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Susan Greenfield

The private life of the brain

There has been much argument concerning the nature of consciousness and the mind. In 'The private life of the brain' Susan Greenfield avoids getting bogged down in such philosophising (in fact she is dismissive of non-physical ideas of the mind) and bases her ideas on what can actually be observed. She puts forward the idea of the 'neural correlate of consciousness', saying that different numbers of neurons being involved results in different states of consciousness. If you've ever wondered about the workings of your mind then you'll find that this hypothesis can explain a lot. The book requires no prior knowledge of the subject and is well worth reading.

Greenfield's ideas started with the question of why we take things so seriously when it would seem more fun just to 'live for the moment'. Her answer is that to live our lives to the full we need to do both. Thus as children we have fewer neurons operating together, and so we have a more spontaneous outlook on life, but as we grow older we try to make more sense of the world, which requires more neurons and a more serious viewpoint. Greenfield also examines abnormal states of mind - the use of drugs may reduce the size of the neural correlate, while if too many neurons become correlated then we enter a state of depression.

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Paperback 258 pages
ISBN: 0471399752
Salesrank: 334408
Weight:0.3 lbs

Published: 2001 Wiley

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Paperback 258 pages
ISBN: 0471399752
Salesrank: 855821
Weight:0.3 lbs

Published: 2001 John Wiley & Sons Inc

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Paperback 258 pages
ISBN: 0471399752
Salesrank: 82149
Weight:0.3 lbs

Published: 2001 Wiley

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Product Description
"Drawing on many different sources–the effects of neurological disorders and injuries, the actions of drugs, the character of thought in dreams, in schizophrenia, in reverie, and in childhood–Susan Greenfield has given us a synthesis which is challenging, original, readable, and personal."–Oliver Sacks How does the human brain produce your private world? In this groundbreaking exploration, neuroscientist and author Susan Greenfield demystifies the private life of the brain. She examines the physical basis of our emotions and searches for the answer to one of the most enduring mysteries in modern science: How does the brain create a unique, subjective experience for each one of us? Utilizing cutting-edge research and compelling personal anecdotes, Greenfield reveals that emotions, triggered by individual life experiences, are the very foundation upon which our brains build our unique minds. In this absorbing, lyrical exploration, Dr. Greenfield presents a provocative new theory that provides an illuminating glimpse into the human brain and reveals the astonishing essence of who we are. "This is one of those rare books that can make a reader happy to have been led to think."–Booklist

Product Description

"Drawing on many different sources–the effects of neurological disorders and injuries, the actions of drugs, the character of thought in dreams, in schizophrenia, in reverie, and in childhood–Susan Greenfield has given us a synthesis which is challenging, original, readable, and personal."–Oliver Sacks

How does the human brain produce your private world?

In this groundbreaking exploration, neuroscientist and author Susan Greenfield demystifies the private life of the brain. She examines the physical basis of our emotions and searches for the answer to one of the most enduring mysteries in modern science: How does the brain create a unique, subjective experience for each one of us?

Utilizing cutting-edge research and compelling personal anecdotes, Greenfield reveals that emotions, triggered by individual life experiences, are the very foundation upon which our brains build our unique minds. In this absorbing, lyrical exploration, Dr. Greenfield presents a provocative new theory that provides an illuminating glimpse into the human brain and reveals the astonishing essence of who we are.

"This is one of those rare books that can make a reader happy to have been led to think."–Booklist

Complex but interesting. *****
The Private Life of the Brain by Susan Greenfield is a very complex work on consciousness and theory of self. Trained in the field of neuropharmacology and physiology with degrees from St. Hilda's College, Oxford, United Kingdom, the College de France, Paris, and NYU Medical Center, New York, the author has held lecture posts at several of the world's prestigious universities including Lincoln College, Oxford, the Institute of Neuroscience, La Jolla, California, and Queens University, Belfast. In 1998 she became the first female director of Britain's Royal Institution. Her current research is in the causes of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. With this vita she is eminently equipped to discuss the topic. Although the book seems to be a bit rambling, this is because it covers a lot of territory-but then there is a lot of territory to cover: brain anatomy-physiology, chemistry, neuro-connections, diseases, emotions, consciousness and the emergent self. Probably because she is a pharmacologist and physiologist and most especially a scientist, she approaches her subject by dividing it into aspects that illuminate these characteristics and give rise to testable hypotheses regarding the inner workings of the brain and mind. The chapter headings are therefore: 1) The Idea (the problem of consciousness), 2) The Story So Far (a history of the theories of mind), 3) The Child (early consciousness), 4) The Junkie (pain, euphoria, neuro-effective and neurophysiological chemicals), 5) The Nightmare (loss of consciousness), 6) The Depressive (highs and lows of consciousness), 7) The Human Condition (emotions and a theory of consciousness), 8) The Answer (the wrap up). Certainly much of the material, especially in the first two chapters, is a recap of the work of others. This is the usual approach to a topic about which one wishes to introduce new information; first you inform your reader of what has been done and by whom and how it fits with what you are yourself doing. Much of this may be new to those who have not studied anything about mind-brain research, but for those who have the names will be familiar: Edelman, Aleksander, Chalmers, Crick and Koch, Calvin, and Dennett, among others. In line with this style of authorship, most of the bibliography Greenfield cites is in the form of articles in prestigious professional journals from the 1980s to the 1990s (the book was published in 2000). One finds here periodicals like Science, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Neurology, Journal of Cell Science, etc. Most of these entries will probably not interest any but the professional in the field. Fortunately the author has done most of the work herself and puts the research into understandable perspective for the amateur. For myself, I found some of the information very interesting, even useful in my profession. I had heard of and even seen ecupuncture use to control some types of pain, but had felt that it was all a placebo effect. Professor Greenfield pointed out, however, that research on the topic reveals that naloxone (Narcan) can reverse the effects of ecupuncture just as it can the effects of narcotic analgesics. Since I've given naloxone to over narcotized patients (it's preferable to waking them up and asking them to "breathe") I have seen its effects. The knowledge that it is effective in reversing ecupuncture suggests that while the effect of ecupuncture might be "in the mind" it is also legitimate and physiological. I also found the information on brain physiology/chemistry in analgesia and anesthesia informative, since I work in Recovery Room and ICU nursing where I see the effects of these drugs are often very individual. As to the topics of mind, consciousness and self I would say that the author's thesis is far more convincing than any other I've read so far, if for no other reason than that she offers substantial physiological and chemical proof in favor of it and that it gives rise to testable hypotheses. As she writes: "The key concepts arising from this book are as follows: (1) emotion is the most basic form of consciousness; (2) minds develop as brains do-both as a species and as an individual starts to escape genetic programming in favor of personal experience-based learning; (3) the more you have of (1) at any moment, then the less you have of (2), and vice versa. The more the mind predominates over raw emotion, the deeper the consciousness (pp. 181-182)." A very informative if somewhat complex book.

Complex but interesting. *****

The Private Life of the Brain by Susan Greenfield is a very complex work on consciousness and theory of self. Trained in the field of neuropharmacology and physiology with degrees from St. Hilda's College, Oxford, United Kingdom, the College de France, Paris, and NYU Medical Center, New York, the author has held lecture posts at several of the world's prestigious universities including Lincoln College, Oxford, the Institute of Neuroscience, La Jolla, California, and Queens University, Belfast. In 1998 she became the first female director of Britain's Royal Institution. Her current research is in the causes of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. With this vita she is eminently equipped to discuss the topic.

Although the book seems to be a bit rambling, this is because it covers a lot of territory-but then there is a lot of territory to cover: brain anatomy-physiology, chemistry, neuro-connections, diseases, emotions, consciousness and the emergent self. Probably because she is a pharmacologist and physiologist and most especially a scientist, she approaches her subject by dividing it into aspects that illuminate these characteristics and give rise to testable hypotheses regarding the inner workings of the brain and mind. The chapter headings are therefore: 1) The Idea (the problem of consciousness), 2) The Story So Far (a history of the theories of mind), 3) The Child (early consciousness), 4) The Junkie (pain, euphoria, neuro-effective and neurophysiological chemicals), 5) The Nightmare (loss of consciousness), 6) The Depressive (highs and lows of consciousness), 7) The Human Condition (emotions and a theory of consciousness), 8) The Answer (the wrap up). Certainly much of the material, especially in the first two chapters, is a recap of the work of others. This is the usual approach to a topic about which one wishes to introduce new information; first you inform your reader of what has been done and by whom and how it fits with what you are yourself doing. Much of this may be new to those who have not studied anything about mind-brain research, but for those who have the names will be familiar: Edelman, Aleksander, Chalmers, Crick and Koch, Calvin, and Dennett, among others. In line with this style of authorship, most of the bibliography Greenfield cites is in the form of articles in prestigious professional journals from the 1980s to the 1990s (the book was published in 2000). One finds here periodicals like Science, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Neurology, Journal of Cell Science, etc. Most of these entries will probably not interest any but the professional in the field. Fortunately the author has done most of the work herself and puts the research into understandable perspective for the amateur.

For myself, I found some of the information very interesting, even useful in my profession. I had heard of and even seen ecupuncture use to control some types of pain, but had felt that it was all a placebo effect. Professor Greenfield pointed out, however, that research on the topic reveals that naloxone (Narcan) can reverse the effects of ecupuncture just as it can the effects of narcotic analgesics. Since I've given naloxone to over narcotized patients (it's preferable to waking them up and asking them to "breathe") I have seen its effects. The knowledge that it is effective in reversing ecupuncture suggests that while the effect of ecupuncture might be "in the mind" it is also legitimate and physiological. I also found the information on brain physiology/chemistry in analgesia and anesthesia informative, since I work in Recovery Room and ICU nursing where I see the effects of these drugs are often very individual.

As to the topics of mind, consciousness and self I would say that the author's thesis is far more convincing than any other I've read so far, if for no other reason than that she offers substantial physiological and chemical proof in favor of it and that it gives rise to testable hypotheses. As she writes: "The key concepts arising from this book are as follows: (1) emotion is the most basic form of consciousness; (2) minds develop as brains do-both as a species and as an individual starts to escape genetic programming in favor of personal experience-based learning; (3) the more you have of (1) at any moment, then the less you have of (2), and vice versa. The more the mind predominates over raw emotion, the deeper the consciousness (pp. 181-182)."

A very informative if somewhat complex book.

A bit unfocused ***
"The more we feel, the less we are, literally, ourselves - the less encumbered we are by previous, idiosyncratic associations the personalize the brain into the mind" This is the authors proposal, and she uses the examples of the child, the junkie, the depressive to show how this theory plays out in actual experience. She equates emotions with nature, living in the moment and lower brain structures and equates thoughts with nurture, reflection and the prefrontal cortex. This dichotomy seems spot on in some of her examples and I could see some parallels to my own life. However, sometimes I couldn't understand her at all, I have no doubt that what she was trying to say made sense to her but to me it seemed like unfocused wandering. I prefer a more structured book

A bit unfocused ***

"The more we feel, the less we are, literally, ourselves - the less encumbered we are by previous, idiosyncratic associations the personalize the brain into the mind"

This is the authors proposal, and she uses the examples of the child, the junkie, the depressive to show how this theory plays out in actual experience.

She equates emotions with nature, living in the moment and lower brain structures and equates thoughts with nurture, reflection and the prefrontal cortex.

This dichotomy seems spot on in some of her examples and I could see some parallels to my own life. However, sometimes I couldn't understand her at all, I have no doubt that what she was trying to say made sense to her but to me it seemed like unfocused wandering. I prefer a more structured book

Frustrating *
All the author did was to put together a long string of Names and refefences. I wish I could remember anything from the book, but no, not even the sentence that was repeated about 1000 times...

Frustrating *

All the author did was to put together a long string of Names and refefences. I wish I could remember anything from the book, but no, not even the sentence that was repeated about 1000 times...

Read if your brain does indeed have a private life *****
Not for those who, like some of the other reviewers, have an IQ of less than 85. This book attempts to make an American audience THINK...which is an audacious undertaking, given how most folks do not want to USE their brain...& they complain when someone else DOES! This is a masterful book.

Read if your brain does indeed have a private life *****

Not for those who, like some of the other reviewers, have an IQ of less than 85. This book attempts to make an American audience THINK...which is an audacious undertaking, given how most folks do not want to USE their brain...& they complain when someone else DOES! This is a masterful book.

The brain is a rather complex thing! ****
There is no "gene for", no "brain region for", and no "transmitter chemical for" a particular human behaviour or cognitive function. I.e. we will not be able to express a sophisticated brain function in terms of one feature alone, Susan Greenfield tells us. Rather, genes, chemicals and brain regions work together in a complex and highly intricate way to produce a behaviour. So, the book offers no swift catchphrases, as those so often seen on TV, e.g.: "The chemical dopamine is a molecule for pleasure, all human activity therefore evolves around obtaining higher dopamine levels in the brain". Instead, Susan Greenfield offers a thorough (and, must be said, sometimes complex bordering something almost selfcontradictory) neuroscientific explanation of mental states, the effect of drugs, how emotion will ebb and flow in inverse relation to selfconsciousness etc. I was particular pleased with the chapter on the effects of drugs in the brain. Here I really felt I learned something about what is really going on inside a brain under the influence of drugs. Which also gives an inside into the workings of a normal brain. However I wasn't completely swayed by her explanations concerning consciousness I.e.: Emotions are found to be "the most basic form of consciousness" Greenfield states, but how does that help us to know what consciousness IS? The book could have digged deeper here. Still, it is highly recommended. -Simon

The brain is a rather complex thing! ****

There is no "gene for", no "brain region for",
and no "transmitter chemical for" a particular human
behaviour or cognitive function. I.e. we will
not be able to express a sophisticated brain function
in terms of one feature alone,
Susan Greenfield tells us.

Rather, genes, chemicals and brain regions work
together in a complex and highly intricate
way to produce a behaviour.
So, the book offers no swift catchphrases,
as those so often seen on TV, e.g.: "The chemical
dopamine is a molecule for pleasure,
all human activity therefore evolves around obtaining
higher dopamine levels in the brain".

Instead, Susan Greenfield offers a thorough (and,
must be said, sometimes complex bordering
something almost selfcontradictory)
neuroscientific explanation of mental states,
the effect of drugs, how emotion will ebb and flow in
inverse relation to selfconsciousness etc.

I was particular pleased with the chapter on the
effects of drugs in the brain.
Here I really felt I learned something
about what is really going on inside
a brain under the influence of drugs.
Which also gives an inside into the workings
of a normal brain.
However I wasn't completely swayed by her
explanations concerning consciousness I.e.:
Emotions are found to be "the most basic form
of consciousness" Greenfield states,
but how does that help us to know what consciousness IS?
The book could have digged deeper here.
Still, it is highly recommended.

-Simon

The Private Life of The Brain ****
Greenfield's book is accessible to the general reader with an interest in the field. She herself is a neuropharmacologist, but approaches this book with an open mind. her multidisciplinary approach makes for compulsive reading. She is tackling an area that is undoubtedly an intellectual landmine. She does it with humour, and delivers an argument both persuasive and personal, both touching and scientific. You may not agree with every point she makes, but you will definitely be glad that you gave her the chance. One of the many things that i enjoyed about this book is the fact that it is not huge. Many books within the realm of popular science are far too dense. It is a relatively slim volume that gets striaght to the point. There is an appendix and a detailed set of end notes for those that are interested. Fans of Antonio Damasio's The Feeling Of What Happens should enjoy this book.

The Private Life of The Brain ****

Greenfield's book is accessible to the general reader with an interest in the field. She herself is a neuropharmacologist, but approaches this book with an open mind. her multidisciplinary approach makes for compulsive reading.
She is tackling an area that is undoubtedly an intellectual landmine. She does it with humour, and delivers an argument both persuasive and personal, both touching and scientific.
You may not agree with every point she makes, but you will definitely be glad that you gave her the chance.

One of the many things that i enjoyed about this book is the fact that it is not huge. Many books within the realm of popular science are far too dense. It is a relatively slim volume that gets striaght to the point. There is an appendix and a detailed set of end notes for those that are interested.
Fans of Antonio Damasio's The Feeling Of What Happens should enjoy this book.

How the workings of the brain makes us who we are. *****
Susan Greenfield takes us on a wondrous journey of the brain and the chemical processes that produce thoughts and emotions. By making it relevant to our own experiences of others and ourselves she provides an understanding of how the workings of our brains make us who we are. I particularly liked the way Dr. Greenfield uses her own personal experiences to bring alive some of the beautifully written explanations. She has connected the science of the brain and mind to the behaviour of ourselves in a way that is accessible and understandable to the non-neuroscientist (I don't even have biology GCSE). As an engineer who thinks in pictures I would have benefited from some diagrams to help me understand the structure of the brain and particularly the different fountains of modulating amines. The excellent "notes" for each chapter gave both further qualification of the narrative and good sources of further reading. I intend to obtain at least 4 further texts on the basis of these. I identified with her struggle as a woman in scientific research and the limiting caution of research funding bodies, both of which she underplays hugely. A thoroughly fascinating book. If you are interested in people and science, read this book.

How the workings of the brain makes us who we are. *****

Susan Greenfield takes us on a wondrous journey of the brain and the chemical processes that produce thoughts and emotions. By making it relevant to our own experiences of others and ourselves she provides an understanding of how the workings of our brains make us who we are. I particularly liked the way Dr. Greenfield uses her own personal experiences to bring alive some of the beautifully written explanations.

She has connected the science of the brain and mind to the behaviour of ourselves in a way that is accessible and understandable to the non-neuroscientist (I don't even have biology GCSE). As an engineer who thinks in pictures I would have benefited from some diagrams to help me understand the structure of the brain and particularly the different fountains of modulating amines.

The excellent "notes" for each chapter gave both further qualification of the narrative and good sources of further reading. I intend to obtain at least 4 further texts on the basis of these.

I identified with her struggle as a woman in scientific research and the limiting caution of research funding bodies, both of which she underplays hugely.

A thoroughly fascinating book. If you are interested in people and science, read this book.