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The goal of the course is that students will learn about nutrition and mental health, the consequences of poor nutrition, the role of different diets on mental health, how nutrients exert their effects on mental health chemically, and the potential for nutritional therapies in treating mental illness. In addition, non-nutritional components (natural and additives) of food will be explored in the context of neurological effects to give the student an appreciation of the emerging importance of non-nutritive food components in mental health.
This is a one-semester, 15-point course in which we will introduce the role that food and nutrients play in the expression of mental illness and wellness through discussion of the biological mechanisms, the evidence across the lifespan that food impacts mental health and the clinical application of this knowledge. The goals of the course are that students will learn about food and mental health, the consequences of poor nutrition, the role of different diets in the expression of mental health, and the potential for nutritional therapies. In addition, non-nutritional components (natural and additives as well as environmental toxins) of food will be explored to give the student an appreciation of the emerging importance of non-nutritive food components in mental health.
Comprehend the complexities associated with studying how food and nutrients might play a role in the expression of mental illness (assessment task: group presentation, essay)Critically evaluate studies on food and mental health and the controversy associated with this line of research (assessment task: group presentation, essay, e-activities)Developed and demonstrated skills in communicating the findings of scientific research on nutrients and mental health to different target audiences (assessment task: group presentation, video, essay) Comprehend the role of nutrients and food in the expression of psychiatric and psychological symptoms (assessment task: group presentation, video, essay)
PSYC335 and subject to Head of Department approval.
Students must attend one activity from each section.
Students are expected to attend lectures in person.
Julia Rucklidge
Rucklidge, J. J. & Kaplan, B. J; The Better Brain: How Nutrition Will Help You Overcome Anxiety, Depression, ADHD and Stress ; Penguin Random House, UK, 2021.
Domestic fee $1,114.00
International Postgraduate fees
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing on the departments and faculties page .