Your brain is not in charge. This revelation by Dr. Candace Pert challenges conventional science—and everyone interested in total wellness—to reconsider how our bodies think, feel, and heal.
As the leading pioneer in a radical new science of life, this bestselling author and world-class neuroscientist has given us an inside look at the molecular drama being staged within every cell of the human body—and a glimpse into the future of medicine. Now, in her own words, Dr. Pert describes her extraordinary search for the grail of the body's inborn intelligence with Your Body Is Your Subconscious Mind.
Dr. Pert first came to prominence when she dazzled the scientific community with her discovery of the opiate receptor in 1972. But this breakthrough event was only the beginning of a uniquely productive—and often controversial—career.
On Your Body Is Your Subconscious Mind, Dr. Pert describes her efforts over the past two decades to actually decode the information molecules, such as peptides and their receptors, that regulate every aspect of human physiology. Her model of how these biochemicals flow and resonate, distributing information to every cell in the body simultaneously, has unlocked the secret of how emotions literally transform our bodies—and create our health.
Easily shifting from a bench scientist's view to a spiritual one, she relates her research to past and present mind/body topics, ranging from AIDS and cancer to the chakra system. Dr. Pert's personal and compelling voice makes this a listening experience that is part detective story, part spiritual odyssey—and entirely irresistible. Your Body Is Your Subconscious Mind takes you on a scientific adventure of the first order, escorted by this pathfinder, iconoclast, and "goddess of neuroscience."
This audiobook may turn into a 5-star (=life-changing for me) but for now I guess I was hoping it would tell me more about how to *change* my subconscious mind in order to improve my physical body. Of course that isn't what the title actually says. One observable proof of the title is that folks with multiple personality disorders actually have differences in their body for each personality (one persona may be near-sighted while another is far-sighted and one may have extreme allergies while another is fine). Pert is a scientist famous at first for discovering some receptors and it seemed like a lot of this book was talking about neuropeptides and how every cell on your body has (receptors for) them. While these chemicals affect how your body feels, they seem to be generated by your consciousness. I also found it interesting that she says every cell/receptor knows how many times it has been "hit," so it also knows it has been over- or under-stimulated. That's why she says drug users are actually narrowing their responsiveness. She said a large percentage of people on dialysis got there from overuse of sugar. Overuse of sugar is the aspect of my life I have got to change! Maybe I will learn this in my next read, _The Gift of Our Compulsions._
Other interesting claims in the book. She said cancer is almost entirely a result of environmental pollutants. She said how ironic it was that foods and drugs supposedly have to go through months of rigorous testing, but you can put anything you want in a milk carton liner, or in carpet glue that thousands of people in an office building will breathe for months.
Like Laurel Mellin, she also said our brains are wired for joy, and talked about some ways to increase this including sex (studies of monogamous behavior in other animals or intimacy after disasters--human relationships formed after disasters seem to be very long-lasting), but also connecting with Nature--she mentioned that the brain & body are about 30,000 years old and at the time they evolved people lived naturally-- eating, exercising, and thinking in nature. This thinking in nature part I think will be explained more in another book I am currently reading, _The Open-Focus Brain_.
The work done by this lady brings the spiritual, emotional, and physical together in ways that had not been accomplished before. This work was completed in the late 1990s into 2000 and beyond. It has been the basis for lots of training since that time. What is surprising is the slow adoption of this view with a strong basis in science, philosophy, and psychology come together. The work of Jon Kabat-Zinn and others incorporating this information into medical treatment has improved outcomes for many. It is clear in these trying times that there are still many problems that plague society showing up in our minds and bodies. Works like this and "Reality Unveiled" by Ziad Masri, can help build bridges between science and spirituality where there is clear evidence we have the power to solve many problems from within and through recognizing our connections to everyone and everything around us.
Wonderfully informative. I only wish I had it in book format rather than audio since I am more a visual learner. (I took lots of notes.) I believe that Dr. Candace Pert was one of the first in mainstream medicine to come out with ideas that reveal the connection between mind, body, spirit and emotions. Dr. Pert dares to say that so many drugs damaage us more than they heal us and speaks about the fact that there is no research proving that chemo cures most cancers. She gives us a glimpse of what I pray will be the future of medicine.
"Your Body Is Your Subconscious Mind," narrated by the author herself, Candace Pert, is an engaging and thought-provoking audiobook that dives deep into the science and spirituality of the mind-body connection. Originally published in 2005, this work stands as a testament to Pert's pioneering research in the field of psychoneuroimmunology, where she challenges conventional views on how our bodies process emotions and health.
Candace Pert, a neuroscientist known for her discovery of the opiate receptor, uses this audiobook to educate and enlighten listeners on how emotions can literally transform the body. The narrative is structured around her personal journey, scientific discoveries, and their implications, offering a rare blend of hard science with a spiritual perspective. Pert's voice adds a layer of authenticity and passion to the content, making complex biochemical processes accessible to a broad audience.
One of the key highlights is Pert's explanation of how neuropeptides — these she refers to as the "molecules of emotion" — act as biochemical communicators throughout the body. She posits that these molecules not only affect our mental states but also our physical health, suggesting that emotional states can influence the immune system, healing processes, and overall well-being. This concept is revolutionary, suggesting that our subconscious mind, through these biochemical pathways, has a profound impact on our physical existence.
The audiobook is not just a lecture on science; it's a narrative journey. Pert shares anecdotes from her career, including her struggles and victories in the scientific community, which adds a personal touch to the scientific discourse. Her discussion ranges from the impact of emotions on diseases like AIDS and cancer to the potential of the chakra system in Western science, providing listeners with a holistic view of health.
Pert's ability to shift from a bench scientist's perspective to a spiritual one is both seamless and compelling. She doesn't shy away from controversial topics, questioning the efficacy and ethics of some medical practices while advocating for a more integrative approach to health that respects the body's innate intelligence. This duality makes for an audiobook that's part detective story, part philosophical exploration, and entirely educational.
High praise for the audiobook for its clarity in explaining complex scientific concepts, although the format occasionally feels more like a series of lectures or interviews rather than a cohesive narrative. However, this doesn't detract from the richness of the content but rather adds to its diversity and depth.
In conclusion, this audiobook is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of science, psychology, and spirituality. It challenges the listener to rethink how we perceive health, healing, and the power of our emotions. Pert's narration brings an intimate, almost conversational tone to the material, making it not just informative but also inspiring, encouraging listeners to explore the profound connection between their minds and bodies.
This seemed to be a collection of interviews. I feel like an actual fleshed out book would have been better.
One thing I strongly disagreed with was when she suggested that you fall in love with an idea before you perform experiments on it. To me, that is part of what is wrong with modern medicine: too many people can't let go of the ideas they fell in love with, even when experiments prove those ideas to be wrong.
That said, I am excited to look into more from this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
A fascinating look at how the mind is distributed throughout the body, with a focus on neuropeptides and the receptors within cells. Her argument that the human mind is made to maximize pleasure, but we live in a society that places barriers between us and our natural needs, seems even more true today.
Listened to the audiobook. It's more three podcasts, so an easy listen. Extremely interesting stuff. Love how she talks hard science, but also ventures out to what she believes. As there's still so much unknown. Always clearly making the difference.
We need more people like her, pushing for new angles and challenging the conventional.
Lots of interesting information to digest. I would like to read this as a hardcopy and would also like to learn more about more recent discoveries in this field.
My favorite of all her work. The concept that our bodies are in fact our subconscious fits with everything I have learned in my mystical experiences. Love her work!