It’s a well-established fact that lifestyle choices substantially influence health. For example, denying the body sufficient sleep leads to an increased risk of heart disease. But can lifestyle choices also influence brain health? The authors have set out to prove that it’s possible to reprogram your own brain with the principles of epigenetics and neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is simply the brain’s ability to change over time in response to environmental stimuli, such as by developing new neurons. Epigenetics refers to the way in which genes are expressed or turned on or off. It’s possible to turn a gene off or on based on external factors like sleep, exercise, and even the way you think, according to the authors.

Both neuroplasticity and epigenetics are well-established, proven concepts in the scientific community. The authors take these constructs a step further by asserting that a person’s cognitive and emotional habits can change the brain, thereby increasing or decreasing the likelihood of destructive diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Music therapy, “light bulb” moments of inspiration, positivity toward life, and the priceless search for knowledge are all covered in this short book.

At first blush, the authors’ assertions seem like far-fetched pseudoscience. But while the research does have a long way to go, the authors do an admirable job of grounding their claims in proven science. Die-hard skeptics might still be put off by talk of a collective conscience and frequent references to being in harmony with the universe, but the scientific explanations for the benefits of living mindfully and harmoniously make this book worth the read.

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