Why Brains Need Friends: The neuroscience of social connection - and why we all need more

(Paperback)

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From your morning coffee order, to weaving through passengers on the train, sitting through tense work meetings, riding in a packed elevator, attending a happy hour with colleagues, or relaxing on the couch with family, every day is filled with social interactions that nurture and support your brain's health. Whether mundane or extraordinary, they collectively make up the 'social diet' that you feed your brain, that influences your well-being, shapes your experience, and, done right, even lengthens your life.

In an age of isolation, HOW BRAINS MAKE FRIENDS is a neuroscience-backed guide to social interactions, drawing insights from the world of science to help you understand the biology behind your relationships, reconsider the value of companionship, and build a healthier, happier, and more connected life. It's not just what you feed your brain that matters - it's who.

Author Bio

Ben Rein, PhD is a neuroscientist at Stanford University and a renowned science communicator. Dr. Rein has spent over a decade studying the neuroscience of social interactions, uncovering new information about the genetic basis of autism spectrum disorder, how connections between brain cells regulate social behaviour, and how the psychoactive drug MDMA enhances empathy and connectedness between individuals.

Outside of the lab, Dr. Rein educates an audience of more than 900,000 social media followers about neuroscience. His videos have been featured on Good Morning America and ABC News among other major media outlets. Dr. Rein leads science communication workshops at multiple universities including Johns Hopkins University, Stanford University, UT Dallas, and the University of Minnesota, and his public messaging has been recognized with awards from the Society for Neuroscience, the American Association for the Advancement

of Science (AAAS) and Stanford University.