Mitochondrial Psychobiology

A field that uses mitochondria to unify biological and psychological sciences and to better understand the basis of health has emerged-Mitochondrial Psychobiology. Mitochondria are the body's cellular hubs for energy transformation and signaling. Mitochondria regulate functions as diverse as metabolism, gene expression, and stress adaptation; consequently, their dysregulation is linked to most chronic illnesses and aging. Here, we propose that mitochondria provide a mechanistic bridge between body and the measurable functions of the mind, including perception, cognition, emotion, and behavior. From this perspective, mitochondria provide a scientifically tractable interface through which bioenergetic processes relate to subjective experiences and behaviors. We outline foundational principles for Mitochondrial Psychobiology, discuss the key gaps that the field needs to address to advance our understanding of mind-mitochondria relationships across the lifecourse, and review emerging approaches to probe the mind-mitochondria connection across levels. This stimulating scientific challenge is a unique opportunity to train the next generation of interdisciplinary scientists, resolve conceptual and technical challenges spanning temporal and spatial scales, and develop a more accurate, holistic model of health. Rooted in general energetic principles, mitochondrial psychobiology is poised to productively steer biomedicine over the coming decades.