Satisfaction: The Science of Finding True Fulfillment“A discussion that is meaty, contemporary and expansive . . . Berns artfully blends social critique with technical expertise.”—The Washington Post Book World In a riveting narrative look at the brain and the power of novelty to satisfy it, Dr. Gregory Berns plumbs fields as diverse as neuroscience, economics, and evolutionary psychology to find answers to the fundamental question of how we can find a more satisfying way to think and live. We join Berns as he follows ultramarathoners across the Sierra Nevadas, enters a suburban S&M club to explore the deeper connection between pleasure and pain, partakes of a truly transporting meal, and ultimately returns home to face the challenge of incorporating novelty into a long-term relationship. In a narrative as compelling as its insights are trenchant, Satisfaction will convince you that the more complicated and even downright challenging a life you pursue, the more likely it is that you will be satisfied. |
Contents
The Slave in the Brain | xvii |
For the Love of Money | 16 |
Puzzling Gratifications | 45 |
The Sushi Problem | 69 |
The Electric Pleasuredome | 97 |
It Hurts So Good | 118 |
Running High | 144 |
Iceland The Experience | 173 |
Sex Love and the Crucible of Satisfaction | 208 |
Epilogue | 241 |
Notes | 245 |
Acknowledgments | 269 |
Index | 273 |
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Common terms and phrases
activity animals answer appeared asked become begins behavior body brain called cause cells challenge comes complete cortisol course described dopamine effects example exercise expected experience eyes fact feel female flow glucose hand happens happiness head Heath human Iceland idea increases individual insight Journal learning less live looked lottery means measure motivation Nature neurons never novelty occur orgasm pain patients percent perhaps person physical pleasure pleasure principle possible predict Press probably problem Psychology puzzle question rats Read receptors region relationship release requires response result reward runners satisfaction satisfying Science seemed sense sexual sleep started stimulation striatum subjective suggested taste theory things thought tion turned University woman women York