The Hacking of the American Mind: The Science Behind the Corporate Takeover of Our Bodies and Brains

Reader beware: This is NOT going to be a short review. I will post a TL;DR at the bottom for the sake of this particular review for those who just want the summary. For this review I will divide it into 5 Sections.The review/ What I loved about this bookMy Own experience with this bookCriticisms, and commentaries on said criticismsWhat this book is missing, and what it might mean for future variations of the bookConclusionTL;DRThe Review/What I loved about this bookThis book, overall, was absolutely brilliant. It was one that took me so long to finish, for the very reason that I had to stop every other page to write down little bits and pieces of information that the book provided. Lustig shows us, from a neurophysiological perspective, what the very differences between pleasure and happiness are. He points out roughly seven differences between the two emotions at the level of the neurotransmitters that are released during the process of these two very different (yet often confused) emotions. Lustig shows us that pleasure and happiness, while they can indeed work together, are often opposites, competing in the field of neurochemistry. Addiction is a growing problem in the post-modern world that we live in. A large part of that has to do with everyone looking for happiness in all the wrong places. We’ve gone from being social creatures, who spend time with each other, contributing to our tribes, and eating real food, to being self-centered, smart-phone worshipping narcissists seeking the next hit of pleasure, be it a night of drinks on the weekend, to anonymous sex with strangers we’ve met on apps, to succumbing to the corporate ads that tell us that we’d be happy if ONLY we bought the next product that they are trying to sell us. We’ve been duped. The books gives us a call to action in regards to how we can return to the way things were before, so that we can live our lives to the fullest. Overall, the book provides great information in regards to what happens at the most fundamental level in the interactions between serotonin and dopamine, and what we need to do to fix the situation that most of us have probably found ourselves in.2. My Own experience with the bookEssentially, this book is, in large part, the Opus Dei in regards to why I study neuroscience. It provides incredible information that even the typical day-to-day reader would enjoy looking into for information’s sake. It really changed a lot of habits in my day to day life when it made me aware of what I was doing. I was at one point drinking at least 3 cups of coffee a day (3 times the amount I’m supposed to drink at my own bodyweight), rejecting time spent with other people in order to “grow”, would spend money on things that would bring me a temporary feeling of pleasure, but would eventually fade. It really opened my eyes to how much I had been fooled into spending money that I could have used much more wisely. I was expecting that this book would have been more of a light-level book in describing what happiness was at an extremely rudimentary level. I was wrong. If you want an eye opener, this book is most definitely for you.3. CriticismsMy largest issue with the book is that Dr. Lustig does insert his political views a little bit more than necessary, given the subject that is at hand. Even as someone who agrees with the views that Dr. Lustig holds, I do feel as though many people who read this book can indeed get turned off by the political commentary that takes place in the book. I feel as though the topic in the book is too important to be involving in-depth politics. However, with that being said, the book does not dwell on the topic. This book isn’t an “anti-Trump piece of crap”, as one previous review stated. It just touches on politics a tad bit more than is necessary for the subject. If you disagree with views of Dr. Lustig, don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater. The political commentary in the book is brief, and Dr. Lustig still does a good job of staying on the topic. The topic is too important to NOT read this book.4. What’s missing?There are a handful of things that I feel as though are needed to mentioned in this book that I feel as though were either not mentioned in this book, or were not emphasized enough. The first is the over-simplification of neurotransmitters in regards to mood. Lustig mentions the main two that most of us are familiar with: dopamine and serotonin. However, it’s really not that simple. There are even more neurotransmitters that also play a role in the overall sense of well being that are not mentioned here, such as anandamide, gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), and norepinephrine. In addition to these neurotransmitters, there are also other neuropeptides that play a role such as oxytocin and endorphins. In addition to that, there are also hormones that can play a role in the overall mood as well (for example, according to neurobiologist Robert Sapolsky, testosterone has been shown to make people more optimistic and overall confident in the outcome of situations (in many cases, stupidly optimistic [refer to adolescence]), while perturbing certain emotions like anxiety. This would probably be information that would complicate the book to such a large extent that it may very well turn off the majority of readers who end up reading it, but it is worth a mention for the benefit of this review.The second is in regards to the connection aspect. Dr. Lustig talks about how we need to connect with people first-hand, and not merely through social media. He mentions how mirror neurons play a huge role in this. However, one of the things that a few people are predicting in the upcoming future is that a new field of biology will emerge: interpersonal biology. That is, how the people we surround ourselves with impact us on a BIOLOGICAL level. This is not merely a matter of social psychology anymore. Many researchers are looking into what the biological impacts of other people who surround us are. I believe as we start to see a field like this emerge, we will see even more reasons to place more emphasis on the connect portion of the four C’s of happiness.A third thought on the book is that I feel as though there was not nearly enough emphasis on the “cope” portion of the four C’s of happiness. Sleep, according to Neurologist Stasha Gominak, has been theorized as a way for people to be able to repair the body from the damage that has been done to the body. Essentially, her theory states that the body needs time to heal itself during the deep, slow-wave reparative stages of sleep. In addition to that, the body needs REM sleep in order to be able to help the brain recover from trauma. A good night of sleep has also been shown to improve one’s mood in many situations.Dr. Lustig also mentioned the benefits of meditation in regards to coping with stress. While there are most definitely stress-related benefits to meditating, that barely scratches the surface. If you want a more complex look at the scientific benefits of meditation, I would highly encourage you to check out the book “Altered Traits” by Daniel Goleman and Richie Davis. Without getting too much into that, I can assure you that meditation can help us in many more ways than merely reducing stress.Finally, Lustig mentions the importance of working out. This is absolutely CRUCIAL in anyone who is trying to improve their overall quality of life. The interesting thing is that he mentions is how it helps to tamp down on dopamine, and increase serotonin. Well, yes and no. There is a growing body of evidence that shows that aerobic exercise can help maintain dopamine receptors, etc. to a healthy extent. In addition to that, aerobic exercise also helps with using other amino-acids to fuel the muscles so that there is more brain-available tryptophan for the production of serotonin (which is a huge relief, considering what he mentioned in the book about how certain amino-acids take precedence over tryptophan in regards to brain availability). It addition to that, it has also been shown that the brain releases anandamide after running. Depending on the length of the run, some studies have suggested that going on a run for approximately 50 minutes can DOUBLE anandamide. It is my personal hypothesis that exercise helps our brain to better allocate the way it uses our dopamine. In addition to adding the benefits of increasing specific neurotransmitters that this book targets, it also increases activity in the executive function of the brain, primarily in the frontal cortex. As the frontal cortex becomes more active, it takes control over areas of the brain like the amygdala, the portion of the brain responsible for extreme emotions. This is beneficial in our day-to-day lives, as it helps us to be able to become responsive, as opposed to reactive when the emotional centers of the brain are not taking over the logical, thinking and processing parts of the brain. Overall, I see a positive in Dr. Lustig showing the benefits of exercise as it pertains to protecting ourselves from stress. However, I feel as though in any future versions of the book, the “coping” portion should be given much more emphasis in regards to the importance of it in increasing the overall quality of life. If you want more information on the growing list of the benefits of exercise, I would strongly consider checking out the book “Spark” by John Ratey.5. ConclusionOverall, this book is absolutely important. If you don’t have a background in neuroscience, this book can be a major benefit to you in the way you approach life as a whole. As a neuroscience major, I have even gained something from this book. I’m assuming that with that in mind, the amount of people who won’t have something to take away from this book will be few and far in between.6. TL;DRThe book is great, because it really teaches you something about the difference between pleasure and happiness. It really helped me, even as someone who studies neuroscience ad nauseam. Aside from the slight hints at political stances on certain things, I think the book overall is absolutely important, and not significantly political enough to turn off anyone who would disagree with the views of Lustig. I feel as though the book is incomplete, and as future versions of this book (or other variations) come out, the gaps will gradually be filled. Most people who read this book will benefit.

Two books taken together offer adequate evidence that sugar addiction stands out above all others among multiple causes of chronic diseases that became epidemic in recent times. They are: Robert Lustig -- The Hacking of the American Mind Gary Taubes -- The Case Against Sugar.I gave HACKING four stars, though the book is excellent with vital information, I am bothered by a drawback.I gave SUGAR five stars, because as a journalist, Gary Taubes demonstrates the best of objective science.Often a journalist writes better and makes the facts clearer than a scientist ever does. In Taubes's previous books, one stands out for public health relevance. That is WHY WE GET FAT. That is a background for SUGAR.Taubes makes a case for sugar as the main modern factor that far above all else is the reason we have epidemics of gout, elevated blood pressure, elevated blood glucose, insulin resistance, diabetes, arterial disease, cancer, Alzheimer's disease and more. All of these are hormonally related to metabolic syndrome, the topic that put Lustig in the forefront of nutritional science. Taubes gives more historical background of opposing views, fairly, with little condemnation, though much activity of sugar industry representatives could have been judged criminal.Opposing views: "Chronic diseases are caused by overeating and under-activity." (More calories in than out.) "Eat less and exercise more" has a history of misery and failure, but heavily promoted by the medical system and believed even by those who tried, tried, tried and failed. "Chronic diseases are caused by fat." (or saturated fat) "Sugar does not cause diabetes." These were promoted by the sugar industry with massive publicity efforts over many years. Those who know better were few.My crude accusation: The industry-government-medical-media complex that tried to make sugar into a health food and denied its role in disease may have caused over 100,000,000 people to die short of their normal life span and lived years in misery. The death count and misery are rapidly expanding even now.Taubes quotes a reason for this opposition, other than self (selfish) interest: "As soon as we think we are right about something," the New Yorker writer Kathryn Schulz noted in the 2010 book BEING WRONG, "we narrow our focus, attending only to details that support our belief, or ceasing to listen altogether."Fortunately, Gary Taubes understands this.This is my understanding of THE HACKING OF THE AMERICAN MIND: Sugar has the same neurohormonal paths in the brain as opiods.Sugar is addictive, with brief hits of pleasure but not satisfying, with long-range health consequences. Because it is not satisfying, we tend to want more, and are not content. We crave more, to the point of leaving other nutrients deficient, and sugarless foods become tasteless. The book is not mainly about sugar, though that may be the most relevant point. It is about addictions, hormones of pleasure and hormones of happiness, and lack of contentment. Though I have studied nutrition and endocrinology for many years, that is not my main interest. I am interested in what he has to say about sugar. I am author of an orthomolecular nutrition textbook. I am intensely interested in the health and welfare of many people I know who suffer from chronic diseases, or are heading that way.Here is the reason I did not give HACKING five stars: Lustig overstated the usefulness of psychoactive prescription drugs, and seemed unaware of the extent of harm. I have seen too many lives destroyed by these drugs to let this pass. He may be right that cannabanoids could be a much better choice.A lesser point for many readers, and no point off for this, is Lustig's statement "We are our biochemistry, whether we like it or not." Following that "and our biochemistry can be manipulated. Sometimes naturally and sometimes artificially. sometimes by ourselves and sometimes by others. Sometimes for good and sometimes for ill." True, very true, except for that first line. This unnecessary claim minimizes the human soul. We are a thousand times our biochemistry. I see this in Jesus's promise as he left his disciples: "I am with you always, even to the end of the age." His promise is still true. this is more than "with you in spirit." Jesus is present and active in the affairs of this world, however unwanted. He gives us value.I expect Taubes's book to be the one that makes a difference in the world, with Lustig's as vital scientific background, with both giving accounts of how the powers of this world hack the minds of all of us.My conclusion:1. Sugar excess is the main cause of modern chronic diseases.2. Sugar is addictive and not satisfying. The pleasure of sweet taste is leads to disappointment, not happiness or contentment.3. Sugar substitutes have little evidence of benefit.4. We can benefit greatly, in prevention and treatment, by reducing sugar to near the level used by our ancestors and non-industrial populations. Fruits are good, not fruit juice. Sweet drinks of any kind are out. Most processed foods have sugar added.5. We need fat, even saturated fat, coconut oil, fish oil, a spectrum of natural fats. Fats add flavor, satisfaction and satiety.6. We need phytonutrients and minerals which are scarce in modern food.7. Changing is hard. Changing is scary to anticipate, pleasant to remember.If these books are hard to read, get this fun but scientific book by Denise Minger. DEATH BY FOOD PYRIMID.

Read this book, then read it again. I read this while abroad in Europe and it made me understand why many countries there are much happier than the US. We aren’t very happy as a whole. This book (when you take the actions!) will help you transform in the best ways. I love reading esoteric books that also draw upon science. While this is all science, I still thoroughly enjoyed it and feel like it is one of the most important books we as Americans need to read right now. In validating the science, he shows how right more esoteric and Eastern philosophies have been too.

I wondered whether to give this book just 4 stars. I'm reviewing it for a UK audience, and parts of the book are mainly or entirely for a US audience. (Specifically, where it discusses US Health Insurance; and describes the relationships between the US government and major companies and lobby organisations, and the resulting laws). It doesn't hide the fact that it is partly US-based; see the title.I've given it 5 stars because those parts are a relatively small part of the book, and in some cases, it is possible to detect a similar influence of major companies and lobby organisations in the UK. And the rest of the book deserves 5 stars for a UK audience. (Or for any country where the environment favours cortisol and dopamine at the expense of serotonin!)As would be expected from this author, it (rightly) condemns over-use of sugar! But those parts are a minority of the book, which is mostly a much broader analysis and criticism of the cynical manipulation of our emotions for corporate profit and political votes.The book is easy to read, while being science-rich with over 30 pages of citations at the end. The last 4 chapters are a search for improvement: Connect, Contribute, Cope, Cook. It is a sad condemnation of our environment that those chapters are necessary, rather than simply being taken for granted, as earlier generations probably did.We can individually try to protect ourselves, after learning from this book what is being done to us. It is harder to see that the tide will be turned at national levels, but this book will at least provide some ammunition.

I'm sure the reviews for this book already speak for themselves. It really is amazing.In many respects, the ultimate goal we are all working towards in our lives is to be happy. In the Hacking of the American Mind, Robert Lustig describe the science behind this. What more could you want?Since reading this book, I've reflected a lot of my life choices and brought a healthier balance between happiness and pleasure into my life. I've also been able to share insights with others, so they too can lead happier lives.

So the premise of the book is conflation of ideas of pleasure and happiness. Somewhat ironically the book is very pleasurable to read and yet it might bring some folks to happiness if the practice some withstraint in their eating habits - which requires folks to get sufficient pleasure out of food without driving into the excesses seemingly dictated by modern living. My daughter is a nutritionist so will be looking for the expert review from her - so far the concepts seem plausible and causal rather than a passing fad with no science to back the idea up.

Insightful and detailed with a compelling set of recommendations as to how to free yourself from the traps our Big Food, Big Media and Big Pharma culture and society have set for us. Highly recommend!

Bought on advice as a present for someone else and seems to be going down well so far.