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The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery: Connecting Neuroscience and Faith to Radically Transform Your Life
What if it were possible for you to make structural changes to your own brain so it’s healthier and less prone to depression, anxiety, grief, worry, and other issues that make you unhappy and keep you stuck?
In this neuroscience-based, faith-infused, and immensely practical guide, Dr. W. Lee Warren, a practicing neurosurgeon, trauma survivor, and award-winning writer, reveals how to take control of your own mental, emotional, and physical healing by reordering your mind to change your brain—resulting in a radically transformed life that is healthier, happier, and more hopeful.
Since the development of functional brain imaging in the early 2000’s, we now know that thoughts can direct structural changes in the brain as or more effectively than medicines or surgery and can do so more quickly. That means, whether we know it or not, we’re all brain surgeons.
The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery will help
learn and master several types of “self-brain surgery” operations to move from floundering to flourishing heal from trauma, tragedy, and other types of hardship overcome anxiety, depression, loneliness and other emotional and mental health struggles conquer limiting or negative thinking break old habits and create new ones build resilience and wellbeing become an empowered, hopeful person no matter what you’re facing With the skill of a surgeon, the wounds of a trauma survivor, the lessons of a scientist, and a hard-won faith that we are wired for happiness here on earth and not just in the hereafter, Dr. Warren walks readers into nothing less than a new way of life.
PLEASE When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
In this neuroscience-based, faith-infused, and immensely practical guide, Dr. W. Lee Warren, a practicing neurosurgeon, trauma survivor, and award-winning writer, reveals how to take control of your own mental, emotional, and physical healing by reordering your mind to change your brain—resulting in a radically transformed life that is healthier, happier, and more hopeful.
Since the development of functional brain imaging in the early 2000’s, we now know that thoughts can direct structural changes in the brain as or more effectively than medicines or surgery and can do so more quickly. That means, whether we know it or not, we’re all brain surgeons.
The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery will help
learn and master several types of “self-brain surgery” operations to move from floundering to flourishing heal from trauma, tragedy, and other types of hardship overcome anxiety, depression, loneliness and other emotional and mental health struggles conquer limiting or negative thinking break old habits and create new ones build resilience and wellbeing become an empowered, hopeful person no matter what you’re facing With the skill of a surgeon, the wounds of a trauma survivor, the lessons of a scientist, and a hard-won faith that we are wired for happiness here on earth and not just in the hereafter, Dr. Warren walks readers into nothing less than a new way of life.
PLEASE When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
336 pages, Hardcover
Published February 3, 2026
50 people are currently reading
1940 people want to read
About the author
W. Lee Warren
9 books148 followersW. Lee Warren, MD, is a practicing neurosurgeon and award-winning author. His book, "I've Seen the End of You," won the Christian Book Award for Biography and Memoir in 2021.
His newest book ,"Hope is the First Dose: A Treatment Plan for Recovering from Trauma, Tragedy, and Other Massive Things," releases in July 2023 from Waterbrook.
Dr. Warren has appeared on The 700 Club and CBS Evening News and his writings have been featured in Guideposts magazine. His appearance on Focus on the Family was chosen as one of the “Best of 2021.”
He writes a weekly "Self-Brain Surgery" letter at drleewarren.substack.com
The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast, heard in more than 80+ countries around the world, explores the connections between faith and science and how to find hope even when life is hard.
Dr. Warren lives in Nebraska with his wife, Lisa.
His newest book ,"Hope is the First Dose: A Treatment Plan for Recovering from Trauma, Tragedy, and Other Massive Things," releases in July 2023 from Waterbrook.
Dr. Warren has appeared on The 700 Club and CBS Evening News and his writings have been featured in Guideposts magazine. His appearance on Focus on the Family was chosen as one of the “Best of 2021.”
He writes a weekly "Self-Brain Surgery" letter at drleewarren.substack.com
The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast, heard in more than 80+ countries around the world, explores the connections between faith and science and how to find hope even when life is hard.
Dr. Warren lives in Nebraska with his wife, Lisa.
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Review of advance copy received from Author
excellant strategies to rewire the brain for a better way to live and thrive
February 8, 2026
Neurosurgeon and best-selling author Dr. Lee Warren combines neuroscience and faith in his latest book, The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery, sharing his tried-and-true approach to transforming and renewing our minds. Self-brain surgery does not mean we have to cut open our brains. It is a scientific method that offers a unique approach to challenging disordered thinking that can keep us stuck in a self-destructive loop that leads to depression and anxiety. (If you read my last review, you might be surprised, as I was, that I requested advance review copies of books about "the doldrums." See my previous review of Chris Hodges' Breathe Again.)
Dr. Warren wants his readers to have the tools and best practices needed to confront the life events he calls "The Massive Things" (TMTs) that threaten to overwhelm us. As always, he uses stories about real people and shares personal insights from his own journey using these tools. He uses the metaphor of a medical student's journey to become a doctor and surgeon to illustrate how we can become both patient and doctor in this process. He guides readers through medical school, residency, and ultimately, becoming a full-fledged surgeon. In doing so, readers gain insight into the dedication and challenges of the medical profession, particularly neurosurgery, while simultaneously learning about self-brain surgery.
While his message is rooted in Christianity, Dr. Warren emphasizes that these principles apply broadly, encouraging both believers and nonbelievers to take charge of their mental health. Psalm 126:5-6 showed him how God uses tears we plant in the soil of our hearts to help us reap a harvest of joy.
“Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.
With four books, a newsletter, and podcasts on this topic, Dr. Warren has taken what he's learned and shared it so others might reap the benefits and pass them on to those facing life's challenges. He's reaping that harvest. Whether you are a Christian or a nonbeliever, Dr. Warren wants you to know that science and faith are friends and not enemies. We can learn how to do what the apostle Paul tells the Corinthian believers in 2 Corinthians 10:5: "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."
Dr. Warren asserts that we are not constrained by genetics, past traumas, or tragedies. He emphasizes that we do not have to allow our brains to operate on default when it comes to thinking patterns that keep us feeling "sad, sick, stressed, or stuck." We can monitor our thoughts, order tests and scans, biopsy, and treat those that are holding us back from healing.
For example, he suggests "transplant" surgeries, where we identify a diseased (or dis-eased) thought, remove it, and replace it with new thoughts. The apostle Paul would say to let the Holy Spirit guide us to fix our gaze on Christ and have His mind. We can replace and transplant thoughts based on Philippians 4:8-9. Dr. Warren recommends follow-up "rehab" to ensure the new thoughts take root and start to renew our minds.
In each chapter, Dr. Warren provides the relevant neuroscience behind his approaches, explaining how our brains physically change based on our thoughts, a phenomenon known as neuroplasticity. Studies have shown that negative thinking decreases gray matter, while positive thinking strengthens areas related to memory and emotion. Adopting a proactive and positive mindset not only improves mental health but also alters brain structure.
Dr. Warren first takes readers to the waiting room. While waiting in a rural Oklahoma hospital, he realized he found himself both a patient and a medical student. A broken tooth led him there. He had been eating sour candies and crunched down on one. Thankfully, the residency placement had an emergency dentist available. He met the doctor he would work under while he waited. The doctor wanted him to use the SOAP note system when documenting patient concerns. SOAP—subjective, objective, assessment, and plan—guides doctors to record symptoms, gather measurable data, assess findings, and determine next steps. He takes the reader through the waiting room to the doctor’s office, where we will document using the SOAP method to learn what is mentally ailing us, how we feel about it, explore treatment options, and develop a plan.
One of the best illustrations of self-brain surgery that Dr. Warren shares is the story of Dr. Leonid Rogonov, a doctor turned patient-doctor. As the lone physician on a 1961 Soviet Antarctic Expedition, Rogonov recognized his symptoms indicated appendicitis, understanding he needed to perform his own appendectomy or face death from a ruptured appendix. His story highlights that link between perception and action. He could have only seen himself as a sick and dying, alone and without aid. Rogonov first had to overcome the mental block and recognize that he wasn't just a sick patient, but also a capable surgeon. He survived with help from colleagues – a meteorologist and a driver – who kept him awake and alert while he performed life-saving surgery on himself. He learned as he performed the appendectomy that had he done nothing that day, had he let fear overwhelm him, he would have died.
Tell me that's not powerful!
Through his teachings, Dr. Warren empowers individuals to participate in their own healing by intentionally changing the way they think, emphasizing that this process is both real and achievable. He begins with ten principles for the self-brain surgeon to follow. Like the Ten Commandments, he presents ten truths to keep in mind so that we are able to press on with the goal of removing what is hurting us and keeping us stuck.
Neural pathways are forming whether we do nothing or something, Dr. Warren said. Like Pastor Chris' maritime description of "the doldrums," do nothing and you'd be like sailors stuck in the doldrums, with no wind in their sails and a storm raging overhead. Shipwreck is inevitable. He said if we do nothing when we have the tools and knowledge, we also commit an act of self-malpractice. In spiritual terms, we sin against ourselves.
Conclusion
I appreciated that someone finally stated it is a lie that we can't overcome our genetic code, trauma, or past circumstances that have left us broken, hurting, emotionally drained, and perpetually stuck. For too long, people believed they could not change. Their family life and experiences had defined them, leaving them powerless to change their outcomes. That simply isn't true, and Dr. Warren shows how neuroscience proves this.
Still grieving the son of their son, he and his wife Lisa first saw the 7-Tesla MRI machine that led him to the conclusions he shares in this book about how our thoughts impact our brains. He researched and provided the sources that also helped him arrive at this technique of self-brain surgery. For example, Dr. Daniel Amen, who wrote Change Your Brain, Change Your Life that he discusses on YouTube.
Dr. Warren's stories offer readers a glimpse into the dedication and challenges of becoming a doctor and surgeon, while simultaneously guiding them through the process of self-brain surgery. He emphasizes that we cannot anesthetize ourselves during this process, meaning no alcohol, drugs, or escapism through distractions like binge-watching K-Dramas. We must feel to heal, he said. His own journey informed him on how we can carry pain and losses and still live an abundant, joyful life.
This book is a great resource for readers to take control of their mental health and responses to life's challenges. Appendices in the back of the book have specific self-brain surgical procedures, making this a resource you will want to return to again and again. Even though we are the ones doing the surgery, Dr. Warren wants us to know we aren't going it alone. While he may not have explicitly stated it, he impressed upon me that like Rogonov we have our own meteorologist and driver, and the Holy Spirit for believers, assisting us in the "OR."
Dr. Warren wants his readers to have the tools and best practices needed to confront the life events he calls "The Massive Things" (TMTs) that threaten to overwhelm us. As always, he uses stories about real people and shares personal insights from his own journey using these tools. He uses the metaphor of a medical student's journey to become a doctor and surgeon to illustrate how we can become both patient and doctor in this process. He guides readers through medical school, residency, and ultimately, becoming a full-fledged surgeon. In doing so, readers gain insight into the dedication and challenges of the medical profession, particularly neurosurgery, while simultaneously learning about self-brain surgery.
While his message is rooted in Christianity, Dr. Warren emphasizes that these principles apply broadly, encouraging both believers and nonbelievers to take charge of their mental health. Psalm 126:5-6 showed him how God uses tears we plant in the soil of our hearts to help us reap a harvest of joy.
“Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.
With four books, a newsletter, and podcasts on this topic, Dr. Warren has taken what he's learned and shared it so others might reap the benefits and pass them on to those facing life's challenges. He's reaping that harvest. Whether you are a Christian or a nonbeliever, Dr. Warren wants you to know that science and faith are friends and not enemies. We can learn how to do what the apostle Paul tells the Corinthian believers in 2 Corinthians 10:5: "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."
Dr. Warren asserts that we are not constrained by genetics, past traumas, or tragedies. He emphasizes that we do not have to allow our brains to operate on default when it comes to thinking patterns that keep us feeling "sad, sick, stressed, or stuck." We can monitor our thoughts, order tests and scans, biopsy, and treat those that are holding us back from healing.
For example, he suggests "transplant" surgeries, where we identify a diseased (or dis-eased) thought, remove it, and replace it with new thoughts. The apostle Paul would say to let the Holy Spirit guide us to fix our gaze on Christ and have His mind. We can replace and transplant thoughts based on Philippians 4:8-9. Dr. Warren recommends follow-up "rehab" to ensure the new thoughts take root and start to renew our minds.
In each chapter, Dr. Warren provides the relevant neuroscience behind his approaches, explaining how our brains physically change based on our thoughts, a phenomenon known as neuroplasticity. Studies have shown that negative thinking decreases gray matter, while positive thinking strengthens areas related to memory and emotion. Adopting a proactive and positive mindset not only improves mental health but also alters brain structure.
Dr. Warren first takes readers to the waiting room. While waiting in a rural Oklahoma hospital, he realized he found himself both a patient and a medical student. A broken tooth led him there. He had been eating sour candies and crunched down on one. Thankfully, the residency placement had an emergency dentist available. He met the doctor he would work under while he waited. The doctor wanted him to use the SOAP note system when documenting patient concerns. SOAP—subjective, objective, assessment, and plan—guides doctors to record symptoms, gather measurable data, assess findings, and determine next steps. He takes the reader through the waiting room to the doctor’s office, where we will document using the SOAP method to learn what is mentally ailing us, how we feel about it, explore treatment options, and develop a plan.
One of the best illustrations of self-brain surgery that Dr. Warren shares is the story of Dr. Leonid Rogonov, a doctor turned patient-doctor. As the lone physician on a 1961 Soviet Antarctic Expedition, Rogonov recognized his symptoms indicated appendicitis, understanding he needed to perform his own appendectomy or face death from a ruptured appendix. His story highlights that link between perception and action. He could have only seen himself as a sick and dying, alone and without aid. Rogonov first had to overcome the mental block and recognize that he wasn't just a sick patient, but also a capable surgeon. He survived with help from colleagues – a meteorologist and a driver – who kept him awake and alert while he performed life-saving surgery on himself. He learned as he performed the appendectomy that had he done nothing that day, had he let fear overwhelm him, he would have died.
Tell me that's not powerful!
Through his teachings, Dr. Warren empowers individuals to participate in their own healing by intentionally changing the way they think, emphasizing that this process is both real and achievable. He begins with ten principles for the self-brain surgeon to follow. Like the Ten Commandments, he presents ten truths to keep in mind so that we are able to press on with the goal of removing what is hurting us and keeping us stuck.
Neural pathways are forming whether we do nothing or something, Dr. Warren said. Like Pastor Chris' maritime description of "the doldrums," do nothing and you'd be like sailors stuck in the doldrums, with no wind in their sails and a storm raging overhead. Shipwreck is inevitable. He said if we do nothing when we have the tools and knowledge, we also commit an act of self-malpractice. In spiritual terms, we sin against ourselves.
Conclusion
I appreciated that someone finally stated it is a lie that we can't overcome our genetic code, trauma, or past circumstances that have left us broken, hurting, emotionally drained, and perpetually stuck. For too long, people believed they could not change. Their family life and experiences had defined them, leaving them powerless to change their outcomes. That simply isn't true, and Dr. Warren shows how neuroscience proves this.
Still grieving the son of their son, he and his wife Lisa first saw the 7-Tesla MRI machine that led him to the conclusions he shares in this book about how our thoughts impact our brains. He researched and provided the sources that also helped him arrive at this technique of self-brain surgery. For example, Dr. Daniel Amen, who wrote Change Your Brain, Change Your Life that he discusses on YouTube.
Dr. Warren's stories offer readers a glimpse into the dedication and challenges of becoming a doctor and surgeon, while simultaneously guiding them through the process of self-brain surgery. He emphasizes that we cannot anesthetize ourselves during this process, meaning no alcohol, drugs, or escapism through distractions like binge-watching K-Dramas. We must feel to heal, he said. His own journey informed him on how we can carry pain and losses and still live an abundant, joyful life.
This book is a great resource for readers to take control of their mental health and responses to life's challenges. Appendices in the back of the book have specific self-brain surgical procedures, making this a resource you will want to return to again and again. Even though we are the ones doing the surgery, Dr. Warren wants us to know we aren't going it alone. While he may not have explicitly stated it, he impressed upon me that like Rogonov we have our own meteorologist and driver, and the Holy Spirit for believers, assisting us in the "OR."
February 6, 2026
This Book Is for Everyone
The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery isn’t just an interesting read—it’s a practical guide I know I’ll return to often. I’ve read Dr. Warren’s other books and I’m a regular listener of his podcast, both of which have helped me and my family.
What stood out most is his practical guidance for dealing with thoughts and mental patterns we’ve carried for years. Through relatable stories, Dr. Warren makes complex neuroscience concepts easy to understand and apply, offering tools that truly bring clarity and freedom.
I’ve personally used self-brain surgery in the middle of the night when I’ve been overcome with worry. I’ve also shared these concepts with women I coach, as well as with middle school and high schoolers—who said it helped them realize they have more power to manage their minds and their brains.
I also appreciate that this teaching doesn’t conflict with my Christian faith—it strengthens it. The integration of neuroscience and faith is thoughtful, grounded, and deeply encouraging.
I’d recommend this book to anyone feeling stuck, anxious, overwhelmed, or wanting to grow in mental resilience and faith. Buy a copy for yourself and consider getting an extra for a friend or family member.
I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book as part of the launch team, but all opinions are my own.
The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery isn’t just an interesting read—it’s a practical guide I know I’ll return to often. I’ve read Dr. Warren’s other books and I’m a regular listener of his podcast, both of which have helped me and my family.
What stood out most is his practical guidance for dealing with thoughts and mental patterns we’ve carried for years. Through relatable stories, Dr. Warren makes complex neuroscience concepts easy to understand and apply, offering tools that truly bring clarity and freedom.
I’ve personally used self-brain surgery in the middle of the night when I’ve been overcome with worry. I’ve also shared these concepts with women I coach, as well as with middle school and high schoolers—who said it helped them realize they have more power to manage their minds and their brains.
I also appreciate that this teaching doesn’t conflict with my Christian faith—it strengthens it. The integration of neuroscience and faith is thoughtful, grounded, and deeply encouraging.
I’d recommend this book to anyone feeling stuck, anxious, overwhelmed, or wanting to grow in mental resilience and faith. Buy a copy for yourself and consider getting an extra for a friend or family member.
I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book as part of the launch team, but all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book is not for the faint of heart. I have enjoyed using many of the concepts presented in this book for the last couple of years with a life coach, even without understanding any of the science.
I think this is important information that some people will absolutely need in order to feel comfortable using their minds to change things about their lives. Even though I enjoy some good science once in a while, this was a bit much for me.
However, I can see myself recommending this book to people who just NEED to know that something is scientific rather than mystical. So, in that way, it is a needed book for our day.
Also, there are SO many stories about brain and spinal cord surgeries, as well as the author's journey of grief over the loss of his son, and that was all VERY intense for me. Reading those surgery stories was kind of like watching a car accident - I really didn't need to know all of that but couldn't tear my eyes away from reading about it.
I imagine this would be a great book for the husbands of women who like their mindfulness practice ;) and for anyone who is skeptical about the power of the mind to change our realities. It's also a good companion to the psychological science put forth by William Backus a few decades ago.
I think this is important information that some people will absolutely need in order to feel comfortable using their minds to change things about their lives. Even though I enjoy some good science once in a while, this was a bit much for me.
However, I can see myself recommending this book to people who just NEED to know that something is scientific rather than mystical. So, in that way, it is a needed book for our day.
Also, there are SO many stories about brain and spinal cord surgeries, as well as the author's journey of grief over the loss of his son, and that was all VERY intense for me. Reading those surgery stories was kind of like watching a car accident - I really didn't need to know all of that but couldn't tear my eyes away from reading about it.
I imagine this would be a great book for the husbands of women who like their mindfulness practice ;) and for anyone who is skeptical about the power of the mind to change our realities. It's also a good companion to the psychological science put forth by William Backus a few decades ago.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I picked up this book during one of the hardest seasons of my life, and it fundamentally changed how I understand healing and hope. The idea that stayed with me most is that I have the power to change my life by changing my mind—I don’t have to stay stuck or sick. My thoughts can create real structural changes in my brain, as effectively as, or even more effectively than, medicines or surgeries. The guiding principles in the Ten Commandments of Self-Brain Surgery have shifted my thinking for the better, making me more hopeful and more aware of my thought patterns; one of my favorites is “thoughts become things.” I also deeply appreciate the practical, tactical procedures offered for specific struggles like chronic illness. My mother passed away in December of 2025, which was profoundly traumatic, especially on top of living with chronic illness, and if it weren’t for the principles taught by Dr. Warren—combined with my faith and incorporated into my daily life—I truly believe I would have fallen off the edge. This is a unique book, written by a trauma survivor, that beautifully integrates faith and neuroscience in a way a layperson can understand and apply. I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from the author as part of the launch team, but all opinions are my own.
February 3, 2026
What a gift this book is! I want to give a copy to everyone I know! The concepts presented are so powerful, and they really shifted my perspective. Dr. Warren's style of communicating takes extremely complex ideas and breaks them down so they are completely understandable and relatable to your life. I wholeheartedly believe that practicing these principles of self-brain surgery truly has the power to change my life. I intend to apply the ten commandments of self-brain surgery and am confident that my mind will be renewed day by day. I am so grateful to Dr. Warren for writing this book. I was introduced to him when I was going through an incredibly dark time in my life and read his book, "Hope is the First Dose", which I also loved and would encourage anyone to read. He is a skillful, compassionate, and approachable writer and I couldn't recommend this book more highly! (I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from the author as part of the launch team, but all opinions are my own.)
Review of advance copy received from Author
Impactful, life-changing, and practical.
I have been listening to Dr. Warren for a year and half on his podcast and subscribe to his Substack. This book brought the 10 commandments of self brain surgery even clearer with actionable steps to change the way I think. Story and examples in this book were light bulb moments that gave me hope of change.
My feeling stuck from my trauma, I found a way out! Understanding even clearer how thoughts become things made me stop in my tracks. Each of the 10 commandments I will repeat over and over with new clarity from reading this book.
Highly recommend you don’t have to stay the way you are. Pick up a copy today.
I received an advanced reader's copy of this book from the author as part of the launch team, but all opinions are my own.
I have been listening to Dr. Warren for a year and half on his podcast and subscribe to his Substack. This book brought the 10 commandments of self brain surgery even clearer with actionable steps to change the way I think. Story and examples in this book were light bulb moments that gave me hope of change.
My feeling stuck from my trauma, I found a way out! Understanding even clearer how thoughts become things made me stop in my tracks. Each of the 10 commandments I will repeat over and over with new clarity from reading this book.
Highly recommend you don’t have to stay the way you are. Pick up a copy today.
I received an advanced reader's copy of this book from the author as part of the launch team, but all opinions are my own.
February 4, 2026
I had never read other books by Dr. Warren, but the title and description intrigued me. I was not disappointed. I very much enjoyed reading the book The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brainstorm Surgery. Optimistic and practical, the author shares techniques backed by neuroscience research on tackling issues such as feeling stuck, anxious, or unhappy. The author does spend time discussing his Christian faith, but he did not come across in an overbearing or judgmental tone in my opinion. I especially enjoyed the real-life stories and experiences he sprinkled throughout the text. It made what could have easily been a boring self-help book show his heart and compassion for others. He has obviously triumphed through tragedy using the skills he describes in the book.
I am grateful to NetGalley and the publisher Tyndale Refresh for the opportunity to review an advanced copy of the book.
I am grateful to NetGalley and the publisher Tyndale Refresh for the opportunity to review an advanced copy of the book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I want to personally thank Dr.Warren for having a deep heart for those who are hurting, stuck, sad, sick, stressed. He has courageously followed the Lords leading and giftedness to develop this program. His new book, “The Life Changing Art of Self Brain Surgery” is truly life giving and life altering. He couples his strong faith in Jesus Christ with his brilliant mind in neuroscience to show us how the Lord intends for us to live and think. Now modern day science completely defends these biblical truths. He covers a great deal of material with many excellent resources that you can go back to frequently for guidance and instruction. It will help anyone who is serious about changing their lives the knowledge needed to begin to change their minds.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is packed with practical tools, laid out in an engaging way, with stories from Dr. Warrens’ medical practice and neuroscience research. Also makes the strong connection of faith and neuroscience, using relevant passages from the Bible.
I can honestly say that self-brain surgery has changed my way of thinking and continues to transform my mind.
The last section of the book is such a bonus- goes over specific issues (such as panic attacks and chronic pain). I will be referring to this book again and again!
I pre-ordered the book, and also received an advanced reader’s copy as part of the launch team. However, all opinions are my own.
I can honestly say that self-brain surgery has changed my way of thinking and continues to transform my mind.
The last section of the book is such a bonus- goes over specific issues (such as panic attacks and chronic pain). I will be referring to this book again and again!
I pre-ordered the book, and also received an advanced reader’s copy as part of the launch team. However, all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book exceeded all my expectations, and they were high. :) Dr. Lee Warren has made neuroscience practical and accessible and has helped me change my life at its core. Read this book. Apply the teachings. Share the book with a friend. This is a message of hope and empowerment that everyone needs.
FULL REVIEW ADDED BELOW ON 2/3/26.
This book exceeded all my expectations, and they were high. Dr. Lee Warren makes neuroscience practical, accessible, and deeply transformative. This isn’t just a book to read; it’s a book to apply. And when you do, it truly changes your life from the inside out.
Through Dr. Warren’s teachings, I’ve experienced real healing, renewed hope, and a stronger ability to stay grounded during seasons of grief and hardship. Unlike surface-level self-help tactics, this book offers lasting tools that create meaningful, internal change.
There are many things that set this book apart from others in its genre. One is how beautifully it integrates faith and science in a way that’s easy to understand and actionable. And on the faith and philosophy side, Dr. Warren's work has actually strengthened my faith, especially through his explanation of how the mind and the brain are separate entities. Before I encountered Dr. Warren's work, I was reading about neuroscience from other authors, and I was often confused, as secular authors did not acknowledge the difference, or if they did, they did not explain it in a way I could grasp.
I also appreciated Dr. Warren calling out the fact that God does want us to flourish on this earth and how all of us, Christian or not, can flourish even if our circumstances don't change because we can change our brains and therefore our life and experience of it. (Of course, as Christians, we experience this on a deeper level, as he points out, and he encourages readers towards the faith.) This is not a prosperity gospel. This is Biblical. Scripture tells us to renew our minds, take our thoughts captive, etc., and we know from neuroscience how transformative these things are. But for so long I just thought I had to wait until heaven for my life to improve and that my life was just going to be filled with immense suffering until then. I write as someone who was bedridden for 8 years and who lost many things as a result of that illness: community, opportunities, etc.
This book is written with the precision of a renowned neurosurgeon and with the compassion of someone who has walked through suffering. Seriously. He's been to war, literally in Iraq and emotionally in the death of his first marriage, and his son Mitch was brutally murdered as a teenager. And that makes everything he has to say so much more authentic and relatable.
If you’re looking for a message of hope, empowerment, and real transformation, this book is for you. Read it. Apply it. Share it. I can't recommend it highly enough. Thank you, Dr. Warren, for teaching all how to become hopeful, empowered self-brain surgeons.
Disclaimer: I received a digital copy of this book as part of the launch team, but all opinions are my own.
FULL REVIEW ADDED BELOW ON 2/3/26.
This book exceeded all my expectations, and they were high. Dr. Lee Warren makes neuroscience practical, accessible, and deeply transformative. This isn’t just a book to read; it’s a book to apply. And when you do, it truly changes your life from the inside out.
Through Dr. Warren’s teachings, I’ve experienced real healing, renewed hope, and a stronger ability to stay grounded during seasons of grief and hardship. Unlike surface-level self-help tactics, this book offers lasting tools that create meaningful, internal change.
There are many things that set this book apart from others in its genre. One is how beautifully it integrates faith and science in a way that’s easy to understand and actionable. And on the faith and philosophy side, Dr. Warren's work has actually strengthened my faith, especially through his explanation of how the mind and the brain are separate entities. Before I encountered Dr. Warren's work, I was reading about neuroscience from other authors, and I was often confused, as secular authors did not acknowledge the difference, or if they did, they did not explain it in a way I could grasp.
I also appreciated Dr. Warren calling out the fact that God does want us to flourish on this earth and how all of us, Christian or not, can flourish even if our circumstances don't change because we can change our brains and therefore our life and experience of it. (Of course, as Christians, we experience this on a deeper level, as he points out, and he encourages readers towards the faith.) This is not a prosperity gospel. This is Biblical. Scripture tells us to renew our minds, take our thoughts captive, etc., and we know from neuroscience how transformative these things are. But for so long I just thought I had to wait until heaven for my life to improve and that my life was just going to be filled with immense suffering until then. I write as someone who was bedridden for 8 years and who lost many things as a result of that illness: community, opportunities, etc.
This book is written with the precision of a renowned neurosurgeon and with the compassion of someone who has walked through suffering. Seriously. He's been to war, literally in Iraq and emotionally in the death of his first marriage, and his son Mitch was brutally murdered as a teenager. And that makes everything he has to say so much more authentic and relatable.
If you’re looking for a message of hope, empowerment, and real transformation, this book is for you. Read it. Apply it. Share it. I can't recommend it highly enough. Thank you, Dr. Warren, for teaching all how to become hopeful, empowered self-brain surgeons.
Disclaimer: I received a digital copy of this book as part of the launch team, but all opinions are my own.
February 4, 2026
The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery, extends a lifeline of hope to all. Dr. Lee Warren leads us on a journey to discover that we don’t need to be held captive by our thoughts, genetics, or past traumas. Emotional and mental freedom are available through intentional thought management, faith, and neuroplasticity. May you discover a life of healing, purpose, and joy through the insights of this life-changing book.
February 11, 2026
This is an essential read for anyone who feels trapped by their own thoughts. It’s a masterclass in resilience that reminds us we are not stuck with the brain we have today. Dr. Warren offers more than just hope; he offers a roadmap for structural change. It’s scientific, it’s sacred, and it is profoundly practical.
A game-changer for anyone looking to move from simply surviving to truly flourishing.
A game-changer for anyone looking to move from simply surviving to truly flourishing.
February 14, 2026
I have been deeply moved by each book Dr. Lee Warren has written. This is no exception. There is an abundance of grace here. His strategic care is one of the best tools I have come across. It can feel impossible to capture our thoughts or know what to do with them, but Lee gives a practical plan. Just as he rebuilt after his son was murdered, we can build beauty and hope into our lives as well. Grab a copy and learn to do the work.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book exceeded all my expectations, and they were high. :) Dr. Lee Warren has made neuroscience practical and accessible and has helped me change my life at its core. Read this book. Apply the teachings. Share the book with a friend. This is a message of hope and empowerment that everyone needs.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Dr. Lee Warren is so inspiring! The self- brain surgery have been so helpful to me as I struggled to rebuild my life after losing my 21 year old son. This book explains the process of self brain surgery and gives practical tips to live it and change your brain. I highly recommend it! I am so honored to have read it before it was released.
February 14, 2026
Misled by title and was expecting something akin to Richard Bandlers DHE. So was looking forward to some next level neurological state intervention.
This book is far from it, basically the tired knowledge that thoughts inspire your reality combined with some bible scripture.
Disappointing.
Review copy in the trash.
This book is far from it, basically the tired knowledge that thoughts inspire your reality combined with some bible scripture.
Disappointing.
Review copy in the trash.
February 1, 2026
Dr. Lee Warren did it again! This is a must read. Having lived through some significant brain trauma, I can tell you that the mind can indeed be changed and that this is powerful stuff. There is hope and healing in the other side and Dr. Warren delivers it so well! I highly recommend this book!
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