The Hacking of the American Mind

The Science Behind the Corporate Takeover of Our Bodies and Brains

By: Robert H. Lustig

Narrated by: Robert H. Lustig

Length: 10 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

The New York Times best-selling author of Fat Chance reveals the corporate scheme to sell pleasure, driving the international epidemic of addiction, depression, and chronic disease.

While researching the toxic and addictive properties of sugar for his New York Times best seller Fat Chance, Robert Lustig made an alarming discovery - our pursuit of happiness is being subverted by a culture of addiction and depression from which we may never recover.

Dopamine is the "reward" neurotransmitter that tells our brains we want more; yet every substance or behavior that releases dopamine in the extreme leads to addiction. Serotonin is the "contentment" neurotransmitter that tells our brains we don't need any more; yet its deficiency leads to depression. Ideally, both are in optimal supply. Yet dopamine evolved to overwhelm serotonin - because our ancestors were more likely to survive if they were constantly motivated - with the result that constant desire can chemically destroy our ability to feel happiness, while sending us down the slippery slope to addiction. In the last 40 years, government legislation and subsidies have promoted ever-available temptation (sugar, drugs, social media, porn) combined with constant stress (work, home, money, Internet), with the end result of an unprecedented epidemic of addiction, anxiety, depression, and chronic disease. And with the advent of neuromarketing, corporate America has successfully imprisoned us in an endless loop of desire and consumption from which there is no obvious escape.

With his customary wit and incisiveness, Lustig not only reveals the science that drives these states of mind, he points his finger directly at the corporations that helped create this mess and the government actors who facilitated it, and he offers solutions we can all use in the pursuit of happiness, even in the face of overwhelming opposition. Always fearless and provocative, Lustig marshals a call to action, with seminal implications for our health, our well-being, and our culture.

©2017 Robert H. Lustig (P)2017 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Our health, resistance to disease, and ability to function on a day-to-day basis have essentially been hijacked, all in the name of corporate profits. Dr. Lustig explores how industry has manipulated our most deep-seated survival instincts to motivate our food choices in a way that directly undermines our ability to survive. But more importantly, The Hacking of the American Mind eloquently reveals how we can disengage from this influence and re-establish ourselves on a path to wellness." (David Perlmutter, MD, author of the number-one New York Times best seller, Grain Brain and Brain Maker)

"A provocative, persuasive plea to stop seeking the wrong kind of happiness. Take it from the neuroscientist/endocrinologist who sounded the alarm about sugar: chasing rewards is far less rewarding than finding contentment.” (Adam Grant, author of New York Times best sellers Originals and Give and Take, and coauthor of the New York Times best seller Option B)

"Robert Lustig takes on one of the greatest paradoxes of our time: how can it be that we have more sources of pleasure than ever before in human history, and yet are increasingly sick, broke, and unhappy? By deftly weaving together neuroscience, history, economics, and more, he provides a much-needed explanation of how the 'pernicious peddling of pleasure' causes real happiness to elude so many of us - and also provides a desperately needed roadmap for escaping the pleasure trap." (Sharon Begley, coauthor of the New York Times best seller The Emotional Life of Your Brain)

Exceptional

In both, depth of information and breadth of bigger picture.
Wish this was taught in schools and to parents too, maybe a documentary?

Important information to navigate life in our times

Dr. Lustig covers a lot of ground in this book and includes topics that I didn't expect yet are related. He covers the biology of brain triggers and then presents a lot of instances where companies or governments use those triggers to manipulate us and sell us things that ultimately hurt us. He was very entertaining to listen to and I think this is important information for everyone to be aware of. If You don't get this book, at least be aware that sugar is hurting you and must be limited greatly.

Good, but should have been titled “Sugar is Bad Vol. 2”

Not what I was expecting based on the title.
It is clear, even without reading his first book, that the author believes sugar is the root of all is wrong with our health.
It is 97% anti sugar, with a mention or two of internet/social media. It is the online aspects I was hoping to learn more about.
The neurochemistry parts are quite interesting though.

Great!

Awesome book. Great content. Its well presented and very informational. Lustig is a great author.
Cant wait to listen to another one of his books

This is an Epic book for quality of life!

This book is a key part of the information necesaary to secure the future quality of life for all of humanity.

Eye opening!

I Began reading the book for a specific reason and it ended up changing my lifestyle.

Terrifying

One of the most terrifying books I’ve read. Thankfully Dr. Lustig does provide a way out. Will we listen and actively fight this battle? I for one will never look at ring dings the same again. For the first time in my life I understand why sugar is bad for me and how it runs my chemical brain. This is a must read for all humans. Thank you Dr. Lustig for your clarity and sharing your vast knowledge in a way that I can understand the players and those that have been played. I want out of the sweet American trap with its Halloween candy and pizza parties with coke as children only to grow into sleep deprived alcoholics with opioid overdoses. If we survive middle age we get to look forward to a long sick death.

Excellent and backed by science

I have read this book 3 times and recommend it to everyone. It supplies the science behind the epidemic of obesity in the world and the difficulty of resolving it. It has completely changed my eating and strengthened my resolve to maintain it. It starts with me as an example to show family and friends you can change and the health results from these changes.

Yes, absolutely

This book was as thorough, enlightening, and as captivating, as I hoped. I’ve been familiar with many of the concepts Dr. Lustig presents here via his talks and videos found all over the internet. They’ve made a difference in my and my family’s lives. The book however, ties it all together and goes into areas the videos don’t.

When one’s become tired of only treating symptoms, it’s time to look deeper and begin addressing causes. The doctor explains the biochemistry behind many of our problems. Because of this gift, I found myself taking many notes and ultimately buying the print edition as well to make it easier to refer back to and learn the science, because this information needs to be shared.

Yes, absolutely; it worth the read/listen or better yet both. Thank you Dr. Lustig.

Very well reaserched and narrated by Dr Lustig.

I found Dr Lustig's book to be very interesting. I enjoyed listening to the author read his own book. I recomend this book to anyone who has an interest in their health.