Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights: #1 The pursuit of happiness is a myth. We’ve been told that happiness is the goal, but in reality, it is right there in front of us, behind the curtain of our own brain. It matters because it explains the differences between pleasure and happiness, and it explains why so many people are miserable. #2 Pleasure is the visceral readout of activity in a specific brain area known as the reward pathway. It is the motivation for a given reward, and the consummation of that reward as a visceral experience called pleasure. #3 The science of happiness is very complex, and there is not one definition of it. What it means to be happy is different depending on the times in which you live, your religious and cultural affiliations, and likely the language you use. #4 Happiness has been the main stated goal of life since the Renaissance, when people were asked their primary desire. But despite our five-hundred-year gaze on the prize, as a whole we consistently miss the target.

Buy now to get the main key ideas from Robert H. Lustig's The Hacking of the American Mind Pediatric neuroendocrinologist Robert H. Lustig argues that society confuses instant gratification with true happiness in The Hacking of the American Mind (2017). The brain’s reward system, manipulated by marketing and technology, prioritizes short-lived pleasure over enduring contentment, leading to addiction, depression, and other health issues. Chronic stress and poor diet make the situation even worse, but understanding the neuroscience behind our emotions can help us protect our well-being. Lustig offers actionable solutions to reclaim our happiness and calls for a shift from materialism to meaningful contributions and healthier lifestyles.

Buy now to get the main key ideas from Robert H. Lustig’s Metabolical Dr. Robert Lustig, a leading pediatric neuroendocrinologist, takes aim at America's broken healthcare system in Metabolical (2021). Big Food and Big Pharma put profits over people, and government lets them do it. Chronic diseases are often mismanaged with symptom-treating drugs instead of addressing their true cause: our diet. Modern processed foods are not only toxic but addictive, affecting the heart, brain, overall health, and even the climate. Lustig advocates for real food as the solution to prevent chronic diseases and societal decline.

"Explores how industry has manipulated our most deep-seated survival instincts."—David Perlmutter, MD, Author, #1 New York Times bestseller, Grain Brain and Brain Maker The New York Times–bestselling author of Fat Chance reveals the corporate scheme to sell pleasure, driving the international epidemic of addiction, depression, and chronic disease. While researching the toxic and addictive properties of sugar for his New York Times bestseller Fat Chance, Robert Lustig made an alarming discovery—our pursuit of happiness is being subverted by a culture of addiction and depression from which we may never recover. Dopamine is the “reward” neurotransmitter that tells our brains we want more; yet every substance or behavior that releases dopamine in the extreme leads to addiction. Serotonin is the “contentment” neurotransmitter that tells our brains we don’t need any more; yet its deficiency leads to depression. Ideally, both are in optimal supply. Yet dopamine evolved to overwhelm serotonin—because our ancestors were more likely to survive if they were constantly motivated—with the result that constant desire can chemically destroy our ability to feel happiness, while sending us down the slippery slope to addiction. In the last forty years, government legislation and subsidies have promoted ever-available temptation (sugar, drugs, social media, porn) combined with constant stress (work, home, money, Internet), with the end result of an unprecedented epidemic of addiction, anxiety, depression, and chronic disease. And with the advent of neuromarketing, corporate America has successfully imprisoned us in an endless loop of desire and consumption from which there is no obvious escape. With his customary wit and incisiveness, Lustig not only reveals the science that drives these states of mind, he points his finger directly at the corporations that helped create this mess, and the government actors who facilitated it, and he offers solutions we can all use in the pursuit of happiness, even in the face of overwhelming opposition. Always fearless and provocative, Lustig marshals a call to action, with seminal implications for our health, our well-being, and our culture.

“A preeminent expert sheds light on how to handle the daily hassles of life. It’s not just a manual for managing stress—it’s a toolkit for preventing it.” —Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Think Again From world-renowned psychologist and New York Times–bestselling author Dr. Elissa Epel, a simple yet powerful plan to turn your stress into your strength in just seven days We can’t avoid stress. But we can embrace it and transform it. Whether we’re facing deadlines, difficulties with family or friends, personal crises, or just the uncertainty of the world—stress is the ocean we swim in. Even our negative thoughts can trigger our body’s stress response so we rarely experience periods of ease and deep restoration. In The Stress Prescription, Dr. Epel distills decades of research, infused with wisdom, into a practical yet transformative seven-day plan of science-based techniques that can help you harness stress through more positive challenge and purpose. The seven-day prescription will lead you through these exercises: Day 1: Things Will Go Wrong . . . And That’s All Right Day 2: Control What You Can . . . And Put Down the Rest Day 3: Be the Lion Day 4: Train for Resilience Day 5: Let Nature Do the Work Day 6: Don’t Just Relax . . . Restore Day 7: Start Full, End Full Dr. Epel shows us how we can “stress better”—by training our minds and bodies to shift towards a flexible, beneficial stress response that can actually enhance health. You will develop a more robust mindset, build the resources you need to turn stress into strength, and fill your days with more joy, connection, and ease.

Inspiration is the initial spark that puts us on track towards our beliefs, attitudes, and actions. It partly defines who we are and whom we will become. But what are the sources of our inspirations, what governs them, how do they take shape in our lives and how are our lives shaped by them? Can they be right and wrong, and do we have the power to control them? This book provides an analysis of the historical, geographical, and cultural aspects of those countless moments that ignite our passions, guide our efforts, or cause the lack of both. Through the study of human inspirations, the author elaborates a variety of issues, including current societal, political, and global challenges, spirituality, human character, individualism, education, as well as the contrast between what used to be the political East and West, communism and capitalism. The book offers an intriguing look at the inflation of inspirations in our rapidly changing societies and its global implications. It fuses numerous fields to offer a refined view of the world and ourselves in it. Do advanced societies consist of advanced individuals, or is it time to reassess our values, redefine our principles, and seek inspirations that dare to question the status quo and introduce us to a category of dignity that moves us closer to a truly advanced world?

Boost your metabolism and burn 100-500 more calories per day by putting your body into fat burning mode with a new science-backed update to this proven diet. The New Keto-Friendly South Beach Diet combines the good fats and healthy carbs of the world-famous heart-healthy program with the advanced nutrition science of keto-all in a doctor-approved plan that is easier than strict keto diets. The original South Beach Diet defined the cutting edge of healthy weight loss. Now the creator of the classic plan combines his signature diet with the latest, most cutting-edge advances in healthy eating that are the basis for the ketogenic diet. With a new emphasis on good carbs, healthy fats, and quality proteins, The New Keto-Friendly South Beach Diet takes the powerful fundamentals of the original South Beach Diet and adds the fat-burning principles of keto. Dr. Arthur Agatston cuts through the confusion around keto and low carb diets and gives readers a step-by-step 28-day eating plan that increases satisfaction, decreases appetite, and makes it easy to lose weight and keep it off. He also explains why strict ketosis is not necessary to achieve results; the effectiveness of intermittent fasting; and the relationship between yo-yo-dieting and sugar addiction. This plan offers the benefits of keto and low carb without the pitfalls. As this new book reveals, you can boost your metabolism and put your body safely into fat-burning mode with a diet that's more flexible and more sustainable than traditional keto. And that's not all: in addition to long-term weight loss, the South Beach Keto-Friendly plan can boost mental sharpness, reduce inflammation and pain, increase your energy, and improve diabetes and heart health. Includes around 100 recipes, full-color photos, and an easy-to-follow 28-day meal plan.

A fact-filled guide to coping with compulsive overeating problems by an experienced addictions doctor who draws on many patients’ stories of recovery. Overeating, binge eating, obesity, anorexia, and bulimia — Food Junkies tackles the complex, poorly understood issue of food addiction from the perspective of a medical researcher and dozens of survivors. What exactly is food addiction? Is it possible to draw a hard line between indulging cravings for “comfort food” and engaging in substance abuse? For people struggling with food addictions, recognizing their condition remains a frustrating battle. This revised second edition contains the latest research as well as practical strategies for people facing the complicated challenges of eating disorders and addictions, offering an affirming and manageable path to healthy and sustainable habits.

"The Kingdom of the Blind" is a profound exploration into the depths of spiritual awakening and the transformative journey toward enlightenment. Presented as a compelling Discourse, this non-fiction book serves as an essential guide for those embarking on the sacred path of inner discovery. The author delves into the intricate process of spiritual transformation, shedding light on the inevitable suffering that accompanies the shedding of the ego and the embrace of a higher state of consciousness. As humanity enters the new astrological Age of Aquarius since 2012, the veil over ancient, secret wisdom is being lifted, making what was once accessible to only a select few, available to all. This book is a beacon for initiates, offering them a gateway to the teachings of spiritual masters and the hidden mysteries that underpin the true essence of life. Readers are invited to journey beyond the limitations of ego-based thought systems, toward the realm of superconsciousness—a state of being that promises a profound connection with the universe and an unparalleled understanding of existence. Throughout this Discourse the reader is offered the tools to navigate the path to enlightenment, armed with the knowledge to understand the cause of their suffering and the means to transcend it. This book is not merely a guide; it is a companion for anyone seeking to elevate their consciousness and discover the spiritual significance of their journey through life. Whether you are a seasoned seeker or new to the path, this book holds the potential to illuminate your way toward spiritual fulfillment and the realization of your highest self.

Fat Chance: Beating the Odds Against Sugar, Processed Food, Obesity, and Disease (2013) by Robert H. Lustig, MD explores the ill effects of processed foods on the human body. Across the globe, obesity rates have doubled over the last three decades... Purchase this in-depth summary to learn more.