This Is Your Brain on Joy: A Revolutionary Program for Balancing Mood, Restoring Brain Health, and Nurturing Spiritual Growth [Hardcover]

Dr. Earl Henslin (Author), Dr. Daniel Amen (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 6, 2009

“This Is Your Brain on Joy is a thoughtful, practical, life-changing book that will help you take advantage of the latest neuroscience research—combined with biblical insights—to bring more joy and love into your life.”
—from the Foreword by Daniel G. Amen, MD
Author and speaker for the PBS special Change Your Brain, Change Your Life

What does your brain have to do with experiencing joy?

A lot more than most of us realize.

In this breakthrough book, Dr. Earl Henslin reveals how the study of brain imaging turned his practice of psychotherapy upside down—with remarkably  positive results.

He shares answers to puzzling questions, such as

• Why isn’t my faith in God enough to erase my blue moods?

• Why haven’t I been able to conquer my anger? Pray away my fear and worry?

• Why can’t I find freedom from secret obsessions and addictions?

Using the Brain System Checklist, Dr. Henslin explains what happens to the 5 Mood Centers in the brain when any of those areas are out of balance. This is great news, especially for those tortured by the fear that something is fundamentally wrong with them when the problem actually lies between their ears.

Read this practical, easy-to-understand, and often entertaining book, and you’ll know exactly how to nourish your mind, balance your brain, and help  others do the same. After all, the capacity for joy is a terrible thing to waste.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dr. Earl Henslin is a licensed counselor and author of six books and numerous professional articles. For the past fourteen years, working closely with brain imaging research pioneer, Dr. Daniel Amen, Dr. Henslin has been integrating brain imaging in patient treatment.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (January 6, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078522873X
• ISBN-13: 978-0785228738
• Product Dimensions: 1.1 x 6.4 x 9.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (122 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #753,927 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 53 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This book will bring more joy into your life January 5, 2009

By Daniel G. Amen

Format:Hardcover

What does grey matter have to do with peace and joy?

A lot more than most of us realize.

Many of my clients who are deeply religious are both stunned and relieved when they find out that their behavior or mood issues may be physical rather than spiritual problems. So it is with great joy that I want to recommend a new book by dear friend and longtime colleague, Dr. Earl Henslin. Though the book will encourage people of any faith, it is written from a distinctly compassionate Christian viewpoint and may be especially helpful to the dazed and confused sitting in our church pews!

Be ready to have a few of your long-held assumptions challenged, and discover some "ah-ha" insights that will deepen your understanding and widen your compassion. In this breakthrough book, Dr. Earl Henslin reveals how the study of brain imaging turned his practice of psychotherapy upside down - with remarkably positive results. He shares answers to puzzling questions such as:

Why isn't my faith in God enough to erase my blue moods?
Why haven't I been able to conquer my anger? Pray away my fear and worry? Why can't I find freedom from secret obsessions and addictions?

Using my Amen Brain System Checklist and the 5 Basic Mood Areas in the brain, Dr. Henslin reveals what happens to our minds when any of those areas are out of balance. And the fun part? He applies the latest brain research to our everyday lives in an entertaining, enjoyable and informative way. (You don't have to be a neurosurgeon to love this book.)

This Is Your Brain on Joy offers a wide variety of practical, researched-based ways to nourish and balance your brain, including

* Up-to-date nutritional information
* Exercise as powerful as anti-depressants
* Corrective thinking techniques
* Supplements and/or medical recommendations
* Music, beauty, nature, aromatherapy
* Uplifting movies and books
* Scriptures and prayers to help soothe and nourish specific areas of the brain
* The healing power of community and charity
...... and more!

Finally, Dr. Henslin, an avid and lifelong student of scripture, includes a mini-study of Paul's letter to the Philippians where the aging apostle unveils his "secrets" to lasting joy.

Read this book and you'll know how exactly how to nourish your mind, balance your brain and help others do the same. After all, the capacity for joy is a terrible thing to waste.

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Why doesn't God deliver me from my moodiness? Maybe you need to read this book... February 2, 2009

By Dave Ingland

Format:Hardcover

What a great find! My wife has struggled with ADD and me being a highly-driven and results-oriented person, it is often difficult for me to understand her actions. Not only has This is Your Brain on Joy helped me to understand the symptoms, Dr Henslin has also gone into some possible causes as well as treatments.

One of the points that I really appreciated most is that Dr. Henslin is a Christian doctor and know the Scriptures and has a strong faith, yet tries to drive home the point that one must be willing to take an active approach to overcome personal issues. As Christians, many rely on God to heal them through prayer, yet do not do a single thing to move towards such a recovery. This book will help many that struggle with certain things to learn how to overcome them. This in addition to prayer is something God will use to deliver his people.

There is a very useful test to determine what issues one may be struggling with and therefore which parts of the book will be most useful to the reader. For me, it was like a eureka moment. I had heard my wife talk about her ADD for years, but seeing it in print and connecting the issues she has with ADD through taking the test with her really helped me gain some clarity.

Henslin breaks down the different parts of the brain and isolates conditions that occur in those areas--such as ADD being associated with the prefrontal cortex--and then delivers the treatments specific to them. It's much more than getting a prescription for Ridalin; it's a full regimen of actions, herbal remedies, thoughts, etc. There are even key Bible verses and prayers offered as a way to connect this program with faith and to put trust in God to heal through our active participation.

This is Your Brain on Joy has been a tremendous blessing in our home. I am so grateful for the work of Dr Henslin and his willingness to share his research and wisdom with the world through this book.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This Is Your Brain on Joy. Any questions? February 5, 2009

By Auntie Em

Format:Hardcover

Do you know someone with ADD, ADHD, PTSD, or any other learning or emotional disorder? If so, you have to tell them about this book. The techniques and treatments described in the book have led to breakthroughs for many people suffering from a wide spectrum of brain disorders, from brain injuries to chemical imbalances. Unfortunately, the treatment is currently available only on the West Coast and in the D. C. area. However, if it is as promising as it appears to be, it shouldn't be long before it becomes available in other areas.

I've read several books written by health professionals, and this is the first one that wasn't a struggle to read. Although there is plenty of scientific information, Dr. Henslin manages to impart his knowledge without resorting to medical-speak. He mixes anecdotes with information in a manner that holds your attention. He also includes plenty of sources of additional information. And---he communicates his message with a thoroughly Christian worldview. He relates stories of Christian people struggling with emotional and behavioral problems who thought they had spiritual problems. What a relief to know that their struggles were caused by abnormalities in their brains!

I chose to review this book because I was attracted by the title, This Is Your Brain on Joy. It reminded me of the award-winning TV commercial: "This is your brain. This is your brain on drugs. Any questions?" In addition, who isn't attracted to the word "joy?"

The subtitle is as provocative: "A Revolutionary Program for Balancing Mood, Restoring Brain Health, and Nurturing Spiritual Growth." Dr. Daniel G. Amen, who developed the medical tests and treatments described in the book, wrote the foreword. Not often can I say that a book lives up to its title, but this one does. The doctor is so happy to be able to help people with their seemingly insurmountable problems that he just exudes joy as he presents the material. My favorite story was that of one of the research subjects in the appendix, "The Day I Had My Head Examined." She describes her experience candidly and with humor.