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Life Lessons from a Brain Surgeon
For years Dr. Rahul Jandial has transformed the lives of his neurosurgery patients by putting them through 'brain rehab', his specially developed boot camp for restoring brain function. In this eye-opening, informative, and accessible guide, he uses his years of expertise to show how healthy people can rewire their brains to work in a higher gear.
With quick and easy daily exercises, neurofitness will show you how to: boost your memory, control stress and emotions, minimize pain, unleash creativity, raise smart kids, and avoid Alzheimer's.
Using a combination of scientific research, and fascinating real-life stories from his own operating room, acclaimed neurosurgeon Rahul Jandial explains how to boost your brain power for good.
With quick and easy daily exercises, neurofitness will show you how to: boost your memory, control stress and emotions, minimize pain, unleash creativity, raise smart kids, and avoid Alzheimer's.
Using a combination of scientific research, and fascinating real-life stories from his own operating room, acclaimed neurosurgeon Rahul Jandial explains how to boost your brain power for good.
243 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 4, 2019
739 people are currently reading
10634 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 371 reviews
August 9, 2019
DNF. I don't like self help books. I especially don't like them when I'm told the cure for this particular, phenomenally rare variation of this extremely unusual disease is... meditative breathing and how it can help us all. Can it? The research was based on 26 people trained for two weeks in 'mindful' breathing and the author got all breathy about the results!
The book is full of these statistics. Mustn't sleep more than 6 hours or you are 23% more likely to have a stroke and die young, mustn't sleep more than 9 or you're gonna pop off when you least expected it. Must play these extremely boring games from an app on your phone because you will be x% less likely to get Alzheimer's after only 10 hours of 'brain training' and so on.
The author is a well-respected neurosurgeon, scientist and author of scholarly texts. I don't think he's found his voice addressing the non-medical general reader. It varies from slang, "this is cool" to technical and even preachy. Maybe he was trying for something totally different from both other brain and self help books?
What is it with neurosurgeons putting out self help books, I read (also dnf) recently, Into the Magic Shop: A Neurosurgeon's Quest to Discover the Mysteries of the Brain and the Secrets of the Heart. This one is better, and it's my fault that I actually expected more brain surgery and less self help as the title is quite clear. Nonetheless, say 'brain surgeon' and I'm looking for gore not breathing lessons.
Notes on reading I'm about a third of the way in (I never add books until I'm really involved with them). So far my main thoughts are that the author is no Henry Marsh. He's not a bad writer, but the book is more one to dip into than to stay up late reading because you've been drawn in to the author's world.
It's a bit of a mish-mash of surgery, brain-training (I failed hopelessly at all tests), anecdotes and a reasonably good chapter on drugs that are good for brain function/helping you pass exams.
The book is full of these statistics. Mustn't sleep more than 6 hours or you are 23% more likely to have a stroke and die young, mustn't sleep more than 9 or you're gonna pop off when you least expected it. Must play these extremely boring games from an app on your phone because you will be x% less likely to get Alzheimer's after only 10 hours of 'brain training' and so on.
The author is a well-respected neurosurgeon, scientist and author of scholarly texts. I don't think he's found his voice addressing the non-medical general reader. It varies from slang, "this is cool" to technical and even preachy. Maybe he was trying for something totally different from both other brain and self help books?
What is it with neurosurgeons putting out self help books, I read (also dnf) recently, Into the Magic Shop: A Neurosurgeon's Quest to Discover the Mysteries of the Brain and the Secrets of the Heart. This one is better, and it's my fault that I actually expected more brain surgery and less self help as the title is quite clear. Nonetheless, say 'brain surgeon' and I'm looking for gore not breathing lessons.
Notes on reading I'm about a third of the way in (I never add books until I'm really involved with them). So far my main thoughts are that the author is no Henry Marsh. He's not a bad writer, but the book is more one to dip into than to stay up late reading because you've been drawn in to the author's world.
It's a bit of a mish-mash of surgery, brain-training (I failed hopelessly at all tests), anecdotes and a reasonably good chapter on drugs that are good for brain function/helping you pass exams.
December 30, 2019
strange book.
some interesting facts and then some bizarre sugeestions, which sound even more bizarre considering that they come from a surgeon.
not as great as anticipated. at times plain boring or full of nonsence (like some exercises that apparently cure nearly everything).
so yes, more of a miss than a hit.
some interesting facts and then some bizarre sugeestions, which sound even more bizarre considering that they come from a surgeon.
not as great as anticipated. at times plain boring or full of nonsence (like some exercises that apparently cure nearly everything).
so yes, more of a miss than a hit.
August 13, 2019
Dr. Jandial is a brain surgeon who was originally a drop-out. But he is no Nick Riviera; he is a highly esteemed doctor with a PhD in neurobiology, with 20 years of post-high school education. So he knows what he’s talking about when he talks about the brain.
This book covers a lot of territory: memory, intelligence, language, creativity, smart drugs (and others), sleep, head injuries (a constantly changing field at the moment), diet for the brain, implants, stem cells, how the brain differs in youth and old age. Turns out the real science of peak performance is pretty much the same as the prescription for general good health: get enough sleep, eat healthy, do what you can to reduce stress, avoid head injuries, and don’t take street drugs or the ones touted on line as ‘smart drugs’. And hope that new treatments for dementia come down the pipeline before you get it. Neurologists and neurosurgeons are doing some amazing things, but there is still so much that can’t be fixed. Hedge your bets by following his prescription.
Pretty easy to read and very interesting. I love reading about medical cases, especially neurology ones, and he does this very well. Of great interest to me was his use of deep brain stimulation (DBS) to abate a case of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder-as a life time sufferer of OCD, the thought that there might actually be a non-chemical cure is exciting! This is a book for any fan of Oliver Sacks or of medical tales in general, and for anyone looking to get the best out of their brain.
This book covers a lot of territory: memory, intelligence, language, creativity, smart drugs (and others), sleep, head injuries (a constantly changing field at the moment), diet for the brain, implants, stem cells, how the brain differs in youth and old age. Turns out the real science of peak performance is pretty much the same as the prescription for general good health: get enough sleep, eat healthy, do what you can to reduce stress, avoid head injuries, and don’t take street drugs or the ones touted on line as ‘smart drugs’. And hope that new treatments for dementia come down the pipeline before you get it. Neurologists and neurosurgeons are doing some amazing things, but there is still so much that can’t be fixed. Hedge your bets by following his prescription.
Pretty easy to read and very interesting. I love reading about medical cases, especially neurology ones, and he does this very well. Of great interest to me was his use of deep brain stimulation (DBS) to abate a case of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder-as a life time sufferer of OCD, the thought that there might actually be a non-chemical cure is exciting! This is a book for any fan of Oliver Sacks or of medical tales in general, and for anyone looking to get the best out of their brain.
April 23, 2020
Loved this book. Very interesting yet a surprisingly easy read considering it’s about brains and brain surgery.
December 31, 2020
Life Lessons from a Brain Surgeon is part science, part self-help, part anecdotes. It is written in a straightforward style, making it accessible to anyone seeking not only a clear introduction to brain science, but also advice on practical actions to improve brain health.
In 15 short chapters, the author starts with some basic brain anatomy. Afterwards, he explores a broad range of topics including memory and intelligence, language, creativity, smart drugs, sleep, mindful breathing, food for the brain, neuroplasticity, brain stimulation, electroconvulsive therapy, stem cells, the younger brain, and the older brain. As you can see, the book covers a lot of ground, but doesn't delve deep into any subject.
Each chapter has one or more of the following special sections: "𝐍𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐨 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝" (where the author clarifies some myths and misconceptions. For example, the gut is NOT a second brain). "𝐍𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐨 𝐆𝐞𝐞𝐤" (a look into interesting scientific findings), and "𝐍𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐨 𝐆𝐲𝐦" (tips to keep your brain healthy). Depending on your background and your purpose for reading the book, you might like some of these sections more than others. I personally enjoyed the geeky ones the most.
Also, each chapter starts with an interesting story; either a patient's story or one from the author's own life. He shares an inspiring story about how he made his way from a college dropout to medical school. However, sometimes he would unnecessarily elaborate on brain surgeries he performed (folding the scalp, drilling holes in the skull, opening the dura, etc), which I found unappealing.
That being said, the engaging narrative, practical advice, and lucid explanation of scientific topics makes it impossible not to like at least parts of the book.
In 15 short chapters, the author starts with some basic brain anatomy. Afterwards, he explores a broad range of topics including memory and intelligence, language, creativity, smart drugs, sleep, mindful breathing, food for the brain, neuroplasticity, brain stimulation, electroconvulsive therapy, stem cells, the younger brain, and the older brain. As you can see, the book covers a lot of ground, but doesn't delve deep into any subject.
Each chapter has one or more of the following special sections: "𝐍𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐨 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝" (where the author clarifies some myths and misconceptions. For example, the gut is NOT a second brain). "𝐍𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐨 𝐆𝐞𝐞𝐤" (a look into interesting scientific findings), and "𝐍𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐨 𝐆𝐲𝐦" (tips to keep your brain healthy). Depending on your background and your purpose for reading the book, you might like some of these sections more than others. I personally enjoyed the geeky ones the most.
Also, each chapter starts with an interesting story; either a patient's story or one from the author's own life. He shares an inspiring story about how he made his way from a college dropout to medical school. However, sometimes he would unnecessarily elaborate on brain surgeries he performed (folding the scalp, drilling holes in the skull, opening the dura, etc), which I found unappealing.
That being said, the engaging narrative, practical advice, and lucid explanation of scientific topics makes it impossible not to like at least parts of the book.
June 30, 2019
It was well written, funny and quirky but watch out if you are squeamish because he sometimes describes surgeries. However I wish it went into more details about what to do to keep a healthy brain etc. Overall it was interesting and I learned some facts about the brain and the developments that are being made in the subject but I would have been ok with a longer book if that was what it took to give us more information on the brain!
September 9, 2019
The thing that stood out most to me was thinking about the gut as a second brain. On my recent health journey, I am seeking whole body knowledge including the brain.
According to Blinkist, “Though there is still much to be discovered about the brain, it’s a proven fact that you can improve your natural cognitive abilities by keeping your brain thinking and learning. Establishing healthy eating habits, staying active and committing to lifelong education will ensure that your brain remains healthy for decades to come.”
I COMMIT TO Practice mindful breathing.
“Today we know that the ancient practice of mindful breathing increases neuron connections and physiologically improves the brain. Mindful breathing can also calm negative emotions, help regulate your blood pressure and sharpen your decision-making abilities. To practice, sit down in a quiet place and focus on your breath for ten to fifteen minutes. Inhale through your nose, then hold your breath. Finally, exhale through your mouth. Take a count of four for each of these steps.”
According to Blinkist, “Though there is still much to be discovered about the brain, it’s a proven fact that you can improve your natural cognitive abilities by keeping your brain thinking and learning. Establishing healthy eating habits, staying active and committing to lifelong education will ensure that your brain remains healthy for decades to come.”
I COMMIT TO Practice mindful breathing.
“Today we know that the ancient practice of mindful breathing increases neuron connections and physiologically improves the brain. Mindful breathing can also calm negative emotions, help regulate your blood pressure and sharpen your decision-making abilities. To practice, sit down in a quiet place and focus on your breath for ten to fifteen minutes. Inhale through your nose, then hold your breath. Finally, exhale through your mouth. Take a count of four for each of these steps.”
September 4, 2019
An amazing book about the brain, in terms of physical structures, impact of food, drugs, and injury on it, and a mix of practical advice and theoretical ideas, told by a neurosurgeon with an interesting personal history.
The one thing I disliked was his discounting of "brain hackers" -- part of this is routine credentialism, but it's entirely possible for someone without an MD or PhD to do meaningful science, particularly when aided by computers.
Overall, one of my favorite books of the year. It makes me want to do recreational neurosurgery on food animals, or at least learn more about the topic. If I weren't in computer security, the other two careers I would have wanted were either neurosurgeon or something in aerospace engineering.
The one thing I disliked was his discounting of "brain hackers" -- part of this is routine credentialism, but it's entirely possible for someone without an MD or PhD to do meaningful science, particularly when aided by computers.
Overall, one of my favorite books of the year. It makes me want to do recreational neurosurgery on food animals, or at least learn more about the topic. If I weren't in computer security, the other two careers I would have wanted were either neurosurgeon or something in aerospace engineering.
July 9, 2019
This isn't bad, but it also isn't particularly good. More importantly, there's nothing new here. It's fine as a primer in the latest neurology pop science, but not necessarily more useful than any other book.
July 8, 2019
Informative and well written however I skipped through parts as not everything was interesting to me. Would recommend!
February 17, 2021
My neurones get so excited and dance happily whenever I read about the brain and neuroscience!
April 5, 2023
Der Neuroarzt erzählt was Gehirngesundheit ist und was echte Fälle aus dem Leben über Gehirngesundheit aussagen. Wie kann man garantieren, dass man lange ein gesundes Leben führt. Wie kann man vorzeitige Degeneration hinauszögern?
August 8, 2019
I’ve just finished reading the book and I have to say it has been a an intellectually stimulating and emotionally rich experience. The way it has been put together, with the different subsections allowing Dr Jandial to offer fascinating glimpses into the highly specialised worlds of neurosurgery and brain science, to demystify certain high currency popular misconceptions regarding brain functioning and brain optimisation (I am inevitably oversimplifying), to give science-backed advice and to make all this so easy to relate to through the many narratives embedded in the book is, I think, fascinating.
I usually approach books that are labelled as ‘self-help’ ones with a healthy bit of suspicion. I’ve backed off from quite a few which have soon started sounding too superficial or too fond of fashionable jargon, or too keen on promoting a certain expensive service like mindfulness training, meditation retreats or a ‘best-formulated brain enhancing supplement ’etc. This book, on the other hand, had my attention riveted from beginning to end.
I’ve already started recommending it to friends.
I usually approach books that are labelled as ‘self-help’ ones with a healthy bit of suspicion. I’ve backed off from quite a few which have soon started sounding too superficial or too fond of fashionable jargon, or too keen on promoting a certain expensive service like mindfulness training, meditation retreats or a ‘best-formulated brain enhancing supplement ’etc. This book, on the other hand, had my attention riveted from beginning to end.
I’ve already started recommending it to friends.
September 8, 2019
Though there is still much to be discovered about the brain, it’s a proven fact that you can improve your natural cognitive abilities by keeping your brain thinking and learning. Establishing healthy eating habits, staying active and committing to lifelong education will ensure that your brain remains healthy for decades to come.
Practice mindful breathing.
Today we know that the ancient practice of mindful breathing increases neuron connections and physiologically improves the brain. Mindful breathing can also calm negative emotions, help regulate your blood pressure and sharpen your decision-making abilities. To practice, sit down in a quiet place and focus on your breath for ten to fifteen minutes. Inhale through your nose, then hold your breath. Finally, exhale through your mouth. Take a count of four for each of these steps.
Practice mindful breathing.
Today we know that the ancient practice of mindful breathing increases neuron connections and physiologically improves the brain. Mindful breathing can also calm negative emotions, help regulate your blood pressure and sharpen your decision-making abilities. To practice, sit down in a quiet place and focus on your breath for ten to fifteen minutes. Inhale through your nose, then hold your breath. Finally, exhale through your mouth. Take a count of four for each of these steps.
January 5, 2020
Fascinating and suprisingly easy read. Lots of case studies and research, but written in a simple and conversational style. This is not really a life changing book, it just gives some well researched ideas about how to keep your mind in top shape. It is worth a read just to remind us how amazing and endlessly complex the brain is. With all the incredible advances in neurosurgery and science in the past 50 years, we are still just scratching the surface of understanding.
June 21, 2021
Not at all what I was expecting. I thought this was a book that captured the stories with good life lessons people would tell the author right before they went into surgery... Turns out it's a book about the brain, what you can do for your brain and why the brain is what it is. Fascinating insights about the various surgeries and procedures the author has completed and really good, scientific information provided.
May 15, 2024
DNF. This book is bad and despite being a self proclaimed genius neurosurgeon, he gets many things wrong - particularly about the gut as a second brain, ignoring completely the wealth of research that has shown the gut micro biome produces neurotransmitters which can cross the BBB. Also bangs on about intermittent fasting and how good it is because he personally finds it helps him in surgery???? Silly book
December 5, 2019
I am referring this book to write my thesis. It is well explained and easily understood though you are not a Medical student. Again..here is where brain plasticity is important to rewire and how you react to certain situation. The important of good sleep, bilingual, intermittent fasting, gut diet are explained well too.
May 8, 2019
This book was such an informational read, I really enjoyed how it not only teaches you about the brain and surgeries for it but it also connects each topic to a personal story from the author. I won this book in a giveaway and I'm so glad that I was able to win!
October 14, 2021
Интересная книга, но местами сложная для восприятия, когда речь заходит о нюансах операций, где множество медицинских терминов.
June 13, 2021
I must say that I very much enjoyed my time reading this book. Professionals might read this and think that some concepts or procedures are oversimplified but, for us Non-Mds, it’s a great opportunity to learn more about the fascinating world of our brain and body.
Reading about his brain surgery experiences while also learning about how to prevent us from getting on the operating table, was something I really valued. Many books just present to you the problem or the situation but without any possible solution or ways to prevent it. Similar to me you might not agree with ALL the recommendations, that’s natural, we don’t need to agree on everything.
Overall reading the book left me with important knowledge which I didn’t have before and that’s what I like to call great bonus for my cognitive maintenance.
Reading about his brain surgery experiences while also learning about how to prevent us from getting on the operating table, was something I really valued. Many books just present to you the problem or the situation but without any possible solution or ways to prevent it. Similar to me you might not agree with ALL the recommendations, that’s natural, we don’t need to agree on everything.
Overall reading the book left me with important knowledge which I didn’t have before and that’s what I like to call great bonus for my cognitive maintenance.
February 20, 2020
This book is not probably what you think of it might be. It's not about peak performance etc.
It's a book about how strange and fascinating our brain is and how some idiots can screw it up with coaching, motivational bullshit talk (not all of them of course) if we do listen to them ;)
What's missing in the book (or the version I had) are references to other sources or places where I can confirm what Rahul thinks. Like an amazing story about knowing two languages and brain cancer. Is this something that had happened more than once? etc. nonetheless it's still fascinating!
With full-blown references list, it would be solid 5 for me. Without it 4.
It's a book about how strange and fascinating our brain is and how some idiots can screw it up with coaching, motivational bullshit talk (not all of them of course) if we do listen to them ;)
What's missing in the book (or the version I had) are references to other sources or places where I can confirm what Rahul thinks. Like an amazing story about knowing two languages and brain cancer. Is this something that had happened more than once? etc. nonetheless it's still fascinating!
With full-blown references list, it would be solid 5 for me. Without it 4.
August 19, 2019
Rahul is a very talented author. This book was very well written and well organized. I appreciated all of the new things I learned, however, Rahul’s arrogance made me want to stop reading the book at some points. I also did not appreciate the HUGE glamor portrait he has of himself on the back of his book. I wish he had gone more in-depth about the subject of study and the brain. Overall, unless you are already a neurosurgeon or neuro doc, you will definitely learn something new from this book.
May 23, 2021
If one has already read authors like dr. Norman Doidge or dr. Ramachandran, this book won't bring much new information; but as a starter into the mysterious world of the brain, it's a nice reading, and the neuro-nerdy sections and the ones debunking myths are quite fun. Also, the patient cases of a neurosurgeon are always fascinating.
May 29, 2020
An introduction to the brain, with some good advices and recommendations, false believes and misconceptions about the best part of our body.
Nicely written, easy to grasp the information, contains only information based on science and experience.
Nicely written, easy to grasp the information, contains only information based on science and experience.
January 9, 2021
This was cool! I enjoyed it a lot. Accessible science categorised in a very manageable way, well written, and lots of useful things to take away from it.
March 15, 2022
I enjoyed Neurofitness. I first heard about the author from his recent appearance on Tom Bilyeu's show Impact theory, which was very interesting.
Author Rahul Jandial, M.D., Ph.D. is an American, dual-trained brain surgeon and neuroscientist at City of Hope in Los Angeles, a hospital for cancer treatment designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute.
Rahul Jandial:
Jandial writes with a natural and easy style here, and although some of the material covered is a bit technical, he does a decent job of giving the reader some necessary background contextual information.
He lays out the aim of the book early on, saying:
He also mentions a few of the popular myths that he will attempt to tackle:
The formatting of the book is also fairly well done. Included in the book are some blurbs of hypertext. Jandial says this:
The book opens with some basic neuroanatomy. Jandial gives the reader a brief understanding of the different areas of the brain. The rest of the book is a mix of case studies from Jandail's professional career, combined with him outlining some of the science involved.
He drops this quote about gray matter:
The super-interesting Flynn effect is also touched on here by Jandial. An incredible finding from the field of intelligence research by one of its leading scientists, he writes:
The book also features a decent bit of writing on Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) treatment for bipolar and massive depression.
Although it has historically had quite a bad reputation, Jandail mentions that it is often a beneficial therapy for those who have failed to respond to conventional treatments(s).
*********************
As mentioned at the start of this review, I did enjoy the book, although I felt like there was not too much ground-breaking content covered here.
So, for those like myself, who already read a lot of books like this, there likely won't be much here that is new to you, unfortunately...
Those who are new to the field of neuroscience will likely find much of value here, though.
3.5 stars.
Author Rahul Jandial, M.D., Ph.D. is an American, dual-trained brain surgeon and neuroscientist at City of Hope in Los Angeles, a hospital for cancer treatment designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute.
Rahul Jandial:
Jandial writes with a natural and easy style here, and although some of the material covered is a bit technical, he does a decent job of giving the reader some necessary background contextual information.
He lays out the aim of the book early on, saying:
"This book is my attempt to separate the BS from the brain science, the hype from the hope. I want to help you achieve your goals and ensure that you and your loved ones never end up on my operating table.
To that end, I make no claims that are not backed by current hard science. I neither minimize the risks of alternative medicine nor exaggerate the benefits of traditional Western-style medicine. Knowledge is a moving target, and I share what we know now and what we hope to find out."
He also mentions a few of the popular myths that he will attempt to tackle:
Perhaps you’ve heard claims like this:
SOME PEOPLE ARE MORE LEFT- OR RIGHT-BRAINED. I explain how this myth was concocted.
THE GUT IS A SECOND BRAIN. Not really. The brain does project nerves out of the skull to nearly every millimeter of your body, including an extensive network of nerves in your guts that monitor your gastrointestinal tract. But many patients have undergone multiple variations of near-total bowel removal without demonstrating any attributable mental dysfunction.
BRAIN TRAINING IS BOGUS. In truth, leading researchers at top universities around the world continue to investigate the effects of computerized “brain games” and all sorts of other training methods to improve cognitive performance.
MEDITATION IS NOT BACKED BY HARD SCIENCE. False. A recent groundbreaking study directly measured the mind-calming effects of meditative breathing, elegantly showing the practical physiology underlying this ancient ritual and now modern practice.
The formatting of the book is also fairly well done. Included in the book are some blurbs of hypertext. Jandial says this:
Each chapter includes one or more of these special sections:
NEURO BUSTED, where I address popular myths and misunderstandings;
NEURO GEEK, where I dive a little deeper into cool (if wonky) scientific theories, discoveries, and history; and
NEURO GYM, where I boil down the science to actions you can apply to your own life.
You’ll find solid, state-of-the-art information, and you won’t have to follow an exhausting and time-consuming regimen to see results. As a surgeon who works with patients on a daily basis, and as a dad with three boys and a wife who is a cancer scientist with her own rigorous schedule, I know that life can get in the way of your best intentions.
The book opens with some basic neuroanatomy. Jandial gives the reader a brief understanding of the different areas of the brain. The rest of the book is a mix of case studies from Jandail's professional career, combined with him outlining some of the science involved.
He drops this quote about gray matter:
NEURO BUSTED: GRAY MATTER ISN’T GRAY
In the living brain, gray matter isn’t gray, and white matter isn’t white. Those colors appear only in dead brain tissue filled with preservatives. Inside a living brain, “gray” matter is actually a shimmery beigepink; “white” matter—the axons wrapped with a fatty myelin sheath—is the color of a glistening pearl.
Under the bright lights of the operating room, the iridescent surface of the brain is densely punctuated with ruby-red arteries and hyacinth-blue veins.
The super-interesting Flynn effect is also touched on here by Jandial. An incredible finding from the field of intelligence research by one of its leading scientists, he writes:
"In 1984, a New Zealand academic named James R. Flynn made a curious discovery. While examining IQ scores going back to the early twentieth century, he saw that the average had been steadily rising by about three points per decade. The middle-of-the-pack score back in 1920 would now be graded as 70— which by today’s standards would be considered mildly intellectually impaired. The average person taking the test today would have been given a score of 130—nearly “genius” level—had they been graded back in 1920.
Some researchers explain away the so-called “Flynn effect” by arguing that people have simply gotten better at taking tests. Improved teaching methods, the introduction of kindergarten and preschool, and higher graduation rates have all resulted, they claim, in young people simply testing better.
Flynn, however, insists that kids are literally getting smarter in part because of school, but also because of better nutrition and fewer childhood illnesses than their grandparents experienced. Even more important, Flynn says, is that our world has become ever more cognitively challenging. A hundred years ago, nearly one-third of Americans lived on a farm; today that figure is less than 2 percent. Only in the 1920s did radio become popular; not until the late 1950s did television reach most homes; as recently as the year 2000, fewer than half of all U.S. homes had access to the internet; the smartphone as we know it didn’t exist until Apple released the iPhone in 2007.
“We are the first of our species to live in a world dominated by categories, hypotheticals, nonverbal
symbols, and visual images that paint alternative realities,” Flynn has written. “We have evolved to deal with a world that would have been alien to previous generations.”
The undisputed fact of the Flynn effect demonstrates that human beings are capable of getting smarter, that intelligence is not determined simply by DNA..."
The book also features a decent bit of writing on Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) treatment for bipolar and massive depression.
Although it has historically had quite a bad reputation, Jandail mentions that it is often a beneficial therapy for those who have failed to respond to conventional treatments(s).
*********************
As mentioned at the start of this review, I did enjoy the book, although I felt like there was not too much ground-breaking content covered here.
So, for those like myself, who already read a lot of books like this, there likely won't be much here that is new to you, unfortunately...
Those who are new to the field of neuroscience will likely find much of value here, though.
3.5 stars.
March 1, 2025
“One of the most ridiculous ideas out there about the brain’s role in creativity is the “left brain/right brain” myth.”
4 ⭐️: I am so passionate and love learning about the brain. This book is perfect for all types of people but specifically: aspiring neurosurgeons/psychologists, anyone wanting to learn more about the brain, or if you want to understand the psychology behind who you are. Although I love science, it can be hard to find books that keep me engaged, intrested, and able to read for a long period. This book has facts, stories, and discusses real life applications that are so fascinating and important.
Overall, this book was so educational and truly one of my favorite neuroscience centered books I’ve read.
4 ⭐️: I am so passionate and love learning about the brain. This book is perfect for all types of people but specifically: aspiring neurosurgeons/psychologists, anyone wanting to learn more about the brain, or if you want to understand the psychology behind who you are. Although I love science, it can be hard to find books that keep me engaged, intrested, and able to read for a long period. This book has facts, stories, and discusses real life applications that are so fascinating and important.
Overall, this book was so educational and truly one of my favorite neuroscience centered books I’ve read.
August 23, 2024
Geweldig boek, mega interessant en heel leuk geschreven!
June 21, 2021
трошки статистики/досліджень, трошки self-help, трошки історій з життя/роботи - все збалансовано і особливо без води. Легко читається/слухається, хоч особливо нічого екстранового для себе не почув.
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