: Behairy, S. F. (2024). Biological mechanism in DMHR. In Mechanisms in the Diet-Mental Health Relationship (DMHR) [Online course]. The Center for Nutritional Psychology. https://www.nutritional-psychology.org/np-150/ Intext citation: (Behairy, 2024)
A: Yes, a brief description of nutritional psychology is published in: Elsner, F., Matthiessen, L. E., Średnicka-Tober, D., Marx, W., O'Neil, A., Welch, A. A., Hayhoe, R. P., Higgs, S., van Vliet, M., Morphew-Lu, E., Kazimierczak, R., Góralska-Walczak, R., Kopczyńska, K., Steenbuch Krabbe Bruun, T., Rosane, B. P., Gjedsted Bügel, S., & Strassner, C. (2022). Identifying future study designs for mental health and social wellbeing associated with diets of a cohort living in eco-regions: Findings from the INSUM expert workshop. International journal of environmental research and public health, 20(1), 669. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010669
"This course will definitely help me in my study and practice. I have an interest for the subject and understood the key role and importance of our dietary patterns and mental health. I now know specifics to integrate in my life and practice, to help clients, patients, students, family and friends. It validates my values and desires to learn and support others with this information, helps me help people to have conscious and awareness of their dietary intake and how much it affects their lives."
Through a multidimensional approach, this Module introduces the complex interrelations within the DMHR, encompassing biological, neurobiological, neuroimmunological, psychoneuroimmunological, psychological and behavioral, social and environmental, and developmental mechanisms. Beginning with an overview of DMHR’s scope, significance, and historical evolution, the course delves into the origins of the connection between nutrition and mental health, tracing back to Hippocrates and through various cultural and historical lenses. By merging historical insights with modern empirical evidence, the course underscores the importance of informed research and evidence-based practices in understanding and applying nutritional psychology, setting a solid foundation for professionals in addressing the intricacies of diet and mental health.
Module 2 of our educational series delves into the Biological Mechanisms underpinning the Diet-Mental Health Relationship (DMHR), thoroughly examining how dietary choices affect cognitive functions, emotional resilience, and overall mental health. This module is structured into units that explore a wide range of topics, from the essential roles of macronutrients and micronutrients in brain function, neurotransmitter synthesis, and cognitive regulation to the cognitive and stress resilience benefits of phytonutrients, neuroactive compounds, and various herbal remedies like Ginkgo Biloba and Ashwagandha. Additionally, this module addresses the impact of nutritional deficiencies, the importance of early-life nutrition, the effects of different dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean and Ketogenic diets, and the significance of the gut-brain connection through the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis. Furthermore, it discusses the crucial role of hormonal regulation and energy balance in mental well-being, highlighting the interaction between diet, key hormones (insulin, leptin, ghrelin, cortisol), and neuroendocrine pathways. This comprehensive exploration illuminates the complex biological mechanisms linking diet to mental health and underscores the profound influence of nutrition on our psychological and neurological well-being.
Module 3 of our enlightening course delves into the Diet-Mental Health Relationship (DMHR) from a neurobiological perspective, comprehensively exploring how diet influences mental well-being through intricate brain mechanisms. This journey illuminates the critical roles of specific brain regions—such as the amygdala, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, hypothalamus, and striatum—in managing emotions, memory, decision-making, appetite, and the reward system, all of which are integral to our dietary choices and mental health. Further, we explore the neurobiological underpinnings of DMHR, including the impact of neurotransmitters, neurogenesis, neural repair, neuroplasticity, neurotrophins, neuropeptides, and neuroinflammation on our mental well-being. By understanding how specific nutrients and dietary patterns affect these mechanisms, we gain insights into fostering brain resilience, adaptability, and overall health, underscoring the holistic and multidirectional approach of the DMHR framework.
Module 4 of our educational series offers a deep dive into the Neuroimmunological Mechanisms within the Diet-Mental Health Relationship (DMHR), highlighting the significant role of the immune system in mental well-being and how diet can influence this complex interplay. It begins with an exploration of how the immune system interacts with brain function and mental health, including the impact of immune system dysregulation on various mental health disorders. This module further examines the immunomodulatory effects of specific nutrients, the importance of bidirectional communication between the immune system and the brain, and the relationship between inflammation, oxidative stress, and mental health. Additionally, it covers the roles of microglia and neuroinflammation, the significance of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and the function of mitochondria in brain health, emphasizing how dietary choices affect these components. This comprehensive exploration sheds light on the critical connections between diet, the immune system, and mental well-being, providing a detailed understanding of the neuroimmunological underpinnings that influence our mental health.
Discover the scope, significance, and historical perspectives of the DMHR.
Estimated time to complete:
6.5 hours
Module Quiz
16 questions/30 min
Module Overview
Terms & Definitions
Module Introduction
Unit 1: Scope, Significance, and Historical Perspectives of DMHR
1. Scope of the DMHR
2. Significance of the DMHR
Unit 2: Introduction to Key Mechanisms in DMHR
Module Conclusion
Explore dietary and nutrient mechanisms, the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis (MGBA), and hormonal regulation & energy balance through a biological lens.
Estimated time to complete:
9 hours
Module Quiz
28 questions/30 min
Module Overview
Terms & Definitions
Introduction to Biological Mechanisms and DMHR
Unit 1: Dietary and Nutrient Mechanisms
Unit 2: Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis (MGBA) Mechanism
Unit 3: Hormonal Regulation & Energy Balance Mechanism
Module Conclusion
Module 2 Download Kit: Optional Supplementary Material
Delve into brain regions involved in DMHR (e.g., amygdala, hippocampus, hypothalamus) and brain mechanisms such as neurotransmitters, neuroinflammation, and neuroplasticity through a neurobiological lens.
Estimated time to complete:
11.25 hours
Module Quiz
21 questions/30 min
Module Overview
Terms & Definitions
Introduction to Neurobiological Mechanisms in DMHR
Unit 1: Brain Regions Involved in DMHR
Unit 2: Brain Mechanisms Involved in DMHR
1.2. Dietary Influence on Neurotransmitters
2.2. Dietary Influence on Neurogenesis and Neural Repair
3.2. Dietary Influence on Neuroplasticity (video)
4.2. Dietary Influence on Neurotrophins
5.2. Neuropeptides and Mood Regulation
5.3. Neuropeptides and Stress Response
5.4. Neuropeptides and Eating Behavior (video)
5.5. Dietary Influence on Neuropeptides
6.2. Neuroinflammation and Mental Health
6.3. Dietary Influence on Neuroinflammation (video)
Module Conclusion
Module 3 Download Kit: Optional Supplementary Material
Understand the impact of the immune system, inflammation, oxidative stress, blood-brain barrier (BBB), microglia, and mitochondria on DMHR through a neuroimmunological lens.
Estimated time to complete:
7.25 hours
Module Quiz
29 questions/30 min
Module Overview
Terms & Definitions
Introduction to Neuroimmunological Mechanisms and DMHR
Unit 1: The Immune System and Mental Health
Unit 2: Inflammation and Mental Health
Unit 3: Oxidative Stress, Antioxidants, and Mental Health
Unit 4: Microglia and Neuroinflammation
Unit 5: The Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB)
Unit 6: The Mitochondria
Module Conclusion
This course provides 39.25 CE/CPEU for Psychologists, Registered Dietitians (RDs), and Dietetic Technicians, Registered (DTRs), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCCs), and Licensed Educational Psychologists (LEPs), and 37.25 CE for National-Certified Counselors (NCCs). To receive credit for this course, learners must complete the course in its entirety and the course evaluation.
By integrating the latest research in nutritional psychology, CNP ensures that its courses are rooted in scientifically validated principles, offering a comprehensive and credible foundation for practice. This commitment to evidence-based education empowers healthcare providers, mental health professionals, nutritionists, and educators to apply cutting-edge insights to their work, bridging the gap between nutrition and psychological well-being.
CNP is approved to sponsor CE for psychologists, mental health professionals, counselors, dietitians, nutritionists, and other professionals whose licensing bodies accept CE from APA, CDR, CAMFT, and NCC. CNP maintains responsibility for this program and its content. If finances are a barrier to accessing our curriculum, see our NP 110 Scholarship Program. Scholarship Program
CNP is approved to sponsor Continuing Education for:
The information in this course is not meant to, nor should it ever be used, to treat, mitigate, or cure psychiatric illness. This information should never be used as a substitute for sound medical advice. This course is educational in nature and is designed to introduce professionals, students, and interested individuals in developing their understanding of the connection between diet and all aspects of psychological functioning and mental health. Best practices for how to integrate this information professionally, ethically, and within the standards of practice will be covered in upcoming courses. While this information can be incorporated into one’s practice within an educational framework, it cannot be used to provide dietary advice, any form of dietary intervention, or to treat any psychological or mental health issues.