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The Brain That Changes Itself
The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science | Norman Doidge
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 theyve transformedpeople 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.
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Mrs_B
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Pickpick

It‘s taken me quite a while to get through this as an audiobook, but it was fascinating. I actually found the appendices really interesting. I enjoyed learning some of the history of neuroplasticity and how it was almost shunned for so long. [warning there is a rather graphic chapter on sexual sadism, but done in a very scientific way]

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ShaaM
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Pickpick

A must read book for those interested in psychology, neuroscience and cognition

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LapReader
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My afternoon walk up the hill to the little free library was fruitful yesterday. It‘s getting easier so I may keep going to the next one along the coast this afternoon and check it out for the first time.

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LauraJ
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I read the book about 10 years ago and didn‘t realize there was a documentary until @Kaila-ann mentioned it. Nowhere near as comprehensive as the book, but it‘s amazing to watch the inventions mentioned in action. #nfnov

Kaila-ann I‘m definitely going to have to pick up the book. 5y
rsteve388 6 pts I assume you finished this documentary? 5y
LauraJ @rsteve388 absolutely! 5y
Kaila-ann @LauraJ thanks for the recommendation 😊 5y
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Kaila-ann
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#TIL Dr. Paul Bach-y-Rita was a pioneer of the idea of nueroplasticity and the founder of the thought of sensory substitution. Neuroplasticity is the idea that the brain can rewire itself to bypass damaged connections and pathways. Finished watching the documentary “The Brain that Changes Itself” #nfnov

ljuliel Beautiful hair to go with his powerful brain. 5y
jb72 Sounds interesting. I‘ve always thought of how well the body can heal itself, and there‘s no reason the brain can‘t do the same. 5y
Kaila-ann @jb72 I find neurology very fascinating. In this same documentary (and I‘m guessing the book by the same name) they explore the concept of autism having to do with the brain being too plastic and able to create too many pathways. Definitely an interesting concept. 5y
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jb72 @Kaila-ann That is interesting. We know so little about the brain. I feel like no one really uses the brain to even half their potential. I actually have a neurological disease called Charcot Marie Tooth. It‘s an extra chromosome I believe in our genetics. I also have a few other sensory issues that I‘ve worked hard at ignoring over the years. 5y
LauraJ I read a lot on neuroscience. Had no idea this book and documentary was over 10 years old. Time flies! 5y
rsteve388 4 pts 5y
Kaila-ann @rsteve388 do I also get the points for finishing the documentary? Just curious 😊. 5y
Kaila-ann @jb72 I feel like medicine in general has come a long way in the last few decades. As doctors find more ways to actually study the brain besides autopsy and invasive procedures, I suspect we will continue to make strides. An extra chromosome . . . interesting. I might have to google. Again, the brain is a fascinating thing for sure. 5y
Kaila-ann @LauraJ I didn‘t realize how old it was until I googled Paul Bach-y-Rita - the documentary says that he had passed recently but I saw that he passed in 2006. Still an interesting glimpse into the subject. 5y
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Kaila-ann
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Up next for my documentary watching pleasure #nfnov

BarbaraTheBibliophage I loved this book! Had no idea there was a film! 5y
Kaila-ann @BarbaraTheBibliophage it‘s a documentary available on Amazon prime 😊 5y
rsteve388 1 pt! 5y
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keepingupwiththepenguins
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Mehso-so

If you‘re interested in how your thinking meat works, you‘ll get a lot out of this book, but I‘d recommend strongly against having it be your only source of information on neuroplasticity. It‘s flawed in many respects, and the best way to compensate for that is to fill the gaps with other books that do it better. Full review here: http://keepingupwiththepenguins.com/the-brain-that-changes-itself-norman-doidge/ #NonFiction #Science

Crazeedi Interesting review 5y
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deborahheishman
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Fascinating (and hopeful) descriptions of neuroplasticity—at any age.

BookwormAHN Welcome to Litsy 😺 5y
LitsyWelcomeWagon Welcome to Litsy! Hope these #Litsytips by @RaimeyGallant http://bit.ly/litsytips and #LitsyHowTo videos: goo.gl/UrCpoU are helpful. There‘s so many fun things to do: book exchanges, buddy reads, photo challenges and more! #LitsyWelcomeWagon
5y
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RaimeyGallant Welcome! 5y
DarcysMom Welcome to Litsy! 🤩 5y
Eggs Welcome to Litsy 🤗🌺 5y
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AlnKle
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I did read this book (to the first Appendix) and appreciate the breadth and depth of this deeper look into our brain's "silly putty." More than case reviews, less than zero pontificating, mostly great human interest and good writing.

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Slynn71
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Books on the Brain📚🧠☕️

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msflewell
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Loved it! Not too technical. Easily understood.

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Louise
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#SundaySentence "Everything your 'immaterial' mind imagines leaves material traces. Each thought alters the physical state of your brain synapses at a microscopic level. Each time you imagine moving your fingers across the keys to play the piano, you alter the tendrils in your living brain."

Zelma Such a a cool and kind of freaky fact. 8y
Louise @Zelma Yes, amazing! The implications are mind-boggling. 8y
Briguy73 My fav bookstore right now is Book People in Austin.The one on top of my list to visit is Powells City of Books in Portland. 8y
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bookishkai If I had it to do over again, knowing what I know now about the things that fascinate me, I would go into neuroscience. The way the brain develops, the ways we grow and redirect neural pathways, the effects of trauma on the brain, it's all so interesting. 8y
Louise @bookishkris Yes, it must be such an exciting field to work in! 🤓 8y
Louise @Briguy73 Powells sounds so amazing! I've only visited their website, alas! 8y
Hobbinol Wow! I think you just blew my brain 's tendrils off! But seriously, our capacity for renewal is always inspiring!Thank you! 🙂 8y
Louise @Hobbinol Glad your brain got a tendril blowout today! 😉 8y
bookishkai @louise thankfully I can turn my recreational interest into something professionally relevant; I work as a nanny so I teach my bosses all about brain development in kiddos. 8y
Louise @bookishkris That's great! I have some friends who are experts in early childhood development, and they find it to be a realm of never-ending fascination! 👍 8y
Laura317 Some of the books I've read certainly blew up my mind tendrils. Dark Matter, I'm looking at you! 8y
Louise @Laura317 I'll have to move Dark Matter closer to the top of my TBR list! 🤓 8y
WanderingBookaneer @Louise : I am currently at my sister's bedside. She suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and has recently come out of a 3-month coma. Does the book talk about people with TBI and how neuroplasticity helps rewire the brain? 8y
tpixie Better think positive!!! 8y
tpixie @JaimitaPR best of luck to your sister. Amazing she's out of coma! She is a strong woman!!! 8y
tpixie @Louise @Laura317 just finished dark matter It was great. Show last night ? 20/20? Was about CERN, the Higgs Boson molecule , Dark Matter and other dimensions / universes! 8y
Louise @JaimitaPR I checked the index of this book and of Norman Doidge's second book The Brain's Way of Healing. While the principles outlined in the first book would certainly be helpful, the index doesn't mention TBI. However, there are many pages and sections in the second book where TBI is discussed. If I were you, I'd read them both. Doidge references many doctors who may also have written on the subject. Healing wishes to your sister! Hugs to you! 8y
Louise @tpixie Wow, what a coincidence! I'll see if I can find that segment online! 8y
Louise You are very welcome, @JaimitaPR! Many blessings to you and your sister for the healing road ahead! ❤️🍀❤️🍀 8y
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Louise

#SundaySentence "Everything your 'immaterial' mind imagines leaves material traces. Each thought alters the physical state of your brain synapses at a microscopic level. Each time you imagine moving your fingers across the keys to play the piano, you alter the tendrils in your living brain."

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BarbaraTheBibliophage
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This book is absolutely fascinating. It's pretty heavy on science, but the stories of people keep it from being too dry.

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BarbaraTheBibliophage
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This book was fascinating from page one to the end!