Your Best Brain: The Science of Brain Improvement

By: John Medina, The Great Courses

Narrated by: John Medina

Inside your head sits the most complex object in the known universe - the human brain. This amazing organ has unique powers to make predictions about the future, form relationships with other people, adapt to rapidly changing circumstances, and so much more. We all have a basic conception of how our brains function, but when did you last dive into the fascinating world of neuroscience to truly understand the inner workings of your mind?

For decades, the field of neuroscience has been in a near-constant state of disruptive transformation, as we continually learn more about our incredible brains. Thanks to rapid advances in technology and in our understanding of the brain, today’s neuroscience research goes far beyond trying to understand how the brain works, and into the search for proven ways to optimize brain performance. In Your Best Brain, Professor John J. Medina - an award-winning scientist, New York Times best-selling author, and leading advocate for brain research - delivers 24 exciting lectures that probe the origins of consciousness, memory, emotion, attention, intelligence, and beyond. He focuses on five key areas of study in neuroscience: the brain’s physical structure and function, and how it enabled us to become the planet’s apex predator; the ways in which the brain processes information, and how that relates to intelligence; the intricacies of emotions and socialization, and how empathy is a vital survival mechanism; how our brains develop and change throughout our lifetimes; and how we can best use and expand our cerebral processing performance. After gaining a thorough understanding of the science behind your best brain, you’ll learn scientifically proven methods for improving your memory, boosting your creativity, and keeping your mind sharp for years to come.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2014 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2014 The Great Courses

Informational and Engaging!

Dr. Medina offered a huge amount of information, and his engaging style made that information more retainable. With all the respect due to him (which is a lot!) I must say his presentational style falls into the category of "lovable geek." But who else would you want to be teaching you about brain science, if not a lovable geek? I enjoyed and was completely absorbed by every single lesson of this Great Course. I highly recommend it! I am sad that it is over. I will miss listening to it.

Great course

Narrator was somewhat over-dramatic but very knowledgeable. This was an eye-opening experience that I will recommend to anyone even remotely interested in learning about and optimizing brain function.

Totally enjoyed the course

Topics presented very well with wonderful stories. Presenter admitted when he didn't know the reason for one thing or another and still shed great insight.

Informative, but some flaws

You will learn a ton about the muscle inside your melon, but you will also suffer the pangs of boredom periodically throughout the lectures. Overall, worth the listen despite the mild drooling.

well worth it to take this course

Even though I knew a lot about brain science , I still learned some great information. Listening while driving though is probably not recommended as much thought goes into absorbing this material.

Fantastic Full Brain Approach

I was amazed at the author's ability to capture both a scientific and entertaining approach at everything brain related. nicely done.

Entertaining and informative!

This course fit right in with my masters degree program in psychology! Learn while driving to work. Perfect!

Very entertaining for such a dry subject!

Fantastic use of anecdotes and stories to make information enjoyable!
I have listened to hundreds of audio books and this is one of the best narrators that I've heard!
Considering he is literally a brain scientist, this was a stunning surprise!
I think he could make ANY subject enjoyable to learn about!
He clearly understands who his audience is a tempers his scientific information to cater to non science majors but still conveys enough scientific information to be educational.

Good reading

Relevant, interesting and good for people in the neurosciences to hear.
Sorry I cannot think of or the words to use.

Good contents, annoying reading

I had some trouble getting used to professor Medina's reading, but it was worth the effort because what he tells is very interesting and also pretty applicable.
my only complaint is that some parts are either too trivial or somewhat superficial.
still, I strongly recommend this book.