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NP 120 Part II: Gut-Brain Diet-Mental Health Connection: Exploring the Role of Microbiota from Neurodevelopment to Neurodegeneration

The foundational course in the growing field of nutritional psychology.

This course builds upon the foundation established in NP 120 Part I, Microbes in Our Gut: An Evolutionary Journey into the World of the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis and Diet-Mental Health Relationship (DMHR).

In this course, you’ll dive deeper into the intricate mechanisms interconnecting the microbiota-gut-brain axis with the diet-mental health relationship (MGBA-DMHR). You’ll learn how certain foods contain keys to unlocking these mechanisms, shaping our moods, emotions, psychological experience, social functioning, and even how they influence our dietary intake behavior. In this course, you’ll gain knowledge of the MGBA-DMHR’s intimate role in the development of psychological, psychiatric, neurodevelopmental, and neurodegenerative diseases. We explore myelination, synaptogenesis, neural plasticity, neurogenesis, hormones, neuropeptides, gut peptides, short-chain fatty acids, BDNF, and the guardians of the brain—the mighty microglia. These mechanisms operate within an intricate symphony to orchestrate and influence our psychological states, moods and emotions, social behavior, stress experience, resilience, cognitive processes, dietary intake behaviors, and mental health outcomes. 

Please note that NO PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS of nutritional psychology are provided in this course. That content will be covered in the NP 200 series. 

*For those taking this course for Continuing Education (CE/CPE) Credits*:

CNP is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor Continuing Education (CE) for psychologists and mental health providers, by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) to provide CE credits for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), and by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) to provide Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits for Licensed Dietitians and Dietetic Technicians, Registered (RDs/DTRs). This course provides 18.25 hours of continuing education credit (CE/CPE). CNP maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

This course builds upon the foundation established in NP 120 Part I, Microbes in Our Gut: An Evolutionary Journey into the World of the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis and Diet-Mental Health Relationship (DMHR).

In this course, you’ll dive deeper into the intricate mechanisms interconnecting the microbiota-gut-brain axis with the diet-mental health relationship (MGBA-DMHR). You’ll learn how certain foods contain keys to unlocking these mechanisms, shaping our moods, emotions, psychological experience, social functioning, and even how they influence our dietary intake behavior. In this course, you’ll gain knowledge of the MGBA-DMHR’s intimate role in the development of psychological, psychiatric, neurodevelopmental, and neurodegenerative diseases. We explore myelination, synaptogenesis, neural plasticity, neurogenesis, hormones, neuropeptides, gut peptides, short-chain fatty acids, BDNF, and the guardians of the brain—the mighty microglia. These mechanisms operate within an intricate symphony to orchestrate and influence our psychological states, moods and emotions, social behavior, stress experience, resilience, cognitive processes, dietary intake behaviors, and mental health outcomes. 

Please note that NO PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS of nutritional psychology are provided in this course. That content will be covered in the NP 200 series. 

*For those taking this course for Continuing Education (CE/CPE) Credits*:

CNP is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor Continuing Education (CE) for psychologists and mental health providers, by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) to provide CE credits for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), and by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) to provide Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits for Licensed Dietitians and Dietetic Technicians, Registered (RDs/DTRs). This course provides 18.25 hours of continuing education credit (CE/CPE). CNP maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Course Information

Instructor Information

See the NP 120 Part II course page for Instructors and their qualifications. Once enrolled, Course Instructors and administrators may be contacted via the course platform and will make every effort to respond within 24 hours. Questions may be directed to info@nutritional-psychology.org. Check the syllabus for further information regarding the method of communication for course disputes and unresolved issues.

Course Details

Dates and Times: Open enrollment and registration
Location: Online
Course Format: NP 120 Parts I and II combined include over 445 professionally-illustrated figures, 22 voiced powerpoints, and 218 lightbulb moments (short evidence-based factoids) to enhance learning
Duration: 21.25 hours to complete
Access: Four months (120 Days) once enrolled

NOTICE! YOUR ACCOUNT WILL BE DEACTIVATED 3 MONTHS AFTER ENROLLMENT IN THIS COURSE. TO REGISTER FOR ANOTHER COURSE PLEASE CONTACT admin@nutritional-psychology.org TO REACTIVATE YOUR ACCOUNT.

Fees: The one-time course fee payment is due at the time of enrollment and is considered non-refundable. Exception for a partial refund (up to 75%) will be considered should the learner have proof of severe circumstances leaving them unable to complete the course. Learners who have completed the course's first module will not be refunded.

Additional Features

FAQs: See the course page for frequently asked questions.

Technical Requirements: Internet access and computer.
Accessibility: Learners with disabilities can email editor@nutritional-psychology.org for support.

Disclaimer 

The information in this course is not meant to, nor should it ever be used, to treat, mitigate, or cure psychiatric illness. This information should never be used as a substitute for sound medical advice. This educational course is designed to introduce professionals, students, and interested individuals to developing their understanding of the connection between diet and all aspects of psychological functioning and mental health. Best practices for how to integrate this information professionally, ethically, and within the standards of practice will be covered in upcoming courses. While this information can be incorporated into one's practice within an educational framework, it cannot be used to provide dietary advice or any form of dietary intervention or treat any psychological or mental health issues.

Terms and Conditions

Privacy Policy: Registration and course information is private and only available to course administrators.
Terms of Service: Legal terms regarding participation in the course. All information in this course is subject to copyright and, if used, must be properly cited according to the criteria in the "How Do I Cite this Course?" section. 

Course Completion

Evaluation and Certificate

At the end of this course is a course evaluation. Upon completing this course evaluation, you will receive an electronic version of your Certificate of Completion. You may use this certificate as proof of enrollment in the course or submit it to your licensing body to fulfill continuing education requirements.

Your feedback lets us understand what went well and what can be improved. The conglomerated data from these evaluations are also used to help our sponsoring Continuing Education organizations (APA, CDR, etc.) determine whether we are meeting their standards. 

Should you have any questions, email the course administrator. We will respond within 24 hours. We appreciate your feedback and good luck with the course!

At the end of this course is a course evaluation. Upon completing this course evaluation, you will receive an electronic version of your Certificate of Completion. You may use this certificate as proof of enrollment in the course or submit it to your licensing body to fulfill continuing education requirements.

Your feedback lets us understand what went well and what can be improved. The conglomerated data from these evaluations are also used to help our sponsoring Continuing Education organizations (APA, CDR, etc.) determine whether we are meeting their standards. 

Should you have any questions, email the course administrator. We will respond within 24 hours. We appreciate your feedback and good luck with the course!

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

  • List two ways Western Diet influences the MGBA-DMHR
  • Define developmental programming and describe the role of early colonization of gut microbiota in its implementation
  • Describe the connection between early-life stress (ELS), the MGBA, and later-life mental health health
  • Define non-digestible carbohydrates (NDCs) and describe their beneficial impact on gut microbiota
  • Identify three major MGBA-DMHR bidirectional communication pathways underpinning the pathophysiology of clinical disorders
  • Explain the role of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the pathophysiology of anxiety disorders
  • Define prebiotics and explain their mechanisms of action in fostering beneficial gut microbiota and the MGBA-DMHR
  • Formulate two evidence-based recommendations for a healthy diet that supports a balanced gut microbiota
  • Describe the role of MGBA-DMHR in the hedonic (non-homeostatic) regulation of dietary intake behavior
  • Describe the role of MGBA in modulating reward pathways and cravings associated with addictive behaviors
  • Describe the role of MGBA in the hedonic regulation of dietary intake behavior
  • Explain two key mechanisms involved in MGBA-DMHR regulation of stress response and resilience
  • Formulate two evidence-based recommendations for dietary intake that support the MGBA-DMHR

How Do I Cite this Course?

Citing the whole course: Instructor(s). (Year). Title of course [Type of course]. Name of Platform. URL 

Example: Behairy, S. F. (2024). NP 120: Microbiota Gut-Brain Axis and the Diet-Mental Health Relationship (Part II) [Online course]. The Center for Nutritional Psychology. https://www.nutritional-psychology.org/np-120/np-120-part-2/

Citing a specific module: Instructor(s). (Year). Title of module or chapter. In Title of course [Type of course]. Name of Platform. URL

Example: Behairy, S. F. (2024). NP 120: Microbiota Gut-Brain Axis and the Diet-Mental Health Relationship (Part II) [Online course]. The Center for Nutritional Psychology. https://www.nutritional-psychology.org/np-120/np-120-part-2/

In-text citation: (Behairy, 2024)

Citing course on my resume/CV: Course title, institution, [type of course], completion date, URL 

Example: NP 120: Microbiota Gut-Brain Axis and the Diet-Mental Health Relationship (Part II) [Online course]. The Center for Nutritional Psychology. July 13, 2024. https://www.nutritional-psychology.org/np-120/np-120-part-2/

Citing the whole course: Instructor(s). (Year). Title of course [Type of course]. Name of Platform. URL 

Example: Behairy, S. F. (2024). NP 120: Microbiota Gut-Brain Axis and the Diet-Mental Health Relationship (Part II) [Online course]. The Center for Nutritional Psychology. https://www.nutritional-psychology.org/np-120/np-120-part-2/

Citing a specific module: Instructor(s). (Year). Title of module or chapter. In Title of course [Type of course]. Name of Platform. URL

Example: Behairy, S. F. (2024). NP 120: Microbiota Gut-Brain Axis and the Diet-Mental Health Relationship (Part II) [Online course]. The Center for Nutritional Psychology. https://www.nutritional-psychology.org/np-120/np-120-part-2/

In-text citation: (Behairy, 2024)

Citing course on my resume/CV: Course title, institution, [type of course], completion date, URL 

Example: NP 120: Microbiota Gut-Brain Axis and the Diet-Mental Health Relationship (Part II) [Online course]. The Center for Nutritional Psychology. July 13, 2024. https://www.nutritional-psychology.org/np-120/np-120-part-2/