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The Craving Mind  By  cover art

The Craving Mind

By: Judson Brewer,Jon Kabat-Zinn - foreward
Narrated by: P. J. Ochlan
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Publisher's summary

We are all vulnerable to addiction. Whether it's a compulsion to constantly check social media, binge eating, smoking, excessive drinking, or any other behaviors, we may find ourselves uncontrollably repeating. Why are bad habits so hard to overcome? Is there a key to conquering the cravings we know are unhealthy for us?

This book provides groundbreaking answers to the most important questions about addiction. Dr. Judson Brewer, a psychiatrist and neuroscientist who has studied the science of addictions for 20 years, reveals how we can tap into the very processes that encourage addictive behaviors in order to step out of them. He describes the mechanisms of habit and addiction formation, then explains how the practice of mindfulness can interrupt these habits.

Weaving together patient stories, his own experience with mindfulness practice, and current scientific findings from his own lab and others, Dr. Brewer offers a path for moving beyond our cravings, reducing stress, and ultimately living a fuller life.

©2017 Judson Brewer (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

What listeners say about The Craving Mind

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    4 out of 5 stars

Extremely eye opening and personally helpful

Firstly, about some of the negative reviews. Many of the negative reviews focus on the monotonous performance and so they stopped listening. I agreed with the monotony but it was only limited to the forward. Skip it. It’s a 45 minute foreward written by Jon Kabat-Zinn that has a lot of words but says very little. Once you get to Brewer’s text the performance comes alive.

I am an off and on meditator and found some very helpful nuggets in the book. The habit loop and fight boredom with curiosity (when meditating) were especially good nuggets for me. You might find others that speak to you. I’ve since purchased one of the author’s apps and have found it extremely helpful (even better than the book).

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83 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Hard to listen to

This would have been better if the author had read it himself! Good content hard to listen to.

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41 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Excellent content, narrator hindered my enjoyment

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

No. I feel the narrator did not capture the proper tone of the author. I would recommend the written book instead. The narrator was too unnatural in his tone and delivery.

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39 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Uncanny valley narration

I am pretty certain this was read by a robot. Don't know if it's a good book or not because I can't get past the unsettling voice.

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35 people found this helpful

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Worst voice recording ever

I am a HUGE audible fan. this was the worst voice and reading I’ve ever experienced. Sounds like a computer. Couldn’t get through it. Don’t purchase. Very disappointed .

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32 people found this helpful

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Narrarator ruins the book.

What would have made The Craving Mind better?

Bummed out that I used a credit, I can't listen to this man's monotone speaking. It's weird.

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30 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Everyone needs to read this book!

We all have vices. Chances are most of us weren’t taught great coping skills. This book has helped me tremendously understand my addiction better and how I need to approach treating it differently. Even if you don’t have an addiction, mindfulness is so important for helping you cope with stress or anxiety or boredom or really any emotion.

The most impactful part of the book for me was when he said to the smoker “What do you do when you crave a cigarette on a plane and can’t have one” and the smoker said he just has to get through it and the craving passes. Such a common sense answer but powerful as we can do that every time we have a craving.

Rarely do you hear about mindfulness from doctors or experts on TV who talk about addiction. It’s always medication or therapy. While these methods can be useful, those of us who’ve had addiction know they aren’t curative and sometimes create added problems or are expensive. Mindfulness is free! Just loved this book so much. Many aha moments!

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27 people found this helpful

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Save time, read here

Basically, if you have an addiction, meditate. This guy just spends eight brutal hours talking about his research and how his lab at Yale found that meditation is more effective than medicine for overcoming addiction. The narrator is HARD to listen to.

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14 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Ugh the narrators voice is AWFUL.

I would have much preferred Dr. Judson to narrate his own book, his voice is so friendly and nice. This guy sounds like a robot and makes even listening to the first few lines torture. Will be returning to purchase the hard copy.

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14 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars

First audible I’ve ever actually returned

I heard the author on a podcast and loved everything about his message. I would have loved this if it was read by the original author( and would buy an updated version of this), but the amount of will power it took to listen to 10 minutes of this robotic voice made it clear I’d never finish.

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13 people found this helpful