My Plastic Brain: One Woman’s Yearlong Journey to Discover if Science Can Improve Her Mind

Science journalist Williams peers into her own mental skills and limits in this somewhat scientifically conservative overview of human neuroplasticity. She spends a year traveling to laboratories, talking to experts, and experiencing various methods to improve brain performance. Williams uses a well-established approach to first-person narrative reporting: trying things out on herself. Discarding both the discredited idea of improving general brain health through training puzzles and the idea of focusing on structural changes rather than functional ones, Williams pinpoints specific executive function skills to address, such as reducing anxiety and directing attention. Her trials are primarily lab experiences, including physical brain stimulation of the prefrontal cortex to enhance creativity and transcranial random noise stimulation to enhance number skills. A belt that buzzes in the direction of magnetic north, to help train navigation circuits, gets a real-world trial. Williams hones her approach as she learns, discovering that “to build brainpower, it’s not muscle you want, it’s flexibility.” Some chapters include boilerplate advice to exercise, “practice navigating in unfamiliar territory,” and “do some easy math” to keep from getting rusty. Williams is a relatable guide, but readers looking to glean practical advice may find her recommendations uninspiring. Illus. (Mar.)