Why Isn't My Brain Working?: A Revolutionary Understanding of Brain Decline and Effective Strategies to Recover Your Brain's Health Paperback – Illustrated, May 1, 2013

UPDATE, END OF JULY 2024: It has been a few months since I wrote my original review of "Why Isn't My Brain Working?" here at Amazon. Let me first say, I still have not finished reading the book. It has been put on hold, indefinitely. Life, time, and the allure of old newspaper comics have sucked up my energy for finishing reading it right now. All that considered, YES. The recommendations work.I have basically gone gluten-free :( for the past two months. (At first, before that, I was allowing myself Einkorn crackers but then even that seemed a gamble.) I have not given up my raw cow milk but occasionally swipe out raw goat milk when I feel like I can afford it. I remember that the book was negative about dairy and I am hoping that *raw* dairy nullifies that warning, especially given that I usually buy A2A2 milk. And I have come to realize that sugar really does me no favors, so that (refined sugar) is very rare in my diet now. It actually does not make me feel good.What am I taking as supplements? Focusing right now on only what this book recommends for brain health (because other things likely contribute to it but are moot here, as this is a BOOK review), I have been taking Acetyl-L-Carnitine, Alpha-GPC, Huperzine A, Bacopa Monneri, and occasionally Phosphatidyl Serine. I cannot remember if the book recommends cod liver oil and/or krill oil, but they seem like the type of things it would; I also take those regularly, although not every day. It took at least three months for me to start recognizing that the supplements were doing something for me. I started being able to recall where I had heard X (and who said it), vocabulary words, etc. I still do occasionally have the most awful black holes when I am sitting at the keyboard, writing, but thankfully those are not terribly frequent.Note: I am also working with my hormones (herbally) because Dr. Kharrazian really stresses how much an imbalance can mess with your brain, too.Recently, at the health food store, I came across ONNIT Alpha Brain single-serve packets. I read the ingredients and realized that they were pretty similar to what I have been taking as brain health supplements--just all together instead of spaced throughout the day. Dr. Kharrazian says to take a lot of the book-recommended supplements (which influence the choline pathways to the brain) until you feel an effect. Well, they obviously have been working for me as individual supplements, taken semi-randomly (although regularly) throughout the day. Yet when I tried the ONNIT powder--no, I am not affiliated with them, I am just sharing my personal experience--it was like, boom! Literally, within minutes, I could feel my brain "tightening" and I was sold.Years ago, I took Himalaya Healthcare's MindCare (an herbal formulation comprised of Indian herbs) at the end of summer, which is when I have traditionally recognized my brain to be more delicate; specifically as regards mental health. MindCare no longer seems to do anything with any pizzazz for me :( but the ONNIT Alpha Brain has been giving my brain a one-two kick like the MindCare used to do. So I am taking the Alpha Brain every day and often twice a day, despite the very specific warning on the label. ($$$!!) And that in addition to the Acetyl-L-Carnitine and, sometimes, extra Huperzine A and Alpha-GPC pills. I am wondering if it would be enough for me to just buy the ONNIT powder once the individual supplements run out, and take that twice a day. But the packets do not contain Acetyl-L-Carnitine so I will likely still continue to buy that. (I take the ALC on an empty stomach in the morning.)I elaborate upon these things because, for me, this is what I NEED TO DO right now for my brain health. Not just the cognitive function but the mental health. I am certain that other people will find that they need to tweak things differently to find their own success. I am just sharing that this book has been a very good purchase for me, and perhaps it would be a help for some of you reading this review, too.ORIGINAL REVIEW (3/2024): Okay. So I don't feel like writing a long review today. Hopefully, my attempt at brevity here will check all of the necessary boxes regarding "Why Isn't My Brain Working?" by Dr. Datis Kharrazian:1. I bought this book over a year ago at a time when I thought, wow, I'm spending a lot on this. The price (for used copies) seems to be pretty good right now. If you are on the fence about purchasing this massive tome, just buy a used copy of it. As the popular saying goes, thank me later.2. Yes, I bought a copy of this book over a year ago. It sat up on my shelf, unopened, for that entire time. Occasionally I would look at it and think, I should read that book. But I had other books to read, and it was so large, and... and... and I am kicking myself now. BACK IN MY EARLY THIRTIES I could tell that my brain was changing, and not for the better.Fast-forward more than a decade. I finally saw this book online, finally bought it, and--kept it on the shelf for a year. Okay, I regret that! But things got to the point recently and I was like, just read the book! I am so glad that I finally started it. (I am halfway through the book right now.) Let me just say that it is a total game-changer!3. Don't believe the people who tell you that brain decline is normal. Don't let people tell you that you're "smart" and not to worry about it. Don't let people tell you that you're too young to be concerned about your brain's health. Whatever their line, do your own research. Sadly, those well-meaning individuals likely have no idea what they are talking about.4. If you have a family history of dementia, or Alzheimer's Disease, or if you are on the spectrum, or if you have food sensitivities (like to gluten or dairy), or whatever--don't ignore those things! The body is a unit. One thing affects another.Myself, I am shocked by what I am reading in this book which is giving me major red flags regarding my family history and my personal body chemistry. Yes, I have had a certain impending feeling of doom regarding my brain's lack for many years now. Forgetting vocabulary words (I am a writer and that is awful!), misplacing items, etc. And specifically in the body: growing anxiety and stress issues, minor but new gastrointestinal issues, etc. I am starting to get annoyed by how many people just say that these are normal signs of aging. They are not! They are often cumulative effects of poor lifestyle habits.The thing is, honestly, I am really not that bad regarding my food/lifestyle choices. I used to be a personal trainer and still work out 5-6 days a week, pride myself on eating whole foods most of the time (unprocessed, from-scratch, homemade and often from-the-garden foods), avoid synthetic chemicals, enjoy various creative hobbies, and try to be aware of my stress levels and personal limitations. (It goes without saying that I do not smoke and, interesting fact, have become more sensitive to what thimbleful-sized portions of alcohol I might very infrequently consume--a growing sensitivity to alcohol is remarked upon in the book.) But I have noticed things slipping mentally, sliding. This book is giving me the information I need to start sealing the 'cracks in the glass' before I completely shatter.4. Yes, I am buying a lot of supplements right now. Thankfully, I already have a lot of things in my cupboard, but I am still putting out some decent money for a lot of pills and powders these days. Ironically, I was on the right track: I bought Alpha-GPC and Huperzine A some time ago, due to my own, personal research. However, at the time, the price of the supplements made them be like a flash in the pan, nootropic type of deal for me. I want to say almost dogmatically, don't view these recommended supplements as nootropics! If you have any doubts about your brain health, these are necessary items, not vain splurges.5. Like I said before, I am only halfway through the book. I can't think of anything that I have read so far that really struck me as negative (if there was something, it was apparently minor). Dr. Kharrazian obviously knows his stuff. There is a lot of information in this 500+ page book, but if you are patient and read through everything, you will likely find the gems that will make a great difference in your brain's health. I have. I am almost frustrated, realizing that I probably need to alter my diet (even more) and regularly take a number of the recommended supplements on into the future. I am shocked and dismayed that I did not start this earlier--but considering my grandmother's recent passing, and her mental state leading up to it (and a certain parent's growing mental idiosyncrasies), I cannot gamble with this.My brain is responding too well to the changes I am forcing upon it and my body. I cannot in good conscience stop now.

THE REVIEW:I read a review where the person did not like this book because it was full of information on supplements and disorganized. wow. All I can say is that this book is the best out of the three books I purchased on brain health. This book is written more like a owners manual. It does not read well if you are looking for a novel. Sometimes I have to go to the index and find the information I want, like I said, an owners manual. The author also has really done his research which I like. He backs up his statements with citations to studies vs. someone just telling me his or her opinion. I read about 1/3 - 1/2 of the book. There are just some aspects of information in the book that do not pertain to me or not interested in; however, it might pertain to someone else and what does pertain to me is priceless. If you want to keep your brain healthy I highly recommend this book.Pros:- Excellent useful information- Backs up statements with studies- Detailed foods/supplements information- Explains why things happen- Warns you about "false" symptoms while your brain heals <= very important- It's the best $20 I've ever spentCons:- This book does not read like a novel, so if you're looking for a book to curl up in front of a fireplace and read front to back, this might not be written to your liking. However, my suggestion would be to not read it like a novel and more like a self help book to zero in on what you need to know to keep your brain healthy.- Maybe not perfectly organized, but that's like complaining about what color the ambulance is painted while having a heart attackINFORMATION ABOUT BRAIN SUPPLEMENTS: 2018 updateAlpha GPC is a great mental booster, but it is expensive. Over 4 years of learning, trial and error, I want to pass on something that took me a long time to figure out - which is, how to get a longer lasting effect of Alpha GPC without breaking the bank. So, I am passing along that information as well as some knowledge of supplements that have helped me out. Your needs might be different than mine, so I am not recommending you use them. I am just providing information that you can use as a starting point for your own research and in combination with reading this book.These are the two powerhouses I take to boost mental acuity on a more longer term basis. With this combination, I have less need to use Alpha GPC, which saves me a lot of money. You can add these to orange juice with little effect to taste. The best part is that I can afford to take them because they are provided in bulk powder. Together, they will allow your body to build the AcetylCholine neurotransmitter. Think of it like taking protein powder to build muscle. You will not find this combination of products suggested in any books (none that I have found). It is based on my own research and a lot of trial and error. It maximizes effect with minimal cost. I'm passing it along so you can benefit from my experiences.Bulksupplements Choline L-Bitartrate Powder (250 grams) - I use this as more of a long term to build up Choline in the brain. This form is absorbed better than the "DL-Bitartrate" form. The "L" form is better than the "DL" form also because it does not cause any upsets in the GI tract (from personal experience).BulkSupplements Pure Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR) Powder (250 grams) - I use this to supplement the Acetyl group. The reason this is important is because it combines with the Choline to make the neurotransmitter AcetylCholine. When the Acetyl is separated, the L-Carnitine is left to be used as an Amino Acid, which is also beneficial to boost energy.These are some good supplements that support brain health.Now Foods Sunflower Lecithin Powder, 1 Pound - Lecithin makes up about 30% dry weight of the brain. I take it to supply this building block for the brain much the same way a body builder takes protein for the muscles.NOW Alpha GPC 300 mg,60 Veg Capsules - I take this to quickly boost Choline. It is a form of Choline that can pass through the blood-brain barrier. For example, a student can take it before taking an exam, or one can take it if they have brain fog.BulkSupplements Pure Magnesium Citrate Powder (250 grams) - Magnesium is important for many reasons. One reason that is important to me is that it promotes brain cell genesis.EXPLAINING HOW ACETYLCHOLINE AFFECTS THE GUT: 4/9/2018 updateIf you are just beginning to take Choline and Acetyl L-Carnitine, be advised to start out with a small dose and work your way up. The book explains this very well in that your body being able to produce more AcetylCholine neurotransmitter will boost your brain; however, it will also boost all communication within the body, not just the brain. That means the gut-brain axis (talked about in the book) will also communicate more efficiently, which is a really good thing. Ever been constipated and don't really know why? Well, one reason I found out in how it affected me is that it can be exacerbated by deficient communication of the gut-brain axis because of a deficiency in the AcetylCholine neurotransmitter. Now reverse that when your body can all of a sudden produce the proper amounts of neurotransmitter AcetlCholine. I would start out with about 1/8 teaspoon Choline and 1/4 teaspoon Acetyl L-Carnitine (keeping a 1:2 ratio) and work your way up from there. Also, take the magnesium separately (i.e., different time of the day) if you are running into that issue as I have noticed combining the magnesium at the same time sometimes increases bowl transit time but separating them doesn't. Keep in mind that any undesirable effects an increase in the neurotransmitter will have is temporary while your body heals and realigns itself back to a normal functioning gut-brain axis. Another example, when I boosted my AcetlChoine neurotransmitter for the first time, my hands became a little more unsteady (he also talks about this in the book). One might think this then was a bad thing. Then, after about 4-7 days, my hands became more steady than they ever have been. Much more steady than before, and they have stayed steady ever since (now 4 years later). This is not a quick fix of your symptoms; this is information to heal your brain and nervous system to return it back to normal functioning. Just for reference, I am over 50 years of age. Just like he says in the book, if the temporary effects are too undesirable, then stop the supplements until the effects subside. Then start again at a lower dose. As your body heals, you will be able to increase the dose. It's difficult to explain it all here in a post. My suggestion is to buy the book as he explains all this and more.Note: If anyone is interested in more supplements w/ information that I take, please post a comment and I will update the review.[Update: 8/22/2014]I have started following some of the advice this book gives and so far I am impressed. The part I really like is when he warns that when you start modifying your diet or supplements for brain health you might actually experience the opposite effect. This is exactly what happened to me. When I began I actually found it harder to think and concentrate. If I would have not had this warning I might have stopped. Other symptoms were mild gitters and mild diarrhea. All of that went away and now I'm thinking better than before. My hands are now more steady than before. And of course the diarrhea was temporary. He explains the connection between the brain and the GI tract as the gut-brain axis. He explains all the reasons why I had my experiences, so he gets six stars from me.[Update: 10/29/2015]I really cannot say enough about the direction this book has taken me in helping me with my brain health. You know, it's funny, we all can easily get how we have to eat protein to work out and gain muscle, but for some reason it is very difficult for us to understand what we have to do to maintain our brain health. Then we wonder why out parents, friends, and even ourselves are faced with mild cognitive impairment. I have done so much more to improve my brain health than even this book can describe; I would have to write a book myself, but... it all started with this book. I highly recommend you buy it, read it... no... study it, learn from it and keep learning from other sources as well. This book is a wonderful starting point. What a gift... it's the gift that keeps on giving.REVIEW COMMENT POSTED BY Ann Larsen: [3/15/18 update]She recommends a book "The End of Alzeheimer's" by Dale Bredesen. Please review her comments.[+] HUMOR HEALS THE HEART:Okay, you have read this review and found it helpful, but you're on the fence as to whether it was helpful enough to deserve a helpful vote. To click or not to click. Decisions, decisions. Well, I've come up with a little humorous spin about myself as it pertains to my devotion in creating helpful reviews. I've done this using the style of the comedic legend Rodney Dangerfield (1921-2004) and do this also in honor and memory of his great work. The plan is to get you chuckling as you click the helpful button. Let's see - here it goes:"I tell ya, I just don't get no respect. I started writing reviews and getting helpful votes. Wow, this is cool, I said. I checked my profile and saw that my reviewer ranking was around #8000. So, I wrote more reviews. I was so excited when I checked my reviewer ranking to see it improve to around #7000, so I put even more time into writing reviews. I must be getting helpful votes, I thought, because my reviewer ranking then shot up to #5028. Alright, I said, I rolled up my sleeves, dropped everything and put ALL my time into my reviews. Then, I checked - my reviewer ranking said - #GETALIFE. No respect I tell ya. No respect at all."GIVE Reviews - my standard for writing reviews.[G]enuine - This is a review that is honest, trustworthy with no reason other than to help people in the Amazon family.[I]nformational - This review needs to provide information related to this product in a concise matter.[V]aluable - This review needs to provide value to the reader such that it helps him or her determine if this product is for them.[E]nlightening - This review needs to go beyond product information such that the reader learns something they did not otherwise know.