We all want the autonomy and power to change our lives for the better and yet many of us feel stuck in the same bad habits, patterns, and short-term fixes. We know what we should do, but often we cannot get ourselves to actually do it.
In Unstoppable Brain, Dr. Kyra Bobinet debunks today’s over-dependence on performance-driven tools such as calorie counting, SMART goals, and likes/followers that attempt to motivate us into behavior change. These methods work well in the short term but have a long-term downside of negative emotions and harmful behaviors. Yet despite these poor results, we keep using the same performative approaches over and over. Something is missing.
Emerging research into the neuroscience of behavior and motivation has brought to light to a little-understood area of the brain, the habenula; possibly the most powerful controller of behavior ever found. If left untended, the habenula acts as a failure detector and motivation kill switch that can rob you of positive or lasting change, leaving you stuck in relapse, frustration, and suffering.
Understanding the habenula’s inner workings is must-have knowledge to obtain the freedom and agency for the life you long for. New research reveals that the habenula is a primary gating mechanism for everything that does or doesn’t happen in your life, what you do or do not do and. It is among our biggest obstacles to change.
In this book, you will learn that an activated habenula can dominate even the dopamine and reward systems that the scientific world for decades has esteemed the most powerful behavioral drivers. We will explore exactly what is wrong with today’s overly used performative approaches and how you can free yourself to reach your optimal health and best life. Dr. Bobinet unpacks mounting evidence on the habenula and other discoveries that change everything about changing behavior. With this new vision and understanding, your natural tendencies, purpose, and passions can emerge organically and inspire permanent, satisfying, and healthy life change.
Unstoppable Brain frees you from being too performative for others and being too hard on yourself. It provides all you need to restore your sovereignty and empowers you to change your life and habits whenever and however you want. It offers a therapeutic dose of three “medicines” that help you go from stuck to unstoppable. This potent elixir is an antidote to recovering your innate motivation wherever you’ve been stopped by the past or overwhelmed by the future. Most importantly, this book gives you the key to unlock lasting change.
Dr. Bobinet shares relatable examples from her own story and impactful research studies in resounding instruction for a full, vibrant life. Throughout the book, her engaging voice, relatable vulnerability, and empowering message infuse readers with the tools and reinvigorated power to unlock true, lasting change. Become unstoppable!
The author's explanation of how the habenula impacts behavior and motivation was a huge lightbulb moment.
And her ideas about adopting an iteration mindset map very nicely onto my existing approach of focusing on purposeful bets and doubling down on what works.
If you struggle with fear of failure, please read this book.
Bobinet introduces an iterative approach to lasting change, encapsulated in the acronym ITERATES, which emphasizes finding inspiration, understanding timing, creating a supportive environment, making positive changes, seeking social support, and setting realistic expectations.
The book combines scientific explanations, cited studies, and relatable stories to make complex concepts accessible. It sheds light on how the habenula influences motivation across various aspects of life, offering fresh perspectives to help break free from negative cycles and create lasting transformations.
All my adult life I have worked in health care, both traditional Euro-American and traditional ancient Oriental and have struggled to bring these into focus for my clients and, frankly, myself. I get it now. There is not one true pathway to point to. There is no need to invent a vocabulary for the unexplained. There is, however, the need to firmly and bravely recognize our power and honor our truth. The job of the mentor is to keep the door of iteration on a well-oiled hinge for both the student (and the mentor). We simply must keep the doors of creativity and reinvention swinging.
Now is truly an exciting time to be alive - just the catalyst we all need to bring forth our truths. There is no time left. Each of us either learn from Kyra and teachers like her or we back down, being led away from the our glorious essence. Thank you, Kyra, for ending with a benediction and blessing of hope. May you, also be liberated and stay empowered.
I was stunned by Maya's journey from a joyful gymnast to someone burdened by parental expectations. Devin's professional downfall highlighted the emotional toll of constant performance pressure. I found the writing to be clear and engaging. It balanced storytelling with research, which made complicated concepts accessible. I did feel a lot of empathy, frustration, and sadness for the characters, but also hope for change. I consider this book to be useful for individuals struggling with performance pressures, parents, educators, and mental health professional. It is a call to reevaluate societal values. We should all take a step back and ask ourselves how useful the constant pressure to deliver more is.
I found this reading very complete and motivational. This author shares her wisdom with the reader in a very dynamic way. Also, in my case, it was an eye-opening read, since I did not know about the habenula, a behavioral controller.
I think this book is highly recommended to all those readers eager to improve their lives and their behavior towards different external motivators.
The book explains how understanding the Habenula can help break barriers and gain control over one's self and life. It offers multiple techniques and remedial measures for gaining motivation and achieving lasting change. The well-written and knowledgeable content makes the book easy to understand. Bobinet guides readers in discovering their true selves and unlocking their hidden potential to support life's journey with the help of science.
The main discovery of the book is the exploration of the habenula. This small but powerful brain region acts as a failure detector and motivation switch. When active, the habenula can override even the reward and dopamine systems, which are traditionally considered the primary drivers of behavior. Understanding how the habenula works is crucial to achieving true autonomy and significant changes in our lives.
Bobinet's writing style is engaging and sincere, combining personal stories with impactful scientific research. This blend of personal narrative and scientific evidence offers a resonant and motivating guide to a full and vibrant life. The author provides information and inspires.