World-leading neuroscientist and neurosurgeon Dr Rahul Jandial blends cutting-edge research and beautiful storytelling to offer a vital resource on the best ways to boost your memory, control stress and emotion, unleash your creativity, raise smart kids and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's.
'A powerful and trustworthy insight into the brain. You will love his playful storytelling and guidance' - Dr Rupy Aujla - author of ‘The Doctor's Kitchen' and 'Eat to Beat Illness'
‘Your brain’s best buddy… You’re amazing …. I could talk to Rahul all day’ – Chris Evans
Life Lessons from a Brain Surgeon
The New Science and Stories of the Brain
By Dr Rahul Jandial
Penguin Life / 6 Feb 2020 / £9.99
From the operating room, where he performs some of the riskiest surgeries around, to the lab, where he works on leading clinical trials, Dr Rahul Jandial is on the cutting edge of the latest advancements in neuroscience.
For years he has transformed the lives of his neurosurgery patients by putting them through 'brain rehab', his specially developed boot camp for restoring brain function. In this eye-opening, informative and accessible guide, he uses his years of expertise to show how healthy people can rewire their brains to work in a higher gear.
Mixing smart brain hacks with case studies and storytelling from his own experiences on the operating table, learn how to train your brain with America’s top brain surgeon.
Tips that work and are backed by real science
Harness creativity by utilizing your dream states– this will improve creativity. Unstructured free play in childhood is the foundation of adult creativity.
Sleep well with simple strategies – when you sleep you transform short term memories stacked up during the day into memories that can last a lifetime. After studying for a test students will actually remember more after a nap or a night’s sleep than if they had stayed awake and kept studying for an extra few hours.
Practice meditative breathing – a new study of patients living in hospitals with electrodes inserted and measured shows this ancient technique has a modern scientific basis, it improves the structure, physiology and function of your brain. During mindful breathing connections are strengthened between the amygdala, and area where strong emotions (both positive and negative) are processed, and the prefrontal cortex. Therefore, mindful breathing helps the frontal lobe stifles negative emotions.
Eat a MIND diet to help your mental health. The major approach to stave off dementia and maybe even fight off depression. Older adults who eat fruits, vegetables and whole grains are less likely that those who don’t to develop depression—based on a new field called nutritional psychiatry.
Skip breakfast and try intermittent fasting - going without food for a day increases your brain’s natural growth factors, which support the survival and growth of neurons. It helps stave of neurodegeneration.
Build your neuroplasticity – use your non-dominant hand, acquire a new language and don’t rely on sat nav (using your internal compass rather than looking at google maps is a great way to develop valuable spatial orientation skills).
Try a ‘surgeon’s workout’ - surgeons who perform complex/long operations need to be in top shape to have steady hands! A master surgeon has the shoulder of a pro quarterback, arm of tennis player and fingers of guitar player. Dr Jandial says ‘Go to fatigue and then THREE more reps. The only way the brain tells muscles to plump up (hypertrophy) is when muscles tell the brain we are tired and overworked. Its less about how many reps you do and more about doing those extra reps after one hits their individual fatigue point.’
MYTHS that should be shattered
Melatonin is not the sleep hormone
The gut is not your second brain
The brain can’t rewire, but it can repurpose
Our brains are “gray”, quite the opposite think opalescent and iridescent
ABOUT DR RAHUL JANDIAL
Rahul Jandial, MD, PhD. is an American dual-trained neurosurgeon and scientist at City of Hope, a research centre, hospital and postgraduate training faculty in Los Angeles. When he isn't performing surgery he is leading a team of scientists in Jandial Laboratory, named after him and known for its cutting-edge approach to brain surgery and neuroscience. In addition to being a world-class surgeon and scientist, Dr Jandial is the author of ten academic books and over 100 papers, but Life Lessons from a Brain Surgeon is his first book for a general audience. For more information, have a look at Dr Jandial’s SHOW REEL.
‘Want to be happier, feel younger AND stave off dementia? Then try a leading neurosurgeon's brilliantly simple workouts for your little grey cells with this ingenious BOOTCAMP FOR YOUR BRAIN' - Daily Mail
‘Forget supplements and pricey potions – these easy, doctor-approved exercises and lifestyle upgrades can help boost your brain at any age’ - New York Post