Super Brain Book Summary - Super Brain Book explained in key points

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Super Brain summary

Name: Super Brain
Rating: 4.4 (408 reviews)
Author: Deepak Chopra and Rudolph E. Tanzi

Deepak Chopra Rudolph E. Tanzi

Unleash the Explosive Power of Your Mind

4.4 (408 ratings)

19 mins

Brief summary

'Super Brain' by Deepak Chopra and Rudolph E. Tanzi explores the extraordinary abilities of the human brain, showcasing how it can be improved at any age to enhance overall wellbeing and cognitive function.

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Table of Contents

Super Brain
Summary of 8 key ideas

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Key idea 1 of 8

What’s in it for me? Unleash the “super brain” hidden within your mind.

A jumble of some 100 billion neurons, the human brain is one of nature’s most complex biological creations. People tap the power of their brains daily to perform menial tasks to math equations, to access memory of past experiences and process feelings about current events.

Yet the complexity of daily life barely makes the human brain break a sweat. Imagine if we could truly unlock the full capacity of those billions of neurons and move beyond the brain’s baseline activity?

These blinks show you that there is a way. By increasing self-awareness and focusing the brain on tasks of self-improvement, you can push your brain beyond what you think is possible. In these blinks, you’ll learn through scientific insight and spiritual wisdom how to make your brain into a “super brain.”

In these blinks, you’ll find out

why babies offer a role model in developing a super brain;
how exercising your brain is the best way to achieve a beach body; and
why performing altruistic acts prolongs your life.

Once you understand how the brain works, you can use this knowledge to heal your body.

The mind and the body are not separate. In fact, the human brain is deeply connected to each and every cell in the human body.

When the brain communicates with the body, feedback loops can occur. Feedback loops happen when outside stimuli set off a chain reaction of simultaneous and sometimes conflicting messages.

Let’s say you’re walking down a street when a dog jumps out from behind a door and startles you. This event causes your brain to send a fight-or-flight message to your body; your heart in response will start to beat faster.

A scare like this possibly could lead to a heart attack, but this is usually prevented by another message from the brain that sets off a feedback loop. While kicking your heart into gear, the brain simultaneously tells the adrenal glands to produce hormones to keep your heart from beating too fast; these hormones eventually will ease the heart back to a normal rhythm.

What’s exciting about this process is that we have the power to control feedback loops as well as determine how this communication affects the body.

For example, Tibetan monks practice a harmonious balance between mind and body. Through intense focus, monks can control which messages the brain sends to the body. When the temperature dips below freezing, a monk can meditate and encourage his brain to send his body messages that will raise his body temperature to a comfortable level.

This kind of mind control has also been tapped to fight diseases once considered chronic and incurable.

When a person has a stroke, the trauma can sever neural pathways used to send messages from the brain to parts of the body, which can result in partial paralysis.

While medical professionals once thought such paralysis was incurable, now therapists can help stroke victims train the brain by sending repetitive messages to affected areas of the body. As part of the therapy, a patient focuses on simple tasks, such as lifting a cup or writing down a word, and over time, the neural pathways will repair themselves and regular movement can be restored.

This example shows us how resilient and powerful the brain can be when we give it focused attention.

People can generate brain neurons through intellectual challenges and physical exercise.

Sometimes people talk about activities in terms of how many brain cells a challenging task will “cost” – as if humans have a limited supply of brain cells!

It’s true that the human brain contains a lot of neurons. What’s more, the brain can even generate more neurons if needed.

To grow and improve your brain’s power, be open to new experiences and the world around you.

Who doesn’t want a super brain, or to become the next Steve Jobs or Warren Buffet? If you’re interested in growing your brain, however, you should look at different role models.

Babies are experts at learning and developing their brains. They can teach us a lot about increasing our brainpower.

Tap your brain’s feedback loop and your emotions to find ways to eat less and live healthier.

There’s no end to the benefits of a super brain. When you focus on developing your brain, you’ll not only improve your intellect but also curb any damaging behaviors, such as overeating.

We all know how hard it is to stick to a diet. And there’s even scientific research that supports dieters’ experiences of the difficulties in shedding unwanted pounds.

Intuition is a powerful trait that may be able to help you predict events before they happen.

Chances are you’ve experienced a strong sense of intuition at some point. Perhaps you felt you needed to stay away from someone at a large gathering because that person seemed somehow dangerous.

Human intuition can be more accurate than you might think. Recent studies suggest that a person’s snap judgment can sometimes be more beneficial than taking the time to rationally think things over.

People think money and fame are what create happiness, but those typical goals are misguided.

Global businesses and billions of dollars are devoted to making people feel comfortable and happy. Yet if you take just a moment to examine the faces of people riding a bus or subway train, you’ll quickly see that happiness for everyone is still an elusive goal.

There’s a simple reason for this. People have the wrong idea about what will make them happy.

Meditation and altruistic behavior can positively stimulate the brain and body, prolonging life.

If you discovered that cells in your body were damaged, your first instinct might be to seek treatment with pills or surgery. Science has shown, however, that there are more effective and less invasive alternatives.

Meditation, for example, isn’t just a great way to bring calm and peace into your life, it also can rejuvenate your body.

There is no “fixed” reality. Our brains perceive the world, yet such perception is just illusion.

What defines “reality?” Just because you perceive something, does that make it real?

One could say that the human brain is so powerful, it turns illusion into reality.

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What is Super Brain about?

Super Brain (2012) offers a fascinating look at the amazing powers your brain has to change your life and even alter your perception of the world. “Mind over matter” is a rule; with the right set of tools, you can rise above the daily grind to live a healthier, longer life free from fear and disappointment.

"Loved this book-in-blinks! I'm very interested in learning about the brain, endocrinology and the biochemical processes of the body. As a personal trainer, massage therapist and yoga teacher, I'm somewhat of a body nerd.” – Lisa, Blinkist user, USA

Super Brain Review

Super Brain (2012) explores the incredible power of the brain and how we can unlock its full potential. Here are three reasons why this book is a must-read:

It presents a wealth of scientific research and practical exercises that empower readers to enhance their cognitive abilities and improve overall brain health.
Combining the expertise of neuroscientist Rudolph E. Tanzi and spiritual guru Deepak Chopra, this book offers a unique perspective that bridges science and spirituality, making it thought-provoking and enlightening.
The book avidly discusses the connection between mind and body, emphasizing the impact of lifestyle choices on brain function and offering strategies for holistic well-being.

Best quote from Super Brain

Everything hinges on how you relate to your brain. By setting higher expectations, you enter a phase of higher functioning.

—Deepak Chopra and Rudolph E. Tanzi

Who should read Super Brain?

Neurologists interested in the brain’s holistic powers
Spiritualists curious about how the brain perceives reality
Readers looking for the secret to happiness

About the Author

Rudolph E. Tanzi is a professor of neurology at Harvard University, specializing in the genetics of aging and associated neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's. He has received many awards for his work, including the Metropolitan Life Award. He is also the coauthor of the book Super Genes.

Deepak Chopra is a doctor of internal medicine and endocrinology and teaches at the Kellogg School of Management. He is the founder of The Chopra Foundation and author of many bestselling books, including Ageless Body, Timeless Mind and Synchrodestiny.

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Health & Nutrition Psychology

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