The Elephant in the Brain
Kevin Simler
A provocative exploration of the hidden and often unconscious motives that drive human behavior in everyday life. From social interactions to institutions, this book uncovers the 'elephant in the brain' - the strategic self-deception that shapes our thoughts and actions, revealing the underlying forces at play in our personal lives and society.
Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve
Stanley Rosenberg
Discover how to unlock the healing power of the vagus nerve with self-help exercises for anxiety, depression, trauma, and autism. This book provides insights into the autonomic nervous system and offers practical techniques to restore social engagement and improve overall well-being.
Am I Ok?
Andrew Dunn
A candid and compelling memoir of an entrepreneur's journey through the highs and lows of building a company while battling bipolar disorder. From manic episodes to hospitalizations and brushes with the law, this is a raw and honest account of mental illness, stigma, and the long road to recovery and acceptance.
Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life
Thich Nhat Hanh
Savor offers a fresh look at mindfulness and the problem of obesity that is spreading across the globe. It is a guide to help us all reconnect with different aspects of our lives that together can improve our weight, our well-being, and the well-being of our world.
The Mind and the Brain
Jeffrey M. Schwartz
Explore the groundbreaking science of neuroplasticity and the power of the mind to shape the brain. Discover how mental force can influence brain chemistry and unlock new possibilities for treating mental disorders and understanding the connection between mind and matter.
Noise: A Flaw in Human Judgment
Daniel Kahneman
Discover the hidden flaw in human judgment that leads to errors in all walks of life. From medicine to criminal justice, insurance to finance, 'Noise' exposes the shocking extent of unwanted variability in professional judgments and offers practical solutions for reducing noise and improving decision-making in organizations and beyond.
The Extended Mind
Annie Murphy Paul
"The Extended Mind" is a transformative guide to cognition that shatters the age-old assumption that thinking happens only within the confines of our skulls. Science writer Annie Murphy Paul draws on cutting-edge research in neuroscience and psychology to argue that the brain is not an isolated computer, but a biological organ evolved to think with the world around it. Paul introduces the concept of "thinking outside the brain" through three key pillars: embodied cognition (thinking with our bodies, sensations, and gestures), situated cognition (thinking with the spaces and environments we inhabit), and distributed cognition (thinking through our relationships and social networks). The book critiques our modern obsession with "brainbound" productivity—forcing ourselves to sit still and stare at screens—and offers a liberating alternative. By intentionally managing our physical movements, workspaces, and social interactions, Paul shows how we can offload mental processing to the world around us. The Extended Mind provides a practical framework for anyone looking to harness these external resources to become smarter, more creative, and more resilient.
Scarcity Brain
Michael Easter
In a world of overwhelming abundance, why do we constantly crave more, leading to detrimental behaviors like overeating, overbuying, and addiction? Michael Easter, a science journalist, embarks on a global journey to uncover the ancient human behavioral system—the 'scarcity brain'—that once ensured survival but now traps us in a 'scarcity loop.' Through compelling research and real-world examples, from the psychology of slot machines in Las Vegas to drug enforcement in Iraq, this book reveals the three-part mechanism driving our insatiable desires and offers profound insights into how to break free from the cycle of overconsumption to find true satisfaction and unlock our full potential.