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The Embodied Mind: Understanding the Mysteries of Cellular Memory, Consciousness, and Our Bodies
As groundbreaking synthesis that promises to shift our understanding of the mind-brain connection and its relationship with our bodies.
We understand the workings of the human body as a series of interdependent physiological muscle interacts with bone as the heart responds to hormones secreted by the brain, all the way down to the inner workings of every cell. To make an organism function, no one component can work alone. In light of this, why is it that the accepted understanding that the physical phenomenon of the mind is attributed only to the brain?
In The Embodied Mind , internationally renowned psychiatrist Dr. Thomas R. Verny sets out to redefine our concept of the mind and consciousness. He brilliantly compiles new research that points to the mind’s ties to every part of the body.
The Embodied Mind collects disparate findings in physiology, genetics, and quantum physics in order to illustrate the mounting evidence that somatic cells, not just neural cells, store memory, inform genetic coding, and adapt to environmental changes—all behaviors that contribute to the mind and consciousness. Cellular memory, Verny shows, is not just an abstraction, but a well-documented scientific fact that will shift our understanding of memory.
Verny describes single-celled organisms with no brains demonstrating memory, and points to the remarkable case of a French man who, despite having a brain just a fraction of the typical size, leads a normal life with a family and a job. The Embodied Mind shows how intelligence and consciousness—traits traditionally attributed to the brain alone—also permeate our entire being. Bodily cells and tissues use the same molecular mechanisms for memory as our brain, making our mind more fluid and adaptable than we could have ever imaged.
We understand the workings of the human body as a series of interdependent physiological muscle interacts with bone as the heart responds to hormones secreted by the brain, all the way down to the inner workings of every cell. To make an organism function, no one component can work alone. In light of this, why is it that the accepted understanding that the physical phenomenon of the mind is attributed only to the brain?
In The Embodied Mind , internationally renowned psychiatrist Dr. Thomas R. Verny sets out to redefine our concept of the mind and consciousness. He brilliantly compiles new research that points to the mind’s ties to every part of the body.
The Embodied Mind collects disparate findings in physiology, genetics, and quantum physics in order to illustrate the mounting evidence that somatic cells, not just neural cells, store memory, inform genetic coding, and adapt to environmental changes—all behaviors that contribute to the mind and consciousness. Cellular memory, Verny shows, is not just an abstraction, but a well-documented scientific fact that will shift our understanding of memory.
Verny describes single-celled organisms with no brains demonstrating memory, and points to the remarkable case of a French man who, despite having a brain just a fraction of the typical size, leads a normal life with a family and a job. The Embodied Mind shows how intelligence and consciousness—traits traditionally attributed to the brain alone—also permeate our entire being. Bodily cells and tissues use the same molecular mechanisms for memory as our brain, making our mind more fluid and adaptable than we could have ever imaged.
258 pages, Hardcover
Published October 5, 2021
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November 14, 2021
This book is both fascinating and invigorating. As more and more scientists are beginning to do, the author challenges the Newtonian concepts of matter and the specialized cells on which Newtonian physics assumes it is built. When it comes to the mind, memories, and consciousness, that means that the mind is not enskulled, as we have long assumed, and is, in fact, embodied, the product of a “linked sentient network” that employs all of our cells, wherever in the body they may reside.
A corollary of this idea is that we can change our lives – “Genes are not destiny.” – and that these changes will be passed down to our children and our grandchildren (epigenetics). By being kind, loving people, eating properly, and avoiding negativity and stress, we can lead happier lives and our children are likely to do the same.
While this may sound like New Age mumbo jumbo, it is not. Dr. Verny is a clinical psychiatrist, professor, and experienced author, but his conclusions rely on the studies of dozens of scientists from a multitude of universities. (The Bibliography runs over 30 pages.) In fact, if there is any drawback to the book to the lay reader like myself it is that the narrative is filled with scientific jargon. He apologizes for that up front but assures the reader that they don’t need to digest the scientific jargon to digest the concepts.
And he is right about that. If you try to absorb every scientific word you will find reading this book a slog. But I quickly learned that you can skip over the scientific words and still get the point. (To maintain the pace of the prose I recommend substituting the name of a pet or child every time the corner of your eye sees a bit of Latin coming.)
As optimistic as the book is about the future of humanity, there is one risk that it clearly brings to light. That is the risk of specialization. From sports to science and medicine we are now learning and training along increasingly narrow pathways. As a result we are not only missing the forest for the tree, we are missing the tree for the bark. This empowers the status quo and reinforces our unwillingness to consider alternative explanations and solutions.
Most of the most meaningful studies cited in the book involved teams of scientists specialized in a wide variety of disciplines. They were able to see beyond the banks of their own specialty and see that all of reality is intertwined. There are overlaps everywhere we look and it is in these overlaps that the most important knowledge often resides.
Dr. Verny also candidly articulates what we still don’t know about the human body and the reality we inhabit. And, to my way of thinking, never will know. In 1899 Charles Duell, Commissioner, US Patent Office, confidently proclaimed, “Everything that can be invented has already been invented.” Ha!
There will never come a day when all of the scientists can say, “We’re done.” It will never happen. Which is why I believe that AI will never achieve human consciousness. It may lead to our destruction, and it will surely widen the wealth and income gap by eliminating the jobs of the poor and enriching the pockets of the already wealthy. But it will never build robots that are us.
I study a lot of Eastern philosophy and throughout the book I was reminded of the basic tenets of Taoism. They hold that reality and life are simply too complex for us to understand and the best we can do is look to nature for guidance on how to live the best life possible.
“The Embodied Mind hypothesis allows for the agency of free will and empowers each of us to fully live up to our potential by way of self-regulation rather than by the exigencies of an unpredictable environment.”
If you have an open mind and can learn to substitute the name of your pet for the Latin, you will find this a fascinating book. Maybe even a game-changer.
I highly recommend it.
A corollary of this idea is that we can change our lives – “Genes are not destiny.” – and that these changes will be passed down to our children and our grandchildren (epigenetics). By being kind, loving people, eating properly, and avoiding negativity and stress, we can lead happier lives and our children are likely to do the same.
While this may sound like New Age mumbo jumbo, it is not. Dr. Verny is a clinical psychiatrist, professor, and experienced author, but his conclusions rely on the studies of dozens of scientists from a multitude of universities. (The Bibliography runs over 30 pages.) In fact, if there is any drawback to the book to the lay reader like myself it is that the narrative is filled with scientific jargon. He apologizes for that up front but assures the reader that they don’t need to digest the scientific jargon to digest the concepts.
And he is right about that. If you try to absorb every scientific word you will find reading this book a slog. But I quickly learned that you can skip over the scientific words and still get the point. (To maintain the pace of the prose I recommend substituting the name of a pet or child every time the corner of your eye sees a bit of Latin coming.)
As optimistic as the book is about the future of humanity, there is one risk that it clearly brings to light. That is the risk of specialization. From sports to science and medicine we are now learning and training along increasingly narrow pathways. As a result we are not only missing the forest for the tree, we are missing the tree for the bark. This empowers the status quo and reinforces our unwillingness to consider alternative explanations and solutions.
Most of the most meaningful studies cited in the book involved teams of scientists specialized in a wide variety of disciplines. They were able to see beyond the banks of their own specialty and see that all of reality is intertwined. There are overlaps everywhere we look and it is in these overlaps that the most important knowledge often resides.
Dr. Verny also candidly articulates what we still don’t know about the human body and the reality we inhabit. And, to my way of thinking, never will know. In 1899 Charles Duell, Commissioner, US Patent Office, confidently proclaimed, “Everything that can be invented has already been invented.” Ha!
There will never come a day when all of the scientists can say, “We’re done.” It will never happen. Which is why I believe that AI will never achieve human consciousness. It may lead to our destruction, and it will surely widen the wealth and income gap by eliminating the jobs of the poor and enriching the pockets of the already wealthy. But it will never build robots that are us.
I study a lot of Eastern philosophy and throughout the book I was reminded of the basic tenets of Taoism. They hold that reality and life are simply too complex for us to understand and the best we can do is look to nature for guidance on how to live the best life possible.
“The Embodied Mind hypothesis allows for the agency of free will and empowers each of us to fully live up to our potential by way of self-regulation rather than by the exigencies of an unpredictable environment.”
If you have an open mind and can learn to substitute the name of your pet for the Latin, you will find this a fascinating book. Maybe even a game-changer.
I highly recommend it.
December 29, 2021
In The Embodied Mind Thomas Verny explores the idea that the human mind/body system is based in and operates via not just the brain but many other elements of the body. The book surveys a wide range of topics from genes to memory to regeneration and heart transplants. Verny provides synopses of studies and points out possible implications with respect to our understanding of intelligence, memory, decision-making and bodily operations, among other things. He writes clearly and smoothly. It is a very interesting read.
The challenge with this book, in part, is its breadth and its reliance on specialized studies. Only an expert could assess whether Verny has fairly represented the studies he cites. And many different experts would be required to make this assessment for the book in its entirety given the wide range of topics Verny discusses. So, the reader is left to trust Verny or, better, retain a grain of skepticism. The latter course is better because Verny speaks fairly loosely on numerous occasions.
For example, Verny uses the term “memory” as referring to a typical human audio-visual memory of an event but also uses the term in a more generic manner akin to computer systems (write/store/read). On its face, there is nothing wrong with these usages but the latter is not equivalent to the former. In particular, the existence of a “memory” mechanism in the immune system (i.e., outside the brain) does not provide evidence that the first type of memories exist outside the brain. Yet, Verny implicitly suggests as much. He speaks loosely. So, readers need to be careful.
That said, Verny’s penchant for skating over (or around) such niceties is not a serious problem as long as one remains aware that it is occurring. Verny could have done a better job of pointing this out.
The more serious problem with this book arises in Chapter 9 which deals with consciousness, “quantum biology”, the self, free will, mind over matter and other deeply challenging topics. Verny’s survey approach is not suited to these topics. While it is understandable that he wants to talk about them, he does a disservice to the information and arguments presented in the preceding chapters by dealing with these latter topics is such a superficial way. In particular, the reader may wonder about the reliability of what went before given the discussion in Chapter 9. Verny would have done better to either leave out these topics altogether or to have changed his approach and style to reflect the difference in the subject matter.
Overall, this is an interesting, information-packed book that is worth reading. But retain that grain of skepticism.
The challenge with this book, in part, is its breadth and its reliance on specialized studies. Only an expert could assess whether Verny has fairly represented the studies he cites. And many different experts would be required to make this assessment for the book in its entirety given the wide range of topics Verny discusses. So, the reader is left to trust Verny or, better, retain a grain of skepticism. The latter course is better because Verny speaks fairly loosely on numerous occasions.
For example, Verny uses the term “memory” as referring to a typical human audio-visual memory of an event but also uses the term in a more generic manner akin to computer systems (write/store/read). On its face, there is nothing wrong with these usages but the latter is not equivalent to the former. In particular, the existence of a “memory” mechanism in the immune system (i.e., outside the brain) does not provide evidence that the first type of memories exist outside the brain. Yet, Verny implicitly suggests as much. He speaks loosely. So, readers need to be careful.
That said, Verny’s penchant for skating over (or around) such niceties is not a serious problem as long as one remains aware that it is occurring. Verny could have done a better job of pointing this out.
The more serious problem with this book arises in Chapter 9 which deals with consciousness, “quantum biology”, the self, free will, mind over matter and other deeply challenging topics. Verny’s survey approach is not suited to these topics. While it is understandable that he wants to talk about them, he does a disservice to the information and arguments presented in the preceding chapters by dealing with these latter topics is such a superficial way. In particular, the reader may wonder about the reliability of what went before given the discussion in Chapter 9. Verny would have done better to either leave out these topics altogether or to have changed his approach and style to reflect the difference in the subject matter.
Overall, this is an interesting, information-packed book that is worth reading. But retain that grain of skepticism.
October 28, 2024
We have entered the era of LLMs, of AI "brains" that exist without bodies that are interacting with millions of people daily. What does it mean, to have a brain that exists without a mind? The inverse is, what do we get, from our mind existing in our body? How do things like hunger, mobility, touch, change the way our brain operates? This is the curiosity that made me interested in this book.
This book did do an interesting job of highlighting research that exemplifies that different ways that the body impacts the brain. It focused on some things I knew about - like the microbiome, and the work that Levin has been doing with planaria. It introduced me to some studies I don't know about, including research around epigenetic - about how 'gene expression' is at least as important as genes themselves, about how life experiences (particularly trauma) have been demonstrated to exist over multiple generations.
The book fell down for me in two ways, unfortunately, and after the first few chapters it became a bit of a slog.
The first is that the author did not do a very compelling job of bringing to life the various studies that the book references - and the book references a lot. For the most part, the study would get one or two paragraphs, half of which would be who/what/when it happened. "In 1992, Bob Scientist of Smart University did an experiment on science thing, which demonstrated that such and such happens". Very rarely would he go into detail upon such and such; it was just as likely that the next paragraph would be another study. And I'm sorry, but after reading this book, I remember some of the scientific conclusions, but none of the authors, universities, or dates they happened. Focusing more on the meat of the idea would have been more engaging and made those sections read a bit less like a textbook. Furthermore, the author is a psychologist, and would happily dive deep into deeply technical terms that I didn't know, leaving me floundering. I had to take his word that whatever he was describing made sense without his technical knowledge.
The second was that, he used these points to drive towards an agenda of his - his hypothesis that am 'Embodied Mind' actually means that our memories are physically spread throughout our body, not just in our brains. I did not always feel that the conclusions he was drawing - that that was the most reasonable hypothesis to draw from the science - was actually the case. But this was the core thesis of the book, what he was trying to prove, by pulling from studies that really didn't try to prove it.
Actually, I don't mind if a book like this has a hypothesis. I even find the hypothesis he shared interesting and believe it may have (some sort of) validity and would be curious to see science that pursued it specifically and demonstrated the pros and cons of it. I just am not as convinced as the author that this hypothesis is so significant, it will make my life better in 3 ways (as the last chapter tries to convince me).
In short - interesting ideas, dry writing, an interesting hypothesis treated more like a conclusion.
This book did do an interesting job of highlighting research that exemplifies that different ways that the body impacts the brain. It focused on some things I knew about - like the microbiome, and the work that Levin has been doing with planaria. It introduced me to some studies I don't know about, including research around epigenetic - about how 'gene expression' is at least as important as genes themselves, about how life experiences (particularly trauma) have been demonstrated to exist over multiple generations.
The book fell down for me in two ways, unfortunately, and after the first few chapters it became a bit of a slog.
The first is that the author did not do a very compelling job of bringing to life the various studies that the book references - and the book references a lot. For the most part, the study would get one or two paragraphs, half of which would be who/what/when it happened. "In 1992, Bob Scientist of Smart University did an experiment on science thing, which demonstrated that such and such happens". Very rarely would he go into detail upon such and such; it was just as likely that the next paragraph would be another study. And I'm sorry, but after reading this book, I remember some of the scientific conclusions, but none of the authors, universities, or dates they happened. Focusing more on the meat of the idea would have been more engaging and made those sections read a bit less like a textbook. Furthermore, the author is a psychologist, and would happily dive deep into deeply technical terms that I didn't know, leaving me floundering. I had to take his word that whatever he was describing made sense without his technical knowledge.
The second was that, he used these points to drive towards an agenda of his - his hypothesis that am 'Embodied Mind' actually means that our memories are physically spread throughout our body, not just in our brains. I did not always feel that the conclusions he was drawing - that that was the most reasonable hypothesis to draw from the science - was actually the case. But this was the core thesis of the book, what he was trying to prove, by pulling from studies that really didn't try to prove it.
Actually, I don't mind if a book like this has a hypothesis. I even find the hypothesis he shared interesting and believe it may have (some sort of) validity and would be curious to see science that pursued it specifically and demonstrated the pros and cons of it. I just am not as convinced as the author that this hypothesis is so significant, it will make my life better in 3 ways (as the last chapter tries to convince me).
In short - interesting ideas, dry writing, an interesting hypothesis treated more like a conclusion.
July 25, 2023
This book has some intriguing factoids, but the last couple chapters that hypothesized human memory and consciousness are also distributed and analogous / linked to quantum mechanics got too disorienting for me to follow.
I'm pretty sure that the earlier chapters were strictly factual, eg planarian worms can be trained with a stimuli and show reaction to it even if they are split up and regrown. Epigenetics, immunology, inter cell communication - these topics also seem well researched and the mechanisms described in the book I'm pretty sure are accurate and agreed upon.
The anecdotes about heart transplant receivers taking on personality traits of their donors - I wouldn't say that I think this is unbelievable. I've studied enough biology to know it's often wacko, but it seemed this is not well studied and I'd need more experimentally verified information about the mechanism by which this actually happens to believe it. Having a few pieces that make it hypothetically possible doesn't really keep my interest (eg muscle cells can develop more muclei permanently when a young person exercises - that's cool, but we'd still need a way for the heart to encode memory qualities and then transmit to consciousness?). It makes this seem like just one of potentially many hypotheses that sound ethereal but haven't been remotely validated.
The author addresses my skepticism somewhat by noting that science advances with people asking big questions and imagining amazing things. But I guess I'd rather read about the smaller leaps that we're closer to validating and what the implications could be, rather than reading about one massive leap with very little validation (since I imagine other massive leaps in other directions might be equally likely).
I'm pretty sure that the earlier chapters were strictly factual, eg planarian worms can be trained with a stimuli and show reaction to it even if they are split up and regrown. Epigenetics, immunology, inter cell communication - these topics also seem well researched and the mechanisms described in the book I'm pretty sure are accurate and agreed upon.
The anecdotes about heart transplant receivers taking on personality traits of their donors - I wouldn't say that I think this is unbelievable. I've studied enough biology to know it's often wacko, but it seemed this is not well studied and I'd need more experimentally verified information about the mechanism by which this actually happens to believe it. Having a few pieces that make it hypothetically possible doesn't really keep my interest (eg muscle cells can develop more muclei permanently when a young person exercises - that's cool, but we'd still need a way for the heart to encode memory qualities and then transmit to consciousness?). It makes this seem like just one of potentially many hypotheses that sound ethereal but haven't been remotely validated.
The author addresses my skepticism somewhat by noting that science advances with people asking big questions and imagining amazing things. But I guess I'd rather read about the smaller leaps that we're closer to validating and what the implications could be, rather than reading about one massive leap with very little validation (since I imagine other massive leaps in other directions might be equally likely).
December 29, 2021
With scientific rigor Verny compiles fascinating evidence to show how human consciousness is interconnected. A compelling critique of contemporary post-humanistic myths which hold that information and memory are separate from the body.
January 12, 2022
An easy, fun read for non-specialist on a complex topic. The author takes us on a tour of the most fascinating research in the past decade.
May 16, 2023
In The Embodied Mind: Understanding the Mysteries of Cellular Memory, Consciousness, and Our Bodies, Dr. Thomas Verny presents a comprehensive exploration of the intricate relationship between the brain, our bodily functions, and the ways our bodies respond to cerebral directives.
Dr. Verny delves into the realms of dreams and consciousness, explaining how our existence is influenced by internal bodily factors and external elements alike. The book is a masterclass in communicating complex ideas, demonstrating how cells utilize consciousness to perform their primary functions.
Aimed not just at medical professionals but at any intellectually curious reader, The Embodied Mind acts as a gateway to understanding the mysteries of the mind, brain, and the human nervous system. The book demystifies how cells maintain behaviors vital to life, leaving the reader with a profound appreciation of the human body’s marvel and the complexities of the brain, often overlooked by the layman.
One of the book’s strengths is its seamless blend of complex discussions and real-life narratives. This is evident from the warm introduction, where Dr. Verny shares his inspiration for writing the book and his fascination with the brain. His account of a young patient highlights individual variations in memory and consciousness and is particularly compelling.
The first chapter— a thought-provoking discussion on the significance of genes and an insightful dive into epigenetics— stands out as a highlight. This informative book covers various complex topics, including the mechanisms behind memory, the workings of the immune system, and the enigmatic nature of human cells.
Dr. Verny’s exploration of how the body retains memory while the brain forgets is a standout section. It resonates due to its relevance to everyday experiences and is presented in a manner accessible to all readers, regardless of their scientific background.
The book is a testament to Dr. Verny’s extensive research, incorporating a wealth of scientific material and revealing fresh insights throughout its ten informative and enlightening chapters. Beyond its educational discussions and engaging narratives, it challenges established scientific concepts and provides clear explanations, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking comprehensive information on memory, genetics, the human brain, and the body.
Dr. Verny’s insightful understanding of human memory’s nature is impressive, and his ability to explain complex ideas lucidly is commendable. “The Embodied Mind” is a compelling, powerfully engaging read. However, this book isn’t just a testament to Dr. Verny’s expertise—it is a riveting journey into the mysteries of our bodies and minds.
Dr. Verny delves into the realms of dreams and consciousness, explaining how our existence is influenced by internal bodily factors and external elements alike. The book is a masterclass in communicating complex ideas, demonstrating how cells utilize consciousness to perform their primary functions.
Aimed not just at medical professionals but at any intellectually curious reader, The Embodied Mind acts as a gateway to understanding the mysteries of the mind, brain, and the human nervous system. The book demystifies how cells maintain behaviors vital to life, leaving the reader with a profound appreciation of the human body’s marvel and the complexities of the brain, often overlooked by the layman.
One of the book’s strengths is its seamless blend of complex discussions and real-life narratives. This is evident from the warm introduction, where Dr. Verny shares his inspiration for writing the book and his fascination with the brain. His account of a young patient highlights individual variations in memory and consciousness and is particularly compelling.
The first chapter— a thought-provoking discussion on the significance of genes and an insightful dive into epigenetics— stands out as a highlight. This informative book covers various complex topics, including the mechanisms behind memory, the workings of the immune system, and the enigmatic nature of human cells.
Dr. Verny’s exploration of how the body retains memory while the brain forgets is a standout section. It resonates due to its relevance to everyday experiences and is presented in a manner accessible to all readers, regardless of their scientific background.
The book is a testament to Dr. Verny’s extensive research, incorporating a wealth of scientific material and revealing fresh insights throughout its ten informative and enlightening chapters. Beyond its educational discussions and engaging narratives, it challenges established scientific concepts and provides clear explanations, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking comprehensive information on memory, genetics, the human brain, and the body.
Dr. Verny’s insightful understanding of human memory’s nature is impressive, and his ability to explain complex ideas lucidly is commendable. “The Embodied Mind” is a compelling, powerfully engaging read. However, this book isn’t just a testament to Dr. Verny’s expertise—it is a riveting journey into the mysteries of our bodies and minds.
December 12, 2025
4.5 stars ⭐️ My favorite kind of book with an ultimately New Age leaning plotline is the kind that comes with a thirty-page bibliography of copious scientific studies. Grounded woo-woo, if you will.
That kind of rigor may be a deterrent for some (the academic jargon can be a bit much) but for me, it does the opposite. It strips away the reflexive urge to dismiss certain topics (telepathy, quantum entanglement, generational trauma, to name a few) as fluff.
Even the way Verny structures the book feels academic. Each point is carefully built, with its own chapter, and the evidence is summarized at the end before moving on to the next building block of the thesis.
My brain likey.
Verny braids together a wide range of ideas to make his case…and all of them happen to hit my personal geek spots.
Epigenetics, microchimerism, mycelium networks, twin telepathy, torsion fields, memory of water, persistent consciousness under anesthesia, quantum entanglement, OBEs, evidence over dogma…I was always going to be all in.
My main sticking point is his emphasis on inherited trauma and the genetics of PTSD. While he does clearly stress toward the end of the book that we can change the expression of our genes, I would have liked to see references to nervous-system regulation, healing, or “cleansing” a bloodline introduced earlier and especially when the epigenetic argument first appears.
The book is meticulously researched, though I didn’t personally cross check every study to assess how neutrally the findings were relayed. In that sense, the reader does need to trust that the science is being presented accurately.
That said, works like this are incredibly exciting, and finishing this book left me genuinely invigorated. I will absolutely be recommending it.
If you enjoyed it as much as I did, I’d also suggest:
An Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds, and Shape Our Futures by Merlin Sheldrake - which takes the embodied mind hypothesis and applies it across all life.
And:
The Cosmic Serpent: DNA and the Origins of Knowledge by Jeremy Narby - which explores similar territory while adding a fascinating perspective on DNA that pairs beautifully with the themes in The Embodied Mind.
That kind of rigor may be a deterrent for some (the academic jargon can be a bit much) but for me, it does the opposite. It strips away the reflexive urge to dismiss certain topics (telepathy, quantum entanglement, generational trauma, to name a few) as fluff.
Even the way Verny structures the book feels academic. Each point is carefully built, with its own chapter, and the evidence is summarized at the end before moving on to the next building block of the thesis.
My brain likey.
Verny braids together a wide range of ideas to make his case…and all of them happen to hit my personal geek spots.
Epigenetics, microchimerism, mycelium networks, twin telepathy, torsion fields, memory of water, persistent consciousness under anesthesia, quantum entanglement, OBEs, evidence over dogma…I was always going to be all in.
My main sticking point is his emphasis on inherited trauma and the genetics of PTSD. While he does clearly stress toward the end of the book that we can change the expression of our genes, I would have liked to see references to nervous-system regulation, healing, or “cleansing” a bloodline introduced earlier and especially when the epigenetic argument first appears.
The book is meticulously researched, though I didn’t personally cross check every study to assess how neutrally the findings were relayed. In that sense, the reader does need to trust that the science is being presented accurately.
That said, works like this are incredibly exciting, and finishing this book left me genuinely invigorated. I will absolutely be recommending it.
If you enjoyed it as much as I did, I’d also suggest:
An Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds, and Shape Our Futures by Merlin Sheldrake - which takes the embodied mind hypothesis and applies it across all life.
And:
The Cosmic Serpent: DNA and the Origins of Knowledge by Jeremy Narby - which explores similar territory while adding a fascinating perspective on DNA that pairs beautifully with the themes in The Embodied Mind.
December 16, 2023
Thomas Verny’s ‘The Embodied Mind’ is a fantastic contribution to an emerging paradigm that is rooted in an interconnected view of nature, which, will certainly, in time, supersede the prevailing mechanistic world view. The content of the book is scholarly (Dr. Verny is a clinical psychiatrist, who has taught at a number of universities, including Harvard), whilst also being very readable. The style of writing is friendly and complex material is presented in a way that makes it easy to digest. I was hooked very quickly and did not want to put the book down. The scope of research presented draws from many different disciplines to present a coherent holistic model of how body and mind function together as a sophisticated system of feedback processes. Dr. Verny is a true renaissance man, taking us on a journey that passes through many different territories, such as cellular biology, neurocardiology, epigenetics, the microbiome, consciousness studies, cellular and tissue memory, to name a few. Each step of the way is well-referenced, with citations from a huge array of scientific papers. Having read the book from cover to cover, I know that I will come back to it many times, for specific references. Dr. Verny has done us a huge service in drawing all this material together into a single volume. ‘The Embodied Mind’ will be of interest to a broad range of therapists and health practitioners, as well as lay-people who are interested in how the body really works and the implications of this for health and well-being. I look forward to the day when it is required reading for all physicians.
May 2, 2023
Dear Thomas, here I want to once more express my deep appreciation for your work. I think, your latest book, The Embodied Mind, was published at the very right moment. Besides the excellent review of very recent research in neuroscience and epigenetics, I like your exemplary approach of continually reassessing and questioning the routinely repeated "scientific truths.” I think now is a perfect time to reassess the scorn-sounded proclamations about phenomena, which have been, still recently, taken as “paranormal” or “too esoteric”. And it is perfect to break these proclamations with the scientific language, as science in our culture has replaced religious authority. I was very happy to recommend your book further – even your colleague Paul Grof MD from MDCO, has downloaded it, and my father, psychiatrist Prof. Cyril Hoschl has it on his waiting list (:)). Thank you for your work, I hope it will make you happy to know, that it spreads further – I already comprise some of your conclusions in my activities at the Mehana Institute, which I founded.
Kristina Höschlová, MD
Mehana Institute Director
Kristina Höschlová, MD
Mehana Institute Director
May 28, 2025
This topic is fascinating and Thomas R. Verny does a good job of discussing the scientific studies and medical cases which support the embodied mind theory. The second to last chapter of THE EMBODIED MIND even touches upon the quantum mechanics subject I encountered in ENTANGLED MINDS earlier this year, but without the bruised ego tone that crippled Dean Radin's argument. I was primed to listen to Verny's perspective, and having read THE EMBODIED MIND, agree that the theory represents our bodies' lived reality.
Key quotes from the title description:
"The Embodied Mind collects disparate findings in physiology, genetics, and quantum physics in order to illustrate the mounting evidence that somatic cells, not just neural cells, store memory, inform genetic coding, and adapt to environmental changes--all behaviors that contribute to the mind and consciousness."
"The Embodied Mind shows how intelligence and consciousness--traits traditionally attributed to the brain alone--also permeate our entire being. Bodily cells and tissues use the same molecular mechanisms for memory as our brain, making our minds more fluid and adaptable that we could have ever imagined."
Key quotes from the title description:
"The Embodied Mind collects disparate findings in physiology, genetics, and quantum physics in order to illustrate the mounting evidence that somatic cells, not just neural cells, store memory, inform genetic coding, and adapt to environmental changes--all behaviors that contribute to the mind and consciousness."
"The Embodied Mind shows how intelligence and consciousness--traits traditionally attributed to the brain alone--also permeate our entire being. Bodily cells and tissues use the same molecular mechanisms for memory as our brain, making our minds more fluid and adaptable that we could have ever imagined."
June 30, 2025
I came to this book not knowing much about the relationship of mind with body. The topic seemed daunting, but this author's presentation of a complex subject while maintaining an intellectual, scientific and scholarly rigour made reading and comprehending a real pleasure. It is the clarity with which he identifies and uses research his ideas about the brain's interactions with our whole bodies that encourages a deeper understanding and appreciation for the who and what we are, and why.
He also confronts misunderstandings and the shortcomings of many commonly held perceptions.
I highly recommend The Embodied Mind to those who are interested in the science but also to those who are interested in our humanity and furture.
He also confronts misunderstandings and the shortcomings of many commonly held perceptions.
I highly recommend The Embodied Mind to those who are interested in the science but also to those who are interested in our humanity and furture.
July 20, 2025
Outstanding!
A must read for anyone who has an interest in what constitutes our existence from the brain and organs, to the incredible intelligence of our cells. Verny has woven biological, cellular, medical, psychological and spiritual knowledge and insights into a tapestry of jaw dropping information about who we truly are as humans. Written in such a way that even a novice can understand complex scientific concepts, he builds one on top of the other to reach a game changing conclusion. After reading this book I became more committed to my cellular health and more aware of the way in which my body “knows” more than I give it credit for, including the connection to my Self.
I highly recommend this book!
A must read for anyone who has an interest in what constitutes our existence from the brain and organs, to the incredible intelligence of our cells. Verny has woven biological, cellular, medical, psychological and spiritual knowledge and insights into a tapestry of jaw dropping information about who we truly are as humans. Written in such a way that even a novice can understand complex scientific concepts, he builds one on top of the other to reach a game changing conclusion. After reading this book I became more committed to my cellular health and more aware of the way in which my body “knows” more than I give it credit for, including the connection to my Self.
I highly recommend this book!
December 13, 2024
This is much more of a manifesto than an investigation. The author typically throws out a bold, "paradigm-breaking" concept, superficially refers to one study, article, or anecdote, and then makes a flawed "this shows that" conclusion. His own biases and beliefs frequently intrude. He can't resist criticizing SSRIs (he grudgingly admits that he's seen SOME good results) yet pushes the power of optimism and positivity to strengthen genes and sustain plant life (yes). His referral to autism as a "complicated disease" is especially striking in a book recently released by a prominent publisher.
September 19, 2023
Enjoyed this book by Thomas R Verny MD,and will be using some of his research in my upcoming talk..What Drives Giving:The Heart or The Brain.
Will recommend that people read this book,thank you for suggesting it to me originally,The Embodied Mind has given me a new perspective on many things involving the mind and its intricacies and just reinforces what I have felt but did not have the significant research that Dr Verny has provided in his book..
Gary Bukowski,MA,CFRE
Will recommend that people read this book,thank you for suggesting it to me originally,The Embodied Mind has given me a new perspective on many things involving the mind and its intricacies and just reinforces what I have felt but did not have the significant research that Dr Verny has provided in his book..
Gary Bukowski,MA,CFRE
October 3, 2023
I found this book to be very easy to read, and elegantly written, despite the complexity of the subject matter. A vast quantity of research that supports the claims made by Dr Verny. I find his argument persuasive - and even those who might not go as far as the author does should be encouraged to expand their horizons.
I recommend this book to all those interested in mind, health, consciousness and the evolution of human understanding.
I recommend this book to all those interested in mind, health, consciousness and the evolution of human understanding.
February 27, 2022
There are parts of the book in which he makes really compelling arguments, but parts in which he relies on very weak support. He successfully shows that thought and memory are not centralized. The brain is very important, but doesn't do all of our mental functioning alone. The body, too, participates in the work of the mind.
January 28, 2023
from Luisella Magnani - Italy
my deep and full, holistic and scientific study within each page, each sentence, each word of Your Book is Wonderful.
Your Book is the Lectio Magistralis to the World. Now more than ever the World must be Educated as Your Lectio Magistralis Teaches millisecondly.
That's what the World Needs to Know u r g e n t l y. Now, not then. Today, not tomorrow.
my deep and full, holistic and scientific study within each page, each sentence, each word of Your Book is Wonderful.
Your Book is the Lectio Magistralis to the World. Now more than ever the World must be Educated as Your Lectio Magistralis Teaches millisecondly.
That's what the World Needs to Know u r g e n t l y. Now, not then. Today, not tomorrow.
August 26, 2023
I loved this book. I loved the shape of it, the summaries at the end of each chapter and the thorough science. The book is well documented and supports what I, as a therapist, have long believed to be true about cellular memory and inherited trauma. This book is easily accessible for the lay person and equally could hold its own in an undergraduate psychology course.
October 7, 2023
Dr. Verny's work has made a huge impact on my life. His ability to teach + research how consciousness affects the body, cells and even future generations is incredible. Highly recommend this book and all others he has published. I always learn a lot from his writing.
November 9, 2023
A fascinating book. Very well researched, and presented in a way which is easy to understand and conversational...definitely not a dry read. If you want to expand your knowledge and perspective of the mind/body, this is definitely a book for you.
December 23, 2023
To believe in the body-wide-web, you need to be an informed reader. Accepting that our mind is not encased in our skull but part of our body gives us more freedom. I enjoyed this book for daring to go beyond conventional science.
June 29, 2025
In writing The Embodied Mind, Dr. Verny has combed the latest research to present a balanced and forward looking perspective on the topic. As well, with “Key Takeaways” at the end of each chapter, Dr. Verny enables readers to quickly review/recall information easily as needed.
April 5, 2022
Interesting, technical book. Lots to take in and digest.
July 1, 2022
This is a powerful and enlightening read!
November 4, 2022
Interesting read how everything is connected - the mind and the body.
October 4, 2024
Profoundly informative!
Read
December 11, 2024I'm interested in the topic, but the execution (particularly the audio version) was mind-numbingly boring. I listened to a few hours and eventually gave up.
September 8, 2023
TLDR; It gradually becomes clear that Verny is willfully blind to the difference between science and pseudoscience. Verny quotes outlandish "findings" of infamous pseudoscientists with the same confidence as findings from actual science. Then he reasons based on, overt or covert, conclusions that do not follow from the, already highly suspect, evidence he presents. Thus, I trust nothing in this book. I would have to find other sources to tell if any of the, frequently fantastical, ideas in the book are supported by actual science or even critical thinking.
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I started out intrigued and fascinated by the fresh perspectives Verny proposes. But soon I started to feel uncomfortable. Time and time again Verny would state conclusions with conviction which I do not consider to follow from the evidence presented. Or, even more worrying, Verny would reason with the covert assumption of such conclusions without ever stating them outright. The most recurring example is how time and time again Verny brings up studies demonstrating something that might be called memory and/or cognition of a sort in various parts/aspects of the body, such as the immune system learning to defend against infections. So far so good, but then Verny jumps to the conclusion that such "memory" is part of our autobiographical memory (The memory we usually call memory) and such cognition is part of what we usually think of as cognition. I find no credible evidence for this anywhere in the book.
Gradually the conclusions Verny presents, or assumes covertly, become more and more fantastical. One such example is when Verny proposes that that "instant attraction" exists and the mechanism for it is the electromagnetic field produced by a persons heart. Another when he confidently states that he believes that eventually memory loss from brain damage will be repairable by using the backup memory he believes is stored in heart cells. I start to seriously consider dropping the book.
Then we come to chapter 9 (The Brain-Mind Conundrum and the Rise of Quantum Biology) and Verny drops all serious pretense of critical thinking. Now he appears to exclusively quote pseudoscientists and follows up with describing, quite seriously, an "experiment" conducted by his friends wherein they placed rice in two glass jars on their piano and spoke to the jars in different ways. That the contents of one jar rotted faster he sees as reliable evidence that negative words from humans causes rice to rot and from this extrapolates:
There is a growing body of science documenting the deleterious health effects of emotional abuse and other forms of stress and trauma. I shudder to think what "support" like this does to the perception of that science. Verny is truly not helping here even if his intentions might be good.
Soon after this he starts right in on badly misrepresenting quantum mechanics in the, now all too familiar, way that pseudoscientists so often do. No Verny, "observer" does not in mainstream quantum mechanics refer to a consciousness and does not imply that your mind directly alters physical reality. As Werner Heisenberg, wrote:
In my experience, when a someone starts talking about quantum this or that in a context that does not deal primarily with physics odds are very good that we are dealing with pseudoscience. Those that want to believe without evidence have latched on to their misconceptions/wilful ignorance about quantum mechanics like a bulldog hanging on to a bone. Other common warning signs are talk about radio waves, vibrations/frequencies and a barely disguised contempt for real scientists who pseudo scientists feel are unfair in their demands for actual scientific rigor. All these signs we find plenty of in this book.
In conclusion: This book might contain accurately reported science and well considered views, but if it does the effort to try and separate them from all the wilfully ignorant pseudoscientific fantasy is prohibitive. I'm forced to conclude that nothing I've read in this book can be trusted and I will not waste any more time and effort on it. I gave up half way into the last chapter.
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I started out intrigued and fascinated by the fresh perspectives Verny proposes. But soon I started to feel uncomfortable. Time and time again Verny would state conclusions with conviction which I do not consider to follow from the evidence presented. Or, even more worrying, Verny would reason with the covert assumption of such conclusions without ever stating them outright. The most recurring example is how time and time again Verny brings up studies demonstrating something that might be called memory and/or cognition of a sort in various parts/aspects of the body, such as the immune system learning to defend against infections. So far so good, but then Verny jumps to the conclusion that such "memory" is part of our autobiographical memory (The memory we usually call memory) and such cognition is part of what we usually think of as cognition. I find no credible evidence for this anywhere in the book.
Gradually the conclusions Verny presents, or assumes covertly, become more and more fantastical. One such example is when Verny proposes that that "instant attraction" exists and the mechanism for it is the electromagnetic field produced by a persons heart. Another when he confidently states that he believes that eventually memory loss from brain damage will be repairable by using the backup memory he believes is stored in heart cells. I start to seriously consider dropping the book.
Then we come to chapter 9 (The Brain-Mind Conundrum and the Rise of Quantum Biology) and Verny drops all serious pretense of critical thinking. Now he appears to exclusively quote pseudoscientists and follows up with describing, quite seriously, an "experiment" conducted by his friends wherein they placed rice in two glass jars on their piano and spoke to the jars in different ways. That the contents of one jar rotted faster he sees as reliable evidence that negative words from humans causes rice to rot and from this extrapolates:
If rice reacts this way to emotionally charged words, how do you think people’s bodies react?
There is a growing body of science documenting the deleterious health effects of emotional abuse and other forms of stress and trauma. I shudder to think what "support" like this does to the perception of that science. Verny is truly not helping here even if his intentions might be good.
Soon after this he starts right in on badly misrepresenting quantum mechanics in the, now all too familiar, way that pseudoscientists so often do. No Verny, "observer" does not in mainstream quantum mechanics refer to a consciousness and does not imply that your mind directly alters physical reality. As Werner Heisenberg, wrote:
"Of course the introduction of the observer must not be misunderstood to imply that some kind of subjective features are to be brought into the description of nature. The observer has, rather, only the function of registering decisions, i.e., processes in space and time, and it does not matter whether the observer is an apparatus or a human being;"
In my experience, when a someone starts talking about quantum this or that in a context that does not deal primarily with physics odds are very good that we are dealing with pseudoscience. Those that want to believe without evidence have latched on to their misconceptions/wilful ignorance about quantum mechanics like a bulldog hanging on to a bone. Other common warning signs are talk about radio waves, vibrations/frequencies and a barely disguised contempt for real scientists who pseudo scientists feel are unfair in their demands for actual scientific rigor. All these signs we find plenty of in this book.
In conclusion: This book might contain accurately reported science and well considered views, but if it does the effort to try and separate them from all the wilfully ignorant pseudoscientific fantasy is prohibitive. I'm forced to conclude that nothing I've read in this book can be trusted and I will not waste any more time and effort on it. I gave up half way into the last chapter.
July 15, 2023
Thanks so much for your wonderful book! I lost my son in 2008 when he was 41.
Everyone says, “ he still lives in your heart.” How desperately I’ve wanted to believe that! Now I have scientific evidence that his fetal stem cells inhabited my heart during my pregnancy! I have every reason to believe he is still in my heart!
That tells me that everything I do, think and say can affect him going forward and I walk with him in my heart. I feel that my present life can heal the painful life he lived! I can nurture him with every step as I aspire to live well, kindly and lovingly, as he would have wanted me to. I know that we have many grieving mothers in the world and if we help just a few, that is a great reward!
Ruth Kamen (by permission)
Everyone says, “ he still lives in your heart.” How desperately I’ve wanted to believe that! Now I have scientific evidence that his fetal stem cells inhabited my heart during my pregnancy! I have every reason to believe he is still in my heart!
That tells me that everything I do, think and say can affect him going forward and I walk with him in my heart. I feel that my present life can heal the painful life he lived! I can nurture him with every step as I aspire to live well, kindly and lovingly, as he would have wanted me to. I know that we have many grieving mothers in the world and if we help just a few, that is a great reward!
Ruth Kamen (by permission)
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