Feeding the Mind: The Connection Between Diet, Drugs, and Mental Health Volume 1: Foundations and Clinical Connections in Diet and Mental Health

This authoritative and science-backed volume explores the profound ways in which nutrition shapes our thoughts, emotions, and healing processes throughout life--from childhood to late adulthood. Offering a culturally inclusive and integrative approach, the book bridges functional foods, personalized nutrition, and mental wellness, providing groundbreaking insights into complex issues such as substance use disorders and chronic pain. Rich with the latest scientific findings, it examines the gut-brain connection, the role of antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, micronutrients, probiotics, and the impact of food additives on cognitive and emotional health. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, researcher, or health-conscious reader, this comprehensive resource equips you with practical strategies and future-focused perspectives to transform mental health through dietary wisdom.

Dr. Mohamed, a Physician Neuroscientist, earned his PhD from PSU, USA, and presently holds the position of Professor Madya at IIUM Medical School, Malaysia. With over 200 speaking engagements both domestically and internationally, Dr. Mohamed is a seasoned lecturer. He has authored more than 170 peer-reviewed papers in the field of Neuroscience/Psychiatry, boasting an h-index of 25. Additionally, he serves as an editor for several international Journals, having contributed to numerous journal special issues focusing on brain disorders. Furthermore, he is involved in editing several neuroscience books with several publishers. Dr. Mohamed has received research grants from esteemed national and international organizations including IBRO, ISN, MJF, STDF, FRGS, and INDO-ASEAN, totalling a million US dollars in research funding. He is also the founder of the AfrAbia-PD-Genomic Consortium (AA-PD-GC).

Prof. Dr. Aynur Özge is an internationally renowned neurologist specializing in neurology, algology, and clinical neurophysiology. She is a founding faculty member of the Department of Neurology at Mersin University Faculty of Medicine and has played a pivotal role in advancing headache and neurodegenerative disease research globally. Prof. Özge is a Board Member of the International Headache Society (IHS) (2019-2025) and the founding president of the Global Migraine and Pain Society (GMPS) and the MENAA Headache Society, demonstrating her leadership in international headache and pain research. She has been actively involved in patient advocacy as the founding president of the Mersin Branch of the Alzheimer Association of Turkey and the Mersin Alzheimer Association, furthering awareness, and care for neurodegenerative disorders. With an extensive academic career, Prof. Özge has published widely in neurology, pain management, and neurodegeneration, contributing to numerous peer-reviewed journals, book chapters, and international research collaborations. She has served as the editor of multiple high-impact books in the fields of headache disorders, neurological scales, and pandemic-related neurological conditions, published under reputable publishers such as Springer.

Her expertise spans from migraines and primary headaches to Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive dysfunction, and she has played a crucial role in advancing research on the gut-brain axis, neuroinflammation, and nutrition’s impact on neurological health. Prof. Özge’s work has significantly contributed to understanding neurogenesis, cognitive resilience, and neuroprotective interventions, making her a key figure in the evolving landscape of nutritional neuroscience. As a researcher, clinician, and leader in neurology and pain management, Prof. Özge continues to shape the future of brain health research with her interdisciplinary approach, integrating nutrition, neurobiology, and clinical practice to improve patient outcomes worldwide.