The Brain That Changes Itself

Norman Doidge

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Description

An astonishing new scientific discovery called neuroplasticity is overthrowing the centuries-old notion that the adult human brain is fixed and unchanging. It is, instead, able to change its own structure and function, even into old age. Psychiatrist and researcher Norman Doidge travelled around the US to meet the brilliant scientists championing neuroplasticity, and the people whose lives they've transformed. We see a woman born with half a brain that rewired itself to work as a whole; a woman labelled retarded who cured her deficits with brain exercises; blind people who learn to see; learning disorders cured; IQs raised; ageing brains rejuvenated; and lifelong character traits changed. Doidge takes us on to terrain that might seem fantastic. We learn that our thoughts can switch our genes on and off, altering our brain anatomy. We learn how people of average intelligence can, with brain exercises, improve their cognition and perception, develop muscle strength, or learn to play a musical instrument - simply by imagining doing so.

Comments & Discussion

clover rated this book

I started to be interested in the way brain works after suffering from heavy depression. Experiencing a period when I did not want to live, when I could not sleep or eat, when I did not have any wish I learned the importance of brain training to overcome depression. Then I found this book in the bookshop shelf. I could not believe when I read about brain training, it is real, not an imagination. The book have helped me to understand how I can influence or train my brain rather then letting the events to influence my brain and hence my health. There are some parts of the book I had to read twice in order to understand it, but it is worth to even repeat reading of entire book.

2 years ago...

Rachel Wisdom rated this book

I saw a documentary on this and it sound plausible, I mean, people who have strokes have their brains retrained to use other parts, or other brains (right-left brain, lymbic, etc.) to reproduce the lost abilities through strokes. Why not use it for other things such as Nonverbal Learning Disabilities, visual or auditory deficits, maybe even autism. Who knows?

On my wish list for sure. Rachel

2 years ago...