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The Molecule of More
How a Single Chemical in Your Brain Drives Love, Sex, and Creativity--and Will Determine the Fate of the Human Race
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
Dopamine ensured the survival of early man. Thousands of years later, it is the source of our most basic behaviors and cultural ideas--and progress itself. The authors examine how human life has an unconsidered component that explains an array of behaviors previously thought to be unrelated.ated.
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Description
The Molecule of More by Daniel Z. Lieberman, MD, and Michael E. Long is a riveting exploration of dopamine, the "molecule of more" that profoundly influences our desires, behaviours, and even the trajectory of humanity. Through insightful analysis and engaging storytelling, the authors delve into how this chemical shapes our actions and perceptions in love, sex, creativity, business, politics, and beyond.
2020 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Winner - Science Category
2018 Forward Indies Finalist - Psychology Category
Why are we obsessed with acquiring the things we desire, only to find ourselves disinterested once we have them? What makes addiction seemingly rational from an addict's perspective? How does passionate love often wane into mere indifference? What underlies the stark divide between liberals and conservatives? Why do we remain hopeful for resolutions even in our darkest hours, and how do we excel at concocting solutions? The answer lies in a singular brain chemical: dopamine.
Dopamine has been pivotal to human survival since prehistoric times and continues to drive our basic behaviours and societal advancements today. It is the chemical of desire, constantly urging us towards more—more possessions, more excitement, and more novelty. Dopamine remains resolute, impervious to emotions, fears, or morals, propelling us toward our goals. It fuels the ambition of business professionals and ignites the thrill-seeking in a previously content partner. In essence, it drives our quest for success and discovery, but it can also lead to downfall through gambling and imprudent choices.
From dopamine’s perspective, the thrill lies not in having but in acquiring. This distinction between possession and anticipation offers profound insights into human conduct across various facets of life. It helps decode our actions in realms of love, business, addiction, politics, and religion, providing predictive power over our behaviours and those of others.
The Molecule of More elucidates these concepts further, articulating how much of human behaviour is governed by this over-looked component. With compelling explanations, Daniel Z. Lieberman and Michael E. Long scrutinise why winners often cheat, why many geniuses are afflicted by mental health issues, why most diets fail, and why there is a neurological divide between liberals and conservatives. By understanding dopamine's role, we can attain a revolutionary new perspective on the motivations that underpin our actions and mental states.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
The Molecule of More by Daniel Z. Lieberman and Michael E. Long captivates readers with its exploration of dopamine's profound impact on human behaviour, desire, and creativity. The book is praised for making complex neuroscience accessible and gripping, offering insights into why people crave novelty and how dopamine influences everything from love to progress. It is well-regarded by both scientists and artists for its ability to explain the mysteries of the human condition in a compelling and understandable way.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781948836586
Publisher: BenBella Books
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 03 September 2019
Country: United States
Imprint: BenBella Books
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 17.0mm
Width: 152.0mm
Height: 229.0mm
Weight: 288g
Pages: 240
About the Author
Daniel Z. Lieberman, MD, is a clinical professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at George Washington University and SVP of mental health at Hims & Hers Health. Dr. Lieberman is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, a recipient of the Caron Foundation Research Award, and he has published over 50 scientific reports on behavioral science. He has provided insight on psychiatric issues for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the US Department of Commerce, and the Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy, and has discussed mental health in interviews on CNN, C-SPAN, and PBS. Dr. Lieberman studied the Great Books at St. John's College. He received his medical degree and completed his psychiatric training at New York University. Trained as a physicist, Michael E. Long is an award-winning speechwriter, screenwriter, and playwright. As a playwright, more than 20 of his shows have been produced, most on New York stages. As a screenwriter, his honors include finalist for the grand prize in screenwriting at the Slamdance Film Festival. As a speechwriter, Mr. Long has written for members of Congress, U.S. cabinet secretaries, governors, diplomats, business executives, and presidential candidates. A popular speaker and educator, Mr. Long has addressed audiences around the world, including in a keynote at Oxford University. He teaches writing at Georgetown University, where he is a former director of writing.Mr. Long pursued undergraduate studies at Murray State University and graduate studies at Vanderbilt University.
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