The Secret Life of the Grown-Up Brain

The Surprising Talents of the Middle-Aged Mind

By: Barbara Strauch

Narrated by: Nona Pipes

Length: 6 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

A leading science writer examines how the brain's capacity reaches its peak in middle age. For many years, scientists thought that the human brain simply decayed over time and its dying cells led to memory slips, fuzzy logic, negative thinking, and even depression. But new research from neuroscientists and psychologists suggests that, in fact, the brain reorganizes, improves in important functions, and even helps us adopt a more optimistic outlook in middle age. Growth of white matter and brain connectors allow us to recognize patterns faster, make better judgments, and find unique solutions to problems. Scientists call these traits cognitive expertise and they reach their highest levels in middle age.

In her impeccably researched book, science writer Barbara Strauch explores the latest findings that demonstrate, through the use of technology such as brain scans, that the middle-aged brain is more flexible and more capable than previously thought. For the first time, long-term studies show that our view of middle age has been misleading and incomplete. By detailing exactly the normal, healthy brain functions over time, Strauch also explains how its optimal processes can be maintained.

Part scientific survey, part how-to guide, The Secret Life of the Grown-Up Brain is a fascinating glimpse at our surprisingly talented middle-aged minds.

©2010 Barbara Strauch (P)2009 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Strauch tackles [loaded questions] with all the scientific instruments at her disposal...the latest findings neurological, biochemical, and psychological, with an illuminating dose of anecdote thrown in." (New Scientist)

"Provocative....A contender for every parent's reading list." (Newsday)

We aren't all on the road to dementia!

Would you listen to The Secret Life of the Grown-Up Brain again? Why?

Yes - There were parts I'd like to review one more time.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Secret Life of the Grown-Up Brain?

The age bracket for the "new" midlife age span.

Which scene was your favorite?

The going into the basement story - How we all can relate!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

too scientifc for a film

Any additional comments?

This book was great for reassuring a large amount of us out there that are caregivers for parents with Alzheimers that there is hope. Those names that just won't come - well that's because the brain is working better in other areas. It was great to listen to some scientific data that backs this all up.

Mind Opening

More evidence that so-called modern science always has and always will change as we learn more about ourselves and our world. Many of the documented examples here have been and continue to be resisted by “experts” but science changes constantly. The research here is impeccable and the conclusions sound.

The book was okay.

What did you like best about The Secret Life of the Grown-Up Brain? What did you like least?

It seemed to drag, like you were listening to the boring person you hope doesn't see you at the coffee shop.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

The narration may have been the problem.

Was The Secret Life of the Grown-Up Brain worth the listening time?

I would say no. I wish I had chosen something else. It wasn't horrible, just not great.

Reassurance for the More "Mature"

I have a novice's interest in neuroplasticity and related issues. Barbara Strauch has done a great job of bringing me up to speed on the latest understanding of the brain and mid-life. Along the way she clearly distinguishes what we know about cognitive development (no evidence for the Empty Nest Syndrome) and what we don't know (what foods will help us gain mental strength).

The prose is nontechnical and readily available to the uninitiated. Nona Pipes is up to her best in the reading. It will be of interest to a broad spectrum of listeners. Give it a try.

Middle-aged brain is peaking

This book is like many other books when talking about how the brain works and how its functioning could be enhanced (e.g., exercise, do new things, and solve problems). It is different in that looks at the advantages and disadvantages of the middle-aged brain. As we age, we may not be able to remember things or solve math problems as quickly as we used. Because of this, people think the middle-aged brain is declining. Surprisingly, the book reveals that the middle-aged brain can be at its peak. The brain has reorganized since its youth. It has built up patterns of connections and it acts and thinks differently. It is smarter, calmer, and happier. When a young worker is freaking out over a problem, an older worker is thinking, "Calm down. We've gotten through worse problems than this. First, let's figure out how bad the situation is." The middle-aged brain is using both sides, whereas the younger brain is using the untamed emotional side.

This book reassures us that as we age, our brain does not necessarily become progressively worse. We have more experience and knowledge, which have been applied repeatedly over time, strengthening connections in our brain. We make better judgments and decisions. It could be called wisdom, intuition, or gut feeling; these snap judgments come from our years of experience. We need to appreciate the advantages of a more mature brain rather than focus on the one negative aspect (forgetting things). It is also important that we exercise and keep our brain in top shape.

Wonderful to listen, enjoyable to re- listen

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

I would highly recommend this audiobook to a friend because it contains valuable information regarding middle age, that anyone should bear in mind in order to make the best out of

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed pretty much all the scientific references, as well as the anecdotes

both personal and /w sci info

i am really enjoying this book, i wonder if there is also a reading of the teen mind book here?

food for thought

Information to think about as you are getting older or as you are dealing with someone else who is.

The Grown-up Brain and Us

What if the real purpose of education should be to prepare our brains to function well throughout our lifespan? What if our explicit goals shift from creating brains that can operate well in the economy (or whatever other institutional missions we promote), to the goal of fostering cognitive reserves? What if promoting healthy brains was the best mechanism for creating productive citizens, and all the other values we believe in as educators and educational institutions were best served in service of the brain?

I'm starting to come to the conclusion that the brain, our brains, is a theme that should cut across all disciplines. That we should put the brain at the center of our educational system for purely selfish and self-interested reasons, namely that we all need do whatever we can to insure that we experience successful brain aging.

The Secret Life of the Grown-up Brain: The Surprising Talents of the Middle-Aged Mind, by Barbara Strauch is a wonderful book. Strauch is a generous and wise author, writing about the middle-age brain through a combination of stories and science that seems well calibrated to the brains of her readers.
We learn that while the middle-age brain may not have the rapid processing power of its younger version, these deficits are more than made up for by increased abilities in judgment, expertise, and effectiveness. Our middle-age brains see the world in a more positive light and accurate light, and are much better at juggling all the demands that life throws at us.

The big revelation of "The Grown-up Brain" is that we have within our power to determine much of the course of our own brain aging. Through diligent mental and physical exercise, a reasonable diet, and a positive orientation towards our work and relationships we can significantly and dramatically protect our brains against cognitive slow-downs and dementia.

A prediction: Over the next twenty-years our colleges and universities will make a change from teaching to prepare for the job market to teaching to promote cognitive reserves. Innovative educational institutions will advertise a curriculum that is demonstrated to promote long-term cognitive health. We will begin to escape from the idea of economic scarcity, and start embracing the idea of lifetime cognitive scarcity - with educational programs designed to foster cognitive abundance.

This shift will require that the study of the brain become deeply embedded throughout all of our disciplines. We will talk about the brain when we think about teaching, learning and research. We will see our fitness centers and dining halls as tools to promote lifetime brain health. We will understand the mission of our institutions as providing our students the tools, habits, knowledge and fundamentals they will need to encourage and promote successful brain aging. Our rankings will be based on brain health related metrics, on the inputs that predict cognitive surplus. We will look back in disbelief at a time when our institutions took the brain for granted, and did not design our programs and environments explicitly to promote lifetime brain health.

If you are ove 40 read this book, 60 for sure

I saw some of the positive reviews on this book and gave it a listen. I was not disappointed. Middle age extends up into the upper sixties and we are much more capable than previously thought. Many people believe that as we watch our bodies deteriorate though middle age our brains are undergoing a similar fate. Yes, we are declining but not at the same general rate as our bodies. In fact, in many areas we are actually improving in our thinking and capabilities way beyond the time of our typical beliefs. Thank you Ms. Strauch for this book.