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Your Best Brain: The Science of Brain Improvement cover art

Your Best Brain: The Science of Brain Improvement

By: John Medina, The Great Courses
Narrated by: John Medina
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Summary

Inside your head sits the most complex object in the known universe - the human brain. This amazing organ has unique powers to make predictions about the future, form relationships with other people, adapt to rapidly changing circumstances, and so much more. We all have a basic conception of how our brains function, but when did you last dive into the fascinating world of neuroscience to truly understand the inner workings of your mind?

For decades, the field of neuroscience has been in a near-constant state of disruptive transformation, as we continually learn more about our incredible brains. Thanks to rapid advances in technology and in our understanding of the brain, today’s neuroscience research goes far beyond trying to understand how the brain works, and into the search for proven ways to optimize brain performance. In Your Best Brain, Professor John J. Medina - an award-winning scientist, New York Times best-selling author, and leading advocate for brain research - delivers 24 exciting lectures that probe the origins of consciousness, memory, emotion, attention, intelligence, and beyond. He focuses on five key areas of study in neuroscience: the brain’s physical structure and function, and how it enabled us to become the planet’s apex predator; the ways in which the brain processes information, and how that relates to intelligence; the intricacies of emotions and socialization, and how empathy is a vital survival mechanism; how our brains develop and change throughout our lifetimes; and how we can best use and expand our cerebral processing performance. After gaining a thorough understanding of the science behind your best brain, you’ll learn scientifically proven methods for improving your memory, boosting your creativity, and keeping your mind sharp for years to come.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2014 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2014 The Great Courses

What listeners say about Your Best Brain: The Science of Brain Improvement

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    4 out of 5 stars

Good information slightly marred by presentation

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

The narrator has a lot to say but the style of the delivery is perhaps more suitable to early adolescents or pre-teen children than to adults. He is so keen to be accessible and easy to understand that it sometimes comes over as a little patronising. 'Don't get intimidated by all those long words, now!' He seems an affable enough chap but could do with trusting his audience a little more.

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7 people found this helpful

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Fantastic, just what I wanted

Great explanations of how the brain works in relation to our feelings emotions and general wellbeing and how to optimise it's functions. Well read in a way that holds your interest and even quite amusing at times.

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Good but too much anecdotes and movies references

Although all the movie references were correct, I tend to think that too much references to them leads inexperienced readers to think that these are usually fact based. While most apply facts a huge chunk of even science or fact based TV programs respond to the need to entertain than provide reference material..

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2 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

How to improve your brain??

My review is very similar to one on here already so I'll just repeat;

"Generally speaking, I really enjoy the Great Courses. I find most of their courses useful and well presented. This one, however, fell short.

I gave it three stars for the information in chapters 3 and 13 (on depression) and 22 through the end of the book (how exercise, diet, etc. influence brain function). Most of the book, however, is not about how to improve your brain (therefore the part of my review title about "not as advertised"). Most of it is a primer on brain function."

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

Fascinating!

What a great informative course and delivered in such an amazing way by John Medina.
If my lectures at school were delivered in this way I am sure I would have done so much better and paid much more attention.
Thank you!

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1 person found this helpful

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Entertaining

Professor Medina has an 'easy to listen to voice', and a pleasant style. I was entertained more than educated. The Professor pushes evolution propaganda much in this course.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

The Best Introduction

I have loved this course and have found myself craving the next insight to human brain function.
John Medina's presentation style is ebullient and engaging and he comes across as a warm, friendly and passionate teacher.
As an interested commuter with time on my hands (and not a psychology student) the content is all the introduction to brain geography and, subsequently, human behavior I was after and I will be seeking out more in depth material on the lectures that particularly grabbed my attention.
From recognising aspects of my own behaviour to why the hell your kid is acting that way, I highly recommend this course.

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1 person found this helpful

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Wow brain tastic

This course is really well put together , the narrators enthusiasm for his subject is great the explanations and detail into each chapter are exceptional , if your a novice with a keen interest in understanding the mechanics of the brain and its fundamental functions upon human behaviour you will be so glad you invested the time to listen as it has helped me with my study and it will help you too , once you have listened thru once you will find yourself dipping into each lecture of choice and absorbing a little more with every listen , great investment in your time .

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Very useful, and interesting!

Particularly enjoyed the sections about keeping your mind healthy and mental health problems. I would particularly recommend this course to anyone looking to get a better understanding of their thought processes and how they can improve them, but anyone else should also find it interesting

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    4 out of 5 stars

Really interesting

Really liked this, found the lecturer a bit irritating at first but he grew on me! Content very good, and great for anyone who is looking for an induction to brain function.

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