Take a “fantastic voyage” through the whorls and curves of the human brain, no miniaturization required. Learn everything from how quickly you can possibly think (and that left-handed people think faster) to why being bad feels so good (yes, there’s a biochemical explanation).
Whether you're a fan of Scientific American’s wildly popular "60-Second Science" podcast or just curious about science, you’re going to love the tingly way your synapses feel after enjoying the same bite-sized knowledge in The Instant Egghead Guide to the Mind.
Foreword
CHAPTER ONE
ALL IN YOUR HEAD: BRAIN STRUCTURE
Neurons
Neuron Communication
Glia
Spinal Cord
Brain Stem and Cerebellum
Thalamus, Hypothatamus, and Pituitary
Cerebrum
Cerebral Cortex
Hemispheres of the Brain
Whole Brain
Brain Imaging
CHAPTER TWO
MINDING YOUR BUSINESS:BASIC FUNCTIONS
Body Regulation
Circadian Rhythms
Sleep
Dreaming
Eating
Sex
Movement
Mirror Neurons
Touch
Sensing Pain
Sensing Temperature
Smell
Pheromones
Taste
Hearing
Vision
Synesthesia
Stress
CHAPTER THREE
GOING MENTAL: HIGHER FUNCTIONS
Learning and Memory
Types of Memory
False Memories
Emotion
Fear
Happiness
Humor and Laughter
Love and Attachment
Creativity
Language
Language Acquisition
Decision-making
Economic Decision-making
Moral Decision-making
CHAPTER FOUR
YOU BREAK IT, YOU BUY IT: PROBLEMS IN THE BRAIN
Autism,
Epilepsy
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Dyslexia
Depression and Bipolar Disorder
Anxiety Disorders
Phobias
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Amnesia
Schizophrenia
Addiction
Pathological Aggression
Sleep Disorders
Prion Diseases
Multiple Sclerosis
Parkinson's Disease
Alzheimer's Disease
Stroke
Headaches and Migraines
Head Injuries
Coma
CHAPTER FIVE
IT'S (USUALLY) NOT BRAIN SURGIGEUY:MRNDING THE MIND
Psychotherapy
Psychopharmacology
Brain Surgery
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Deep Brain Simulation
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Stem Cells
Gene Therapy
Robotic Limbs
CHAPTER SIX
THE POWER OF NURTURE: CHANGING BRAINS
Neuroplasticity
Neurogenesis
Exercise
Diet
Stimulants
Depressants
Other Drugs
Neurotoxins
Child Abuse and Neglect
Combat
Video Games
Music
Meditation
CHAPTER SEVEN
A MIND OF ONE'S OWN: INDIVIDUAL BRAINS
Genes and the Brain
Intelligence
Personality
Gender and the Brain
Sexual Orientation
Sex Hormones
Fetal Brain
Infant Brain
Teenage Brain
Parental Brain
Aging Brain
Evolution
Animal Minds
Consciousness
Appendix A: Commonly Prescribed Psychiatric Medications
Appendix B: Mental Health Resources
Appendix C: Recommended Reading
