Super Brain - Book Summary

Unlock your mind's hidden champion: how to engage your super brain

Imagine your brain — a marvel of about 100 billion neurons, intricate in its complexity and yet so adept at making the most tedious tasks seem like child's play. Every day, whether solving complex problems or simply recalling a memory from years ago, we're using just a fraction of our brain's potential. But what if we could push past this routine and tap into a higher level of brain function?

This exploration dives into the concept that our brains, while already powerful, have an untapped superpower. Through a blend of self-awareness and targeted mental exercises, we can amplify the brain's baseline capabilities into what we'll call the "super brain."

This narrative unveils:

- why observing babies can teach us valuable lessons about brain development,

- how mental workouts contribute to both cognitive acuity and physical fitness, and

- why engaging in selfless actions can not only enrich others' lives but also extend your own.

Through scientific insights intertwined with spiritual understanding, you'll discover practical ways to evolve your brain into a super brain — transforming the way you think, act, and interact in your world.

Harnessing the brain's power to heal your body

The intricate connection between the mind and the body is undeniable, with the human brain weaving its influence through every cell. Understanding this relationship opens up avenues for healing and overall wellness that transcend traditional medical practices.

Feedback loops stand as a testament to this profound connection. These loops are activated by external stimuli, causing a cascade of signals within our body. For instance, a sudden encounter with a startling dog triggers our brain into a fight-or-flight response — our heart races. Yet, almost instantaneously, the brain also activates a counter-response: it signals the adrenal glands to produce hormones that stabilize the heart rate, preventing potential harm, such as a heart attack.

This dynamic communication between the brain and body isn't just unavoidable reactions to external threats; it can be gracefully mastered. Take Tibetan monks, for example. Their disciplined practices enable them to freely guide their brain's signals. In freezing conditions, a monk can meditate and instruct his body to warm up, an admirable feat of mind over matter.

More than just temperature control, this adeptness at directing our brain's messaging system offers groundbreaking potential in treating diseases. Consider the complications following a stroke, where damaged neural pathways disrupt the brain's ability to communicate with certain body parts, often resulting in paralysis. Contrary to past beliefs that saw such paralysis as irreversible, modern therapeutic techniques like repetitive motion therapy are proving otherwise. By persistently engaging in specific physical activities, stroke survivors can coax their brains into rebuilding neural pathways, gradually restoring movement.

Such examples don't just illustrate the brain's resilience; they spotlight how concentrated efforts can unlock the brain's latent potential to orchestrate bodily healing. This understanding empowers us to not only seek recovery but to actively participate in the rejuvenation of our own health.

Boost brainpower through challenges and exercise

The brain, often compared to a finite machine gradually deteriorating over time, defies this outdated belief by continually refreshing itself with new neurons. Despite losing about 85,000 neurons each day, the human brain compensates spectacularly, with a vast reserve of around 40 billion neurons in the cerebral cortex alone. Even if this daily loss continued for centuries, a human could still function brilliantly — perhaps even as an exceptional mathematician.

This phenomenon of neuronal regeneration holds that our brains are not merely static or shrinking as we age. Remarkably, at the University of Rochester, neurologist Paul Coleman found that the brains of 20-year-olds and 70-year-olds can contain an equal number of neurons, thanks to our body’s ability to create new cells.

Mental stimulation plays a crucial role in this regenerative process. Engaging in intellectually challenging activities like mastering a new language or solving complex mathematical equations prompts the brain to grow and evolve. This aligns with findings in animal studies too, such as research on the zebra finch whose brains expanded significantly during mating seasons as they learned new songs to woo potential mates.

Physical exercise further enhances this neuronal growth. Research by neurologist Sam Sisodia at the University of Chicago exemplifies this effect, demonstrating how neuronal growth induced by exercise could even prevent Alzheimer's in mice.

We see then that the brain is an organ of remarkable plasticity and resilience, responding dynamically to both cognitive challenges and physical activity. This understanding opens exciting possibilities for maintaining mental agility and warding off neurodegenerative diseases as we age. In the upcoming discussion, we'll delve deeper into practical strategies that can help amplify your brain's capabilities.

Expand your mind by embracing new experiences

Who wouldn't aspire to have a super brain, or emulate luminaries like Steve Jobs or Warren Buffet? Yet, if enhancing brainpower is your goal, you might want to consider less conventional role models — like babies. Yes, infants, with their exceptional knack for learning and brain development, can offer profound insights into enhancing our cognitive abilities.

The first step toward a more potent brain is openness to the diverse experiences our world has to offer. Typically, many people go through their days insulated from the world around them, sticking to routines and seldom looking beyond their immediate surroundings. This, however, stifles the brain’s potential for growth. By opening up to new experiences — observing the change in seasons, engaging with unfamiliar faces, or simply paying attention to the ambient sounds and smells of a new environment — you can kickstart your brain's development.

Experimenting with new experiences, like trying exotic cuisines or engaging in novel activities, further stimulates mental growth. Reading widely, despite the sometimes overwhelming or negative nature of news, can also expand your horizons and feed your brain with necessary new information. Understanding global events and the fabric of different societies enriches your perspective, making your brain vibrant and dynamic.

Additionally, maintaining an open mind in discussions, especially those involving varying opinions on topics like politics or religion, is crucial. Avoid shutting down or dismissing views that differ from yours. Instead, see them as opportunities to broaden your understanding and appreciate the multifaceted nature of human thoughts and cultures.

In nurturing a super brain, the key lies in curiosity and the willingness to step out of your cognitive comfort zone. By continuously exposing yourself to new information and experiences, you equip your brain to evolve and expand beyond its existing boundaries.

Use your brain's feedback loop to manage your eating habits and enhance your health

Harnessing the power of the super brain doesn't just elevate your intellectual capacity; it can also be a critical tool in addressing and modifying detrimental behaviors like overeating. Understanding and influencing your brain's feedback systems can lead you to healthier living choices.

The challenge of sticking to a diet is universally recognized, and it’s bolstered by scientific findings. For instance, researchers in Australia have identified a "hunger hormone" known as ghrelin, which intensifies hunger pangs when you lose weight. This is why, after finally saying goodbye to those stubborn "love handles," ghrelin spikes, and suddenly, the weight seems to creep right back.

In this scenario, your body’s natural mechanisms seem to be your own worst enemy. However, by mindfully engaging with the feedback loop of your brain, you can find effective strategies to combat this. A significant trigger for overeating is emotional distress. People often turn to high-calorie comfort foods as a relief from being overtired, stressed, lonely, or anxious.

The key to mastering your diet begins with distinguishing between eating out of emotional necessity and eating from genuine hunger. When you start to understand the underlying reasons for your cravings, you can feed your brain the right kind of feedback.

Inform your brain consciously that your desire to eat is driven by emotions, not by physical hunger. Over time, this conscious recognition helps rewire your brain to address the real root of your hunger. Rather than compelling you to reach for snacks, your brain starts recognizing these signals as emotional distress. This shift prompts healthier responses such as seeking support from a friend or a counselor, providing a real solution to the issue at hand, rather than a temporary food-based comfort.

This sophisticated use of your brain's feedback loop not only curbs unhealthy eating habits but also promotes a holistic approach to your health by addressing the emotional bases of your dietary choices.

The power of intuition: can it really foresee the future?

Have you ever experienced a moment when your gut feeling surprisingly guided you correctly? Perhaps you sensed danger from someone at an event without any evident reason. It turns out that intuition, that instinctive hunch, is not just a flight of fancy but a genuinely potent attribute that can occasionally predict outcomes before they unfold.

Intuition’s accuracy can be startling. Research suggests that our immediate, intuitive responses can often be more valid than decisions made through prolonged rational deliberation. In one fascinating study on face recognition, participants who were briefly shown images of faces were more successful at identifying a recurring face than those who were given longer to scrutinize the same images.

This suggests that intuition serves us not only in mundane tasks like recognizing faces but also in critical life decisions, such as choosing a career or a life partner.

Moreover, the strength of intuition might even extend to foreseeing events. In a notable experiment, participants were shown a series of random photographs, some of which contained violent scenes. As expected, visible stress markers like increased heart rate and higher blood pressure were recorded when participants viewed these disturbing images. However, as the experiment progressed, something extraordinary occurred. Participants began exhibiting stress responses microseconds before a violent image was displayed.

This phenomenon suggests that somehow, the participants' intuitive senses were sensing an imminent violent image before it actually appeared on the screen. While the mechanisms behind this predictive ability are still not fully understood, these findings emphasize the profound potential of intuition not just in personal life choices but perhaps in anticipating future events as well.

Redefining happiness: Beyond money and fame

The pursuit of happiness is a universal quest, yet often, our societal benchmarks for success — wealth, fame, having a family — don't necessarily lead to the contentment we expect. Look around in any public transport during rush hour; the expressions on people’s faces hardly reflect the bliss that's supposed to come with achieving societal milestones.

The disconnect stems from a common misapprehension about the true sources of happiness. Many equate it with material success or personal achievements. However, experiences from various walks of life suggest that reaching these conventional goals doesn’t always translate to happiness. For instance, parenting, while fulfilling, involves significant stress and challenges that do not guarantee a constant state of joy.

Similarly, from a professional standpoint, even top athletes like elite tennis players admit that their rigorous training regimens are driven more by fear of defeat than by the joy of playing or winning. This insight reveals that if our motivations are rooted in fear or obligation rather than passion or satisfaction, the attainment of such goals is unlikely to foster genuine happiness.

For a more fulfilling life, the key is to set goals that resonate with your personal values and promise lasting benefits. Instead of chasing after financial rewards, seeking a career that sparks passion and offers opportunities to make a positive impact on others could be more rewarding.

Consider the inspiring example of Brendon Grimshaw, a journalist who, in 1962, purchased an abandoned island in the Seychelles for eight thousand pounds. Grimshaw made a life-altering decision to leave his job in England during the 1970s and devoted himself to transforming this island into a flourishing wildlife sanctuary. His days were spent planting mahogany trees and creating a haven for species like the giant tortoise. Grimshaw found deep satisfaction and happiness living harmoniously with nature until his passing in 2012. This unique journey underscores that sometimes, happiness is found not in conventional achievements or accumulations but in simple, purpose-driven endeavors that connect us to our deeper values and passions.

Enhancing longevity through meditation and altruism

Conventional wisdom might direct you toward medicine or surgery upon discovering cellular damage, but emerging studies suggest that the mind and charitable behaviors might just be an equally potent, if not superior, remedy.

Consider meditation: it's widely recognized as a method to foster tranquility and reduce stress, but its benefits extend even deeper, physically rejuvenating the body. A pivotal 2010 study at the University of California at Davis found that intensive meditation boosts the levels of telomerase, an enzyme critical for the health of our cells. Telomeres, the protective caps at the ends of our DNA strands, degrade over time and contribute to cellular aging. Telomerase helps maintain these caps, ensuring our cells — and by extension, we — stay healthier and live longer. In addition to improved cellular health, people with high levels of telomerase also reported increased feelings of satisfaction and resilience against illnesses.

Altruism operates on a similar plane concerning longevity and health. There's something profoundly health-giving about doing good for others, a fact supported by research indicating even the act of witnessing altruism can be beneficial. In an interesting study, Harvard University researchers observed blood pressure and heart rate reductions among participants who watched a documentary about Mother Teresa's compassionate work. These lower levels suggest potential enhancements in lifespan if such calm states are maintained over time.

Further reinforcing altruism’s health benefits, Sara Konrath of the University of Michigan revisited a 1957 study involving high school graduates to track their health 50 years later. She discovered that those who regularly engaged in volunteer work were indeed likely to live longer, provided their motivations stemmed from a genuine desire to help others rather than personal escape.

Both meditation and altruistic behaviors not only enrich our emotional and psychological well-being but are also instrumental in strengthening our physical health, illustrating that caring for the mind and others around us can indeed prolong our lives.

Perception vs. Reality: Exploring the Illusory Nature of Our World

What is reality, truly? Is it simply everything we can see, touch, smell, and hear? Or is it something more profound, something beyond the ordinary perception dictated by our senses?

The view that our brains craft a semblance of reality from the sensory information we receive brings into question the very essence of the physical world. Consider a scene as striking as the Grand Canyon. We delight in its massive red cliffs, feel the warmth of the sun, and smell the wildflowers. To us, this sensory collection is "reality." Yet, in truth, what we experience is merely a brain's interpretation of stimuli—signals converted by our neurons that, themselves, have no inherent visual, olfactory, or tactile quality.

This notion that reality is perceptive rather than fixed challenges our conventional understanding of the world. To a colorblind person, for instance, the reality of a green grassy field is different. What we perceive as reality is not a universal truth but a personal, sensorial interpretation molded by our individual neural pathways.

This debate extends into the realm of quantum physics, further blurring the lines of what constitutes as "real." Authors Bruce Rosenblum and Fred Kuttner in their book "Quantum Enigma," articulate how particles do not exist in one state or location until they are observed. They suggest that matter is not fixed but fluctuates in wave-like patterns, proposing that at a fundamental level, reality is not solid and immutable but fluid and ever-changing.

Embracing such a perspective—that reality is an illusion shaped by our perceptions—might seem disorienting at first. Yet, this realization opens up a wealth of possibilities for deeper understanding. It posits that there is a broader consciousness, an interconnectedness that threads through and influences all we perceive.

Understanding that our perceptions of the world are not absolute truths but personal interpretations crafted by our brains invites us to reevaluate the limits of human potential and understanding. It suggests that our brains are not just processors of reality but creators of it, capable of far more than we might have imagined.

Embracing the limitless potential of your brain

The essence of this exploration underscores a crucial insight: the brain is infinitely more than a mere processor of information with finite capabilities. It is a dynamic, evolving organ that interacts intricately with every part of your body and adapts remarkably to the challenges and stimuli it encounters. Through learning, meditation, and self-awareness, the brain not only grows but also enhances its functionality, impacting overall well-being and cognitive capacity.

Don't sell your brain short or limit its potential by outdated notions of capacity. Instead, recognize and nurture its inherent abilities to expand, heal, and transform. By understanding and leveraging the power of your brain, you can significantly improve your life, making each day richer and more fulfilled.