Think Smart: A Neuroscientist's Prescription for Improving Your Brain's Performance [Paperback]

Richard Restak M.D. (Author)

Book Description

Release date: February 23, 2010

From a renowned neuroscientist and bestselling author comes a book that shows readers how to improve and tone the brain.

In the last five years, there have been exciting new scientific discoveries about the brain, its function, and its performance. In this fascinating, entertaining book, brain expert Dr. Richard Restak has asked his colleagues-the world's leading brain scientists and researchers-an important question: What can I do to help my brain work more efficiently? Their surprising answers are at the heart of Think Smart. In his characteristically accessible style, Restak explains the latest scientific discoveries about our brain and gives readers strategies on how they can keep their most powerful organ in top condition and fight off its decline.

Editorial Reviews

Review

[Audio Review] The latest scientific research on the brain offers surprising advice on proactive brain-tuning. The acclaimed author of MOZART'S BRAIN, Restak is a clinical professor of neurology at George Washington University Medical Center. Restak outlines fascinating information culled from cutting-edge research, then offers advice on how anyone can achieve optimal brain function. New discoveries prove that certain exercises, the honing of sensory memory, sleep, even certain foods, can help the human brain operate more effectively. Arthur Morey crisply and clearly delivers Restak's accessible prose. Morey smoothly verbalizes complex medical terms while projecting an apparent fascination with the topic. He imparts the author s recommendations and practical knowledge for keeping the brain healthy with zeal. Your mind can't afford to miss this. A.W. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine --AudioFile --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

About the Author

Richard M. Restak, M.D., is a neurologist, neuropsychiatrist, and Clinical Professor of Neurology affiliated with the George Washington University Medical Center. He is the author of the bestselling The Brain--a companion to the PBS series of the same name--as well as The Mind, The Brain Has a Mind of Its Own, and The Brain: The Last Frontier. He lives in Washington, D.C..

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Riverhead Trade (February 23, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594484430
• ISBN-13: 978-1594484438
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (47 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #155,606 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #97 in Books > Self-Help > Memory Improvement

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

96 of 98 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A book you can use, not just pop sci theory. March 18, 2009

By Aceto TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

I had a boss who used to yell at us "If you don't think too good don't think too much". Just like a Wall Street hero, no? Anyway, he couldn't be more wrong. This fine book issues from many years of research to proclaim that we truly can become smarter at a profound yet practical level. We can dwarf the IQs so many of us were saddled with as children. There is nothing like a little good science to rinse all the cultural goop out of our hair. Moreover, Dr. Restak is a good doctor to his readers.

This is not a self-help or feel good book. It is real practical science from a careful source. I wish I had this book when I was thirteen, but I am making use of it decades later. Then I could have used his description of the adolescent and adult brains. I like his writing style and the organization he employs.

Dr. Restak starts off Part One with a little scientific context so we can more fully appreciate his developing program in Part Two: how to care for and use our brains. First we take care of the whole body as an organic system. Proper diet is a real foundation; transfats and weight in general do matter. The next realm is physical activity. Seems all so simple, but he makes his case in a direct way you do not see everyday in other health discussions. And he addresses that most un-American of activities -- sleep. We have been dang near the most sleep deprived nation on Earth for decades now. He points out that we worry more after not enough sleep.

Once you give yourself a fighting chance by addressing fundamentals, you can address mental performance. Memory in its many aspects (even sense memory), creativity, games and more all explore the different dimensions of brain capacity or performance. Mental exercises, he remarks are beneficial only when you do not dislike them.

You find yourself putting the book down every few pages to try out his recommendations (including naps). It took me way longer to read this pleasant book because I had to stop and see for myself, even when I agreed in an abstract way. The brain truly does follow the hand. Dally through part three and enjoy the working tour of your brain.

Part four discusses the use of technology, with special consideration of the adult mind. Part Five expands earlier topics around creativity. Finally Part Six discusses impediments that either we have now or will have later.

Average intelligence has quite enough to brain power to achieve excellence . Americans have a long history of proving exactly this proposition. Lately this keystone of democracy seems to have been lost in the noise.

47 of 49 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars an interesting and enjoyable book March 16, 2009

By Befragt VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

This book is well worth reading. The stated goal of of the author, Richard Restak, is to educate readers about how to make brain more efficient, effective, engaged. To accomplish this, Restak, who is a neuroscientist, interviewed leading neurologists and reviewed the very latest research in the field. This book is not only educational, but fortunately for the reader, Restak is a good writer who manages to write the book to a lay audience. As an added bonus, he's got a decent sense of humor to boot.

Restak informs the reader that the brain is shaped by individual experiences in life; thus, environmental enrichment leads to enhancement in the human brain. The book is divided into chapters designed to discuss various aspects of brain functioning, including:

1. diet and exercise.
2. specific steps for enhancing performance
3. technology to enhance brain function
4. fashioning the creative brain
5. impediments to optimal brain function and how to compensate for them

Those who keep current on their reading may find that they know some pieces of Restak's book. For example: exercise regularly, avoid trans fats, and get your Omega 3's.

The real merit in this book is that it compiles what appears to be the latest research into a single, well-organized location. Given the spotty nature of the disclosure of scientific advancement in the news cycle, I found this book to be a great way to fill in the gaps of what I already knew. Moreover, the book offers some tangible means by which to improve cognitive function.

At first I thought I would never be motivated to do the exercises mentioned in the book. Some of them are a bit awkward or involved for me (spend 10 minutes "memorizing" a coffee cup?). Then I stumbled on a web site that has a number of brain teaser games similar to those mentioned in the book - www.gamesforthebrain.com The games on that site largely reflect the exercises mentioned in the chapter on specific steps for enhancing brain performance, and they're actually fun to play as well.

I feel better off for having read this book, and I do believe that it has given me some tools to use going forward. For that reason, I recommend it for almost any reader. I especially enjoy it now that I've found that "games for the brain" web site.

83 of 92 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Good foundation for improving your "brain power". April 2, 2009

By Kersi Von Zerububbel VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

This book will give you a basic overview of how to improve your "brain power". Notice I said "how to" because that is the main focus of this book. After a VERY brief overview of brain anatomy the Good Doctor churns out brief tid bits of research and their implications in mental well being.

I must confess that when I ordered this book I was hoping for a more technical and detailed presentation especially since the author was a neuroscientist. However, the book is too general and superficial to be of lasting value. Much of the information here is old hat and experimental works cited are not referenced for further follow-up should you so desire. I can honestly state that I did not find anything in the text that I was not already aware of and I am by no means a professional in psychology or neuroscience. The presentation reminded me of reading a National Geographic article without the pretty pictures.

All in all a good basic overview but with not much meat in the soup.