The Mind's Untangled Spark: Fueling Cognitive Energy Beyond Calories

Finding Flow, Losing Control, and Other Miracles of the Pen

July 14,2025

By Hans Jonsson (Cognitive-Loon)

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Reading this is entirely optional and just for fun as a learning exercise. Remember,

"Don't hate, Educate! This is not about what to think, it's about how you could think!"

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We often talk about energy in simple terms: the fuel from our food, the recharge from a good night's sleep. And yes, as someone who's navigated everything from the precise mechanics of refrigeration systems to the intricate needs of culinary nutrition, I can tell you that physical energy — the kind that moves our muscles and keeps our organs humming — is absolutely non-negotiable. It's the baseline, the foundation. But through a lifetime of learning, often by delightful disaster, and particularly through the lens of my own ADHD (long before I had words for it), I've come to understand that there's another, equally vital form of energy at play.

This isn't about calories burned or hours slept. This is about the subtle, often elusive, spark that ignites our minds: cognitive energy.

The Physical Foundation: Necessary, But Not Sufficient

Let's be clear: neglecting our physical needs is a recipe for struggle. My journey has taken me from the stark realities of homelessness, where survival meant any food, to the privilege of consuming locally sourced, organic sustenance. The difference in physical stamina, clarity, and overall well-being is profound. Our bodies are complex machines, and they require the right inputs – balanced nutrition, adequate hydration (those crucial electrolytes like sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium aren't just for muscles; they're the electrical current for our very thoughts), and restorative sleep. Without this physical baseline, our capacity to function is severely compromised.

But here's the paradox: even when every physical box is ticked, when the body is perfectly fueled and rested, the mind can still feel... stuck.

Cognitive Energy: The Invisible Driver

This is where cognitive energy comes in. It's the brain's capacity for sustained, directed effort. Think of it not as the fuel itself, but as the ignition and sustained combustion for our mental processes. It manifests in several key ways:

• Sustained Attention and Focus: It's not just the ability to notice something, but to hold your attention on it, to resist distraction, and to delve deep into a task. For many, this is a daily battle.

• Executive Function Capacity: This is often called the "CEO of the brain" – the suite of mental skills that includes planning, organizing, prioritizing, initiating tasks, self-regulating emotions, and adapting to new situations. It's the difference between knowing what to do and actually doing it.

• Volitional Drive and Motivation (The Dopamine Connection): This is the "spark" I've wrestled with for years. It's the intrinsic "wanting" to engage, the internal push that allows us to overcome inertia and apply effort. From a neurobiological perspective, this is deeply intertwined with our brain's dopaminergic system. Dopamine isn't just about pleasure; it's a critical neurotransmitter for motivation, reward anticipation, and the very act of initiating effortful behavior. When this system is dysregulated or depleted, the will to act can feel absent, even if the physical capacity is there.

I've lived this disconnect. There are days when, despite having eaten perfectly and slept soundly, my mind feels like it's wading through treacle. The effort required to simply start a task, to maintain focus, or to shift gears is immense. It's a struggle against an internal resistance that transcends physical fatigue. This isn't laziness; it's a depletion of that unique cognitive fuel.

Bridging the Gap: Why This Understanding Matters

Recognizing cognitive energy as distinct from physical energy is transformative, both for individuals and for mental health professionals:

• For the Individual: It fosters self-compassion. It reframes struggles with focus, motivation, or task initiation not as moral failings or a lack of willpower (in the traditional sense), but as a fluctuation in a specific, measurable (though often unseen) energy resource. This understanding empowers us to seek strategies that address the cognitive aspect, rather than just endlessly "trying harder" or blaming ourselves. It's about working with our unique neurological wiring.

• For Mental Health Professionals: This perspective offers a valuable language bridge. When a patient describes feeling "stuck," "unmotivated," or unable to "get started," understanding the concept of cognitive energy allows for a more nuanced assessment. Using terms like "executive function challenges," "dopaminergic dysregulation," or "volitional fatigue" can help professionals connect subjective experience to underlying neurobiological processes. My own breakthrough in receiving better care came when I learned to articulate my "stream of consciousness" in a way that resonated with the language used by my healthcare providers. This shared vocabulary exponentially expanded my learning curve and improved the quality of support I received. It's not about being academic, but about being precise enough to be truly understood.

Nurturing the Mind's Spark

Just as we nourish our bodies, we must learn to nurture our cognitive energy. This goes beyond the basic nutritional guide:

• Mindful Engagement: Be aware of what depletes your cognitive energy (e.g., endless scrolling, constant context-switching, excessive negative self-talk) and what replenishes it (e.g., focused work, creative pursuits, time in nature, genuine connection).

• Dopamine Hygiene: Understand that constant "quick hits" of stimulation (social media notifications, sugary snacks) can create a tolerance, making it harder to find motivation for sustained, less immediately gratifying tasks. Strategic breaks and periods of low stimulation can help reset this system.

• Strategic Scaffolding: For those with executive function challenges, external structures like routines, checklists, and breaking tasks into smaller steps aren't crutches; they're vital tools for managing cognitive load and preserving mental energy.

• Self-Compassion and Acceptance: Acknowledge that this energy fluctuates. Some days will be easier than others. Practicing self-kindness reduces the draining effect of self-doubt and internal criticism.

The Cognitive-Loon's Hope: Guided by Kindness

My journey has been a testament to both incredible fortune and significant struggle. But through it all, the drive to understand, to connect, and to articulate has remained. I've been incredibly lucky to encounter brilliant guiding lights – the teachers who, despite not fully understanding ADHD in an educational context, recognized a different way of learning. They didn't just see a problem; they saw potential and literally walked me to the library, leaving me with the most amazing human beings: the Librarians. These custodians of knowledge, with their "ocean of knowledge" and "maps for the most relevant books," were profound confirmations that, yes, there are genuine, kind strangers out there.

This beautiful kindness of complete strangers is my true story, my proof that we are so much better together. It's a testament to a love so profound it almost makes you hesitate to admit it. When we begin to bridge our language gaps – not just in English, or in our personal introspection, but in finding common ground with the specialized language of healthcare and other fields – we unlock immense potential. This was my breakthrough to better care, expanding my learning curve exponentially. It's about taking what I understand, even if it feels "strange," and translating it into a shared vocabulary so that all of humanity, our entire "tribe," can find a better future, a place where we can all exist and be afforded the understanding and support we deserve.

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Please don't mistake me for some wise old sage—I'm not particularly wise, old, or even fully convinced about the "soul" (just kidding, mostly!). What makes me relatable is that I'm one of you, not some distant authority figure. This isn't about sharing obscure, ancient secrets; it's about us guiding each other on how to think, not what to think. Right?

That's precisely why I created Cognitive-Loon: to share my hyperfocus topics, those moments when my "super cognitive energy" truly sparks and ignites my curiosity. This is my best effort right now, and I truly hope it resonates with you.

If you're one of those incredible people, like the "Librarians" I've spoken about—those custodians with an ocean of knowledge and maps leading to the most relevant books—please raise your hand or click like and leave a comment. Come say hi, my light is on for you!

//Peace Love And Respect