The Craving Mind

From Cigarettes to Smartphones to Love - Why We Get Hooked and How We Can Break Bad Habits

By: Judson Brewer, Jon Kabat-Zinn - foreward

Narrated by: P. J. Ochlan

Length: 8 hrs and 19 mins

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.

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).

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.

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 .

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!

Hard to listen to

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Long winded

The author spends way to much time talking about himself and his personal anecdotes. It takes him a very long time to say things and because of that this book actually contains little useful text for its length. The book less about habits/addiction/readers than about the author.

Disappointing

If you are interested in neuroscience this is a thought provoking book(this is why it gets a 3* from me and not lower). The title is very misleading as it gives the impression that the book will give instruction on how to break bad habits. This is not the case. The title would be more accurate if it was called ‘Judson Brewer’s Experiences of Mindfulness and Meditation’. If you are very interested in Judson Brewer and his own work and his own accomplishments, etc., then this is the book for you. If you are looking for a mindfulness guidebook, you will be very disappointed.

Important subject poorly executed

Lot's of quotes, researches, bullet points and important issues. Unfortunately poorly explained and unnecessary rushed without the time to absorb and reflection.

Interesting research / style too reductive

Not much focus on positives of mindfulness / just negatives of thinking. If you are new to mindfulness or meditation I would recommend something else as his points can easily be misinterpreted by a novice.

The style is reductionist in that everything is presented through the lens of reward based learning. The book can feel biased and unbalanced.

A life changing book

This is a wise and enjoyable meeting of ancient wisdom and cutting edge science. An outstanding insight into the practical ways of how mindfulness works and how this practice can be applied in everyday life. The author is a world leading expert in the clinical research mindfulness, neuroscience and is also an addiction psychiatrist - you get a lot of knowledge in one book. Highly recommend!

Terrible narrator

Would you try another book written by Judson Brewer and Jon Kabat-Zinn - foreward or narrated by P. J. Ochlan?

Nope

What didn’t you like about P. J. Ochlan’s performance?

Everything! The narrator sounded like a computer. I could only manage a few minutes before having to turn it off.

You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?

No idea since I couldn't listen to it!

Use this to quit cannabis

Those looking to break the chain of cannabis use will find this audible extremely helpful ,
I’m on day five now of complete abstinence, after a 26 year habit ,
I am half way through the second listening now , but this audiobook is a game changer and worth every penny , listened in the city of Coventry ( England )

Good book. Bad narrator.

I couldn't get passed chapter 1 as the narrator talks like a cyborg. Shame as the contents sounded promising.

Solid life advice

I never knew how many addictions I had nor how much unnecessary weight I was carrying until I listened to this book.

I believe I gained useful life tools from this, which I have already implemented and seen the value of.

Good approach & perspective on habits

I really enjoyed the mindful approach to our behaviours & habits. There's a lot of lessons I will start to apply to enhance my control over my cravings & thoughts.

I recommend if you're looking for some consistency listening to keep you on track with your mindfulness or addictions.

Meh

This book is OK. Narration is a bit dull. Not the lost exciting and I felt like the same points were discussed repeatedly.