Author Description
An Internationally Renowned Neuroscientist, Dr. Wenk Has Been Educating College And Medical Students About The Brain And Lecturing Around The World For More Than Forty Years. He Has Published Over Three Hundred Publications On The Effects Of Drugs Upon The Brain. This Essential Book Vividly Demonstrates How A Little Knowledge About The Foods And Drugs We Eat Can Teach Us A Lot About How Our Brain Functions. The Information Is Presented In An Irreverent And Non-judgmental Manner That Makes It Highly Accessible To High School Teenagers, Inquisitive College Students And Worried Parents. Dr. Wenk Has Skillfully Blended The Highest Scholarly Standards With Illuminating Insights, Gentle Humor And Welcome Simplicity. The Intersection Between Brain Science, Drugs, Food And Our Cultural And Religious Traditions Is Plainly Illustrated In An Entirely New Light. Wenk Tackles Fundamental Questions, Including: · Why Do You Wake Up Tired From A Good Long Sleep And Why Does Your Sleepy Brain Crave Coffee And Donuts? · How Can Understanding A Voodoo Curse Explain Why It Is So Hard To Stop Smoking? · Why Is A Vegetarian Or Gluten-free Diet Not Always The Healthier Option For The Brain? · How Can Liposuction Improve Brain Function? · What Is The Connection Between Nature's Hallucinogens And Religiosity? · Why Does Marijuana Impair Your Memory Now But Protect Your Memory Later In Life? · Why Does Some Foods Produce Nightmares? · What Are The Effects Of Diet And Obesity Upon The Brains Of Infants And Children? · Are Some Foods Better To Eat After Traumatic Brain Injury?
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
How do the chemical components of food and drugs interact with the biological mechanisms of the human brain to influence cognition, mood, and behavior? Dr. Gary L. Wenk, a neuroscientist with over four decades of experience in academia and research, utilizes his extensive background in pharmacology to bridge the gap between complex neurological processes and everyday dietary habits. The book presents a framework that examines how common substances—from caffeine and sugar to illicit drugs—alter neural pathways, providing a scientific basis for understanding why we crave certain foods and how they impact long-term brain health.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Analysis of the neurochemical effects of caffeine, sugar, and various dietary fats on cognitive function.
- Examination of the relationship between diet, obesity, and developmental brain health in infants and children.
- Discussion of the intersection between cultural traditions, religious practices, and the consumption of psychoactive substances.
- Investigation into the potential neuroprotective or neurotoxic effects of specific foods following traumatic brain injury.
Scope Limits
- The text does not provide personalized medical advice or specific clinical treatment plans for individuals with diagnosed neurological disorders.
- It does not serve as a comprehensive nutritional manual for weight loss or general physical fitness outside of brain-specific outcomes.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts and readers frequently note that the book successfully translates dense neurobiological data into accessible, conversational prose without sacrificing scientific accuracy. It is widely regarded as a practical resource for students and laypeople seeking to understand the physiological consequences of their dietary choices.
Page Count:
288
Publication Date:
2019-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0190932805
ISBN-13:
9780190932800
Psychology
Non-Fiction
Science
Health
Neuroscience
Nutrition