Take a “fantastic voyage” through the whorls and curves of the human brain, no miniaturization required. Learn everything from how quickly you can possibly think (and that left-handed people think faster) to why being bad feels so good (yes, there’s a biochemical explanation).

Whether you're a fan of Scientific American’s wildly popular "60-Second Science" podcast or just curious about science, you’re going to love the tingly way your synapses feel after enjoying the same bite-sized knowledge in The Instant Egghead Guide to the Mind.

Foreword

CHAPTER ONE

 ALL IN YOUR HEAD: BRAIN STRUCTURE

Neurons

Neuron Communication

Glia

Spinal Cord

Brain Stem and Cerebellum

Thalamus, Hypothatamus, and Pituitary

Cerebrum

Cerebral Cortex

Hemispheres of the Brain

Whole Brain

Brain Imaging

CHAPTER TWO

 MINDING YOUR BUSINESS:BASIC FUNCTIONS

Body Regulation

Circadian Rhythms

Sleep

Dreaming

Eating

Sex

Movement

Mirror Neurons

Touch

Sensing Pain

Sensing Temperature

Smell

Pheromones

Taste

Hearing

Vision

Synesthesia

Stress

CHAPTER THREE

 GOING MENTAL: HIGHER FUNCTIONS

Learning and Memory

Types of Memory

False Memories

Emotion

Fear

Happiness

Humor and Laughter

Love and Attachment

Creativity

Language

Language Acquisition

Decision-making

Economic Decision-making

Moral Decision-making

CHAPTER FOUR

 YOU BREAK IT, YOU BUY IT: PROBLEMS IN THE BRAIN

Autism,

Epilepsy

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Dyslexia

Depression and Bipolar Disorder

Anxiety Disorders

Phobias

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Amnesia

Schizophrenia

Addiction

Pathological Aggression

Sleep Disorders

Prion Diseases

Multiple Sclerosis

Parkinson's Disease

Alzheimer's Disease

Stroke

Headaches and Migraines

Head Injuries

Coma

CHAPTER FIVE

 IT'S (USUALLY) NOT BRAIN SURGIGEUY:MRNDING THE MIND

Psychotherapy

Psychopharmacology

Brain Surgery

Electroconvulsive Therapy

Deep Brain Simulation

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Stem Cells

Gene Therapy

Robotic Limbs

CHAPTER SIX

 THE POWER OF NURTURE: CHANGING BRAINS

Neuroplasticity

Neurogenesis

Exercise

Diet

Stimulants

Depressants

Other Drugs

Neurotoxins

Child Abuse and Neglect

Combat

Video Games

Music

Meditation

CHAPTER SEVEN

 A MIND OF ONE'S OWN: INDIVIDUAL BRAINS

Genes and the Brain

Intelligence

Personality

Gender and the Brain

Sexual Orientation

Sex Hormones

Fetal Brain

Infant Brain

Teenage Brain

Parental Brain

Aging Brain

Evolution

Animal Minds

Consciousness

Appendix A: Commonly Prescribed Psychiatric Medications

Appendix B: Mental Health Resources

Appendix C: Recommended Reading