The Science of Positivity: Stop Negative Thought Patterns by Changing Your Brain Chemistry

I will have a hard time putting my thoughts on this amazing book into a few words. I think it and the book just prior to it HABITS OF A HAPPY BRAIN are two of the most interesting books related to human psychology and personal fulfillment that I have ever read and I have read a lot. I love to read and learn about big life related topics and I find that I only read nonfiction. This is about the most interesting nonfiction I can imagine because it describes how human beings have related to each other since time immemorial. . And it is drawn from studies on the neurohemicals in our brain and bodies which are basically the same as in other mammals and some of them are the same as in “lower“ animals too. Here is the catch. You have to read this book carefully even though it is not difficult to read. It is not difficult to read but it will require you to use your brain and think about the different way in which the author approaches human psychology. And when I realized that.... I thought it certainly will not hurt me to think about life in a slightly different fashion especially if it helps me change my frequent negativity. I personally believe her psychological insights are exactly right on the money and frankly explaining psychological insights with words is a challenge. She does a fantasticp job and there are several areas in the book in which I find that the writing is pretty close to genius and I do sincerely mean that as in the form of rich and penetrating insights and analysis of humanity and civilization and destiny and more. I could go on and on but it would get too long but I am reading the book daily and studying it and I have begun re-reading the short precise chapter reviews at the end of each chapter to help me recap what I have already learned. To go back over the summary reviews at the end of each chapter is helping me to absorb the book deeply and make it a part of my psychological foundation for daily living so to speak. I highly recommend this book without a doubt but as I said before but you must open your mind and try to not discount anything that might sound a little bit unusual right at first. Just open your mind read it slowly and carefully and anything I thought I didn’t understand after reading it again a few times it came in to clear view. Highly recommend. gbc

Good refresher on hormones but a completely materialistic / physicalist view of joy. Misses the farthest reaches of the human soul and spirit. By missing that connection the author does a wonderful job of showing how virtue is reflected in neurotransmitters but misses a golden opportunity to relate that to the Source in the human soul of trustworthiness, love, patience, etc.Raises an interesting question about DBT, Cognitive and talk therapy etc. without mentioning it by stating that the pfc and language are separate from the mammilian hormone cascade, as in we can’t think our way to joy.Excellent read if it’s tempered with high doses of the soul in its continuous positivity in a state detached from the ups and downs of material life. Sadly this logic would probably support the pharmaceutical panaceas destroying lives by tinkering with neural effects and missing spiritual causes, as in the continual joy of the Love of God.

The science behind how neurotransmitters contribute to mood and affect is interesting but the last couple chapters about applying that science are sparse, vague, and come across as an afterthought by the author. If you are a psych student or a layperson, this is an easy, interesting read but if you're looking for help on how to overcome neural habits and "addictions" to moods, you'll be better served looking elsewhere.

Dr. Breuning makes difficult brain science easy for the average person to understand. It is well written and concise. She clearly and gently explains how our brain chemicals work and why they make us feel the way we do. Much of our bad behavior is natural, meant to protect us or the species. As much as we are advanced, intelligent beings, we are still prisoners of our biology. Learning how and why makes living easier. Learning what we can do about it makes happiness and joy possible. Most importantly, Breuning explains how to stop blaming yourself and others for feelings that our chemicals cause. Our busy lives do not often let us regenerate. Our mistaken search for ever more Endorphine highs can lead us to injury and illness. We need to understand how our chemicals cause certain feelings and reactions in our behaviors and moods. We don't have to stay cynical, negative and unhappy with the world.Positivity is an important book, well written, easy to grasp. It is not a complicated scientific treatise. What I found particularly outstanding was Breuning's clear and comprehensive style. Positivity is a tool to live with, share and practice to make ourselves, our families and friends kinder, healthier and happier people. I highly recommend this book to you and hope you share it with others.

I read another book by the same author and loved every moment of it. Habits of a Happy Brain was absolutely fantastic, so much so that I decided to order The Science of Positivity. I found myself frustrated while reading. There are very helpful comparisons to animals offers a nice contrast to the human brain, however I feel like the majority of the book is talking about behavior and thought processes of different animal species. At one point I felt like the author was just trying to fill pages. I was hoping for the meat of re-wiring the HUMAN brain to think more positively and instead ended up feeling like I was thoroughly educated in habits of chimps, elephants, gazelles, lizards, and lions.The bits of information that do directly address humans are wonderful, just few and far between. It felt more like a hunt for the information I was hoping for.

This isn't a happy-clappy book - in fact it's as far from it as possible. It's grounded in science, and written very clearly and with such engaging stories and examples, that it certainly deserves the 5-star review. It's an immense skill to be able to write as clearly as this author, and she makes complex neuroscience very easy to follow and apply to real life. I am going to buy a copy for every one I know. It's a life-changer.

This book is fantastic, loved reading it and it had an inspiring affect immediately although I have found that I haven’t managed to stick to her suggestions meaning I should give it another read soon!

Love this book, came quicker than expected.

Great book Great service

Great read, really interesting book about how we process the good things and bad things, subconsciously. Well worth a read.