The Brain that Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science

A
Norman Doidge
Save Complete Collect Reco
Share on Twitter Copy link Share via
Book
An astonishing new science called neuroplasticity is overthrowing the centuries-old notion that the human brain is immutable. Psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, Norman Doidge, M.D., traveled the country to meet both the brilliant scientists championing neuroplasticity and the people whose lives they’ve...

An astonishing new science called neuroplasticity is overthrowing the centuries-old notion that the human brain is immutable. Psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, Norman Doidge, M.D., traveled the country to meet both the brilliant scientists championing neuroplasticity and the people whose lives they’ve transformed - people whose mental limitations or brain damage were seen as unalterable. We see a woman born with half a brain that rewired itself to work as a whole, blind people who learn to see, learning disorders cured, IQs raised, aging brains rejuvenated, stroke patients learning to speak, children with cerebral palsy learning to move with more grace, depression and anxiety disorders successfully treated, and lifelong character traits changed. Using these marvelous stories to probe mysteries of the body, emotion, love, sex, culture, and education, Dr. Doidge has written an immensely moving, inspiring book that will permanently alter the way we look at our brains, human nature, and human potential.

(From Goodreads)

 Show More

Number of Pages: 427

ISBN: 067003830X

ISBN-13: 9780670038305

Recommended by
Recommendations from around the web and our community.
Shane Parrish
For centuries it was thought that the brain stopped developing after a period of time, and that it was a very rigid process. In this book, Norman Doidge explores what scientists call “neuroplasticity” and how nearly everything we once believed about the brain is wrong. The brain i...

For centuries it was thought that the brain stopped developing after a period of time, and that it was a very rigid process. In this book, Norman Doidge explores what scientists call “neuroplasticity” and how nearly everything we once believed about the brain is wrong. The brain is fluid, constantly remapping and rewiring to make its job more efficient. Dr. Doidge shares powerful stories of people who relearn to speak after a stroke, overcome debilitating vertigo, even a blind man who learns to “see.” As it turns out, you can teach an old dog new tricks.

 Show More