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Pleasure: How Our Brains Make Junk Food, Exercise, Marijuana, Generosity, and Gambling Feel So Good

(Paperback)


Publishing Details

Full Title:

Pleasure: How Our Brains Make Junk Food, Exercise, Marijuana, Generosity, and Gambling Feel So Good

Contributors:

By (Author) David J. Linden

ISBN:

9781851688975

Publisher:

Oneworld Publications

Imprint:

Oneworld Publications

Publication Date:

1st February 2012

Country:

United Kingdom

Classifications

Readership:

General

Fiction/Non-fiction:

Non Fiction

Other Subjects:

Neurosciences

Dewey:

152.42

Physical Properties

Physical Format:

Paperback

Number of Pages:

256

Dimensions:

Width 129mm, Height 198mm, Spine 25mm

Weight:

272g

Description

The pursuit of pleasure is a central drive of the human animal. Now, award-winning neuro-scientist David J. Linden explains how recent research has enabled us to decipher how and when pleasure takes control of the brain--and wont let go. Combining cutting-edge science with entertaining anecdotes, Linden illuminates how behaviours that lead us to ecstasy can just as easily become compulsive. Why are nicotine and heroin addictive while LSD is not Why has the search for safe appetite suppressants failed And in the future, will it be possible to activate our pleasure circuits at will This eminently enjoyable and provocative book delves beyond what we like into why we cant stop ourselves from liking it--even when we think we can.

Reviews

"Optimistic Linden provides a fresh perspective." * Kirkus Reviews *
"Fascinating Linden is a proficient guide. He even concludes with an educated prediction of a future that promises round-the-clock, unbridled access to theoretically, at least guilt-free pleasure through a specially wired cap." * Booklist *
Linden has the scientific explanations for whats happening between your gut and your brain in why-am-I-hungry-for-a-fourth-macaroon-moments. * Vogue *
"How do orgasms, heroin, greasy foods and juicy gossip jolt the same neurons Neuroscientist David Linden delves into the research, mixing in plenty of trippy anecdotes." * Psychology Today *
[Linden] wears his learning lightly.... The book is interspersed with anecdotes...drawn from Linden's own life experience, making clear that the pleasures he describes are not limited to his laboratory. * The Times Higher Educational Supplement *
"Highly readable and full of fascinating facts and theories...you're sure to get pleasure from reading Pleasure. 4/5" * BBC Focus *
"Pleasure is a superb book. My brain has been changed by reading it." * The Observer *

Author Bio

David J. Linden is Professor of Neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. The author of more than ninety scientific papers, his first book, The Accidental Mind, was also widely acclaimed.

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