Unstoppable Brain: The New Neuroscience that Frees Us from Failure, Eases Our Stress, and Creates Lasting Change

by Kyra Bobinet

We all want the autonomy and power to change our lives for the better and yet many of us feel stuck in the same bad habits, patterns, and short-term fixes. We know what we should do, but often we cannot get ourselves to actually do it.

In Unstoppable Brain, Dr. Kyra Bobinet debunks today’s over-dependence on performance-driven tools such as calorie counting, SMART goals, and likes/followers that attempt to motivate us into behavior change. These methods work well in the short term but have a long-term downside of negative emotions and harmful behaviors. Yet despite these poor results, we keep using the same performative approaches over and over. Something is missing.

Emerging research into the neuroscience of behavior and motivation has brought to light to a little-understood area of the brain, the habenula; possibly the most powerful controller of behavior ever found. If left untended, the habenula acts as a failure detector and motivation kill switch that can rob you of positive or lasting change, leaving you stuck in relapse, frustration, and suffering.

Understanding the habenula’s inner workings is must-have knowledge to obtain the freedom and agency for the life you long for. New research reveals that the habenula is a primary gating mechanism for everything that does or doesn't happen in your life, what you do or do not do and. It is among our biggest obstacles to change.

In this book, you will learn that an activated habenula can dominate even the dopamine and reward systems that the scientific world for decades has esteemed the most powerful behavioral drivers. We will explore exactly what is wrong with today’s overly used performative approaches and how you can free yourself to reach your optimal health and best life. Dr. Bobinet unpacks mounting evidence on the habenula and other discoveries that change everything about changing behavior. With this new vision and understanding, your natural tendencies, purpose, and passions can emerge organically and inspire permanent, satisfying, and healthy life change.

Unstoppable Brain frees you from being too performative for others and being too hard on yourself. It provides all you need to restore your sovereignty and empowers you to change your life and habits whenever and however you want. It offers a therapeutic dose of three “medicines” that help you go from stuck to unstoppable. This potent elixir is an antidote to recovering your innate motivation wherever you’ve been stopped by the past or overwhelmed by the future. Most importantly, this book gives you the key to unlock lasting change.

Dr. Bobinet shares relatable examples from her own story and impactful research studies in resounding instruction for a full, vibrant life. Throughout the book, her engaging voice, relatable vulnerability, and empowering message infuse readers with the tools and reinvigorated power to unlock true, lasting change. Become unstoppable!

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Psychology, Science, Health, Neuroscience, Mental Health

208 pages, Hardcover

Published April 30, 2024

Reviews

[*yasmin* · Rating 4 out of 5]

من اینو تو بلینکیست خوندم. اگه میخواین بدونین چی میشه که یهو انگیزتونو برای رسیدن به هدف از دست میدین و کاری که حالتونو خوب میکرد در طول زمان تبدیل میشه به کاری که بهتون اضطراب شدیدی میده و باید چی کار کنین این کتاب رو بهتون پیشنهاد میکنم.

[Narilka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unstoppable Brain by Kyra Bobinet is a fascinating look at current neuroscience around how failure works in our brain, how an area of the brain contributes to what the author calls the Failure Matrix and strategies to get around the brain's default mode. I really enjoyed reading this book. The author makes the technical neuroscience parts easy to understand for non-scientists like myself which I appreciated. Dieting and weight loss is used as an example of failure and how easy it is to get caught up in a de-motivation cycle that prevents success. It's simple to apply these concepts to pretty much any area of life.

I surprised myself in that I already use some of the techniques outlined in the book in my life. I now know why I always hated "goal setting" at work and why it always seemed pointless. This was a valuable read.

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

This audiobook was made available for me to listen to and review by Kyra Bobinet, Forbes Books and NetGalley.

The narrator is the author, Kyra Bobinet. I actually really enjoyed the narration. The author is excited about sharing her research and it really comes across in her voice. Her excitement was infectious.

I am not not well versed on Neuroscience but understood everything discussed easily. So this was written for the lay user and is accessible to nonprofessionals. This is focused, flows well, is easily engaged with and relatable..

I don't want to ruin the subject matter by poorly explaining it. I will say that I'm already using the techniques in my life right now. This book was quite transformative for me in looking at my own fear responses and how I get mired in them. The system was easily adaptable in my life and I truly appreciate the insight and knowledge.
This is a pathway to healing our inner fears and saboteurs. This isn't the only path and the author includes Indigenous healing from global cultures, including her own.

This focuses on diet research a bit much for my tastes but the findings apply to far wider areas. At there's a bit of an uncomfortable rant about fixing the world and I'm not sure the author really grasps things at the root.

A deep bow of respect and thankfulness for Dr. Bobinet's determination in both this kind of research and making her findings accessible to the masses.

Thank you to Kyra Bobinet, Forbes Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.

[Lucia · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you find yourself stuck in a cycle of goal setting, not reaching said goal, and then feeling like a failure who is afraid to try again, you should give this book a try.

Using emerging neuroscientific studies focus on the failure "mechanism" in your brain, Dr. Bobinet explains how the way you use goals and do not meet them is a completely natural process. She then offers tools to help you reframe the changes you want to make in your life and shift your mindset from black and white pass/fail to constant iteration.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unstoppable Brain

I felt like this book was 20% content and 80% filler. The filler seemed disjointed and out of place. I appreciated the background of how our minds work when facing obstacles or when we fail. That helped bring about the methods to implement to handle those situations. I think it would have been better to have an entire chapter to give explanations and examples for each of the recommendations. Overall, I learned a lot and am looking forward to implementing some of the strategies given.

#GoodreadsGiveaway

[Sarah Cupitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could have been more concise but overall very interesting

Takeaways:
- The habanera, a small but powerful part of your brain, triggers a response that can make you feel like giving up before you've even really begun. The habenula's role extends beyond motivation loss. It's also deeply involved in mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. Studies have shown that an overactive habenula is linked to these disorders, often making it harder for individuals to recover. Childhood trauma in particular can scar the habenula, leading to chronic motivation loss and a sense of powerlessness in adulthood.
- Traditional approaches to behaviour change, such as setting rigid goals or using performative tools like dieting or fitness apps, often fail because they inadvertently trigger the habenula, leading to a cycle of perceived failure and demotivation.
- The diet industry, for instance, has long profited from temporary unsustainable solutions. Programs like Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig and newer players like Noom are designed to provide short-term results through restrictive and performative methods, leading many to fail and return to these programs repeatedly. Addiction, too, is driven by a cycle of failure. As people try and fail to break free from substances, they often turn back to the very things that harm them in an attempt to quiet the pain of perceived failure. Once again, the brain's habenula plays a key role in this destructive loop. Industries that profit from failure carefully balance creating just enough success to keep people engaged, while ensuring that failure remains a constant threat.
- Significant emotional experiences, S.E.E.s for short, create lasting change by imprinting strong neural connections in the brain. These intense events can quickly reshape behaviour and mindset. Trauma is a common example where the brain forms new neural pathways that lead to long-term changes in behaviour and emotions. On the other hand, positive S.E.E.s, such as moments of profound insight or awe, can also trigger lasting change by activating the brain's reward pathways and establishing new, enduring patterns of thought and behaviour.

Context/other:
- Maya's story is a poignant example of how performance mindsets can distort our relationships with the activities we love, leading to significant psychological harm. The problem lies in the societal emphasis on performance-based success, where individuals are valued for their achievements rather than their experiences or growth. This mindset is pervasive across various sectors, from sports and academics to corporate environments, encouraging a constant comparison to others and a reliance on external validation. Such an approach often leads to burnout, anxiety and a sense of failure, especially when the rigid metrics of success are not met.
- Rather than adhering strictly to conventional methods, they continuously experimented, trying out different strategies to see what worked best for them. This flexible mindset enabled them to overcome obstacles that might have otherwise derailed their efforts. The success of these individuals was linked to what is called an iterative mindset, a process of ongoing refinement and adaptation, rather than seeing setbacks as failures. For instance, if a particular diet or exercise routine didn't yield results, they didn't give up. Instead, they made small adjustments, tried new strategies, and kept pushing forward.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audio.
5+ stars for the new research and information on the part of the brain called the Hebenula, and how it impacts the success of goal setting, failure, motivation and iteration. 2 stars for the presentation, where was her editor? Some of the examples seemed to be odd and personal that took too long to bring back to the point. She seemed to have an agenda on other issues that she wanted to share (her prerogative) that although I support I didn’t think were necessary. It also took too long to get to the meat of the information when there are only 8 chapters and you don’t get to the main point until chapter 5/6. All that said, it’s worth the annoyance to learn about this groundbreaking research.

[Martin Herrmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Failure Disease cure? Never think you failed. And if you find yourself thinking that, reframe it

You’re going to change no matter what. You can change for the better or you can change for the worse. —SARAH HORNSBY

The Truth is, everything that happens to us (or others) is a learning and opportunity to heal, forgive, or let go.

“You have all the signs of Failure Disease. Your only mistake is that you think you failed. And, whenever you think you failed at something, your brain’s habenula lights up and kills your motivation to keep trying something you otherwise want to do, like starting your new venture. This happens so silently that your brain doesn’t know it occurred, and you blame yourself instead, calling yourself names like unmotivated, lazy, and not good enough.”

Consequently, your addiction-dopamine “gas pedal” runs unopposed and unabated and can drive you off a cliff. Addictive substances and behaviors all share in common the ability to temporarily drown out the discomfort of the habenula, numbing anxiety and depression to avoid the pain caused by the failure signals.

I learned a lot more from this book than I ever thought possible. It made me see my life in a whole new narrative.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Forbes Books for choosing me.

Great read. Full of interesting information and gives you a lot to think about. Easy to follow along even if you aren't a doctor.

[Jung · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Unstoppable Brain" by Kyra Bobinet is a compelling exploration of how neuroscience can be harnessed to overcome obstacles, manage stress, and create lasting change. The book delves into the brain's mechanisms, particularly the habenula, which plays a crucial role in motivation and how we perceive failure. Bobinet argues that understanding and managing the brain’s response to setbacks can help individuals maintain momentum, whether they're dealing with personal goals, professional challenges, or community issues.

The book begins by addressing the common experience of motivation loss when faced with overwhelming challenges, pointing to the habenula’s role in shutting down motivation after perceived failures. Bobinet highlights how adopting a flexible, iterative approach—much like the resourceful character MacGyver—can help people adapt to setbacks and find new ways to succeed. Rather than viewing challenges as final failures, the key is to see them as opportunities for learning and growth. This approach helps avoid the demotivating effects of rigid, performance-driven success mindsets that often lead to burnout and long-term mental health struggles.

Bobinet uses real-life examples to illustrate the hidden costs of performance-focused success, like in the case of a young gymnast named Maya, whose passion for her sport was overshadowed by the pressures of competition. The book argues that a focus on extrinsic performance can distort our relationships with activities, fostering environments that encourage comparison and external validation, ultimately leading to stress, anxiety, and disconnection. Performance mindsets are often unsustainable and contribute to cycles of failure, especially in areas like health and wellness, where the focus on short-term goals, such as weight loss, fails to address long-term wellbeing.

The book then delves into how habits and emotional events shape lasting change. According to Bobinet, change is either rooted in habits or significant emotional experiences (S.E.E.s). While habits develop through consistent repetition and become automatic, emotional experiences can rapidly reshape behavior and mindset. For example, trauma often triggers long-term changes in brain behavior, but positive experiences can also create lasting shifts by activating reward pathways. Understanding this balance is crucial for navigating the many promises of quick fixes and creating sustainable, long-term change.

Bobinet introduces the concept of "MacGyvering" as a powerful strategy for overcoming challenges. Just as the character MacGyver innovated solutions with limited resources, individuals facing personal health or life challenges can adopt a flexible, iterative mindset to continuously adapt and experiment with new strategies. By reframing setbacks as opportunities for improvement, people can push past obstacles without feeling discouraged by failures. Small, manageable steps, such as cutting out a single soda or using soup cans as dumbbells, can accumulate into significant, lasting change over time. This iterative mindset fosters both cognitive flexibility and a resilience that helps individuals maintain momentum toward their goals.

The book also addresses how entire communities can adopt these neuroscience principles to tackle collective challenges. Just as individuals experience motivation shutdown, communities can also feel demoralized when faced with overwhelming problems, like an environmentally harmful development project. However, by embracing an iterative, adaptive approach and reframing setbacks as learning opportunities, communities can maintain momentum and achieve their goals. Bobinet suggests that by viewing themselves as protectors rather than protesters, communities can take on a more empowered, future-focused stance, which is critical for overcoming obstacles and sustaining long-term efforts.

In conclusion, "Unstoppable Brain" offers a comprehensive guide to using the brain’s natural mechanisms to navigate challenges, avoid burnout, and create lasting change. By understanding the role of the habenula, adopting an iterative approach, and reframing failures as opportunities for growth, individuals and communities alike can maintain momentum and resilience in the face of adversity. Bobinet’s book provides a practical, neuroscience-based framework for overcoming setbacks, achieving personal and collective goals, and ultimately creating a healthier, more adaptive mindset for long-term success.

[Courtney Overby · Rating 5 out of 5]

The breadth and depth of the concepts synthesized is very helpful, along with many original, thoughtful ideas and approaches to growth. It’s worth the read(or ~6 hrs of listening). This is not a comprehensive review, merely a fan with a couple of spotty notes. Hopefully just confusing enough to avoid spoiling anything for you.

The “time” concept was fascinating. I think people may have their own sense of internal time too, that they are more often predisposed to thinking in a mode of time; past present, and future - I have never heard this idea tied to the emotional (anger, anxiety and depression). That an experience of time is a bit more fluid than just a predisposition and that it could include multiple types of “failure tracks” that are stemming from different modes of time as well. A lot of emphasis in personal growth these days is “being present”, but I think this book gives credence to “deep time” also, both past and future; and both individuals and collectives benefit from these approaches.

I picked up the book for interpersonal reasons, but was surprised to find it relates to many of my collective connection barriers too. I can be unable to “support the team” (or ask for help!) at various points in community or work in a way that is just not clear to me, or vise versa- hitting the wall, the phrase “does not compute” comes to mind- and having some of the same language is meaningful.

While I have a bit of a struggle with the idea that Everything Begins in the Mind(Jack Addington), it probably isn’t too legitimate a critique in a science book about the mind, certainly a chicken/egg critique at best. Most of history, before Socrates and Plato; we did not privilege the mind(Intelligence ie; “I think therefore I am”), so it is hard to compare such hedonism with today’s mind-body politic. To overly privilege the mind could be said to undervalue the body, or the heart in their role in our lives(or in the lives of less “brain focused” beings), but that would also but short sighted and not the intent of the author, as she also does preface some distinctions between the mind and the brain.

My learning often has centered on personality through a career development focus(mind, performance); but have found enneagram, etc to elucidate similar fixation concepts in my “feeling-thinking-doing” patterns, so this fit right in. I appreciate of the connections drawn for my growth, to the author for the time invested in my learning.

[J Kromrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC (in audiobook format).

“The Unstoppable Brain” by Kyra Bobinet is a compelling exploration into the intricate workings of the human mind, particularly as it relates to our ability to overcome obstacles and achieve personal growth. Narrated by the author, this book offers a personal touch that adds authenticity and depth to the subject matter.

Kyra Bobinet delivers a masterful narrative that weaves together neuroscience, psychology, and real-life stories to demonstrate how our brains can be trained to tackle challenges.

Her voice brings a sense of intimacy and conviction, making the audiobook experience particularly engaging.

The book stands out for its practical approach. Bobinet doesn’t just dwell on theory; she provides actionable advice and exercises that readers can apply to their daily lives. This hands-on methodology is especially beneficial for professionals in the healthcare sector, like Medicaid and Medicare claims processors, who often face complex problems requiring innovative solutions.

What makes “The Unstoppable Brain” truly unique is its vibrant and creative presentation. The content is intellectually stimulating and emotionally engaging, resonating with readers who appreciate a blend of technical expertise and artistic expression.

Overall, “The Unstoppable Brain” is a transformative experience that encourages readers to harness the power of their minds to become unstoppable in their pursuits. Kyra Bobinet’s narration adds a layer of personal guidance that makes the journey through the book a memorable one. It’s a must-read for anyone looking to unlock the full potential of their cognitive abilities. Bold, innovative, and inspiring, this book is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of the human brain. 🧠✨

[Courtnee Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unstoppable Brain by Kyra Bobinet delivers a new way of thinking about your past and future experiences with anxiety and perceived failure in three parts. In the text, readers discover habenula, a part of the brain that has received little attention until recently, uncovering its role in addiction, weight gain and loss, and relationships. The author defines performance and learning goals, intrinsic and extrinsic rewards, and guides you to discover what they mean to you. By naturalizing failure, and practice and repetition with a positive mindset, Bobinet is convinced she has found a way to "side-step" the habenula and hopes you will apply the information.

You don't need a degree in psychology to read Kyra Bobinet's work, only a desire to learn and make positive changes in your thought process. Through an emerging study in neuroscience, Bobinet empowers her readers, encouraging and giving them the knowledge they need to escape "Failure Disease" before they become unmotivated. Bobinet explains how you can work with your brain and inspires you to change your life and habits more permanently without fear of relapsing into a past habit. The author won't single you out. She relates examples from case studies, colleagues, and her life, revealing that she's learning regulation, too, and you aren't alone. Bobinet helps you rid yourself of comparison-thinking or negative self-talk, inspiring readers to take the first step. Unstoppable Brain is a great selection for readers who are ready to break certain cycles by tapping into the power of their minds.

[The Keepers of the Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Physician and health care executive, Kyra Bobinet debunks the myth of how we are taught to change our behaviors and habits. The initial “dopamine” levels we get from SMART goals don’t stick long term. Instead, the secret to changing lies in the hybanula. Located in the brain’s hypothalmus, this small area activates whenever we experience failure and turns off again when we perceive motivation to try again. Bobinet explains the neuroscience of how this area works and what activities we can use to activate this area. She introduces listeners to the acronym, ITERATES: Inspirations, Time, Environment, Reduce, Add Togetheness, Expectations, and Swaps. Using this acronym, she explains the key to behavioral changes, neuroplasticity, and understanding how the habenula can work to one’s advantage.

Narrating her own book, Kyra brings authenticity and credibility to the book. The information provided is thought-provoking, easy to apply, and easy to understand. The narrative and neuroscience are motivating and empower the listener to change their habits and behaviors. Providing a fresh perspective, this audiobook is perfect for any listeners who are interested in neuroscience, growth mindset, and non-fiction about the brain. Recommend for most library collections

Please Note: A copy of this audiobook was given in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are our own, No other compensation was received.

[Emily Erickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since the word “neuroscience” is in the subtitle and the author is an MD, I expected Unstoppable Brain to be read more like a research review. Science references do abound in its pages, but, really, I think this book succeeds most as an inspirational self-help book.

I just didn’t get what I needed in the argumentation or evidence to walk away believing what the author does about the central importance of habenula (an area of the brain the author says is key to, well, everything), which could be a block on my end. But, even so, the primary advice in this book still rang true to me, and her writing helped me see some things differently. (The ITERATE acronym alone, described near the end of the book, is worth reading this for!)

I also appreciate that the author shared her personal experiences throughout, including her love of horses and being an enrolled citizen of a Minnesota Ojibwe tribe. Heads up, though, that there’s a lot of diet talk, so if you’re not up for that, you may want to pass on this one.

If you struggle with motivation, feel that you’re always performing for others, recognize that being goal-oriented isn’t working for you, or feel like a failure, this book might help you reframe things so you can move forward and be more authentically yourself.

Thank you to Advantage Media for the review copy.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book super interesting and took lots of notes. Of course, reading is the easy part. Trying to remember and implement the advice is the hard part.

It’s a self-help book blended with neuroscience and, with the author’s credentials, I felt a bit more confident in its advice/findings.

I found this book after watching an interview of the author Dr. Kyra Bobinet on Mayim Bialik Breakdown YouTube channel. It intrigued me and while I didn’t really want to read another self-help book but I feel like this one was valuable to me.

I skimmed the early chapters quickly as they did the typical story-telling to illustrate key messages and a lot of data on the weight-loss industry I didn’t feel like knowing about.

But the meat of it resonated with me. It links what we’re told often in being kind and compassionate to ourselves, challenge negative thoughts, habit building and positive thinking with the reality that things take tons of time and falling off the horse is a natural part of the process. The important thing is to get back on.

The end of chapter six was very self-helpy, with the MacGyvers category labelling, and rhapsodising how if we are immune to failure we will succeed!! But overall I did appreciate the book and the overall message of keep trying and problem solving, always.

[Susie Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

{thank you to NetGalley for my copy of this audiobook!}

The Unstoppable Brain was a really interesting book to listen to and I feel like I learned a lot. I had never heard of the habenula before and I really appreciate that Kyra Bobinet described it and its functions in a way that is easy for everyone to understand.

I've never thought of goal-setting being a negative before and I am the kind of person who loves setting goals, making to-do lists, and constantly being productive and achieving. I've noticed that it becomes harder and harder to become satisfied with myself and that every time I reach a goal, I almost immediate become dissatisfied and need to achieve more. This book really helped me explore that and though it didn't totally help me come up with solutions, I do think self-awareness is a big part of the battle.

I also found Bobinet's exploration of medications like ketamine and psilocybin and their effects on the habenula to be very insightful and I have a feeling we'll be hearing much more about these medications in the future.

Overall, I am very happy I listened to Unstoppable Brain as I feel like I learned a lot and it definitely encouraged me to do a lot of self-exploration!

[Micaiah Boyea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Immense gratitude to NetGalley for access to this audiobook which I might not have found otherwise.
I wish I could just beam this book into everyone’s brain.
This was Brène Brown level life changing, which is my highest compliment. The information was presented in a way that was easy to understand and to apply in my life, and the book was written in a way that was engaging and authentic and you could just tell the author really wanted to help people and believed in what she was writing about. The beautiful thing about this book and the information presented therein, is that it’s not some super specific, intensive, “you have to do it just this way or it won’t work”, super anxiety-inducing program. It’s something every single person on this planet that is capable of autonomy, can do. And keep doing. Forever. I really appreciated that the author has not played into the hyper-capitalistic mindset of constant productivity, and above all else her message is that failure doesn’t exist and we are all worthy and capable. As someone raised in a high control religion super focused on productivity, and then in an abusive marriage where I was made to feel like a lazy, crazy piece of trash, this book was so healing and validating to me. It will stay with me forever.

[Barnabas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is my new favorite of 2024.
The moment I purchased it, I couldn’t put it down, and I devoured it over my flight to Austin Texas .
I simply love the neuroscience, the relatable, personal stories, and the whole concept of why the Performance Mindset fails… And why we should start thinking iteratively like MacGyver, and embrace the iteration mindset.
I also like the Failure Disease categorizations and the antidotes.
I’m going to recommend this book to my Heroic coaches and Workshop instructors, because everything that is grounded in science weighs a lot more, and this community loves both ancient wisdom and modern science.
Congratulations Kyra to your honest and thorough research, the world will owe you a lot because you made cutting each science, approachable and digestible shedding light on the anti-reward pathway of the brain, driven by the habenula. This was the very first time I heard about it and gosh how much it blew me away 😊👍.
Solid five star highly highly recommended !
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Saya Jacaranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

clear and engaging

This book addresses the pervasive impact of performance mindsets on mental health. I consider this topic to be crucial for anyone living in today’s society. We are all in the same capitalistic world, where our value stems from how much we can produce.
I was stunned by Maya's journey from a joyful gymnast to someone burdened by parental expectations. Devin's professional downfall highlighted the emotional toll of constant performance pressure. I found the writing to be clear and engaging. It balanced storytelling with research, which made complicated concepts accessible. I did feel a lot of empathy, frustration, and sadness for the characters, but also hope for change. I consider this book to be useful for individuals struggling with performance pressures, parents, educators, and mental health professional. It is a call to reevaluate societal values. We should all take a step back and ask ourselves how useful the constant pressure to deliver more is.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Great book. It was fascinating to read about all kinds of reasons for why we do what we do, particularly things that aren't good for us. I didn't really relate to the parts about how some of us live performative lives and that's where the disconnect from authentic living begins, but I enjoyed the scientific explanations for where our lack of motivation, desires to overeat, etc come from. There's a lot of discussion about the part of the brain I'd never heard of called the habenula (not that I'm some kind of brain expert), which was very interesting. I also enjoyed the focus on the diet industry and the health care industry and why these people aren't here because they care about us. The author has lived through many of these struggles herself, which makes the book more truthful and helpful. And finally, I especially loved the inclusion of nature in the book's discussions.

[RxReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book dives deep into the intricate mechanisms of our brains, offering a refreshing take on behavior change. Dr. Bobinet's insights into the habenula shed light on why traditional approaches often fall short of achieving lasting change. Personally, I resonated with her emphasis on reframing failure and embracing a mindset of continuous improvement rather than aiming for perfection. As someone who has grappled with self-imposed pressure and the fear of failure, her words felt like a reassuring hand guiding me toward a healthier perspective. While the journey to unlocking lasting change isn't easy, the tools provided in this book offer a beacon of hope for those stuck in cycles of frustration and self-doubt. If you're ready to break free from the shackles of old habits and embrace a more empowered way of living, this book is definitely worth a read.

[Alejandro Sureda · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Unstoppable Brain" immerses us in the world of neuroscience, highlighting the importance of the habenula, a little-known but extremely influential region of the brain.
The main discovery of the book is the exploration of the habenula. This small but powerful brain region acts as a failure detector and motivation switch. When active, the habenula can override even the reward and dopamine systems, which are traditionally considered the primary drivers of behavior. Understanding how the habenula works is crucial to achieving true autonomy and significant changes in our lives.
Bobinet's writing style is engaging and sincere, combining personal stories with impactful scientific research. This blend of personal narrative and scientific evidence offers a resonant and motivating guide to a full and vibrant life. The author provides information and inspires.

[Almiria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unstoppable Brain by Kyra Bobinet is a very interesting and groundbreaking book that uses neuroscience to investigate why so many of the systems we use to motivate ourselves and reach our goals ultimately tend to fail. Bobinet claims that systems like SMART goals, calorie counting, and other performance-driven tools are not effective for motivating us and maintaining long-term results. Instead, she advocates for the role of the habenula, an area of the brain that controls, among other things, emotional and behavioral expression. By activating the habenula correctly, Bobinet states that we can achieve far more lasting results and free ourselves from being too hard on ourselves and pursuing ineffective, performance-driven strategies. While more research is needed in this field, I think this is a very promising area and the book makes a valuable contribution to self-help literature.

[Daniel Moreno · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book will be very helpful for you

This book is a transformative dive into neuroscience, unveiling strategies for lasting change for everyone. The author challenges conventional approaches, focusing on the habenula's role in the behavior and motivation of the human being. Bobinet blends science with relatable stories, offering good advice for breaking self-limiting habits and fostering well-being in your life. Her engaging style makes complex concepts accessible, empowering readers to reclaim agency and pursue fulfilling lives. It is a must-read for those seeking genuine transformation and a healthier lifestyle and for those passionate for this kind of topics like neuroscience, science applied to real life, and more. Without any doubt, this book will be very helpful for you and the people around you.

[Kevin Marler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first heard of the author when she appeared on Mayim Bialik’s podcast. She’s very relatable and her writing style is very readable. The book is kind of a blend of self help and neuroscience - with her premise being that recent research is emerging that points to the habenula as the primary reason for much of our tendency to perceive failure in ourselves and give up on our efforts toward growth. If nothing else, learning more about this research can help you to give a name to the defeatism we succumb to sometimes. And to name it gives us some power to overcome.

I especially recommend it for educators. I can’t say it will help you save everyone, but it might give you some additional understanding of why people of all ages give up too easily - or maybe avoid trying at all in the first place.

[Kanon M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found your book truly captivating. Growing up, my parents often criticized my performance, and no matter how hard I tried, it never seemed enough for them. By my teenage years, I frequently experienced isolated sleep paralysis, waking in the midst of REM sleep, unable to move. Over the years, I adopted the practice of setting SMART goals, but I soon learned that motivation alone was insufficient for success. Eventually, I accepted that it's okay not to meet every goal on time. These days, my daily to-do list is short but non-negotiable, including strict sleep and wake times. This incremental approach, a step towards Kaizen, has proven effective for me. I only wish I had discovered your book during my earlier struggles.

[Aneley Sánchez · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is full of information.

This is a book for anyone looking for a thought-provoking read. The author of this book opens the door to many very interesting discussions about the current paradigms that guide our lives and how they affect us in the short and long term. Also, it offers a lot of information and discoveries about the habenula; possibly the most powerful controller of behavior ever found.
There are many points in the book with which I do not agree or with which I do not feel identified, but they are still interesting to read and analyze. It is a book to read without rushing; on the contrary, it is necessary to read it with time and dedication to be able to appreciate all the content. Very interesting!

[Mayra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book by Dr. Kyra Bobinet is a shrewd investigation into the newly developed discipline of tackling the control of the brain to realize individual change. She includes several examples, including her own story, to demonstrate how exposure to disillusionments can have a great influence over people’s life. Every topic dealt with in the book is captivating; it is very informative. Dr. Bobinet presents commonsense techniques for overcoming mental boundaries and cultivating enduring alter. Every reader will discover important instruments to improve their cognitive capacities and versatility. The writing style gives the perfect frame to the topic, making it easy to understand. I will keep it at hand for further reading.

[Agustina Sureda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unstoppable Brain is a book written by Dr. Kyra Bobinet where she describes the significance of the habenula, a half-centimeter area of the epithalamus. It is what we call the anti-reward pathway, that normally guides individuals away from the threat of perceived psychological harm from failure, but when it comes to a positive behavior change, the habenula can be our destruction. It inhibits healthy motivations and leaves us in a grey area of procrastination, so the key of this book is to help the reader to understand how to reprogram these things to achieve healthier habits. This is a great book! It provides clear information and can change your life for good! Great reading!