A term used within Nutritional Psychology denotes the continuum of psychological functioning (subclinical effects) to mental health (clinical effects).

Psychological mechanisms encompass the various processes and functions related to the mind and behavior. This broad term includes cognitive processes, emotional responses, motivations, perceptions, and other mental functions that shape human thoughts and actions.

Psychological mechanisms in the context of the DMHR (Diet-mental health relationship) involve cognitive, emotional, and motivational processes that influence how dietary habits affect mental health. These mechanisms include thought patterns, emotional responses, and motivations that shape food choices and dietary behaviors.

Psychological resilience refers to an individual’s ability to adapt and bounce back from adversity, trauma, or stress. It involves mental toughness, emotional strength, and the capacity to maintain a stable and positive mental state in the face of challenges.

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior. It involves exploring and understanding various aspects of our cognition, emotion, perception, personality, and social interaction.

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a field of study that investigates the interactions and communication between the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems. It explores how psychological factors, such as stress, emotions, and cognitive processes, can influence immune function and how immune responses, in turn, can impact neurological and psychological processes.

Psychonutrition studies how nutrition impacts psychological well-being and cognitive function, aiming to use dietary interventions to improve mental health.

Psychonutritional education is a term used in the emerging field of nutritional psychology to describe the integration of psychological theories and concepts with scientific research on nutrition and dietary patterns, aiming to understand and improve psychological well-being, emotional health, cognitive functioning, and behavior through nutrition.” An example of psychonutritional education involves exploring how one’s early attachment style influences their adult eating patterns and relationship with food.

Psychonutritional education is being developed through the Center for Nutritional Psychology, whose team of professionals in the psychological and nutritional sciences is working to create tools and methods steeped in both the psychological and nutritional sciences that can be applied to improve human psychological health and well-being, thereby contributing to the improvement of the way we think, feel, and experience. Join our mission to bring a nutritional component to mental healthcare by 2030. Educate, advocate, and participate.

Psychosis is defined as a severe disruption in reality perception characterized by delusions and/or hallucinations (West, 2013). It is a common shared symptom of various disorders, including psychotic and non-psychotic disorders and neurologic and medical conditions (Arciniegas, 2015).

Psychotic disorders are severe mental illnesses that affect a person’s thinking, feelings, and behavior, such as hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and motor behavior (Tampi et al., 2019).