Happy Brain

Where Happiness Comes From, and Why

By: Dean Burnett

Narrated by: Matt Addis

Neuroscientist Dean Burnett dives into the squishy science and bubbly feelings of what happiness means.

The pursuit of happiness is one of the most common and enduring quests of human life. It’s what drives us to get a job, fall in love, watch stand-up comedy, go to therapy, have questionable obsessions, and come home at the end of the day. But where does happiness come from, and why do we need it so much? Is lasting, permanent happiness possible - or should it be? And what does any of this have to do with the brain?

In this delightful sequel to Idiot Brain, Dean Burnett explores these questions from a neuroscientific perspective. He combines the latest research and theories about how the brain works with interviews and contributions from relevant individuals, such as relationship experts, psychology professors, comedy writers, celebrities, millionaire gurus, and pretty much anyone else involved in bringing about happiness in others. Distinguished by Burnett’s signature wit and curiosity, Happy Brain elucidates our understanding of what happiness actually is, where it comes from, and what exactly is going on in our brains when we’re in a cheery state. Humorous and enlightening, Happy Brain explores a fascinating aspect of modern neuroscience and, in the process, reveals something about what it means to be human.

©2018 Dean Burnett (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

Science and humor on what makes us happy

I enjoyed listening to this and it was also one of those you could easily buzz through at 1.5 speed. This was one book where I felt the best chapters were saved for last. It was really thoughtful and I found myself applying it to modern-day issues. Like the need for belonging and how groups in our country have bound together in groups, and what makes their brains happy is the sense of belonging and reinforcement of our values. I’m not doing it justice, but it was very well-written as a scientific book delivered in a thoughtful and entertaining way. Thank you! You did great!

Fun to know what triggers our endorphins

If Matt Addis narrated all the non fiction books, we would all be well read.

There are some good bits in here and the narration is excellent, but overall I was disappointed.

The problem with a book like this, no matter how interesting it is in parts, is that individual brains differ more than we like to think. Just the way we all or, at least most of us, have fingers and fingerprints, we all have brains but each one is unique.
I found parts of this book way too long winded and I didn’t particularly enjoy the sections where he interviewed famous British people.
I think I was looking for something more psychologically oriented.