Our minds have lit up like stars in the universe of living beings. We do not know how they emerged from primitive neural circuits, but we are certain that we can nurture them so that they remain luminous, warm, and magnificent.
Journalist and essayist Eliana Liotta and neuroscientist Michela Matteoli propose a vision in line with recent discoveries: a mind embodied in the brain and in constant dialogue with the body and the gut microbiota. It is precisely this material dimension that deserves attention, starting with nutrition. Analysis of scientific data shows that, on average, Italians are deficient in substances essential for the nervous system, such as omega-3s and vitamins B and D. We risk having malnourished brains in an opulent society, and it is no surprise that the consequences have been anxiety, fatigue, sleep disorders, or difficulty concentrating. But our extraordinary minds also hunger for feelings, spirituality, and peace. They are creators of worlds that pulse through music, art, theater, and film. And all these thoughts, experiences, and emotions change us—physically. “Our brain changes as we live,” the authors write. “And we can always strive to become better people.”
Let’s take care of our minds; let’s give them what they need: stimulation, relationships, challenges, beauty. Let’s train them with love. And they will repay us, radiant, for many years to come. The book is part of the “Sciences for Life” series, conceived and edited by Eliana Liotta.