Hacking of the American Mind

The Science Behind the Corporate Takeover of Our Bodies and Brains

352 pages

English language

Published July 23, 2018 by Penguin Publishing Group.

ISBN:
978-1-101-98294-5
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4 stars (3 reviews)

"We all know that we can't put down our sodas or our cell phones. But what if these cravings are engineered--by design? And what if these desires actually cause damage--not just to ourselves, but to our families, our friends, and our entire society? While researching the toxic impact of sugar on our health for his New York Times best seller Fat Chance, Robert Lustig made a discovery that reaches beyond the politics of food. Our seemingly innocent addictions are far from it--they are biochemical, and they are damaging our bodies and our brains. With his trademark wit and incisiveness, Lustig reveals how these chemicals interact with one another to drive our behaviors, and how Big Business uses the science of addiction to keep us hooked--to our detriment, and for their profit. Dopamine is the 'reward' neurotransmitter that tells our brains 'This feels good, I want more.' Yet too much dopamine …

2 editions

Review of 'The hacking of the American mind' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

I think this book should be absolutely essential reading for every thinking American who cares about their well-being. It is deep science, but written in an engaging, entertaining fashion, so easier to read that I would have expected.

I have seen criticisms of Lustig's 2nd half of the book, where, after he has laid out the scientific framework of understanding the critically important difference between happiness and pleasure, he launches into an exposé of the toxic industrial storm that keeps us sick, miserable, and addicted.

Yes, addicted to the many extremely destructive (but slow and subtle) killers, like sugar, chronic stress, fake food, and other dopamine pipelines that are burning us out and destroying our minds and bodies.

The critics say he is just another conspiracy theorist, but I believe he makes very, very clear he is not. He does not believe that big pharma and corporate gather in secret …

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rated it

5 stars
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rated it

3 stars

Subjects

  • Happiness
  • Pleasure
  • Contentment
  • Satisfaction