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"As the bulge of the baby boom reaches middle age and beyond, we are worried about getting old. We are worried about getting sick. And we are really worried about losing our minds. Will we forget to tie our shoes? Fumble our words? Fall in our soup? Are our brains on an inevitable slide?" "While we might not be able to find our keys, our brains still have dazzling talents. In The Secret Life of the Grown-up Brain, you'll meet neuroscientists and psychologists who are proving how we have badly underestimated the middle-aged brain. We may lose some gray matter but we increase the white stuff (myelin) that lets us process information faster. As the grownup brain reorganizes itself, it creates powerful new systems that cut through complex problems to find unique solutions. We often become happier overall, since our brains manage emotions more calmly. Even if the brain cannot cram as many Civil War battle dates into its databank as it once did, it is at the top of its game. Because of better pattern recognition, we know how to size up situations and find answers quickly. We know how - with incredible ease - to juggle hundreds of e-mails, negotiate a complex deal, and cope simultaneously with a car that talks and a teenager who doesn't." The baby boom generation is also the first to enter middle and old age having had antibiotics, vaccines, better nutrition, and a cleaner environment; all of these improve the health of the aging brain. Barbara Strauch reviews the evidence pro and con on everything from nutrition, supplements, and exercise to the environment and genetics. Part scientific survey, part how-to guide, her book is much needed and reassuringyour smartest years are still ahead.
Introduction: The Changing Landscape of Middle Age xiii
Part 1 The Powers That Be
1 Am I Losing My Mind?: Sometimes, but the Gains Beat the Losses 3
2 The Best Brains of Our Lives: A Bit Slower, but So Much Better 12
3 A Brighter Place: I'm So Glad I'm Not Young Anymore 28
4 Experience. Judgment. Wisdom.: Do We Really Know What We're Talking About? 41
5 The Middle in Motion: The Midlife Crisis Conspiracy 54
Part 2 The Inner Workings
6 What Changes with Time: Glitches the Brain Learns to Deal With 69
7 Two Brains Are Better Than One: Especially Inside One Head 91
8 Extra Brainpower: A Reservoir to Tap When Needed 104
Part 3 Healthier Brains
9 Keep Moving and Keep Your Wits: Exercise Builds Brains 125
10 Food for Thought: And a Few Other Substances, as Well 144
11 The Brain Gym: Toning Up Your Circuits 170
Epilogue: A New Place for Better, Longer Lives 191
Acknowledgments 199
Sources 201
Index 221
Anonymous
Posted December 22, 2011
Identified what science was unknown but outlined results of other studies. Interesting. Made me spend time thinking about the content.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Dorothy-from-Michigan
Posted May 12, 2010
Reading about the body and the mind has always been a favorite topic of mine, although I am far from being any expert regarding biology, science or nutrition. I look for books that take complex information and make it understandable to the novice. This book does that and does so with humor written in. Some of the examples of memory loss are so true and yet hilariously funny. The author was able to take the intricate workings of the brain and clearly explain not only how our brain functions physically, but how factors like emotions, memory, IQ, diet, exercise etc. affect the interactions of brain activity. Subtitled, "The Surprising Talents of the Middle-Aged Mind" lead me to believe that all is not lost and possibilities exist that I may not have considered. I think I may have found some answers in this book. I dog-eared many pages so will pick this book up and read it again. I have recommended it to many of my middle-aged, yet youthful, friends and coworkers.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 29, 2011
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Overview
"As the bulge of the baby boom reaches middle age and beyond, we are worried about getting old. We are worried about getting sick. And we are really worried about losing our minds. Will we forget to tie our shoes? Fumble our words? Fall in our soup? Are our brains on an inevitable slide?" "While we might not be able to find our keys, our brains still have dazzling talents. In The Secret Life of the Grown-up Brain, you'll meet neuroscientists and psychologists who are proving how we have badly underestimated the middle-aged brain. We may lose some ...