Think Before You Think

From a pioneering neuroscientist, a revelatory exploration of the set of processes in our brains that make us who we are - how they work, what happens when they falter, and how we can maintain them throughout our lives. 'Adrian Owen is not just one of our top scientists, but a great storyteller.' DANIEL LEVITINOur brains are miraculous things. Through a set of processes called executive functions, they drive everything over the course of our lives, allowing us to create and retrieve memories, understand our own and others' emotions, plan our short- and long-term goals, and much more. Drawing on gripping case studies and cutting-edge research, world renowned neuroscientist Adrian Owen maps out the architecture of our brains and these executive functions. From encounters with memory champions, athletes who have suffered multiple concussions and patients with conditions such as ADHD, autism, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, he reveals the importance of these functions not only to the potential of our brains but to our very ways of being. Think Before You Think presents a remarkable picture of both the brain's brilliance and its fragility, providing practical advice to maintain our executive functions at every stage of our lives. In doing so, it brings readers to a closer understanding of what it is that makes each of us human. 'Takes readers on a journey of discovery, demystifying executive function, busting myths, and giving readers tools to cut through the clutter, focus on what matters, and transform their lives.' CHARAN RANGANATH, bestselling author of Why We Remember