How to unravel the mysteries of the brain and learn how to control it: 15 useful books

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Understand how your brain works and you can change your habits, boost your memory, develop creativity and develop an iron will.

1. "The Secrets of Our Brain, or Why Smart People Do Stupid Things", Sandra Amodt, Sam Wong

What do we know about the brain? Apart from rumors and myths, practically nothing. Sandra Amodt and Sam Wong, neuroscientists and popular authors, decided to fix the situation and shared what they learned over the years of scientific work. This data will help you become more successful, happier and more productive in all areas of life.

In simple terms, the authors tell what neurons and synapses are and why they determine our mood, skills and key qualities that we take for granted. The book contains a minimum of science and complex terms, maximum benefits and funny illustrations.

2. “The brain and happiness. Mysteries of Modern Neuropsychology ", Rick Hanson, Richard Mendius

Rick Hanson is an American neuropsychologist and best-selling author. His advice works, since he experiences practically everything on himself initially. Hanson's rich professional experience and years of working with children and adults allowed him to form his own vision of the problem of life dissatisfaction. A collaboration with Dr. Richard Mendius, the creation reveals to readers the secrets of the brain and its close connection with happiness.

Scientists-neuropsychologists in an accessible form tell how the brain works and how we can influence it to be happier, more successful and simply better. The time-tested ways of living a wise and calm life are confirmed by the latest achievements of modern science. Readers will learn how and why suffering is formed, how difficult life situations can be resolved with minimal losses and long-term relationships with others can be built.

3. "Creative Storm", Kaina Leski

Many of us mistakenly believe that the brain will give some kind of signal when it is ready to be creative or when the moment is right for a creative storm.

Professor of the Department of Architecture at the Rhode Island School of Design, Kaina Leski, is convinced that there is no point in waiting for the weather by the sea. Her life is devoted to the study of the creative process in all its forms. Feelings that seem boring and uninteresting to us are actually one of the main driving factors leading to success.

Kaina Leski is convinced that the creative process is the ability to see ahead and look into the future. The book details each stage of the creative process. Original illustrations and quotes from great artists inspire creative feats every day. The author of the book gives advice and tips on how to set goals correctly and overcome obstacles on the way to them.

4. “Healthy brain. Program to improve memory and thinking ", David Perlmutter, Carol Coleman

Protecting the brain from the inevitable temporary changes or simply pumping it to become better, smarter and more active is the natural desire of many. The modern lifestyle contributes to the development of destructive processes that subsequently cause brain decline. You can not only stop this process, but also turn back the clock, if you approach the matter correctly. Specialists David Perlmutter, a Category 1 neurologist, and Carol Coleman, an author of books on medicine, will come to the rescue.

The book "Healthy Brain" is a practical guide in three parts. From the first, you will learn about potentially dangerous factors, in the second, fill out a special questionnaire that will help assess the state of the brain and understand what needs to be changed in life in order to improve its performance. The third part contains recommendations for those who have already been diagnosed with a neurological disease.

5. “The taming of the amygdala. And Other Brain Training Tools ", John Arden

The brain is a unique tool. His flexibility gives us the opportunity to change our lives at any time, to become stronger, more successful and happier. Neurophysiologist, psychologist and book author John Arden explains how to get rid of stress by knowing and understanding the processes in the brain. The author very clearly explains where bad habits come from, why they take root so quickly and how easy it is to get rid of them.

The book will help you start a new happy life, use your potential to the fullest and keep your brain energetic for many years with the help of special exercises. John Arden tested each recommendation on himself and hundreds of people he came across while working in the United States.

6. “Vargan, sprinkle, stain and taste. Unleash the Power of a Relaxed Brain ", Shrini Pillay

Relax and start creating - this is the idea that Shrinie Pillay, Harvard graduate, psychologist, MD, wants to convey to the reader. We are accustomed to believe that only concentration and efforts of will can lead to success, prosperity and happiness. The author of the book, drawing on the results of recent research, is ready to challenge the traditional approach. He is convinced that happiness lies in defocusing and the ability of the brain to relax on demand.

Shrini Pillay believes that defocusing helps the brain, protects against overexertion and stress, teaches us to think outside the box and generate bright ideas. According to the author, living in tension and constant concentration is extremely harmful. Relaxation can be the key to success and prosperity.

7. “Music of the Brain. Harmonious development rules ", Anet Pren, Kjeld Fredens

Our brain is somewhat like an orchestra. Without fine tuning and agreement, the whole company plays something unimaginable and hardly resembles a musical masterpiece. As soon as an experienced conductor appears, everything changes, the audience's ears are delighted with wonderful music. Neuroscientist Kjeld Fredens presents the basic functions of the brain as eight keys that need to be learned and understood for the entire body to work together.

Music is a union of the simple and the complex. Where an ordinary person sees opposition, musicians see an inseparable whole. The out-of-the-box thinking of the musician, which is discussed in the book, will teach you how to harmoniously combine different types of activities. The authors' recommendations will help you change habits, relieve stress, believe in yourself and your strength.

8. “Brain and body. How sensations affect our feelings and emotions ", Cyan Beilock

Psychology professor at the University of Chicago, Cyan Beilock, studies how the brain works in stressful situations. She is interested in what processes are triggered in the body when a person is forced to work in difficult conditions. Many years of work experience allowed us to deduce several patterns that affect our lives. One of the most important is the close connection between the mind and the body, and the body with the environment. Moreover, the body does not play a passive role, but determines our thoughts, actions and decisions.

In the book you can find many interesting situations that everyone encounters every day, but does not think for a second about their significance. For example, walking around the room boosts creativity, walking in nature enhances concentration, and gestures can help you memorize complex texts better.

9. “The rules of the brain. What You and Your Children Should Know About the Brain, John Medina

Everything ingenious is simple: only 12 principles of the brain can change life for the better. Molecular evolutionary biologist John Medina tested the principles on himself and his students. The professor addresses the book not only to parents and children, but also to managers. Simple recommendations will help adults work more productively and children learn better.

The author explains in accessible language and with the help of original illustrations what stress is, why sleep is important, why you should not strive for multitasking, and how the simplest physical activity can reduce the risk of serious diseases.

10. "Hormones of Happiness", Loretta Graziano Breuning

Everyone has heard of the hormones of happiness, but few people really understand what they are and what they are for. Hormones are responsible for mood swings, affection, including toxic ones, and even the choice of food in your favorite restaurant.

Loretta Graziano, professor emeritus at the University of California, has developed a 45-day self-improvement program. Each reader will be able to start a new life, change neural pathways and get rid of bad habits. This book is for those who are ready to change today.

11. “My productive brain. How I Tested The Best Self-Development Techniques And What Came Out Of It ", Caroline Williams

Personal experience is the most convincing. Editor and journalist Caroline Williams decided to test the most popular methods for developing the brain, improving memory, concentration and orientation in space.

She met with many specialists in neuroscience, read at least a hundred books and scientific publications, took part in several experiments. Caroline shares her research findings in a book that will be of interest to anyone thinking about upgrading the brain.

12. “Will and self-control. How genes and the brain prevent us from fighting temptations ", Irina Yakutenko

Molecular biologist and science journalist Irina Yakutenko dedicated the book to questions of will and self-control. Why do some people manage to resist the temptation, while others once again break their given word and succumb to temptation? What processes are behind what we call willpower and self-control? The author of the book, using the latest scientific evidence, proves that strong-willed people are biochemically and physiologically different from those who are susceptible to weakness.

Each reader can take tests and learn more about the work of their own brain. A separate section is devoted to practical recommendations that will help you say a firm "no" to temptations and form self-control, as well as teach you to set and achieve long-term goals.

13. “Phenomenal memory. Methods of memorizing information ", Stanislav Matveev

Memory can and should be developed and trained. Stanislav Matveev is convinced of this - a person who got into the Russian Book of Records due to his phenomenal memory. The author himself believes that his memory is no different from the memory of other people. He just managed to use the capabilities of his brain as efficiently as possible.

The author shares his secrets and his own techniques with the readers. The theory in the book is reduced to a minimum, all attention is paid to really working mnemonics. The book will appeal to those who are tired of forgetting everything.

14. “CrossFit of the Brain. How to prepare yourself for solving non-standard tasks ", Igor Namakonov

Many of us come up with a great solution to the problem with a delay of several days, when the situation has already lost its relevance. Or arguments in favor of our plan are found only a week after the ideas of another person are taken into the work. Such situations are demoralizing and unsettling. The owner of a creative agency, Igor Namakonov, knows how to awaken a sleeping brain and make it work here and now.

The author of the book offers his own system of 23 exercises for high-quality brain pumping. The system will help everyone to discover a creative vein in themselves, see the unusual in the ordinary and find original solutions at the right time.

15. “Brain with obstacles. 7 hidden barriers that prevent you from achieving your goals ", Theo Tsausidis

Neuropsychologist Theo Tsausidis knows exactly what obstacles prevent the brain from working at full capacity. The seven monsters within us make us complain, worry, do nothing, and be inflexible idealists. The seven roads that we all walk every day hide from us bright prospects and amazing options for the development of events. Understanding the secrets of the brain will help you shake up, feel the energy of life and see distant horizons.

The author does not limit himself to describing the seven obstacles. For everyone, he offers an effective strategy, gives accurate recipes and appropriate motivation for the occasion. The book will be useful to those who dream of no longer putting off life until later and increasing productivity in order to achieve more.