Best of
Neuroscience

2017

Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst


Robert M. Sapolsky - 2017
    Sapolsky's storytelling concept is delightful but it also has a powerful intrinsic logic: he starts by looking at the factors that bear on a person's reaction in the precise moment a behavior occurs, and then hops back in time from there, in stages, ultimately ending up at the deep history of our species and its evolutionary legacy.And so the first category of explanation is the neurobiological one. A behavior occurs--whether an example of humans at our best, worst, or somewhere in between. What went on in a person's brain a second before the behavior happened? Then Sapolsky pulls out to a slightly larger field of vision, a little earlier in time: What sight, sound, or smell caused the nervous system to produce that behavior? And then, what hormones acted hours to days earlier to change how responsive that individual is to the stimuli that triggered the nervous system? By now he has increased our field of vision so that we are thinking about neurobiology and the sensory world of our environment and endocrinology in trying to explain what happened.Sapolsky keeps going: How was that behavior influenced by structural changes in the nervous system over the preceding months, by that person's adolescence, childhood, fetal life, and then back to his or her genetic makeup? Finally, he expands the view to encompass factors larger than one individual. How did culture shape that individual's group, what ecological factors millennia old formed that culture? And on and on, back to evolutionary factors millions of years old.The result is one of the most dazzling tours d'horizon of the science of human behavior ever attempted, a majestic synthesis that harvests cutting-edge research across a range of disciplines to provide a subtle and nuanced perspective on why we ultimately do the things we do...for good and for ill. Sapolsky builds on this understanding to wrestle with some of our deepest and thorniest questions relating to tribalism and xenophobia, hierarchy and competition, morality and free will, and war and peace. Wise, humane, often very funny, Behave is a towering achievement, powerfully humanizing, and downright heroic in its own right.

Into the Gray Zone: A Neuroscientist Explores the Border Between Life and Death


Adrian Owen - 2017
    People in this middle place have sustained traumatic brain injuries or are the victims of stroke or degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Many are oblivious to the outside world, and their doctors believe they are incapable of thought. But a sizeable number are experiencing something different: intact minds adrift deep within damaged brains and bodies. Following Owen’s journey of exciting medical discovery, Into the Gray Zone asks some tough and terrifying questions, such as: What is life like for these patients? What can their families and friends do to help them? What are the ethical implications for religious organizations, politicians, the Right to Die movement, and even insurers? And perhaps most intriguing of all: in defining what a life worth living is, are we too concerned with the physical and not giving enough emphasis to the power of thought? What, truly, defines a satisfying life?

Beautiful Brain: The Drawings of Santiago Ramon y Cajal


Larry W. Swanson - 2017
      Santiago Ramón y Cajal (1852–1934) was the father of modern neuroscience and an exceptional artist. He devoted his life to the anatomy of the brain, the body’s most complex and mysterious organ. His superhuman feats of visualization, based on fanatically precise techniques and countless hours at the microscope, resulted in some of the most remarkable illustrations in the history of science. Beautiful Brain presents a selection of his exquisite drawings of brain cells, brain regions, and neural circuits with accessible descriptive commentary.   These drawings are explored from multiple perspectives: Larry W. Swanson describes Cajal’s contributions to neuroscience; Lyndel King and Eric Himmel explore his artistic roots and achievement; Eric A. Newman provides commentary on the drawings; and Janet M. Dubinsky describes contemporary neuroscience imaging techniques. This book is the companion to a traveling exhibition opening at the Weisman Art Museum in Minneapolis in February 2017, marking the first time that many of these works, which are housed at the Instituto Cajal in Madrid, have been seen outside of Spain.  Beautiful Brain showcases Cajal’s contributions to neuroscience, explores his artistic roots and achievement, and looks at his work in relation to contemporary neuroscience imaging, appealing to general readers and professionals alike.

The Nemechek Protocol For Autism and Developmental Disorders: A How-To Guide to Restoring Neurological Function


Patrick M. Nemechek - 2017
    French, Portuguese and Arabic versions are soon to be released. The Nemechek Protocol™ for Autism and Developmental Disorders outlines Dr. Patrick M. Nemechek’s clear and concise description about the present scientific basis for autism and many childhood developmental disorders. His unique but simple treatment is the most talked about approach for autism and developmental disorders of the last decade. The Nemechek Protocol™ finally offers hope that children around the world afflicted with these conditions may begin on the path of neurological development and recovery.

Brain Myths Exploded: Lessons from Neuroscience


Indre Viskontas - 2017
    To start building a more straightforward, accurate understanding of current breakthroughs in neuroscience, you have to start by shattering popular brain myths.Each of these 24 lectures takes as its focus a single powerful, prevalent brain myth, and uses it as a launch pad from which to explore myriad topics in neuroscience: decision making, memory, dreams, emotions, neuroplasticity, consciousness, mental illness, and much more.Our memory is an accurate, objective record of the past. Our senses reflect the world as it really exists. Our dreams have hidden meanings. We are only using 10% of our total brain power. Modern technology (including social media) is making us less intelligent. Dr. Viskontas doesn't just settle for obliterating these and other myths. Instead, she replaces them with scientific facts gathered from experiments, research, and case studies. The result is an eye-opening adventure into the latest understanding of why the brain works the way it does.Whatever order you enjoy these lectures in, you'll be left with insights that will help you better determine the hard scientific truths behind the breaking news (and myths) of tomorrow.

Bipolar, Not So Much: Understanding Your Mood Swings and Depression


Chris Aiken - 2017
    This book presents a revolutionary new understanding of the concept of depression and offers readers skills and strategies to manage it.  No longer is this a one-size-fits-all diagnosis, and antidepressants are no longer the one-size-fits-all treatment. Mood disorders are now seen to form a spectrum of problems, from common depression on one end to full bipolar disorder on the other. In between these extremes are multitudes of people who are on the middle of the mood spectrum, and this book is for them.The first part of the book helps readers answer the question, “Where am I on the mood spectrum?” By laying the foundation for understanding this spectrum, Aiken and Phelps highlight the key distinctions that define unipolarity, bipolarity, hypomania, mania, and depression. Readers will be able to discern which definition best fits their experience, and use this understanding to learn which treatment methods will work best.  The authors also empower readers to look beyond antidepressants. They walk readers through new medications for the mood spectrum, and offer a guide to non-medication treatments that anyone can use on their own, from diet and lifestyle changes to natural supplements. The book also discusses other innovative technologies that can aid in recovery, including dawn simulators, mood apps, and blue-light filters.      This thoughtful and beneficial book will offer readers skills and strategies, as well as hope, in the face of debilitating mental challenges.

Brain Rules for Aging Well: 10 Principles for Staying Vital, Happy, and Sharp


John Medina - 2017
    Your Aging Brain, by developmental molecular biologist Dr. John Medina, gives you the facts -- and the prescription to age well -- in his engaging signature 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.In his New York Times bestseller Brain Rules, Dr. Medina showed us how our brains really work--and why we ought to redesign our workplaces and schools to match. Now, in Your Aging Brain, he shares how you can make the most of the years you have left. In a book destined to be a classic on aging, Medina's fascinating stories and infectious sense of humor breathe life into the science.Your Aging Brain, is organized into four sections, each laying out familiar problems with surprising solutions. First up, an overview: looking under the hood of an aging brain as it motors through life. The second part focuses on the feeling brain, using topics ranging from relationships and stress to happiness and gullibility to illustrate how our emotions change with age. The third focuses on the thinking brain, explaining how various cognitive gadgets such as working memory and executive function change with time. Each section is sprinkled with practical advice: for example, a certain style of dancing may be better for your brain than eating fish. Medina explains not only how taking certain actions can improve your brain's performance, but also what is known about the brain science behind each intervention.The final section is about the future. Your future. It's filled with topics as joyful as retirement and as heartbreaking as Alzheimer's. Medina connects all of the chapters into a plan, checklist-style, for maintaining your brain health.You may already be experiencing the sometimes unpleasant effects of the aging process. Or you may be deeply concerned about your loved ones who are. Either way, Your Aging Brain is for you.

The Leading Brain: Powerful Science-Based Strategies for Achieving Peak Performance


Friederike Fabritius - 2017
    **Featured on NPR, Success, Investor Business Daily, Thrive Global, MindBodyGreen, The Chicago Tribune, and more**There's a revolution taking place that most businesses are still unaware of. The understanding of how our brains work has radically shifted, exploding long-held myths about our everyday cognitive performance and fundamentally changing the way we engage and succeed in the workplace.Combining their expertise in both neuropsychology and management consulting, neuropsychologist Friederike Fabritius and leadership expert Dr. Hans W. Hagemann present simple yet powerful strategies for:- Sharpening focus- Achieving the highest performance- Learning and retaining information more efficiently- Improving complex decision-making- Cultivating trust and building strong teamsBased on the authors' popular leadership programs, which have been delivered to tens of thousands of leaders all over the world, this clear, insightful, and engaging book will help both individuals and teams perform at their maximum potential, delivering extraordinary results.**Named a Best Business Book of 2017 by Strategy+Business**

Mind Hacking Happiness Volume I: The Quickest Way to Happiness and Controlling Your Mind


Sean Webb - 2017
    With numerous study references, one of a kind stories, and engaging humor, Mind Hacking Happiness is a must read for anyone looking to increase their happiness levels so they can supercharge their brain, lower stress, improve their health and wellbeing, and improve their overall life experience. Don't let your mind scrooge on your happiness by making you align all the stars in the universe before it releases a little bit of happiness to you from behind the happiness door in your mind. Learn to kick in that happiness door and claim all the happiness you want at any time you wish.

The Brain: A User's Manual: A simple guide to the world’s most complex machine


Marco Magrini - 2017
    It will provide you with years of continuous existence."So begins The Brain: A User’s Manual, Marco Magrini’s fascinating guide to the inner workings of one of nature’s most miraculous but misunderstood creations: the human brain.This user-friendly manual offers an accessible guide to the machine you use the most, deconstructing the brain into its constituent parts and showing you both how they function and how to maintain them for a longer life.Cutting through the noise of modern pop psychology, The Brain: A User’s Manual is a refreshingly factual approach to self-help. Written with a deft style and wry humour, it offers tips on everything from maximising productivity to retaining memory and boosting your mood.

The Genius of Being: Contemplating the Profound Intelligence of Existence


Peter Ralston - 2017
    The first volume, The Book of Not Knowing, garnered much praise as a comprehensive exploration of the depths of self and consciousness. The second volume, Pursuing Consciousness, clarifies the difference between enlightenment and self-transformation, and then pairs these two goals in a strikingly effective way. This third book is both shorter and more complex, taking us straight to the heart of the origins of our experience. In a progression of illuminating assertions, Ralston shows us how human consciousness carves out distinctions from whatever is absolutely true. This dynamic not only generates both self and reality from nothing, it imbues them with the quality of objective truth. From the time we first distinguish between self and not-self as infants, we begin making a sequence of existential assumptions that result in the illusion that a self is some ethereal -object- within. This universally accepted assumption persists despite the failure of exhaustive investigations to locate this inner self. This book is not for the faint of heart or the casual seeker, but contemplating the assertions here empowers you to personally and experientially grasp what is rarely even glimpsed: a profound consciousness of the genesis of human experience.

A Heavy Reckoning: War, Medicine and Survival in Afghanistan and Beyond


Emily Mayhew - 2017
    But today, as we engage in wars across the globe with increasingly sophisticated technology, we are able to bring people back from ever closer encounters with death. But how do we do it, and what happens next?Here, historian Emily Mayhew explores the modern reality of medicine and injury in wartime, from the trenches of World War One to the dusty plains of Afghanistan and the rehabilitation wards of Headley Court in Surrey. Mixing vivid and compelling stories of unexpected survival with astonishing insights into the frontline of medicine, A Heavy Reckoning is a book about how far we have come in saving, healing and restoring the human body. But what are the costs involved in this hardest of journeys back from the brink?From the plastic surgeon battling to restore function to a blasted hand to the double amputee learning to walk again on prosthetic legs, Mayhew gives us a new understanding of the limits of human life and the extraordinary costs paid both physically and mentally by casualties all over the world in the twenty-first century.

Beyond the Self: Conversations between Buddhism and Neuroscience


Matthieu Ricard - 2017
    Neuroscience, on the other hand, relies on third-person knowledge in the form of scientific observation. In this book, Matthieu Ricard, a Buddhist monk trained as a molecular biologist, and Wolf Singer, a distinguished neuroscientist—close friends, continuing an ongoing dialogue—offer their perspectives on the mind, the self, consciousness, the unconscious, free will, epistemology, meditation, and neuroplasticity.Ricard and Singer's wide-ranging conversation stages an enlightening and engaging encounter between Buddhism's wealth of experiential findings and neuroscience's abundance of experimental results. They discuss, among many other things, the difference between rumination and meditation (rumination is the scourge of meditation, but psychotherapy depends on it); the distinction between pure awareness and its contents; the Buddhist idea (or lack of one) of the unconscious and neuroscience's precise criteria for conscious and unconscious processes; and the commonalities between cognitive behavioral therapy and meditation. Their views diverge (Ricard asserts that the third-person approach will never encounter consciousness as a primary experience) and converge (Singer points out that the neuroscientific understanding of perception as reconstruction is very like the Buddhist all-discriminating wisdom) but both keep their vision trained on understanding fundamental aspects of human life.

Memory Rescue: Supercharge Your Brain, Reverse Memory Loss, and Remember What Matters Most


Daniel G. Amen - 2017
    Daniel Amen to help you change your brain and improve your memory today!Brain imaging research demonstrates that memory loss actually starts in the brain decades before you have any symptoms. Learn the actions you can take to help not just prevent memory loss later in life . . . but to begin restoring the memory you may have already lost.Expert physician Dr. Amen reveals how a multipronged strategy--including dietary changes, physical and mental exercises, and spiritual practices--can improve your brain health, enhance your memory, and reduce the likelihood that you'll develop Alzheimer's and other memory loss-related conditions.Keeping your brain healthy isn't just a medical issue; it's a God-given capacity and an essential building block for physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Take action against the fast-increasing memory crisis that threatens this crucial part of who you are--and help your brain, body, and soul stay strong for the rest of your life.

Mind Hacking Happiness Volume II: Increasing Happiness and Finding Non-Dual Enlightenment


Sean Webb - 2017
    Taking the basics of the mind presented in Mind Hacking Happiness Volume I, Sean explains the newest and most effective way to gain control of your mind so you can increase your happiness at will, and walk the path toward an uninterrupted mind state ancient wisdom masters called Nirvana. With numerous study references, entertaining stories, and engaging humor, the Mind Hacking Happiness series is a must read for anyone looking to increase their happiness levels so they can supercharge their brain, lower stress, improve their health and wellbeing, and improve their overall life experience. Don't let your mind scrooge on your happiness by making you align all the stars in the universe before it releases a little bit of happiness to you from behind the happiness door in your mind. Learn to kick in that happiness door and claim all the happiness you want at any time you wish. This book in particular answers all the questions you ever wanted to ask about spiritual enlightenment and non-dual awareness.

Mastering the Addicted Brain: Building a Sane and Meaningful Life to Stay Clean


Walter Ling - 2017
    In Mastering the Addicted Brain, however, author Walter Ling, MD, shows that addiction can be managed once its true nature is understood. Without finger wagging or assigning blame, Ling guides addicts and their loved ones through the tortuous path to recovery, offering both encouragement and tips to avoid potential triggers for relapse, such as stress, boredom, and social pressure. Ling begins with a brief, nontechnical description of the brain chemistry of addiction and explains why ingrained habits are so hard to kick. From there, he moves into a broader discussion of behaviors that lead to lasting change, illustrating his belief that recovery is not a one-time event but a way of life. To prevent relapse, former addicts must adopt new routines, new interests, new friends, and a new outlook. Above all, self-knowledge is the key to recovery. As Ling puts it, his program is simply the -neuroscience of common sense.-

The Brain: What Everyone Needs To Know®


Gary L. Wenk - 2017
    So critical for our everyday existence, the brain still remains somewhat of a mystery. Gary L. Wenk takes us on a tour of what we do know about this enigmatic organ, showing us how the workings of the human brain produce our thoughts, feelings, and fears, and answering questions such as: How did humans evolve such a big brain? What is an emotion and why do we have them? What is a memory and why do we forget so easily? How does your diet affect how you think and feel? What happens when your brain gets old?Throughout human history, ignorance about the brain has caused numerous non-scientific, sometimes harmful interventions to be devised based on interpretations of scientific facts that were misguided. Wenk discusses why these neuroscientific myths are so popular, and why some of the interventions based on them are a waste of time and money. With illuminating insights, gentle humor, and welcome simplicity, The Brain: What Everyone Needs to Know® makes the complex biology of our brains accessible to the general reader.

The Developmental Science of Early Childhood: Clinical Applications of Infant Mental Health Concepts From Infancy Through Adolescence


Claudia M. Gold - 2017
    This book presents the core concepts of this vibrant field and applies them to common childhood problems, from attention deficits to anxiety and sleep disorders.Readers will find a friendly guide that distills this developmental science into key ideas and clinical scenarios that practitioners can make sense of and use in their day-to-day work. Part I offers an overview of the major areas of research and theory, providing a pragmatic knowledge base to comfortably integrate the principles of this expansive field in clinical practice. It reviews the newest science, exploring the way relationships change the brain, breakthrough attachment theory, epigenetics, the polyvagal theory of emotional development, the role of stress response systems, and many other illuminating concepts. Part II then guides the reader through the remarkable applications of these concepts in clinical work. Chapters address how to take a textured early developmental history, navigate the complexity of postpartum depression, address the impact of trauma and loss on children's emotional and behavioral problems, treat sleep problems through an infant mental health lens, and synthesize tools from the science of the developing mind in the treatment of specific problems of regulation of emotion, behavior, and attention.Fundamental knowledge of the science of early brain development is deeply relevant to mental health care throughout a client's lifespan. In an era when new research is illuminating so much, mental health practitioners have much to gain by learning this leading-edge discipline's essential applications. This book makes those applications, and their robust benefits in work with clients, readily available to any professional.

The Concussion Repair Manual: A Practical Guide to Recovering from Traumatic Brain Injuries


Dan Engle - 2017
     As more and more high-profile athletes come forward to share their stories of invisible suffering after head injuries, we as a culture are finally acknowledging this silent epidemic. The Concussion Repair Manual is written as a user’s guide for those suffering after head traumas and those that support them. It is one-part “textbook,” packed with the leading research on medical technologies for healing the injured brain, and one-part “workbook,” offering a step-by-step method for making and tracking a personalized recovery regimen. Dr. Dan Engle's background and passion for concussion repair stem from a three-decade investigation into the many modalities for healing his own traumas. When the usual medical treatments didn’t help, he explored what was possible, found what worked and put them into this manual - "the best of the best" in the medical arena for recovering from sports-related head injury.

Changing Our Minds: Psychedelic Sacraments and the New Psychotherapy


Don Lattin - 2017
    Veteran journalist Don Lattin chronicles the inspiring stories of pioneering neuroscientists, psychotherapists, spiritual guides and ordinary people seeking to live healthier lives by combining psychedelic drugs, psychotherapy, and the wise use of ancient plant medicines. In ground-breaking clinical trials, specially trained therapists employ Ecstasy (MDMA) to help U.S. veterans struggling with the psychological aftermath of war. Other psychiatrists in government-approved research off er psilocybin, to alcoholics trying to get sober and cancer patients struggling with the existential distress of a life-threatening illness. Meanwhile, new imaging technology has enabled neuroscientists to map the psychedelic brain in real time, deepening our understanding of human consciousness. the essential primer for understanding and navigating this new consciousness-raising territory.

The Neuroscience of Psychotherapy: Healing the Social Brain (Third Edition) (Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology)


Louis Cozolino - 2017
    Louis Cozolino is a master at synthesizing neuroscientific information and demonstrating how it applies to psychotherapy practice. New material on altruism, executive function, trauma, and change round out this essential book.

Ecology of the Brain: The phenomenology and biology of the embodied mind (International Perspectives In Philosophy & Psychiatry)


Thomas Fuchs - 2017
    But what if researchers viewed the brain not as the foundation of life, rather as a mediating organ?Ecology of the Brain addresses this very question. It considers the human body as a collective, a living being which uses the brain to mediate interactions. Those interactions may be both within the human body and between the human body and its environment.Within this framework, the mind is seen not as a product of the brain but as an activity of the living being; an activity which integrates the brain within the everyday functions of the human body. Going further, Fuchs reformulates the traditional mind-brain problem, presenting it as a dual aspect of the living being: the lived body and the subjective body - the living body and the objective body. The processes of living and experiencing life, Fuchs argues, are in fact inextricably linked; itis not the brain, but the human being who feels, thinks and acts.For students and academics, Ecology of the Brain will be of interest to those studying or researching theory of mind, social and cultural interaction, psychiatry, and psychotherapy.

Language in Our Brain: The Origins of a Uniquely Human Capacity


Angela D. Friederici - 2017
    It is an intrinsic part of us, although we seldom think about it. Language is also an extremely complex entity with subcomponents responsible for its phonological, syntactic, and semantic aspects. In this landmark work, Angela Friederici offers a comprehensive account of these subcomponents and how they are integrated. Tracing the neurobiological basis of language across brain regions in humans and other primate species, she argues that species-specific brain differences may be at the root of the human capacity for language.Friederici shows which brain regions support the different language processes and, more important, how these brain regions are connected structurally and functionally to make language processes that take place in milliseconds possible. She finds that one particular brain structure (a white matter dorsal tract), connecting syntax-relevant brain regions, is present only in the mature human brain and only weakly present in other primate brains. Is this the "missing link" that explains humans' capacity for language?Friederici describes the basic language functions and their brain basis; the language networks connecting different language-related brain regions; the brain basis of language acquisition during early childhood and when learning a second language, proposing a neurocognitive model of the ontogeny of language; and the evolution of language and underlying neural constraints. She finds that it is the information exchange between the relevant brain regions, supported by the white matter tract, that is the crucial factor in both language development and evolution.

Ted Bundy: A Visual TImeline


Robert A. Dielenberg - 2017
    This book goes part way towards dismantling some of the mythos that has been built up around him over the 40 years since he first came to light. It does this by presenting - in chronological order - all the important available information on Ted gleaned from books, archives, TV, film, newspaper articles, essays, police reports, court transcripts, and original sources, so that readers can make up their own minds. If you are a student of abnormal psychology and/or criminology you will find this book an invaluable resource in answering most, if not all, the questions you ever wanted to ask about Ted. This book may not be the last word on him, but it is without doubt the most exhaustively researched to date.

Indigenous Healing Psychology: Honoring the Wisdom of the First Peoples


Richard Katz - 2017
    As such these earliest people became our “first psychologists.” Their wisdom lives on through the teachings of contemporary Indigenous elders and healers, offering unique insights and practices to help us revision the self-limiting approaches of modern psychology and enhance the processes of healing and social justice. Reconnecting psychology to its ancient roots, Richard Katz, Ph.D., sensitively shares the healing wisdom of Indigenous peoples he has worked with, including the Ju/’hoansi of the Kalahari Desert, Fijians native to the Fiji Islands, Lakota people of the Rosebud Reservation, and Cree and Anishnabe First Nations people from Saskatchewan. Through stories about the profoundly spiritual ceremonies and everyday practices he engaged in, he seeks to fulfill the responsibility he was given: build a foundation of reciprocity so Indigenous teachings can create a path toward healing psychology. Also drawing on his experience as a Harvard-trained psychologist, the author reveals how modern psychological approaches focus too heavily on labels and categories and fail to recognize the benefits of enhanced states of consciousness. Exploring the vital role of spirituality in the practice of psychology, Katz explains how the Indigenous approach offers a way to understand challenges and opportunities, from inside lived truths, and treat mental illness at its source. Acknowledging the diversity of Indigenous approaches, he shows how Indigenous perspectives can help create a more effective model of best practices in psychology as well as guide us to a more holistic existence where we can once again assume full responsibility in the creation of our lives.

But My Brain Had Other Ideas: A Memoir of Recovery from Brain Injury


Deb Brandon - 2017
    And then another. And then another. And that was just the beginning.The book also includes an introduction by Connie Lee, founder and president of the Angioma Alliance. Unlike other memoirs that focus on injury crisis and acute recovery, But My Brain Had Other Ideas follows Brandon's story all the way through to long-term recovery, revealing without sugarcoating or sentimentality Brandon's struggles—and ultimate triumph.

Wire Your Brain for Confidence: The Science of Conquering Self-Doubt


Louisa Jewell - 2017
    In this approachable and game-changing guide, positive psychology expert Louisa Jewell shows that adopting a resilient mindset will enable you to show up as your best self at home and in the workplace. Jewell has deep knowledge of the science of the good life, honed through years of study and practice, and here she presents only the most effective and proven techniques for increasing your grit and confidence. Through stories, reflection questions, and exercises, she will guide you from fear to courage, and give you the ability to accomplish the goals that seemed impossible. Wire Your Brain for Confidence will put you on the fast track to flourishing in every area of your life.Louisa Jewell is the founder and president of the Canadian Positive Psychology Association. The CPPA brings together leading-edge researchers and practitioners from around the world to study and understand where human potential, success, and happiness intersect. Louisa has spoken to thousands of people around the world about how to increase happiness, resilience, and meaning so they can show up as their best selves and do their best work. She holds a master’s in applied positive psychology, teaches positive psychology at the University of Toronto and the University of Texas at Dallas, and regularly delivers webinars and workshops to clients in all sectors."Timely and well-written, Wire Your Brain for Confidence translates complex research into understandable, practical, and vital tools not just for surviving the modern world, but remaking it. Amidst all the competition, demands upon our time, and societal pressure, Louisa Jewell provides a clear path forward for girls and women everywhere striving to define success and worth for themselves." —Shawn Achor, New York Times bestselling author of The Happiness Advantage“On our path towards a happier life, there may be no more important journey than the one from self-doubt to self-confidence. In Wire Your Brain for Confidence, Louisa Jewell provides an easy-to-use yet well-researched map that you can use for this important journey.” —Tal Ben-Shahar, New York Times bestselling author of Happier and Choose the Life You Want“Wire Your Brain for Confidence offers a practical step-by-step guide to achieving goals for anyone who has struggled with self-doubt. Louisa Jewell demystifies the science behind action-oriented confidence and makes it accessible to all. This book will empower you to go for your dreams and live your happiest life.” —Marci Shimoff, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Happy for No Reason and Chicken Soup for the Woman’s Soul“Wire Your Brain for Confidence is a remarkable book for anyone who aspires to have more confidence, success, and overall well-being! Louisa Jewell has written a brilliant book that is steeped in research and filled with novel ideas and memorable stories. I learned things from this book that I will use for years to come.” —Tom Rath, #1 New York Times bestselling author of How Full Is Your Bucket?, StrengthsFinder 2.0, Eat Move Sleep, and Are You Fully Charged?

Empowered Love: Use Your Brain to Be Your Best Self and Create Your Ideal Relationship


Steven Stosny - 2017
    Readers on the lookout for self-development and a deeper loving connection with their partner will find ideas and guidance galore in this sensible relationship manual." — Kirkus ReviewsEver wonder why your self-control, rationality, and compassion seem to go out the window when dealing with your partner? Couples therapist and relationship expert Steven Stosny explains it all in this revelatory book about the divide between our adult and our toddler brains. Too often, conflict in our intimate relationships reactivates our least-regulated "toddler" side, bringing out an instinctive desire to assert our own way and make everything a zero-sum game. Dr. Stosny shows the way toward overcoming these destructive impulses and nurturing our more loving and clear-eyed inclinations. Drawing upon his decades of experience in working with troubled marriages, he distills his insights into an actionable guide for embracing our best impulses in our relationships.Empowered Love is a valuable guide for married and live-in couples who struggle with an unhealthy dynamic; those already in individual or couples therapy who want a highly effective aid to help them communicate with their partner; and licensed therapists and counselors looking for an in-depth perspective on the developmental stages in play with relationship strife. "This book is for anyone who wants to learn from their painful relational past; rescue and revive a current relationship; and receive promise and hope for their future. This refreshingly brilliant book not only identifies the bottom line issues in relationships, it provides a concrete formula for creating mature, passionate relationships. In this book Dr. Stosny brilliantly identifies the underlying cause of all relationship dissatisfaction and distress. Refreshingly practical, the book draws a clear line between unhealthy and healthy interactions, enabling the reader to identify and prevent relationships disasters long before they happen. Steven Stosny's work never fails to inform, inspire and draw a clear roadmap to happier, healthier relationships." — Pat Love, Ed.D., LMFT, co-author You’re Tearing Us Apart: Twenty Ways We Wreck Our Relationships and Strategies to Repair Them"If you've ever wondered why all of your relationships are a breeze except for your intimate one, wonder no more. Steven Stosny explains how intimate partners often get stuck in repetitive and unproductive ways of interacting, and how, more importantly, to break free of these hurtful relationship habits. If your relationship isn't what it once was or what you hoped it would be, before you convince yourself that you picked the wrong partner, read this book! It combines cutting edge information about how our brains drive our choices in day to day interactions along with Stosny's extensive experience in helping people love each other more. This book is a must read!" — Michele Weiner-Davis, author of The Divorce Remedy"Combining the latest in neuroscience with decades of experience as a couples therapist specializing in the most difficult cases, Steven Stosny has written a clear, practical, immensely readable guide to arm and activate our better angels. Empowered Love is for anyone who wishes to show up more humanely in our closest and most important relationships." — Terry Real, author of The New Rules of Marriage

The Neuroscience of Psychotherapy: Healing the Social Brain


Louis Cozolino - 2017
    LouisCozolino is a master at synthesizing neuroscientific informationand demonstrating how it applies to psychotherapy practice.New material on altruism, executive function, trauma, andchange round out this essential book.

Brain & Behavior: An Introduction to Behavioral Neuroscience


Bob Garrett - 2017
    

The Story of Neuroscience


Anne Rooney - 2017
    It relates to sensory matters as well as motor. There are some fairly obvious examples, such as Phineas Gage and Spallanzani's frog legs, studies of madness and genius, early physical treatments for psychiatric disorders, the categorization of difference (neurotypical and mad, autistic etc.). In the 20th century, this book deals with cognitive science: theories of intelligence, learning, language development (Chomsky, Piaget, Wittgenstein) and then on to machine intelligence and consciousness (Turing, Dennett), as well as somatizing illness, which relates to sympathetic magic, voodoo and so on.

Ben Again: The inspirational memoir of a traumatic brain injury survivor


Ben Clench - 2017
    Jazz was killed instantly. Ben suffered a severe head injury which left him in a coma and at the mercy of third-world hospital care. His family swung into action and, thanks to their persistence and the support of Ben’s £10 travel insurance policy, he eventually received good treatment and a few weeks later was flown back to the UK by private air ambulance. He was still in a coma and, the physical and mental prognosis was very uncertain. During a month in intensive care he slowly emerged from the coma - with no memory and little physical control or ability. Expectations for recovery were low, yet Ben, with the help of his family and friends, defied medical opinion and, within a few short months he was out of hospital and embarking on an intensive self-directed rehabilitation programme. Key milestones included going to the Glastonbury Festival six months after leaving intensive care, much to the dismay of the medical support team. A mere nine months after release from hospital, and less than a year out of intensive care, he was studying full-time for a Master’s degree, striving to regain his cognitive abilities with a view to resuming his career in international development. Ben Again tells the story of how Ben determinedly recovered from a near-vegetative and amnesiac state to regain his sense of self, pass a second Master’s, run a half-marathon and learn to live a normal life again. This book is unusual in that Ben’s story is told not only by himself, but through the contributions of 25 others.

Champions of Illusion: The Science Behind Mind-Boggling Images and Mystifying Brain Puzzles


Susana Martinez-Conde - 2017
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The Fear Factor: How One Emotion Connects Altruists, Psychopaths, and Everyone In-Between


Abigail Marsh - 2017
    She used the tools she had available to get what she wanted, like all children. But unlike other children, she didn't care about the damage she inflicted. A few miles away, Lenny Skutnik cared so much about others that he jumped into an ice-cold river to save a drowning woman. What is responsible for the extremes of generosity and cruelty humans are capable of? By putting psychopathic children and extreme altruists in an fMRI, acclaimed psychologist Abigail Marsh found that the answer lies in how our brain responds to others' fear. While the brain's amygdala makes most of us hardwired for good, its variations can explain heroic and psychopathic behavior.A path-breaking read, The Fear Factor is essential for anyone seeking to understand the heights and depths of human nature."You won't be able to put it down."--Daniel Gilbert, New York Times bestselling author of Stumbling on Happiness"[It] reads like a thriller... One of the most mind-opening books I have read in years." --Matthieu Ricard, Author of Altruism

The Evolution of Memory Systems: Ancestors, Anatomy, and Adaptations


Elisabeth A. Murray - 2017
    This doctrine holds that the medial temporal lobe subserves one memory system for explicit or declarative memories, while the basal ganglia subserves a separate memory system for implicit or procedural memories, including habits. Cortical areas outside the medial temporal lobe are said to function in perception, motor control, attention, or other aspects of executive function, but not in memory.'The Evolution of Memory Systems' advances dramatically different ideas on all counts. It proposes that several memory systems arose during evolution and that they did so for the same general reason: to transcend problems and exploit opportunities encountered by specific ancestors at particular times and places in the distant past.Instead of classifying cortical areas in terms of mutually exclusive perception, executive, or memory functions, the authors show that all cortical areas contribute to memory and that they do so in their own ways-using specialized neural representations. The book also presents a proposal on the evolution of explicit memory. According to this idea, explicit (declarative) memory depends on interactions between a phylogenetically ancient navigation system and a representational system that evolved in humans to represent one's self and others. As a result, people embed representations of themselves into the events they experience and the facts they learn, which leads to the perception of participating in events and knowing facts.'The Evolution of Memory Systems' is an important new work for students and researchers in neuroscience, psychology, and biology.

Early Childhood and Neuroscience: Theory, Research and Implications for Practice


Mine Conkbayir - 2017
    The reader is then led through structured chapters discussing questions such as: Why should practitioners know about neuroscience? How can neuroscience help practitioners better provide for babies and children? and Is it relevant? Topics covered include the nature vs. nurture debate through the lens of neuroscience, epigenetics, the first 1001 days and a discussion on just how critical the first three years of life are to healthy brain development. The book provides a balanced overview of the debates by weaving discussion on the opportunities of using neuroscience in early childhood practice with examination of the limitations and ethical implications throughout the chapters. This enables students to inform their own opinions about the discipline and its use in their future practice.Clear explanations of the main terms and theories are complemented with illustrative case studies of cutting-edge research from around the world, a glossary of key terms and suggestions for further reading. Reflective discussion questions give students the chance to apply their theoretical knowledge to real-world contexts. These features encourage and support independent critical thinking, helping students to reflect on, evaluate and analyse a range of ideas, research findings and applications for their own future early childhood practice.Early Childhood and Neuroscience is essential reading for lecturers, undergraduate and postgraduate students in the field as well as for the new practitioner.

The Embodied Mind, revised edition: Cognitive Science and Human Experience


Francisco J. Varela - 2017
    

Beyond Evolutionary Psychology: How and Why Neuropsychological Modules Arise


George Ellis - 2017
    Beyond Evolutionary Psychology deals with the relation between culture, evolution, psychology and emotion, based both in the underlying biology, determined by our evolutionary heritage, and in the interaction of our brain with the physical, ecological and social environment, based in the key property of brain plasticity. Ellis and Solms show how the brain structures that underlie cognition and behaviour relate to each other through developmental processes guided by primary emotional systems. This makes very clear which brain modules are innate or 'hard-wired', and which are 'soft-wired' or determined through environmental interactions. The key finding is that there can be no innate cognitive modules in the neocortex, as this is not possible on both developmental and genetic grounds; in particular there can be no innate language acquisition device. This is essential reading for students and scholars of evolutionary psychology and evolutionary biology.

The mathematics of mind-time


Karl Friston - 2017
    https://aeon.co/essays/consciousness-...The special trick of consciousness is being able to project action and time into a range of possible futures

The Brain Show - Behind the Scenes: What is Going on Inside Our Brain While We are Living Our Life


Zeev Nitsan - 2017
    This important volume showcases your brain's development, from the embryonic phase until old-age, while describing the changes the brain goes through in all of its emotional and social states, such as love, depression, joy, concentration, sleep and dream. Understand your mind What are dreams made of? How are memories formed and preserved, and how can we improve our memory? How is a thought born and materialized? What is the duration of a thought-beat and how much electricity does it consume? How does your spouse affect your brain and how does your offspring change it? How do thoughts jump from one brain to another and why do some thoughts go 'viral', and spread to numerous brains? Get the answers to these questions and improve your understanding of yourself. Gain surprising and practical insights that will impact your daily life. Get to know the patterns of your brain activity to illuminate and control hidden elements in your life and potential. Get your copy of Behind the Scenes of the Brain Show now!

An Introduction to Resting State Fmri Functional Connectivity


Janine Bijsterbosch - 2017
    Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) can be used to investigateintrinsic functional connectivity networks, which are identified based on similarities in the signal measured from different regions.From data acquisition to results interpretation, An Introduction to Resting State fMRI Functional Connectivity discusses a wide range of approaches without expecting previous knowledge of the reader, making it truly accessible to readers from a broad range of backgrounds.Supplemented with online examples to enable the reader to obtain hands-on experience working with data, the text also provides details to enhance learning for those already experienced in the field.The Oxford Neuroimaging Primers are written for new researchers or advanced undergraduates in neuroimaging to provide a thorough understanding of the ways in which neuroimaging data can be analysed and interpreted. Aimed at students without a background in mathematics or physics, this book is alsoimportant reading for those familiar with task fMRI but new to the field of resting state fMRI.

Cajal's Neuronal Forest: Science and Art


Javier DeFelipe - 2017
    This new collection contains hundreds of beautiful rarely-seen-before figures produced throughout the nineteenth century and the beginning of thetwentieth century by famed father-of-modern-neuroscience Santiago Ram�n y Cajal (1852-1934) and his contemporaries. Cajal was captivated by the beautiful shapes of the cells of the nervous system. He and his fellow scientists saw neurons as trees and glial cells as bushes. Given their high densityand arrangement, neurons and glial resembled a thick forest, a seemingly impenetrable terrain of interacting cells mediating cognition and behavior. In unraveling the mysteries of the brain, these researchers encountered an almost infinite number of cellular forms with an extraordinary beauty, whichthey could not help but put pen to paper, allowing them to discover a new artistic world- the neuronal forest- that gave free rein not only to their imagination, but to a new way of viewing the brain as well.This book has been divided into two parts. The first focuses on the scientific atmosphere in Cajal's times, on the history of the neuron, and the anatomical challenge posed in studying neuronal connections. It also delves into the artistic skills of Cajal and other important pioneers inneuroscience and how the neuronal forests have served as an unlimited source of artistic inspiration. The second consists of 275 original drawings by Cajal. All were published over the course of his scientific career and cover virtually all of his research fields of interest, including the spinalcord, the optic lobe and retina, cerebral cortex, and many other regions of the brain.Cajal's Neuronal Forest: Science and Art is a testament to the natural beauty found in science. Despite the common misconception that the drawings of Cajal and other scientists of the time are pieces of art, these drawings are in fact copies of histological preparations and contributed greatly tothe discoveries made in the field of neuroscience. This book is a gem in any library, whether serving as a medical history or a gallery of stunning sketches.

Quantum Theory and Free Will: How Mental Intentions Translate into Bodily Actions


Henry P. Stapp - 2017
    The author, a distinguished theoretical physicist, shows how this theory, realistically interpreted, assigns an important role to our conscious free choices. Stapp claims that mainstream biology and neuroscience, despite nearly a century of quantum physics, still stick essentially to failed classical precepts in which mental intentions have no effect upon our bodily actions. He shows how quantum mechanics provides a rational basis for a better understanding of this connection, even allowing an explanation of certain phenomena currently held to be “paranormal”. These ideas have major implications for our understanding of ourselves and our mental processes, and thus also for the meaningfulness of our lives.