CHANGE YOUR BRAIN, CHANGE YOUR LIFE by Dr. Amen
Dr Amen’s book is a fascinating resource to understand the mysteries of our own minds and what strategies for improvement we have at our disposal.
Throughout the book, Dr Amen emphasises the brain’s plasticity and the individual’s ability to effect change. He states “it is the brain that creates anxiety, worry, or a sense of peace”, backing this up with many of his clinical brain scans photos and real patient outcomes.
What I found most interesting was the representation of which brain areas are involved in certain behaviours such as anxiety, depression, obsessiveness, anger, and impulsiveness. It’s captivating as a means of profiling people too!
He stresses the significance of understanding one’s brain type, engaging in targeted treatments, and adopting lifestyle changes that support brain health.
Most of his recommendations in the book address conditions like anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Below is a summary of practices proposed by him to tackle them more efficiently:
Regular exercise
Healthy diet (Consuming a brain-healthy diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and low in processed foods)
Sleep
Hydration
Mental stimulation (puzzles, reading, or learning a new skill can strengthen neural connections)
Social interaction
Avoiding toxins ( alcohol, drugs, smoking)
Practicing gratitude
Limiting screen time
All of Dr Amen’s research and clinical work has been done using SPECT imaging, which can visualise blood flow and activity patterns in the brain. There’s no question that it offers valuable insights into various psychiatric and neurological conditions. I’d definitely be curious to see what my brain is showing about myself.
The patient stories are nothing short of incredible and the language used is very accessible.
In simpler words, it describes what the parts of the brain do, what kind of symptoms an overactive or underactive portion would cause, and a checklist for determining what your brain might look like. If that sparked your curiosity, I whole-heartedly recommend it!
“Did you know that every thought you have sends electrical signals throughout your brain? Thoughts have actual physical properties. They are real!
They have significant influence on every cell in your body…Teaching yourself to control and direct thoughts in a positive way is one of the most effective ways to feel better.”