20 Best Books On Brain Science (2023 Update)

How to eat for maximum brain power and health from an expert in both neuroscience and nutrition.like our bodies, our brains have very specific food requirements. dr. lisa mosconi, whose research spans an extraordinary range of specialties including brain science, the microbiome, and nutritional genomics, notes that the dietary needs of the brain are substantially different from those of the other organs, yet few of us have any idea what they might be. her innovative approach to cognitive health incorporates concepts that most doctors have yet to learn. busting through advice based on pseudoscience, dr. mosconi provides recommendations for a complete food plan, while calling out noteworthy surprises, including why that paleo diet you are following may not be ideal, why avoiding gluten may be a terrible mistake, and how simply getting enough water can dramatically improve alertness. including comprehensive lists of what to eat and what to avoid, a detailed quiz that will tell you where you are on the brain health spectrum, and 24 mouth-watering brain-boosting recipes that grow out of dr. mosconi's own childhood in italy, brain food gives us the ultimate plan for a healthy brain. brain food will appeal to anyone looking to improve memory, prevent cognitive decline, eliminate brain fog, lift depression, or just sharpen their edge.

A groundbreaking and fascinating investigation into the transformative effects of exercise on the brain, from the bestselling author and renowned psychiatrist john j. ratey, md.did you know you can beat stress, lift your mood, fight memory loss, sharpen your intellect, and function better than ever simply by elevating your heart rate and breaking a sweat? the evidence is incontrovertible: aerobic exercise physically remodels our brains for peak performance. ratey, m.d., embarks upon a fascinating and entertaining journey through the mind-body connection, presenting startling research that proves exercise is truly our best defense against everything from depression to add to addiction to aggression to menopause to alzheimer's. filled with amazing case studies (such as the revolutionary fitness program in naperville, illinois, which has put this school district of 19,000 kids first in the world of science test scores), spark is the first book to explore comprehensively the connection between exercise and the brain. it will change forever the way you think about your morning run — or, for that matter, simply the way you think.

'absorbing, mind-enlarging, studded with insights … this could have significant real-world results' sunday times humanity's greatest feat is our incredible ability to learn. even in their first year, infants acquire language, visual and social knowledge at a rate that surpasses the best supercomputers. but how, exactly, do our brains learn? drawing on case studies of children who learned despite huge difficulty and trauma, he explains why youth is such a sensitive period, during which brain plasticity is maximal, but also assures us that our abilities continue into adulthood. the human brain is an extraordinary machine. its ability to process information and adapt to circumstances by reprogramming itself is unparalleled, and it remains the best source of inspiration for recent developments in artificial intelligence.

Poets and playwrights have written about the dark cloak of grief, the deep yearning, how devastating heartache feels. in the grieving brain, neuroscientist and psychologist mary-frances o'connor, phd, gives us a fascinating new window into one of the hallmark experiences of being human.

A powerful orthodoxy in the study of the brain has taken hold in recent years: since physical laws govern the physical world and our own brains are part of that world, physical laws therefore govern our behavior and even our conscious selves. not so, argues the renowned neuroscientist michael s. gazzaniga in this thoughtful, provocative book based on his gifford lectures—-one of the foremost lecture series in the world dealing with religion, science, and philosophy. proposes that the mind, which is somehow generated by the physical processes of the brain, "constrains" the brain just as cars are constrained by the traffic they create. writing with what steven pinker has called "his trademark wit and lack of pretension," gazzaniga shows how determinism immeasurably weakens our views of human responsibility; it allows a murderer to argue, in effect, "it wasn't me who did it—-it was my brain." an extraordinary book that ranges across neuroscience, psychology, ethics, and the law with a light touch but profound implications, who's in charge? is a lasting contribution from one of the leading thinkers of our time.

Neuroscientist and computer engineer jeff hawkins argues that it's so hard to answer questions about the brain because our basic picture of how the brain works is wrong. in a thousand brains, hawkins takes a radically new approach to the brain, with stunning implications. hawkins' proposal, called the thousand brains theory of intelligence, is that your brain is organized into thousands upon thousands of individually computing units, called cortical columns. these columns all process information from the outside world in the same way, and each builds a complete model of the world. but because every column has different connections to the rest of the body, each has a unique frame of reference. your brain sorts out all those models by conducting a vote. the fundamental job of the brain, therefore, is not to build a single thought, but to manage the thousands of individual thoughts it has every moment. and once you understand how the brain works, it is a lot easier to make one yourself. hawkins is, above all, an engineer, and a thousand brains outlines how a new understanding of intelligence could lead to truly intelligent ai. combining cutting-edge theoretical neuroscience with an ambitious program for tomorrow's digital minds, a thousand brains heralds a revolution in the study of intelligence. it is a big-think book, in every sense of the word"–

What if you had the power to change your brain for the better? michael merzenich–a world authority on brain plasticity–explains how the brain rewires itself across the lifespan, and how you can take control of that process to improve your life. in addition to fascinating descriptions of how your brain has produced your unique memories, skills, quirks, and emotions, soft-wired offers sound advice for evaluating your brain and gives clear, specific, scientifically proven guidance for how to rejuvenate, remodel, and reshape your brain to improve it at any age.

A nobel prize–winning neuroscientist’s probing investigation of what brain disorders can tell us about human natureeric r. kandel, the winner of the nobel prize in physiology or medicine for his foundational research into memory storage in the brain, is one of the pioneers of modern brain science. his work continues to shape our understanding of how learning and memory work and to break down age-old barriers between the sciences and the arts.in his seminal new book, the disordered mind, kandel draws on a lifetime of pathbreaking research and the work of many other leading neuroscientists to take us on an unusual tour of the brain. the brain’s 86 billion neurons communicate with one another through very precise connections. but sometimes those connections are disrupted. the brain processes that give rise to our mind can become disordered, resulting in diseases such as autism, depression, schizophrenia, parkinson’s, addiction, and post-traumatic stress disorder. while these disruptions bring great suffering, they can also reveal the mysteries of how the brain produces our most fundamental experiences and capabilities—the very nature of what it means to be human.

The gold standard of neuroscience texts―updated with hundreds of brand-new images and fully revised content in every chapter – doody's core titles for 2021! for more than 40 years, principles of neural science has helped readers understand the link between the human brain and behavior. as the renowned text has shown, all behavior is an expression of neural activity and the future of both clinical neurology and psychiatry is dependent on the progress of neural science. fully updated, this sixth edition of the landmark reference reflects the latest research, clinical perspectives, and advances in the field. it offers an unparalleled perspective on the the current state and future of neural science. this new edition features:unmatched coverage of how the nerves, brain, and mind function – new chapters on: – the computational bases of neural circuits that mediate behavior – brain-machine interfaces – decision-making and consciousness – new section on the neuroscientific principles underlying the disorders of the nervous system – expanded coverage of the different forms of human memory – highly detailed chapters on stroke, parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis2,200 images, including 300 new color illustrations, diagrams, radiology studies, and pet scans – principles of neural science, sixth edition benefits from a cohesive organization, beginning with an insightful overview of the interrelationships between the brain, nervous system, genes, and behavior. the text is divided into nine sections: part i: overall perspective provides an overview of the broad themes of neural science, including the basic anatomical organization of the nervous system and the genetic bases of nervous system function and behavior. – part ii: cell and molecular biology of cells of the nervous system examines the basic properties of nerve cells, including the generation and conduction of propagated signaling. part iii: synaptic transmission focuses on the electrophysiological and molecular mechanism of synaptic transmission with chapters on neuronal excitability, neurotransmitters, and transmitter release. part iv: perception discusses the various aspects of sensory perception, including how information from the primary organs of sensation is transmitted to and processed by the central nervous system. part v: movement considers the neural mechanisms underlying movement and examines a new treatment that addresses how the basal ganglia regulate the selection of motor actions and instantiate reinforcement learning. part vi: the biology of emotion, motivation and homeostasis examines the neural mechanisms by which subcortical areas mediate homeostatic control mechanisms, emotions, and motivation. part vii: development and the emergence of behavior looks at the nervous system from early embryonic differentiation to the formation and elimination of synapses. part viii: learning, memory, language and cognition expands on the previous section, examining the cellular mechanisms of implicit and explicit memory storage, as well as decision-making and consciousness. part ix: explores the neural mechanisms underlying diseases and disorders of the nervous system, including autism spectrum disorder, epilepsy, schizophrenia, and anxiety.

Millions of people have used the ancient systems of manifestation and visualization to find health, success, love, friendship, wealth, and more. but does the “law of attraction” actually work? and more important, is this kind of life-changing philosophy within reach for everyone, even the most skeptical among us? as dr. swart reveals how and why these systems actually work by offering the latest breakthroughs in neuroscience and behavioral psychology, including lessons in neuroplasticity, magneticism, emotional and logical thinking, and even hydration, self-care, and relaxation. next, she describes her own journey from skeptic to believer, and guides readers through the scientific breakthroughs and personal revelations that changed her from an unhappy, close-minded, and disconnected woman wanting more from life, to a successful entrepreneur living with confidence, purpose, and joy. swart combines the insights and inspiration of the secret with the practical lessons of the master key system to help a new generation fulfill their dreams. the source is a rigorous, proven toolkit for unlocking our minds—and reaching our fullest potential.

Now neuroscience shows that it's not that simple: in fact, our emotional limbic tissue is evenly divided between our two hemispheres. consequently, each hemisphere has both an emotional brain and a thinking brain. in this groundbreaking new book, dr. since each of the four characters stems from specific groups of cells that feel unique inside of our body, they each display particular skills, feel specific emotions, or think distinctive thoughts. taylor shows us how to get acquainted with our own four characters, observe how they show up in our daily life, and learn to identify and relate to them in others as well.

Why does the conscious mind know so little? what do visual illusions unmask about the machinery running under the hood? how much of our lives are determined by choices and behaviors that are hard-wired, unconscious, and beyond our control? how is it possible to get angry at yourself: who exactly, is mad at whom? if the drunk mel gibson is an anti-semite and the sober mel gibson is authentically apologetic, is there a real mel gibson? why did supreme court justice william douglas claim that he was able to play football and go hiking, when everyone could see that he was paralyzed after his stroke? why do people willingly give up their money to banks for christmas accounts (and why don't monkeys do this)? why do patients on parkinson's medications become compulsive gamblers? why do athletes follow routines, like bouncing the ball three times before taking a free throw? why did charles whitman suddenly kill his family and shoot forty six others from the ut austin tower, and what did this have to do with his brain? does free will exist or not, and how does that affect our view of blameworthiness and credit?

A heavily used, but still working copy. coffee stain and wrinkling to the edge of the pages when a tired undergrad fell asleep and knocked their cup over on their books. the binding and pages of the book have been reinforced with tape, has tape and stickers on the cover, as well as lots of notes (some of the answers in the learning activities may be filled in) on the pages. ~ book does not contain an access code or cd/dvd.

Charting the intellectual history of the emerging biology of mind, eric r. kandel explains the revolutionary landmarks of modern biology and illuminates how behavioral psychology, cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and molecular biology have converged into a powerful new science of the mind. scientists are now positioned to provide meaningful and nuanced insights into mental functioning – from perception, thought, emotion, and memory to schizophrenia, depression, and age-related memory loss. these windows into the mind also open the way to more effective healing. kandel's personal quest to understand memory is threaded throughout this absorbing intellectual history. beginning with his memories of childhood experiences in nazi-occupied vienna, in search of memory chronicles kandel's outstanding career from his initial fascination with history and psychoanalysis through his exploration of neurobiology to his groundbreaking work on the cellular and molecular process of memory, which earned him the nobel prize. a deft mixture of memoir and history, modern biology and behavior, in search of memory traces how a brilliant scientist's intellectual journey intersected with one of the great scientific endeavors of the twentieth century: the search for the biological basis of memory. –book jacket. note: includes bibliographical references (p. 453-484) and index. table of contents: 1. personal memory and the biology of memory storage 2. a childhood in vienna 3. an american education 4. one cell at a time 5. the nerve cell speaks 6. conversation between nerve cells 7. simple and complex neuronal systems 8. different memories, different brain regions 9. searching for an ideal system to study memory 10. neural analogs of learning 11. strengthening synaptic connections 12. a center for neurobiology and behavior 13. even a simple behavior can be modified by learning 14. synapses change with experience 15. the biological basis of individuality 16. molecules and short-term memory 17. long-term memory 18. memory genes 19. a dialogue between genes and synapses 20. a return to complex memory 21. synapses also hold our fondest memories 22. the brain's picture of the external world 23. attention must be paid! 24. a little red pill 25. mice, men, and mental illness 26. a new way to treat mental illness 27. biology and the renaissance of psychoanalytic thought 28. consciousness 29. rediscovering vienna via stockholm 30. learning from memory : prospects. personal memory and the biology of memory storage a child of vienna an american education one cell at a time the nerve cell speaks conversation between nerve cells simple and complex neuronal systems different memories, different regions of the brain searching for an ideal model for studying memory neural analogs of learning strengthening synaptic connections a center for neurobiology and behavior even a simple behavior can be modified by learning synapses change with experience the biological basis of individuality molecules and short-term memory long-term memory memory genes a dialogue between genes and synapses a return to complex memory synapses also hold our fondest memories the brain's picture of the external world attention must be paid! a little red pill mice, men, and mental illness a new way to treat mental illness biology and the renaissance of psychoanalytic thought consciousness rediscovering vienna via stockholm learning from memory: prospects glossary notes and sources acknowledgments. personal memory and the biology of memory storage a child in vienna an american education one cell at a time the nerve cell speaks conversation between nerve cells simple and complex neuronal systems different memories, different regions of the brain searching for an ideal model for studying memory neural analogs of learning strengthening synaptic connections a center for neurobiology and behavior even a simple behavior can be modified by learning synapses change with experience the biological basis of individuality molecules and short-term memory long-term memory memory genes a dialogue between genes and synapses a return to complex memory synapses also hold our fondest memories the brain's picture of the external world attention must be paid! a little red pill mice, men, and mental illness a new way to treat mental illness biology and the renaissance of psychoanalytic thought consciousness rediscovering vienna via stockholm learning from memory: prospects.

Following on the heels of lisa cron's breakout first book, wired for story, this writing guide reveals how to use cognitive storytelling strategies to build a scene-by-scene blueprint for a riveting story. it’s every novelist’s greatest fear: pouring their blood, sweat, and tears into writing hundreds of pages only to realize that their story has no sense of urgency, no internal logic, and so is a page one rewrite. the prevailing wisdom in the writing community is that there are just two ways around this problem: pantsing (winging it) and plotting (focusing on the external plot). in story genius cron takes you, step-by-step, through the creation of a novel from the first glimmer of an idea, to a complete multilayered blueprint—including fully realized scenes—that evolves into a first draft with the authority, richness, and command of a riveting sixth or seventh draft.

The instant new york times bestseller!" – the first book to address cognitive enhancement and alzheimer's prevention specifically in women–and to frame brain health as an essential component of women's health. – in this revolutionary book, dr. lisa mosconi, director of the women's brain initiative at weill cornell medical college, provides women with the first plan to address the unique risks of the female brain. – until now, medical research has focused on "bikini medicine," assuming that women are essentially men with breasts and tubes. yet women are far more likely than men to suffer from anxiety, depression, migraines, brain injuries, and strokes. they are also twice as likely to end their lives suffering from alzheimer's disease, even when their longer lifespans are taken into account. but in the past, the female brain has received astonishingly little attention and was rarely studied by medical researchers– resulting in a wealth of misinformation about women's health. – the xx brain confronts this crisis by revealing how the two powerful x chromosomes that distinguish women from men impact the brain first and foremost and by focusing on a key brain-protective hormone: estrogen. – taking on all aspects of women's health, including brain fog, memory lapses, depression, stress, insomnia, hormonal imbalances, and the increased risk of dementia, dr. mosconi introduces cutting-edge, evidence-based approaches to protecting the female brain, including a specific diet proven to work for women, strategies to reduce stress, and useful tips for restorative sleep. she also examines the controversy about soy and hormonal replacement therapy, takes on the perils of environmental toxins, and examines the role of our microbiome. perhaps best of all, she makes clear that it is never too late to take care of yourself. – the xx brain is a rallying cry for women to have full access to information regarding what is going on in their brains and bodies as well as a roadmap for the path to optimal, lifelong brain health.

Locked in the silence and darkness of your skull, your brain fashions the rich narratives of your reality and your identity. join renowned neuroscientist david eagleman for a journey into the questions at the mysterious heart of our existence. what is reality? who are "you"? how do you make decisions? why does your brain need other people? how is technology poised to change what it means to be human? in the course of his investigations, eagleman guides us through the world of extreme sports, criminal justice, facial expressions, genocide, brain surgery, gut feelings, robotics, and the search for immortality. strap in for a whistle-stop tour into the inner cosmos. in the infinitely dense tangle of billions of brain cells and their trillions of connections, something emerges that you might not have expected to see in there: you. this is the story of how your life shapes your brain, and how your brain shapes your life. (a companion to the six-part pbs series. color illustrations throughout.)

Meet the ninety year old doctor, who, with the aid of a few simple exercises, is still practising medicine. his is just one of the incredible stories brain expert norman doidge tells as he reveals our brain's remarkable ability to repair itself through the power of positive thought. in the brain that changes itself doidge introduces us to the fascinating stories at the cutting edge of the brain science and the emerging discipline of 'neuroplasticity' . this remarkable book will leave you with a sense of wonder at the capabilities of the human brain and the power to change which lies within all of us.

Meet the ninety year old doctor, who, with the aid of a few simple exercises, is still practising medicine. his is just one of the incredible stories brain expert norman doidge tells as he reveals our brain's remarkable ability to repair itself through the power of positive thought. in the brain that changes itself doidge introduces us to the fascinating stories at the cutting edge of the brain science and the emerging discipline of 'neuroplasticity' . this remarkable book will leave you with a sense of wonder at the capabilities of the human brain and the power to change which lies within all of us.

Locked in the silence and darkness of your skull, your brain fashions the rich narratives of your reality and your identity. join renowned neuroscientist david eagleman for a journey into the questions at the mysterious heart of our existence. what is reality? who are "you"? how do you make decisions? why does your brain need other people? how is technology poised to change what it means to be human? in the course of his investigations, eagleman guides us through the world of extreme sports, criminal justice, facial expressions, genocide, brain surgery, gut feelings, robotics, and the search for immortality. strap in for a whistle-stop tour into the inner cosmos. in the infinitely dense tangle of billions of brain cells and their trillions of connections, something emerges that you might not have expected to see in there: you. this is the story of how your life shapes your brain, and how your brain shapes your life. (a companion to the six-part pbs series. color illustrations throughout.)