Book Review: The Brain That Changes Itself
Book Reviews April 16th, 2009Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science
Well I read this book on several recommendations after a brief bit of research on the plasticity of the mind. I was definitely not disappointed and to be honest, I really loved this book. It was a fascinating, revealing look at how how thoughts and actions can truly change the structure of our mind and it does so in a hopeful examination of many brain changing breakthroughs.
Doidge is an amazing Canadian author and he simplifies the most complex of sciences into clear, vivid stories and experiments that demonstrate the astonishing changes the brain can make and in turn, transform the people housing them.
Neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity has been formed by the discovery that the human brain is extremely malleable. Scientists have long known this is true with infancy, but the science now extends well into old age. In classical neuroscience, the adult brain was considered to be hardwired and a continuous working machine once formed. Specific brain areas and maps were labeled with a specific purpose and little was known about if or how these areas could be replaced or repaired so it led to the common belief that you can’t easily mold the brain.
Who is the Book For?
This book drives home a paradigm shift in brain study and it has great value not only to those with a neurological disease, but for any human being with the curiosity and willingness to discover more about the makeup of their own abilities to learn, which is what interested me so much!
Doidge has numerous examples of neurologically diseased patients who gain from this revolutionary science to improve their condition. Cases are studied from many severe conditions:
- Strokes
- Cerebral palsy
- Schizophrenia
- Learning disabilities
- Obsessive compulsive disorders
- Phantom limbs
- many more…
Each of these demonstrate the adult’s innate ability to alter the mind and how specific methods can be applied to reshape the brain. Whether you know someone with these conditions or are purely interested in the marvel behind this new science, anyone can take away insight about learning and shaping the mind in a positive way.
The Learning Mind
Doidge also covers how the plastic nature of the mind affects not only mental mind maps in trauma but even in every day activities. Societal differences and behaviors can have as much impact on the mind as a brain injury which he explores several examples of human abilities and specifically, the brain’s ability to mend itself due to social differences or environmental affects.
These implications of rewiring the mind however, are also to be cautioned. The brain is actually so malleable it is also quite vulnerable to its surroundings and seemingly little impact input to the mind can make a drastic change to the way we perceive and handle the world around us. The impact of media and television are showing significant impact and damage on the mind leading to disorders become more and more prevalent in today’s young people. This is something to be cautious of as people can highly influence and shape the mind as well. Parents, peers, and leaders all make a significant contribution to the structure of our brains and while it can be changed, it is not always easy to do so.
Despite these risks of manipulating the mind, Doidge keeps a positive outlook through his fantastic stories of triumph and he walks through cases and ideas on how our thoughts can switch on specific genes and alter our brain anatomy. He shows how intelligence can be improve with brain exercises, how people can improve their cognition, perception, muscle strength and music talents among others, all by letting the imagination shape our minds for us. I found these areas and really the whole book, absolutely fascinating, uplifting and amazing to see and put into practice the thoughts, imagination and input for my mind that let me shape it the way I want to. I can’t recommend this book enough.
Norman Doidge, M.D., is a research psychiatrist and psychoanalyst on the faculty at the Columbia University Psychoanalytic Centre in New York and the University of Toronto, as well as an award-winning writer. He has presented his scientific research at the White House. Website: http://www.normandoidge.com
Prev: The Imaginative Mind: Innovation
Next: The Key to Personal Development. Belief
April 16th, 2009 at 7:00 AM
This pretty breaks the common wisdom, right?
It gives me even more confidence that improving starts with the mindset, and that it is never too late 😉
April 16th, 2009 at 8:17 AM
I just finished ready this book and it’s AMAZING. I would definitely recommend it to anyone. Even if you aren’t particularly interested in science or the brain (which I’m not), you will find this book fascinating.
Like Alik noted, this books shows us that it’s never too late to change.
http://positivelypresent.typepad.com
April 16th, 2009 at 7:24 PM
@Alik – It definitely breaks through a lot of misconceptions or so called “common wisdom” as it changes a lot based on new discoveries. The interesting thing is how Doidge examines the problem behind a lot of ‘common’ thinking. Even knowing the effects of thinking often our minds trick us or fool us into advancing the wrong neural connections. Especially after any trauma. The research shows and discusssed ways out of that and it is not an intuitive process, but one of much experimentation and discovery. Its a MUST read to realize this from the book.
Positively Present. Thanks for the word on this, its awesome that you’ve read it as well. Yes, change can happen at any point, even after years and years of what we think is hardwired in our. It’s not!
April 17th, 2009 at 9:55 AM
Thanks Mike for this fascinating review. I have always disagreed with those who minimize the negative influence of the violence promoted by the media. The human mind is a precious gift to be cared for in a responsible and appreciative way. We cannot possibly spend years pumping it full of sensationalistic garbage and expect to remain impervious to the detrimental effect.
April 17th, 2009 at 2:51 PM
That my friend is said perfectly… Brilliant!
April 19th, 2009 at 8:12 PM
Hi Mike, a hard book I think but insightful. It gave me a new perspective about human brain.
Thank you for the review, Mike.
April 19th, 2009 at 8:31 PM
Thanks for the Review Mike, one of my favorite books of the “scientific self help” genre.
April 26th, 2009 at 6:36 AM
The book sounds amazing. Can’t wait to read it. Thanks Mike. How have you been?
April 28th, 2009 at 7:25 AM
It’s science in laymans terms. That is what makes it a good read. Good to know we can still change our brains for the better.
May 11th, 2009 at 10:45 PM
The brain science seems to be very hard but why not to read simple stories about the main human organ.
September 3rd, 2009 at 4:39 PM
Indeed.. this book certainly teaches us that it’s never too late to change things.
April 22nd, 2010 at 12:28 PM
I look forward to reading this book – thanks for recommending it. I read another book “Who switched off my brain” that has got me so interested in this subject. There is a verse in the Bible that says “taking cative every thought” and another that says “as a man thinketh, so is he”. I guess it is possible to ‘renew’ our minds through what we choose to think or how we choose to think about things. Thanks again. Michelle