Candace B. Pert (1946–2013)

Why do we feel the way we feel? How do our thoughts and emotions affect our health? Are our bodies and minds distinct from each other or do they function together as parts of an interconnected system?

In her groundbreaking book Molecules of Emotion, Candace Pert provides startling and decisive answers to these and other challenging questions that scientists and philosophers have pondered for centuries.

Her pinoeering research on how the chemicals inside our bodies form a dynamic information network, linking mind and body, is not only porvocatve, it is revolutionary. By establishing the biomoledular basis for our emotions and explaining these new scientific developments in a clear and accessible way, Pert empowers us to understand ourselves, our feelings, and the connection between our minds and our bodies-bodyminds-in ways we could never possibly have imagined before.

Molecules of Emotion is a landmark work, full of insight and wisdom and possessing that rare power to change the way we see the world and ourselves.

'Molecules of Emotion is ahighly inspiring story of the search for the biochemical links between consciousness, mind, and body that also weaves in Pert's deeply personal search for truth. Highly recommended!'-Dean Ornish, M.D., author of Eat More, Weigh Less

'Pick up the coolest, smartest, hardest-core mind-body book I've seen in a while.'-Lynn Harris, New York Daily News

Candace B. Pert, Ph.D., is a Research Professor in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C., where she also conducts AIDS research. She was featured in Bill Moyers's book and PBS series Healing and the Mind, and lectures extensively throughout the country.

Contents

Foreword by Deepak Chopra, M.D.
Chapter 1 The receptor revolution: An introductory lecture
Chapter 2 Romance of the opiate receptor
Chapter 3 Peptide generation: A continued lecture
Chapter 4 Brains and ambition
Chapter 5 Life at the palace
Chapter 6 Breaking the rules
Chapter 7 The biochemicals of emotion: A continued lecture
Chapter 8 Turning point
Chapter 9 The psychosomatic network: A concluding lecture
Chapter 10 Child of the new paradigm
Chapter 11 Crossing over, coming together
Chapter 12 Healing feeling
Chapter 13 Truth
Epilogue Peptide T-The story continues
Appendix A Prevention-oriented tips for healthful, blissful living
Appendix B Bodymind medicine: Resources and practitioners
Glossary
Recommended reading (bibliography)
Index… (mehr)

Candace Pert, a neuroscientist and discoveror of the opiate receptor, recounts both the intricate relationship between mind, body, and emotions, and her own career uncovering those connections and the neurochemical basis of them. Beginning her career in the early 1970s, gender was an even bigger obstacle than it is now, which no cultural or legal expectation that it shouldn't be. Sometimes she had to fight for recognition of her contributions; other times she had to fight to be able to do the work at all.

But along the way, she made major discoveries, and had life-changing experiences. The mind-body dichotomy was still unquestioned scientific orthodoxy in her early days. She doesn't say, but I will: Rene Descartes has a lot to answer for. Pert's work with neuropeptides and their receptors helps to rebuild the essential unity of the person, mind, body, and emotions, and uncover the connections between our emotional health and our physical health.

There are times when this goes right up to edge of woo-woo, but it doesn't cross over. Pert is spiritual, religious, and very much a scientist. No, that's not a contradiction or a paradox. She's quite open about her beliefs, and the interrelations among the different aspects. Her central, guiding principle is a commitment to truth.

It's a fascinating story. There are times when I find it quite frustrating. It is, however, well worth reading if you are interested in the topic.

I bought this audiobook.… (mehr)

Everything You Need to Know to Feel Go(od) is Candace Pert’s response to the questions she’s been asked in her worldwide travels ever since the publication of her book Molecules of Emotion, and her appearance in the film What the Bleep Do We Know!? She discovered that, at the end of the day, all people really want to know is how to feel good.

Within these pages, Dr. Pert shares the answers she’s found, both in the biomedical laboratory of mainstream science and in the laboratory of her own evolving life. Her amazing journey documents how mind, body, and spirit cannot be separated; and that we’re hardwired for bliss, which is both physical and divine. Feeling good and feeling God, she believe, are one and the same.

From beginning to end, this book takes us on an entertaining romp through the many bodymind avenues, separating the woo-woo from real science and pointing the way toward using new paradigm therapies, detoxing our food and environment, forgiving and healing our relationships, understanding depression, staying young, and creating the reality we want to experience.

Consciousness, mind, emotions, and God are all factored into the mix, resulting in a considerable amount of beneficial advice and self-development insights that will empower us toward health, well-being, an dfeeling...Go(o)d.… (mehr)