Big Brain Book

Leanne Boucher Gill, PhD, is a professor of psychology at Nova Southeastern University, where she received the Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award and was named the NSU STUEY Professor of the Year. She maintains an active research program studying how exercise affects the way we think. She lives in South Florida. Visit her on Twitter @BoucherLeanne.  

Part One: Brain 101
1. What is the brain made of and how does it work?
2. How is the brain organized?
3. How is my brain different from the brains of other animals?
4. How do I learn things?
5. How do scientists measure brain activity?

Part Two: Brain and Body
6. Why do we need to sleep?
7. How can we see in 3D at the movies?
8. Why do we feel pain?
9. Why does learning how to ride a bike seem so hard at first?
10. Why do ice cream headaches happen?
11. Why can't I ever get that itch on my back?
12. What does it mean to be conscious?
13. Why can't we hear dog whistles?
14. Why is there always room for dessert?
15. Why do I remember seemingly random things after smelling something?
16. Why is it hard to learn a new language?
17. Why do I feel sick when I am in a moving car or boat?
18. Why can't we tickle ourselves?
19. Why does my heart race when I'm scared?
20. When I shut off the lights in my room, I can't see anything, but after a few minutes, I can. Why?

Part Three: When Things Go Wrong
21. Why does Grandma keep forgetting things?
22. Why do I have to wear a helmet when playing sports?
23. Why do I need physical therapy?
24. What does it mean when someone has a stroke?
25. Why can't Grandpa talk normally after he has had a stroke?