Making a Good Brain Great: The Amen Clinic Program for Achieving and Sustaining Optimal Mental Performance

In this audio CD Dr. Daniel G. Amen very clearly explains the functioning of the various parts of the brain and how they interact with one another and with the rest of the human body. It is not necessary to have any prior knowledge about the brain to understand it because it is basic but full of rich knowledge. So people who are already experts about the brain will also not be bored. Because Dr. Amen diverts from the conventional psychiatric approach to the brain and professionals in psychiatry, psychology and neurology have a lot to gain by listening to Dr. Amen whether they agree with him or not provided that they listen modestly and with an open mind.Dr. Amen also explains how the brain can be damaged and how to protect it, the type of physical and mental exercises, diet, vitamins and supplements and thinking patterns necessary to develop and utilize the full potential of the brain.He also talks about various psychiatric disorders their diagnoses and treatments, when someone should seek professional psychological / psychiatric help etc. He talks about the importance of looking at the brain images like and orthopedist looks at X rays or MRI's of the skeleton before diagnosing. This is not to replace other methods in psychiatry or clinical psychology but to assist those techniques in diagnosis and treatment. Many psychiatrists neglect looking at brain images claiming that it is unnecessary. I am no psychiatry expert but I believe many psychiatrists belittle brain imaging technology because they are not trained in it. Obviously, to be helpful the brain images must be carefully interpreted by professionals trained to do so. I have personally witnessed once in another clinic that brain imaging was not carefully interpreted to daignose but was used only to charge the patients. This is a bad intentioned application that can not be generalized. I believe that with proper use this technology is even more promising in the future.Dr. Amen is a very good talker in the CD. The questions raised and their explanations follow a clearly understandable and enjoyable sequence. Anybody interested in developing his / her knowledge of the brain,in maximizing his / her brain's potential and / or in solving certain emotional / psychological problems will benefit from listening this audio CD or reading the book several times regularly.

Amazing book. Dr. Amen is ahead of his time. I love how he breaks down the 1:1 relationship between brain activity and nearly all behavior, which is scientifically measurable. Which leads to his conclusion that nearly all psychological and many medical issues should be accompanied by brain activity analysis.Physical MRI technology has made great strides since I read this and many clinics have them. It would be interesting to see how his concepts have permeated the medical establishment (known for entrenched academic pride). Really a step towards full body understanding and humanity moving towards the 'Star Trek' society.Great read, very practical understanding and suggestions which apply to our lives.

Since my parents both have dementia, I am trying to prevent it in me. Unfortunately, I am on Tamoxifen and that reduces much needed estrogen, but there are other things that I can do to help prevent it. I will try some supplements on my dad to see if they help him. I like the tables, which make it easy to see what to take and how much.

As I have aged (now 69 hrs old), I have watched relatives,friends and acquaintances gradually lose their mental and physical abilities to function normally. One then asks the question "what about me?" . This book goes a long way toward answering that question and helps define paths to identify the problems... as well as solutions. I strongly recommend it! It will be time well invested.

One of my favorites by Dr.Amen...this man LITERALLY changed my life! I discovered him while living in Newport Coast and working toward optimum health while trying to conceive our first child! The idea that your brain (rather than the body, stomach...etc) controls what we eat was so simple...yet still an epiphany to me! I learn more and more about how the brain works from each of his books!

"Making a Good Brain Great" may not make your brain great, but will show you how important it is to take care of it and treat it like a friend. It will also tell you how many unfriendly things you are doing to your brain every day.It may even give you specific help for a problem you or a friend are facing. Sometimes it seems like it is trying to solve problems that only God can do perfectly.

I have read several of Dr. Amen's books. Because of that the first few chapters were reveiw for me. But I think this is his most practical, helpful book yet. I recommmend it to everyone. I had no idea the power my brain's health had over my life. This book, along with the others, has helped me gain a new respect for my mind and as a result greater responsibilty for taking care of the most important human organ - our brain. I think every counselor, psychologist, etc should have Dr. Amen's books on their reading list. I even recommended it to my MD.

I tried to give the book 6 stars, but the review system doesn't include that as a option.The content within was the most informative and educational information I've ever encountered in the Neurology, Psychiatry or Psychology genre. If you're interested in the inner workings of the brain and how it relates to overall health...this is a must read!

This book has a lot of good tips, first few pages probably you get bored if you are not interested in medicine but please keep continue, you will love this book

Bought it for a Christmas present - hope he is reading it!

very good read.

work in progress

Great Buy. very interesting read and gives you a good shove to make lifestyle choices.