Score: 5/5 Bookmarks

Thank you to William Morrow for gifting me a review copy of Biohack Your Brain: How to Boost Cognitive Health, Performance Power by Kristen Willeumier.

The author starts out by comparing our brains to a car. Without regular maintenance and care you end up with a clunker that won’t get you from A to B. And of course, your brain is the control center for your whole body, so you’ve really got to look after it.

Willeumier also talks about the ways in which you can actually change your brain, and do it at any age. In addition to outlining the theory, she gives you practical ways you can change your brain in just 10 minutes. Things like taking a brisk walk, eating a square of dark chocolate (but can I eat five or six please?!), sitting up straight for better neck blood flow, or performing a task with your non-dominant hand to get other parts of your brain moving. Another tip, eat blueberries—they’re full of flavonoids, polyphenols, and other healthy compounds that can help your brain. I’m pleased to report that my family eats blueberries every day with breakfast and we have three large blueberry bushes in the back yard!

Turns out that sustained aerobic exercise is a great way to actually create neurons in our brains. Guess I’m going to have to switch up my resistance training and start jogging. And if you’re looking for advice on dietary changes you can make to positively impact your brain, this book has you covered there too. Oh, and FYI, men need about 3.7 liters of water a day for brain and body hydration, while women need about 2.7 liters. (Yes I said liters, I refuse to give up the Metric system even though I live in the USA).

There’s a big section on stress too because it has very real and negative impacts on our grey matter. The author talks a lot about sleep, mediation, yoga, and other great stress-busters.

And while crosswords are great, if you do them every day they’re not really giving your brain the workout it needs. What your brain really wants is a challenge, to learn something new on the regular. My fellow book-lovers will also be pleased to know that reading for at least 30 minutes a day is on the list of best brain exercises you can do.

There is a lot of science, and a lot of technical terminologies, in this book but the author does a wonderful job of making the concepts accessible and easy to understand. I give it five out of five, a must-read for us all!

Synopsis:

A neuroscientist’s groundbreaking, science-driven plan for revitalizing, nourishing and rejuvenating your most essential asset—your brain.

Your brain is the most essential organ in your body. The brain and spinal cord are intimately connected to every bodily system and organ, so when it is balanced everything in your body and mind will function more efficiently. It’s vitally important to take proactive steps now, or you risk losing everything, including your ability to think clearly, be creative, remember details, solve problems and retain your memory.

In Biohack Your Brain, leading neuroscientist Dr. Kristen Willeumier reveals how you can change your brain by making simple and easy modifications to your lifestyle. Combining clinical experience with revolutionary science, she details how biohacking your brain can boost your cognitive performance and so much more.

Dr. Willeumier’s essential guidebook shows you the most effective techniques to prevent memory loss and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease—and even how to overcome negative thoughts and stress. Through research and case studies, you’ll learn how to upgrade your nutritional choices along with the effective use of supplements, brain games, and physical activity to overcome cognitive damage, whether it’s from previous injuries, such as a concussion or a bad fall or from the effects of living in modern day times.

Dr. Willeumier shares her own story alongside those from the NFL players and other clients she has worked with to help you leverage the latest research to find personal solutions. Biohack Your Brain teaches you how to take better care of your brain, and also how to enhance your memory, lose excess weight, increase your energy and vitality in order to create the best health and life possible.