Great Myths of the Brain introduces readers to the field of neuroscience by examining popular myths about the human brain.
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- Explores commonly-held myths of the brain through the lens of scientific research, backing up claims with studies and other evidence from the literature
- Looks at enduring myths such as Do we only use 10% of our brain?, Pregnant women lose their mind, Right-brained people are more creative and many more.
- Delves into myths relating to specific brain disorders, including epilepsy, autism, dementia, and others
- Written engagingly and accessibly for students and lay readers alike, providing a unique introduction to the study of the brain
- Teaches readers how to spot neuro hype and neuro-nonsense claims in the media
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Acknowledgments xii
Introduction 1
1 Defunct Myths 15
#1 Thought Resides in the Heart 15
#2 The Brain Pumps Animal Spirits Round the Body 18
#3 Brain Cells Join Together Forming a Huge Nerve Net 21
#4 Mental Function Resides in the Brains Hollows 22
2 Myth-Based Brain Practices 25
#5 Drilling a Hole in the Skull Releases Evil Spirits 25
#6 Personality Can Be Read in the Bumps on the Skull 28
#7 Mental Illness Can Be Cured by Disconnecting the Frontal Lobes 30
3 Mythical Case Studies 37
#8 Brain Injury Turned Neurosciences Most Famous Case into an Impulsive Brute 37
#9 The Faculty of Language Production Is Distributed Through the Brain 40
#10 Memory Is Distributed Throughout the Entire Cortex 45