We think with it, dream with it, make plans for a Saturday-night date with it—yes, the human brain is our constant, familiar companion. But don’t be fooled: that unassuming blob between your ears is literally the most complex and mysterious thing in the universe. So to find out how your brain really works—and also how much science still doesn’t know—check out the five mind-blowing reads below.
A Molecule Away from Madness: Tales of the Hijacked Brain
By Sara Manning Peskin
Our brains are the most complex machines known to humankind, but they have an Achilles heel: the very molecules that allow us to exist can also sabotage our minds. Here are gripping accounts of unruly molecules and the diseases that form in their wake. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Sara Manning Peskin, in the Next Big Idea App
Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain
By Lisa Feldman Barrett
This slim, entertaining, and accessible collection reveals mind-expanding lessons from the front lines of neuroscience research. You’ll learn where brains came from, how they’re structured (and why it matters), and how yours works in tandem with other brains to create everything you experience. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Lisa Feldman Barrett, in the Next Big Idea App
The Extended Mind: The Power of Thinking Outside the Brain
By Annie Murphy Paul
The Extended Mind reveals how we can tap the intelligence that exists beyond our brains—in our bodies, our surroundings, and our relationships. It’s a dramatic new view of how our minds work, with practical advice on how we can all think better. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Annie Murphy Paul, in the Next Big Idea App
When Brains Dream: Exploring the Science and Mystery of Sleep
By Antonio Zadra and Robert Stickgold
Two sleep researchers reveal recent discoveries about why dreams are psychologically and neurologically meaningful experiences. They also explore a host of dream-related disorders, and explain how dreams can facilitate creativity and be a source of personal insight. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by co-authors Antonio Zadra and Robert Stickgold, in the Next Big Idea App
The Awakened Brain: The New Science of Spirituality and Our Quest for an Inspired Life
By Lisa Miller
Absorbing, uplifting, and ultimately enlightening, The Awakened Brain is a conversation-starting saga of scientific discovery packed with counterintuitive findings and practical advice on concrete ways to access your innate spirituality and build a life of meaning and contribution. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Lisa Miller, in the Next Big Idea App
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