
The Compass of Pleasure
How Our Brains Make Fatty Foods, Orgasm, Exercise, Marijuana, Generosity, Vodka, Learning, and Gambling Feel So Good
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Narrated by:
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Sean Pratt
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By:
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David J. Linden
A leading brain scientist's look at the neurobiology of pleasure - and how pleasures can become addictions. Whether eating, taking drugs, engaging in sex, or doing good deeds, the pursuit of pleasure is a central drive of the human animal. In The Compass of Pleasure Johns Hopkins neuroscientist David J. Linden explains how pleasure affects us at the most fundamental level: in our brain. As he did in his award-winning book, The Accidental Mind, Linden combines cutting-edge science with entertaining anecdotes to illuminate the source of the behaviors that can lead us to ecstasy but that can easily become compulsive. Why are drugs like nicotine and heroin addictive while LSD is not? Why has the search for safe appetite suppressants been such a disappointment? The Compass of Pleasure concludes with a provocative consideration of pleasure in the future, when it may be possible to activate our pleasure circuits at will and in entirely novel patterns.
©2011 David J. Linden (P)2011 Gildan Media CorpListeners also enjoyed...




















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Is there anything you would change about this book?
Yes, I would add some additional voices from people in the examples given of various types of addictions. I have a solid background in both neurobiology and addictions, and found myself (while interested in the material) zoning off because of the monotony of the speaker's voice. It needs some variety in voices to keep the listener's attention.What other book might you compare The Compass of Pleasure to and why?
No other.What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?
Great practical information. Too monotonous.If this book were a movie would you go see it?
noAny additional comments?
This is not a book for an uninformed lay person without some background in neurology.Scientific
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If you could sum up The Compass of Pleasure in three words, what would they be?
This book discusses the dopamine pleasure circuit in the brain and the differences between how different human behaviors (eating, taking drugs, nicotine, gambling, exercise) manipulate this circuit and can lead to addiction. The discussion was highly technical but delivered at a level where a layman with some scientific background can understand.What did you like best about this story?
I found the sections on exercise and food cravings very interesting and highly relevant. I always found it amazing that I felt great during and after exercise, but I could never seem to get motivated to do it. Now I understand a little better the underlying biological mechanisms behind this.Would you listen to another book narrated by Sean Pratt?
Not if I can help it. The delivery of the narrator was not that inspiring and I often found myself realizing 5 minutes later that I had daydreamed and not taken in the content. Needless to say, the rewind button came in very handy.Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Although, no one in my family suffers from addiction, the section which discusses addiction makes me much more empathetic with people who are addicted to drugs.Any additional comments?
I wish they had gone further into the physiology of how food chemistry can affect both flavor and cravings.Great technical, mediocre presentation
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Like a text book
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Amazing, fascinating, and funny
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Very technical
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Interesting information
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A Pleasure to Listen To!
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Hard to follow
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Mechanics of Pleasure & Addiction
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Interesting subject
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