The XX Brain

The Groundbreaking Science Empowering Women to Maximize Cognitive Health and Prevent Alzheimer's Disease

By: Lisa Mosconi PhD, Maria Shriver - introduction

Narrated by: Brittany Pressley

"In The XX Brain, Lisa meticulously guides us in the ways we can both nourish and protect ourselves, body and mind, to ensure our brains remain resilient throughout our lives."
--from the foreword by Maria Shriver

The first book to address cognitive enhancement and Alzheimer's prevention specifically in women--and to frame brain health as an essential component of Women's Health.

In this revolutionary book, Dr. Lisa Mosconi, director of the Women's Brain Initiative at Weill Cornell Medical College, provides women with the first plan to address the unique risks of the female brain.

Until now, medical research has focused on "bikini medicine," assuming that women are essentially men with breasts and tubes. Yet women are far more likely than men to suffer from anxiety, depression, migraines, brain injuries, and strokes. They are also twice as likely to end their lives suffering from Alzheimer's disease, even when their longer lifespans are taken into account. But in the past, the female brain has received astonishingly little attention and was rarely studied by medical researchers-- resulting in a wealth of misinformation about women's health.

The XX Brain confronts this crisis by revealing how the two powerful X chromosomes that distinguish women from men impact the brain first and foremost and by focusing on a key brain-protective hormone: estrogen.

Taking on all aspects of women's health, including brain fog, memory lapses, depression, stress, insomnia, hormonal imbalances, and the increased risk of dementia, Dr. Mosconi introduces cutting-edge, evidence-based approaches to protecting the female brain, including a specific diet proven to work for women, strategies to reduce stress, and useful tips for restorative sleep. She also examines the controversy about soy and hormonal replacement therapy, takes on the perils of environmental toxins, and examines the role of our microbiome. Perhaps best of all, she makes clear that it is never too late to take care of yourself.

The XX Brain is a rallying cry for women to have full access to information regarding what is going on in their brains and bodies as well as a roadmap for the path to optimal, lifelong brain health.

This audiobook includes a downloadable PDF that contains resources, a diet plan, and recipes.

Great Info, Very dense, did not care for reader

This book is wonderfully informative for women of all ages and I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to learn about how to boost health at every age. Even with a masters in neurobiology I found it quite dense and detailed re: recommendations, regiments and supplements, so suggest that you pick and choose the chapters that apply to you - which is hard to do on audio. I really did not care for the person doing the reading - found her to be directive, even condescending. I have seen and heard the author Ms. Mosconi for interviews and did not find her to be that way at all.

lots of valuable information

Well written and read with lots of valuable information. Will look into more works by this author.

Great book!!

This book is very informational and interesting. The author covers a lot. I definitely recommend this book.

Must read for better healthcare

The well thought out and presented information was helpful in understanding and appreciating the uniqueness of individualized healthcare. It was easy to understand and had practical information to take power and control over health decisions and choices for a healthy mind.

Love suggestions based off science!!

As an engineer and lover of science this book was extra amazing for me. It’s a self help, self care, educational, health, fun book that sheds light on the inequality in medicine and research with women’s health! As Alzheimer’s and dementia runs in my family this book helped me understand the extent to which I need to make changes and be proactive in my life. I shared with the women in my family as well and hope more women share this book and the information presented!