VCE Psychology Unit 1 Area of Study (AOS) 1 Practice Test

Nutrition provides the brain with energy and the building blocks for chemicals that regulate mood and thinking. When certain nutrients are lacking, the production and function of neurotransmitters can be affected, brain energy may drop, and inflammatory processes can rise, all of which can contribute to mood changes and difficulties with concentration or memory. For example, iron deficiency can cause fatigue and cognitive slowed processing, while insufficient B vitamins, folate, or amino acids can impact pathways that synthesize mood-related chemicals like serotonin and dopamine. Omega-3 fats have been linked with better mood in some studies, and overall good nutritional status supports stable energy and function of brain circuits involved in emotion. Regular meals and adequate hydration help maintain steady energy, but they’re part of a broader picture—nutrition as a whole influences mental wellbeing. So, nutritional status does affect mood and cognitive function, and deficiencies can contribute to mood disorders.