Somatic Mind: How the Body Influences Our Thoughts, Feelings, and Memories

We understand the functioning of the human body as a series of interdependent physiological processes: from how muscles interact with bones to the internal workings of each cell. For the organism to function, no component works in isolation. So why is the mind attributed solely to the brain? This book challenges the fundamental principles of neurobiology and proves that the mind extends far beyond the brain and lives in every cell of our body. Did you know that: • traumatic experiences of parents can be passed down to their children and even grandchildren; • after organ transplantation, changes in the recipient's personality are possible; • bacteria in the gut influence our brain, nervous system, and other parts of the body; • cells “remember” their past from the moment of conception. "The book contains shocking studies on how our feelings, thoughts, and memories are shaped by physiology, not just by the functions of the brain. The author encourages us to think outside the box and see the body not as a 'vehicle', but as part of a much larger picture than has previously been considered in scientific representations of the mind and self.” — Daniel Siegel, MD, bestselling author of “Awareness: The Science and Art of Presence”