Hardwired: How Our Instincts to Be Healthy are Making Us Sick

The authors argue that our deteriorating wellness is rapidly becoming a health emergency and that much of these trends are rooted in the way our highly evolved hardwired brains and bodies deal with modern social change. They unlock the mysteries of our top health vices, such as why hospitals are more dangerous than war zones, our addiction to sugar, salt, and stress, our emotionally-driven brains, our relentless pursuit of happiness, our sleepless society, our understanding of risk, and how world history can be a valuable tutor.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 164 pages
\n Publication date: 31 October 2020
\n Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG
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For the first time in a millennium, Americans are witnessing a reversal in lifespan, with one in five adults suffering from anxiety and one-third of adolescents experiencing similar concerns. Nearly half of the US population is overweight or obese, and one-third of Americans suffer from chronic pain, the highest rate globally. Fatalities due to prescription pain medications have surpassed those of heroin and cocaine combined, and each year, 10% of all students on American college campuses contemplate suicide. The proliferation of social media and the algorithms that exploit our emotional brains have led to the rapid spread of inaccurate or misleading health articles and videos, surpassing reputable sources in speed.

This book delves into the state of modern health, highlighting the urgent need for action. The authors present two compelling arguments: that our deteriorating wellness is rapidly escalating into a health emergency and that many of these trends are rooted in the way our highly evolved brains and bodies adapt to modern social change. The co-authors, one with a PhD in social science and the other with an MD in medicine, combine their expertise to shed light on this emerging human crisis. Packed with fascinating facts and little-known stories, the authors weave together real-life cases that illustrate how our ancient evolutionary drives propel us toward ill health and disease.

Spanning seven chapters, the authors unravel the mysteries of our top health vices, including why hospitals are more dangerous than war zones, our addiction to sugar, salt, and stress, our emotionally driven brains, our relentless pursuit of happiness, our sleepless society, our understanding of risk, and the global impact of these issues.

This book serves as a wake-up call, urging individuals and society to take a proactive approach to addressing these pressing health concerns. By understanding the root causes of our modern health challenges, we can work towards creating a healthier and more sustainable future for ourselves and future generations.

\n Weight: 312g\n
Dimension: 222 x 234 x 13 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9783030517281\n
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021\n