Head Case: How I Almost Lost My Mind Trying to Understand My Brain

by Dennis Cass

Infiltrating the world of neuroscience, Dennis Cass offers up his own brain to "research," subjecting his mind and body to electric shocks, mind-numbing attention experiments, cigarettes, stress tests of his own devising, and the comedy of Bill Maher. Like a slightly off-kilter George Plimpton, Cass, in his daring exploits, reveals the intricacies of fear, attention, stress, reward, and consciousness from the inside out. Along the way, he weaves in the story of his stepfather's manic depression and drug addiction, in addition to his own problems—which are many. Cass attacks the subject of the human brain with wit and candor, turning popular science into something distinctly human. Head Case is an imperative read for anyone who has ever wondered, Why am I who I am?

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Neuroscience, Psychology, Science

224 pages, Hardcover

First published February 27, 2007

Reviews

[Books Ring Mah Bell · Rating 2 out of 5]

30 pages in, I say to myself, "damn. dude has some serious ADD."

55 pages in, the author is getting tested for it.

The story jumps around like Michael J. Fox after a shot of espresso. I still found the book entertaining.

If you are looking for a more clinical or scientific take on the brain, this is not the book for you. The author thinks amygdala is the most unpronounceable structure in the brain. (Just wait until you get to those pesky neurotransmitters, man!)

If you'd like an easy "Brain 098" book, grab an Adderall and pull up a chair.

[Adrianne Mathiowetz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those books that you really shouldn't read in public. Whether it's a loud "HAH" or a sudden inclination to share some newfound trivia tidbit with anyone within earshot, god dammit no one will rest until you have put that book down. Best to read this in a soundproof room, or with a tolerant significant other nearby.

An enjoyable science-for-the-people/autobiography, I almost feel like I know more about how the brain works after reading it, which brings us to my only qualm with the book: its wavering sense of authority. One minute the writing is confident, clear and clearly well-researched: the next the author is describing in painfully (occasionally hilariously) self-deprecating terms a particular foible or example of his ineptitude in his efforts. At the end of the book, there is a disclaimer: all scientific information presented in the book should be used for entertainment purposes only.

Since roughly half of the book is this entertainment-only "science," that's more than a let-down; it's pretty unbelievable. Cass seems to know a good deal, and has the ability to even use medical jargon in comprehensible ways. What are editors for, if not to let you know when you're full of crap?

That said, as autobiography it is fantastic, and if its science is uncertain, at least it may inspire the reader to find another source.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

An amusing trek through an increasingly unraveling man’s mind watching itself unravel. Pop neuroscience interwoven with anecdotal psychology. The book is at its funniest when the author is aware of its tender silliness. His accounts of upbringing are heartbreaking on paper but often reported as dispassionately as a grocery list the shopper had fun writing. Human feelings and acts of emotional neglect and manipulation are explained away through The Amygdala, Madness, and Parnate, though the author offers a well-rounded and pretty satisfying psychosocial formulation of his eccentric stepfather eventually. On the whole, this book reads like the mostly-edited writing (there are a few typos—on one of the latter pages MAOs are called MOAs, for example) of an endearingly self-unaware friend who is nevertheless hellbent on understanding the inner workings of The Mind. Ironically, what the book lacks is the author’s apparent insight into his own psychology. The resulting book would have been much different, and perhaps this book was never meant to be that one. But one can’t help but wonder if this book wasn’t just a fun exercise in intellectualization—perhaps sublimation—that could have reached greater depths if the underlying need for honest-to-god coping were addressed. When he does delve insightfully into the psychology of others and the aspects of his personal experience he’s willing to explore, it makes for a relatable and interesting read.

[Hollowspine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a bit different than the usual psychological non-fiction that I read, in that the author had little to no self-experience to relate to any psychological subject, and being a journalist rather than a scientist had no knowledge in that manner on the subject. However, it was interesting to go along with his journey, myself being more similar to his knowledge than any of the other books I've read, such as Oliver Sacks, to not be completely astounded and baffled and amazed at what I was reading, but rather to understand where someone is coming from and to wonder what they themselves will discover and share over the course of the research and investigation.

It was interesting, since as I said, my background is also not at all science related, yet like the author I would also enjoy attempting such experiments and sending my spittle to labs for testing etc. and then to realize with the author how silly I would be to do such things when I have no idea how to even interpret the results at all.

I think the book really followed a difficult experiment, perhaps the brain or body didn't want to realize certain similarities, yet by the same hand was on a quest to enlighten itself about them. The brain is still a pretty mysterious organ, but to me this book did not really solve any aspect of it's mystery, but over the course of reading that didn't seem to disappoint me.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finished reading this. Finally. An entertaining voice that sometimes took me to places I didn't want to go. There's a level of discomfort here that can only be created through the expression of raw emotion. And, as much as I admire a writer who dares to express himself in such an honest way, at times, this book left me with...well...discomfort. A good read if you're looking to explore a very personal path but not so much if you're looking to learn a lot about the brain. Though, I did walk away learning this: there's a difference between liking and wanting. We're all -- animals too -- hardwired to like/dislike certain things (e.g., sour, sweet, salty). We all -- animals too -- have the same physical reactions to them. BUT the wanting thing. The wanting thing is all in our head. We make that up...which is why we can want something that is not good or pleasing. Say...I don't know...like that first drag on a cigarette, maybe?

[Xanthi · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book about neuroscience mixed in with autobiographical information about the author's dysfunctional family. And by the way, the author does not have a science background. Kind of like Bill Bryson meets Augusten Burroughs, only not executed all that well. The humour in the writing is what saves this book from being a 1 star for me. Read Burrough's books on addiction ("Dry") and about growing up with a dysfunctional family ("Running With Scissors"), as they are both better than this book. And then go read Bill Bryson's book "A short history of nearly everything" for an excellent example of a non-scientist writing about science. Skip this one.

[Jacki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought that this book would be this really informative thing but with a little bit of 'funny' it it- sort of like a Bill Bryson book.

Instead, it was mostly this guys journey of self-discovery (or something) with a smidge of science thrown in. I liked the science parts, and got annoyed when he tried to be a scientist even though he's really a journalist.

That being said, it was a short, semi-enjoyable read because of the sense of humor of the author, but I'm not sure I'd recommend it to anyone.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A unique take on the memoir--as the author learns more about the human brain, he comes to understand his mentally ill, drug-addicted stepfather. At least, that was the premise. In actuality, I don't think the author learned much about the brain. Or, he learned it, but not well enough to explain it to readers with liberal arts degrees. I don't feel the science came through for me, but I was intrigued by the personal story (great job of leaving me wanting more there).

[Jeannine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't really learn anything from this book that I didn't already know. The first half was pretty funny and entertaining, but I had trouble staying interested towards the end.
He came to a conclusion about his stepfather that I have also come to regarding some of the people that I have had to deal with: "When I was feeling sorry for Bill, rather than angry at him, he became the sum of the neurological strikes against him. Of course he acted this way. How could he not?"

[Laurel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book because the author wrote a good article in Poets and Writers Magazine about writer's block, and I like that he has a web site called "Dennis Cass Wants you to be more Awesome." The book wasn't so awesome, though. Pretty well written but more about the brain and less about Cass's stepfather would have been better.

[Carol Waters · Rating 3 out of 5]

His dad isn't nearly as impaired as he presented. One cannot assume that addiction is not the predominant factor when mental illness is suspected. What kind of mood swings does one get when one is straight/high/craving/high/detoxing? Looks JUST like bipolar.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part science book for those who don't read science; part memoir for those who don't read memoir. My only complaint about this book was it was too short.

[Joanna]

A really interesting mix of science and memoir.

(I actually happened upon this book thanks to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxschL...
Yay for viral videos...)

[Exavidreader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amusing autobiography but I didn't learn much about the brain. I still prefer the other book that I read.

[Matt]

Typical "what's it like to..." writing in the George Plimpton tradition as dumbed down by A. J. Jacobs and confederates. Interesting enough, so far.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cass' childhood was horrific, and made for heart-wrenching reading...however, his warmth and wit provided a welcome balance. Interesting.

[Caitlin Boyd]

Meh... was due back at the library. Maybe I'll pick it up again later. But there are so many good books out there to read first...