The Mind Unlocked

A popular claim in recent years is that a person only uses 10% of their brain, and while this is not remotely true, it is accurate that the human brain contains massive untapped capabilities. Brains remain the most magnificent biological machines, and the latest neurobiological research on nutrition, sleep, music and exercise aims to help people keep theirs in top shape. The human mind is more than just electrochemical signals—it’s a fountain of consciousness, transcending physicality. This work, backed by decades of experience, includes the latest neuroscience research and vignettes based on the author’s actual patients. Containing “mental hacks” to explain how to overcome mental limitations, it explores how simple changes like breaking bad habits, having a better work-life balance, and more could help the human mind go from being just “fine-tuned” to being enlightened and limitless. With these hacks, a designer brain is just around the corner.

Marc Arginteanu, M.D., is an associate clinical professor in neurosurgery at Mount Sinai in New York City and an adjunct instructor in psychology at Florida International University in Miami. He has published numerous neuroscience-based articles and a novel.
 

Marc Arginteanu, M.D.
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 236
Bibliographic Info: notes, index
Copyright Date: 2023
pISBN: 978-1-4766-9225-8
eISBN: 978-1-4766-4975-7
Imprint: Toplight

Preface 1

Part I—Fine-Tune the Machine 7

Chapter 1. Fueling the Machine 8
What’s on the Menu? 10
Brainy Salad 10
Brainy Brunch 14
Brain-Boosting Smoothie 18
Romantic Dinner 20
What About That Glass of Wine? 23
Eating Style 27
Alkaline Diet 30
Who’s Eating with You? 30

Chapter 2. Keeping the Machine Clean and ­Well-Oiled 33
Greasing the Gears 34
Brainwashing 40
Sleep and Memory Formation 46
Don’t Toss a Monkey Wrench into the Gears 48
Environmental Toxins 48
How You Cook, It Matters Too 49
Smooth Forehead, Dull Brain 50

Part II: Prepare for a Limitless Mind 53

Chapter 3. Get Your Three Brains in Sync 54
Triune Brain 54
Unplug and Engage Your Senses 59
The Mozart Effect 61
Music Syncs the Triune Brain 72
The Proust Phenomenon 73
Olfaction Syncs the Triune Brain 75
Change Your View of Time 76
Meditation Syncs the Triune Brain 79
Will the Real You Please Stand Up? 80

Chapter 4.  Work-Life Balance 83
Put Down the Knife 84
How Do We Protect Workers from Burnout? 86

Part III—The Limitless Mind 89

Chapter 5. No Room for Error 90
Minimizing Error Occurrence 94
Never Events 96
Four Types of Error 97
Technical Error 98
Judgmental Error 103
­Quasi-Normative Error 108
Normative Error 112
Portals of Discovery 118
What’s All That Nagging Doing to Your Brain? 118
M&M and Hotwash 121

Chapter 6. Make Better Decisions 131
Neo versus Limbic 131
Hunter versus Busybody 132
Perfect Is the Enemy of Good 133
Break Free from the Herd 136
Cable News Is Bad for Your Brain 137
Don’t Eat the Marshmallow 140

Chapter 7. Transcend Bad Habits 145
Bookends and Chunks 145
Transcend Addiction 148
The Exposed Wires of the Teenage Brain 150
Cannabis and the Teenage Brain 151
Alcohol and the Teenage Brain 152
Concussions and the Teenage Brain 153
Social Media and Your Kid’s Brain 157
Nutrition and Your Kid’s Brain 161

Chapter 8. Neurotech Tools 163
Stem Cells 163
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation 168
Neuro-Ablative Procedures 170
Brain-Computer Interface 172
Vagus Nerve Stimulation 173
Deep Brain Stimulation 174
Cortical Stimulation 176
Psychedelics 178
Fecal Transplant 181
Making a Withdrawal from the Stool Bank 183

Part IV—The Designer Mind 185

Chapter 9. Build a Better Brain 187
Improve Cognition 187
Achieve Flow State 189

Chapter 10. Designer Personality 191

Chapter Notes and Sources 199
Index 225