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The Private Life of the Brain

The Private Life of the Brain

Summary

What is happening in the brain when we drink too much alcohol, get high on ecstasy or experience road rage? Emotion, says internationally acclaimed neuroscientist Susan Greenfield, is the building block of consciousness. As our minds develop we create a personalized inner world based on our experiences. But during periods of intense emotion, such as anger, fear or euphoria, we can literally lose our mind, returning to the mental state we experienced as infants. Challenging many preconceived notions, Susan Greenfield's groundbreaking book seeks to answer one of science's most enduring mysteries: how our unique sense of self is created.

About the author

Susan Greenfield

Baroness Susan Greenfield CBE is a Senior Research Fellow at Lincoln College, Oxford University. A scientist, writer, broadcaster and Cross-Bench member in the House of Lords, she specialises in applying neuroscience to fundamental issues such as the impact of 21st-century technologies on the mind, how the brain generates consciousness, and the development of innovative approaches to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s She has been the recipient of 31 honorary degrees from both British and foreign universities , and of many awards including Chevalier Legion d’Honneur from the French Government e,and an Honorary Fellowship from the Royal College of Physicians, as well as being selected as Honorary Australian of the Year in 2006. She appears regularly on radio and television and frequently gives talks to both the public and private sectors.
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