Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a common flavor additive that has a reputation for being harmful to your health. While some people may be more sensitive to MSG than others, experts generally consider it safe, especially in smaller doses.

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is a flavor enhancer that has been widely used for roughly 100 years.

In addition to being naturally present in certain foods, it’s a common food additive in Chinese recipes, canned vegetables and soups, and other processed goods.

For years, MSG has been viewed as an unhealthy ingredient. However, newer research questions the accuracy of its purported adverse effects on human health.

This article examines MSG and what current evidence has to say about its health effects.

What is MSG?

MSG is short for monosodium glutamate.

It’s a flavor enhancer derived from L-glutamic acid, which is naturally present in many foods. L-glutamic acid is a nonessential amino acid, meaning that your body can produce it by itself and doesn’t need to get it from food.

MSG is a white, odorless, crystalline powder commonly used as a food additive. In the food industry, it’s known as E621. It dissolves easily in water, separating into sodium and free glutamate.

It’s made by fermenting carb sources like sugar beet, sugar cane, and molasses.

There’s no chemical difference between the glutamic acid found naturally in some foods and that found in MSG. This means your body can’t differentiate between the two types.

MSG has a specific taste known as umami — the fifth basic taste alongside sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. Umami has a meaty flavor that refers to the presence of proteins in food.

Besides MSG, other umami compounds include inosine 5’-monophosphate (IMP) and guanosine 5’-monophosphate (GMP).

MSG is popular in Asian cooking and used in various processed foods in the West. It’s estimated that people’s average daily intake is 0.3–1.0 gramsTrusted Source.

Why do people think it’s harmful?

MSG got its bad reputation in the 1960s when Chinese-American doctor Robert Ho Man Kwok wrote a letter to the New England Journal of Medicine explaining that he got sick after consuming Chinese food.

He wrote that he believed his symptoms could have resulted from consuming either alcohol, sodium, or MSG. This sparked a host of misinformation about MSG, which was likely related to then-present biases against Chinese immigrants and their cuisine.

The letter led to the designation of Kwok’s symptoms as the “Chinese restaurant syndrome,” which later became the “MSG symptom complex” (MSC).

Older vs. current research on MSG’s health effects

MSG has been linked toTrusted Source obesity, metabolic disorders, brain toxicity, and MSC. Here’s what the current research has to say about these purported downsides.

Effect on Energy Intake:

Older animal and human studiesTrusted Source state that by making food taste better, MSG disrupts the signaling effect of the hormone leptin in your brain. Leptin is in charge of telling your body that you’ve had enough to eat. In turn, this is said to increase your calorie intake.

However, the current data on MSG’s effects on energy intake is contradictory. Some animal studiesTrusted Source have found that it may reduce appetite, while othersTrusted Source support the idea that its flavor-enhancing properties could lead to overeating.

The contradictory results might have to do with the nutritional profile of a meal. For example, eating MSG-enhanced, high protein meals has been linked in animal studiesTrusted Source to increased feelings of fullness, while this link hasn’t been observed with high carb meals.

However, this could also be because protein is the most filling macronutrient — it might not have anything to do with the MSG content.

Other studiesTrusted Source note that eating MSG-enriched meals could cause you to eat fewer calories at subsequent meals and reduce your energy intake from non-MSG-enriched and savory, high fat foods.

Ultimately, more research on the connection between MSG and energy intake is needed.

Obesity and metabolic disorders:

MSG has been associated with an increased risk of metabolic disorders, primarily due to animal studiesTrusted Source that have linked the additive to insulin resistance, high blood sugar levels, and diabetes.

However, previous research has used imprecise methods for determining MSG consumption, such as injections instead of oral doses. This could lead to effects on the brain that are not associated with dietary intake (1Trusted Source, 2Trusted Source, 12Trusted Source).

What’s more, the current data is contradictory. For instance, animal studiesTrusted Source have found an association between umami substances and anti-obesity effects. In contrast, other animal and human studiesTrusted Source show no effect on body weight.

While it appears that typical dietary MSG intakes are unlikely to influence body weight or fat metabolism, more human studies are needed.

Effect on brain health:

Glutamate plays many important roles in brain function. For starters, it acts as a neurotransmitter — a chemical substance that stimulates nerve cells to transmit signals.

Some animal and human studiesTrusted Source claim that MSG can lead to brain toxicity by causing excessive glutamate levels in the brain to overstimulate nerve cells, resulting in cell death.

However, dietary glutamate likely has little to no effect on your brain, as almost none of it passes from the gut into the blood or crosses the brain barrier.

Overall, no compelling evidence suggests that MSG alters brain chemistry when consumed in normal amounts.

Some people may be sensitive:

Some people may experience adverse effects from consuming MSG due to a condition called MSG symptom complex (MSC). It’s estimated to affect less than 1%Trusted Source of the general population.

MSC is characterized byTrusted Source symptoms similar to those described by Dr. Kwok in his letter. They include weakness, flushing, dizziness, headache, numbness, muscle tightness, difficulty breathing, and even the loss of consciousness.

The threshold dose that causes short-term and mild symptoms in sensitive people appears to be 3 or more grams Trusted Source of MSG without food.

Keep in mind, though, that a 3-gram dose is a high one. A typical serving of an MSG-enriched food contains less than half a gramTrusted Source of the additive, so consuming 3 grams at one time is highly unlikely.

It’s a good idea to work with a healthcare professional or dietitian to determine the amount of MSG that is appropriate for you.

Mental health stigma refers to negative beliefs that people may hold about those with mental illness. It can lead to stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination. Stigma often arises from a lack of understanding or fear, perpetuated by inaccurate media representations of mental health conditions.

There are different types of stigma: Public stigma: This involves negative or discriminatory attitudes that others may have about mental illness.

 Self-stigma: Refers to the negative attitudes, including internalized shame, that people with mental illness may have about their condition.

Structural stigma: More systemic, involving policies that unintentionally limit opportunities for people with mental illness, such as lower funding for research or fewer mental health services relative to other healthcare.

Stigma not only affects individuals with mental illness but also their loved ones. It can be a significant barrier to accessing mental health services, especially in diverse racial and ethnic communities. For example, cultural values and distrust of the mental healthcare system can hinder seeking help. Let’s continue to raise awareness and promote understanding to reduce mental health stigma.

Trey Knowles song Mental Illness lets people know it’s ok to talk about Mental Illness and how they don’t have to be ashamed of themselves or their condition.

When individuals experience mental illness stigma, it can have profound effects on their well-being and quality of life. Here are some common ways in which stigma impacts people:

Self-Isolation: Stigma often leads individuals to withdraw from social interactions. They may fear judgment or discrimination, causing them to avoid seeking help or sharing their experiences.

Delayed Treatment: Due to stigma, people may delay seeking professional help for mental health conditions. This delay can worsen symptoms and hinder recovery.

Reduced Self-Esteem: Negative stereotypes can erode self-esteem and self-worth. Individuals may internalize these beliefs, feeling ashamed or inadequate.

Barriers to Employment and Education: Stigma can affect employment opportunities and educational attainment. Discrimination in the workplace or educational settings may limit career growth and personal development.

Lack of Support: Stigmatized individuals may struggle to find a supportive network. Friends and family may distance themselves due to misconceptions about mental illness.

Impact on Relationships: Stigma can strain relationships. Partners, friends, and family members may not understand the challenges faced by someone with a mental health condition.

Underreporting and Misdiagnosis: Fear of judgment may lead to underreporting of symptoms or misrepresentation during clinical assessments. This can affect accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

Media Influence: Media portrayal of mental illness can perpetuate stereotypes. Sensationalized stories or inaccurate depictions contribute to stigma.

Internalized Stigma: Individuals may internalize negative beliefs, leading to feelings of shame, guilt, or hopelessness.

Reduced Quality of Life: Overall, mental illness stigma diminishes the quality of life by limiting opportunities, hindering social connections, and affecting emotional well-being.

Let’s continue to raise awareness, challenge stereotypes, and promote empathy and understanding.

Mental Illness

by Trey Knowles

I know I am not the only one who is suffering. His grace is sufficient for me it’s more than enough. So let me share this. Are you mentally ill or is it a deception? The process of thought, thinking, and belief.

Thinking is meditating on the act of manipulating information, such as when we form concepts, solve problems, reason, or make decisions. Thinking also helps us analyze thoughts and ideas, good from bad, and right from wrong.

Thought is an idea or opinion suddenly occurring in the mind, it can be an idea, image, sound, or even an emotional feeling or it can be the product of thinking. Thought and thinking are related cognitive processes that can happen independently of sensory stimulation, but thought and thinking is not the same.

The main difference is that, although thoughts are self-arising, thinking is a choice. It is something you can choose to engage in or not. Thoughts can be deceptive giving an appearance or impression from the truth, misleading. The thinking process is to think over the thoughts, and then make a choice about that thought, choose to believe or not entertain that thought.

Not thinking over the thought can lead to misconception. Once the misconception gets in your heart it affects your belief system. Note: The heart is like a storefront of products sitting inside a storefront.

Why do I say this? In the Bible, Jesus asks "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?" in Matthew 9:4 to some teachers of the law who thought he was blaspheming. Jesus knew their thoughts and had the power to forgive sins and heal miraculously. The evil thought Jesus was referring to was their unbelief. Note: The teachers of the law entertain that misconception thought and believed the thought without thinking it through. This is why Jesus ask them why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?

Thinking is the process of understanding the truth. Most deception thoughts are intrusive coming from the air. Note: What do I mean by the air? Well, it says. Ephesians 2:1-3 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.

Note: (Those who are dead in their transgressions and sin do not notice the deception of the mind and they carry out the devil's evil ways).

 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. So this is where unwanted intrusive thoughts and thoughts of deception come from the air meaning in the spiritual realms. This is why it is, very important to live in truth, by obedience and think over the thoughts by bringing it captive to the righteousness of God. Note: ( To avoid temptation). 

2 Corinthians 10:5 says, casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing it into captivity, every thought to the obedience of Christ.

Note: “The air” in Ephesians 2:2 may refer to the invisible realm above the earth where Satan and his demons move and exist. This space, of course, is the location of the earth’s atmosphere or “air.” In Ephesians 6:12, Paul writes, “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” This evil realm called the “air” could be an actual locality, but it could also be synonymous with the “world” of John 12:31. This whole world is Satan’s domain (Matthew 4:8–9).

Are you mentally ill or is it a deception? The process of thought, thinking, and belief. In the New Testament of the Bible, Jesus says to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan!" in Mark 8:33 and Matthew 16:23. In Matthew 16, Jesus says this after explaining to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer, including being killed and raised to life. Peter responds, "Never, Lord! This shall never happen to you!". Jesus then turns to Peter and says, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men"

Note: So we know that Peter is not Satan but the thought was Satan. Peter didn’t process the thought by thinking if he would have understood Jesus's mission at the time of his comment.

Confusion happens in the mind not by thinking by thoughts. Note: Why do I say this. Luke 22:31 Jesus says “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat.

Note: Sift as wheat meaning to make you doubt and throw you into confusion, this is the intrusive thoughts from the air.

Fear, worries, and confusion play on thoughts and emotions. The person's desire to covet or want can be manipulated. The only true cure is Jesus Christ, the foundation of life. Love God with all your heart. If you have noticed this is a mind-spiritual war, try chasing God with all your heart with your love. You will notice that there is a mind war with thoughts. Note: Why do I say this?

The Parable of the Sower in Mark 4:1-20

Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge. He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.

Note: (The seed is the word entering the mind. You have to choose to place in the heart).

Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Note:  Why no root? (They did not fear God).

Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. Note: (Choked plants are the pride) Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew, and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.” Note: (Faithful doers of the word).

Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that, “‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’

Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? The farmer sows the word. Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. Note: (How? By the air, through thoughts).

Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Note: (You must be strong in your faith. Love always perseveres, not giving up). 

Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.

Note: (Worries of Life. Meaning do not worry about what you going to eat or wear. God feeds the birds in the air. Everything that comes from God is all-natural, so do not worry. Hebrews 13:5 says. Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you).

Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.” Note: (Good soil means keeping the faith to end).

Note: What should we do after knowing and reading all this? Have a strong foundation in the Lord. Love God with all our heart and mind and lean not on our understanding, but He shall direct our path. Think everything through in a God-understanding way even through the difficulties.

Key Point: Romans 8:31 says. What then shall we say of these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Key Point 2: John 3:17 says For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Are you mentally ill or is it a deception? The process of thought, think, believe.

Note: If the suffering from intrusive thoughts is getting too bad think about this. Romans 5:3-53 says not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance;  perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

The process of thought, thinking, and belief.

by Trey Knowles

What is obsessive-compulsive disorder?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a psychiatric disorder. That means it affects a person’s mind, emotions, and/or behaviors.

“People with OCD suffer from obsessions and compulsions,” explains Dr. Wilhelm. “Obsessions are recurrent thoughts, but they can also be mental images. Typically, these obsessions cause a lot of anxiety, a lot of distress, so the person tries to get rid of them by engaging in a compulsion.”

Common obsessions include:

• Fear of contamination (making something dirty or poisonous)

• Fears of losing or forgetting something

• Fears of having made a mistake

• Concerns for symmetry or exactness

• Disturbing, intrusive thoughts involving sex, religion, or violence

Common compulsions include:

• Double-checking things, like locks, faucets, or switches, over and over

• Frequent hand washing and/or cleaning

• Repeating something again and again until it feels right

• Replaying past conversations or events

• Praying silently to prevent a feared event from happening

People with OCD may experience other obsessions and compulsions as well.

Risk factors for OCD

OCD can start in childhood or early adulthood. Most people who will have the disorder develop it by around age 25. It's usually a chronic disorder, and it can be managed with treatment.

We don't know for sure what causes OCD, but your family history, psychology, environment, and the way your body works could all play a role. Personality traits like perfectionism may put a person at risk of developing OCD. Stressful life events and psychological trauma may also play a role.

"We know that OCD runs in families, so if you already have a family member who has OCD, you are more likely to develop OCD yourself."

Studies show that people with OCD have some biological traits in common. These include hyperactivity in specific of the brain and an imbalance in some of the brain’s chemical messengers (called neurotransmitters).

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5

Philippians 4:6-7 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 5:7 

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Matthew 6:25-34 

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; the peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.