The Upward Spiral

 Depression can feel like a downward spiral, affecting your work and pulling you into a vortex of sadness, fatigue, and apathy. In The Upward Spiral, neuroscientist Alex Korb demystifies the intricate brain processes that cause depression and offers a practical and effective approach to getting better.

Whether you suffer from depression or just want a better understanding of the brain, this book offers an engaging and informative look at the neuroscience behind our emotions, thoughts, and actions. The truth is that there isn’t one big solution to depression, but there are numerous simple steps you can take to alter brain activity and chemistry. Some are as easy as relaxing certain muscles to reduce anxiety, or getting more sunlight to improve your mood. Small steps in the right direction can have profound effects—giving you the power to become your best self as you literally reshape your brain, one small change at a time.

Alex Korb PhD is a neuroscientist, writer, and coach. He has studied the brain for over 15 years, attending Brown University as an undergraduate and later earning his Ph.D. in neuroscience from UCLA. He has published over a dozen peer-reviewed journal articles on depression, neuromodulation and other topics, and is the author of The Upward Spiral: Using Neuroscience to Reverse the Course of Depression, One Small Change at a Time.
Outside of the lab he writes a popular blog for Psychology Today called PreFrontal Nudity: Your Brain Exposed, which explores how the tendencies of your brain can ruin or enrich your life. He has coached the UCLA Women’s Ultimate Frisbee team for twelve seasons, and is a 3 time award winner for USA Ultimate’s Coach of the Year. His expertise extends into leadership and motivation, mindfulness, physical fitness, and even stand-up comedy.