Brain Science

Are we "noble in reason"? Perfect, in God's image? Far from it, says New York University psychologist Gary Marcus. In this lucid and revealing book, Marcus argues that the mind is not an elegantly designed organ but a "kluge", a clumsy, cobbled-together contraption. He unveils a fundamentally new way of looking at the human mind - think duct tape, not supercomputer - that sheds light on some of the most mysterious aspects of human nature.

An "elegant", "engrossing" (Carol Tavris, Wall Street Journal) examination of what we think we know about the brain and why - despite technological advances - the workings of our most essential organ remain a mystery.

Samantha Kingston has it all: the world's most crush-worthy boyfriend, three amazing best friends, and first pick of everything at Thomas Jefferson High—from the best table in the cafeteria to the choicest parking spot. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life. Instead, it turns out to be her last. Then she gets a second chance. Seven chances, in fact.

We’ve all heard the phrase “it’s not brain surgery.” But what exactly is brain surgery? It’s a profession that is barely a hundred years old and profoundly connects two human beings, but few know how it works, or its history. In this warm, rigorous, and deeply insightful book, Dr. Theodore H. Schwartz explores what it’s like to hold the scalpel, wield the drill, extract a tumor, fix a bullet hole, and remove a blood clot—when every second can mean life or death.

In his new book, leading neuroscientist Gordon M. Shepherd expands on the startling discovery that the brain creates the taste of wine. This approach to understanding wine's sensory experience draws on findings in neuroscience, biomechanics, human physiology, and traditional enology. Shepherd shows that creating the taste of wine engages more of the brain than does any other human behavior.

Early studies of the human brain used a simple method: Wait for misfortune to strike - strokes, seizures, infectious diseases, horrendous accidents - and see how victims coped. In many cases their survival was miraculous, if puzzling. Observers were amazed by the transformations that took place when different parts of the brain were destroyed, altering victims' personalities. With the lucid, masterful explanations and razor-sharp wit his fans have come to expect, Kean explores the brain's secret passageways.

With compassionate stories of his patients and their conditions, Dr. Leschziner illustrates the neuroscience behind our sleeping minds, revealing the many biological and psychological factors necessary in getting the rest that will not only maintain our physical and mental health, but improve our cognitive abilities and overall happiness.

In this groundbreaking new book, researchers Andrew Newberg and Eugene d'Aquili offer an explanation that is at once profoundly simple and scientifically precise: The religious impulse is rooted in the biology of the brain. In Why God Won't Go Away, Newberg and d'Aquili document their pioneering explorations in the field of neurotheology, an emerging discipline dedicated to understanding the complex relationship between spirituality and the brain.

A deft mixture of memoir and history, modern biology and behavior, In Search of Memory brings listeners from Kandel's childhood in Nazi-occupied Vienna to the forefront of one of the great scientific endeavors of the 20th century: the search for the biological basis of memory. Nobel Prize winner Eric R. Kandel intertwines the intellectual history of the powerful new science of the mind - a combination of cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and molecular biology - with his own personal quest to understand memory.

How come I can never find my keys? Why don't I sleep as well as I used to? Why do my friends keep repeating the same stories? What can I do to keep my brain sharp? Scientists know. Brain Rules for Aging Well, by developmental molecular biologist Dr. John Medina, gives you the facts - and the prescription to age well - in his signature engaging style. With so many discoveries over the years, science is literally changing our minds about the optimal care and feeding of the brain. All of it is captivating. A great deal of it is unexpected.

What if you could flip a switch and instantly stop hating what you hate❓ What if the fear, doubt, or pain you’ve carried for years could collapse in just minutes—using your brain’s own language❓ And what if you could master that switch and rewire your subconscious anytime, anywhere - with tools used by top therapists, athletes, and change-makers❓ This isn’t a fantasy. It’s neuroscience meets practical transformation. And in this book, you’ll learn exactly how to do it in just 10 minutes. Introducing a results-based transformation system rooted in NLP (Neuro-Linguistic ...

Your brain can fool you and change itself in miraculous ways. Knowing how can make a difference in your life. You'll learn about: Bias and emotion-driven risk assessments Inaccurate pattern recognition, memory, and value perceptions Neuroplasticity, neurogenesis, and epigenetics Mind-body connection and meditation In Brain Buzzed, Dr. Marlin Cluts offers 39 intentionally brief insights in fun, bite-sized chapters. Specifically writing for the lay person, Cluts combines a curiosity of learning (a doctorate in Human Performance Technology), with the brevity of the business world (a retired ...

The remarkable story of an ordinary man who was transformed when a traumatic injury left him with an extraordinary gift. No one sees the world as Jason Padgett does. Water pours from the faucet in crystalline patterns, numbers call to mind distinct geometric shapes, and intricate fractal patterns emerge from the movement of tree branches, revealing the intrinsic mathematical designs hidden in the objects around us. Yet Padgett wasn’t born this way. Twelve years ago, he had never made it past pre-algebra. But a violent mugging forever altered the way his brain works.

The whole situation began when Duncan Dougal was hiding out in a dumpster (it’s a long and smelly story). Stuck in the garbage, he discovered proof that even though the kids drove off the alien named Broxholm the year before, there is still an alien-in-disguise working as one of their seventh-grade teachers! But which teacher is it? That’s the mystery Duncan must solve to protect the school - and himself.

Don't leave your best days to chance. Be happier, more focused and less stressed with Sharp's 50 simple strategies. Cognitive scientist Therese Huston unpacks the latest neuroscience research to deliver a goldmine of techniques to help you feel your sharpest at work, at home or in relationships, including:. - how a calming deep breathing technique improves decision-making;. - exactly what kind of exercise helps you think on your feet;. - what brain science says scary movies can do to help you learn; and. - how drinking tea can help you to focus on your most unfocused days.

I'm thrilled to take you on a journey through 30 captivating topics that will tickle your brain and spark your curiosity. From exploring the evolution of imagination to examining the challenges faced by various species in their interactions with humans, this book covers a wide range of fascinating subjects. We'll delve into the world of presidential elections, comparing the unique circumstances of the 1820, 1920, and 2020 races. We'll also explore the changing face of immigration to the United States across different eras, from 1800 to 2000. The book investigates the benefits of higher ...

From the author of Proust and the Squid, a lively, ambitious, and deeply informative epistolary book that considers the future of the reading brain and our capacity for critical thinking, empathy, and reflection as we become increasingly dependent on digital technologies.

Why is it easier to ruminate over hurt feelings than it is to bask in the warmth of being appreciated? Because your brain evolved to learn quickly from bad experiences and slowly from good ones, but you can change this.

Do you like to exercise? Do you spend most of your exercise time in the gym or in built up areas? Did you know that exercising in the natural environment is better for you? Recent research shows that if we exercise in more natural surroundings it benefits us more, even if we do exactly the same amount. Incredibly, immersing ourselves in forests or being close to the ocean when we exercise can make a significant difference to our energy levels. Now, in Cleverland: The Science of How Nature Nurtures, Dr. Chong Chen examines in more detail the psychology of how nature nurtures us and how our ...

The past two decades have brought giant leaps in our understanding of how the brain works. But these discoveries—and all their exciting implications—have yet to make their way into most classrooms. With the concise and easily digestible Brain Words: How the Science of Reading Informs Teaching you will learn how children’s brains develop as they become readers and discover ways you can take concrete steps to promote this critical developmental passage.