In the late 90’s, the CDC conducted a study on Adverse Childhood Experiences, what most of us would call childhood trauma. They found that trauma is wide spread and these experiences have a cumulative and extreme effect on all areas of an individual’s life even as an adult. This is the official link to the study and on-going findings.

Adverse Childhood Experiences Study

Lauren Slater takes a humorous and educational look into some of the greatest social psychology experiments of our time. Humans are ultimately social creatures. This book explores the very nature of this genetic imperative through the lens of these experiments.

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This book explores the neurobiological and genetic underpinnings behind attachment and love. The authors manage to use highly understandable language to help explore and understand complicated research. This book is a great way to gain understanding and insight into our relationships, how they affect us, and why we are driven to repeat relational narratives.

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This book dives deep into the concept of beauty, including its ugly side. Nancy Etcoff has compiled an impressive amount of research and presented it in a way that will keep you intrigued from beginning to end. The book covers everything associated with the concept of human beauty: history, literature, consumerism, health, fashion, art, psychology, sociology, culture, race, gender, biology, and more. It is a comprehensive guide on human beauty, our obsession with it, and the toll that obsession takes on us all.

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We are taught at a young age, whether academically or through personal experience, that humans are social creatures, and yet what about the people who prefer not to socialize? Often these people are treated as though they are somehow defective, mentally-ill, inept, selfish, arrogant, and potentially dangerous, but is that a fair characterization? In this book, Anneli Rufus counters these perceptions with cultural research and examples of the countless loners who have made the world a better place. Not everyone who is alone is lonely, some people simply feel more at peace in their own company than in a community or relationship. This book makes a compelling argument that society doesn’t need to waste time attempting to fix the loners among us who were never broken to begin with.

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This book is an interesting and sometimes unsettling exploration of the dynamic between science, the food industry, and government. The waters can get muddy very quickly, making it difficult for the average person to make healthy dietary decisions. In a perfect world, we would be presented with honest, unbiased science from which we could make our own informed decisions; but when there’s money, power, and regulatory agencies involved it can be a lot more complicated than that. You may not entirely believe or agree with everything you read in this book, but Colin T. Campbell and Howard Jacobson give you food for thought worth chewing on.

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This book, by Stephanie Marohn explores a wide variety of holistic approaches to the treatment of bipolar disorder. It is incredibly well researched and easy to understand. The book covers everything from diet to therapy to shamanic healing; and the information in it is helpful regardless of whether you are currently taking psychiatric medication for bipolar disorder or are looking for possible alternatives. This book was life-changing for Ivy, and the chapters on diet allowed her to make the changes necessary to manage her own bipolar disorder without medication.

**Disclaimer** If you are currently taking psychiatric medication do NOT stop taking it without consulting your doctor about the feasibility of tapering off your medication. NEVER stop taking psychiatric medication abruptly or without the assistance of a trained medical professional.

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This book covers many of the same alternative treatments for bipolar disorder that The Natural Medicine Guide to Bipolar does, but also explores a few others. Furthermore this book, by Gracelyn Guyol, is written from the perspective of someone who has learned to manage her own bipolar disorder through these alternative therapies. Not everyone’s journey is the same but learning from the personal experiences of another person can help us feel a little less alone and a little more hopeful that we can possibly manage depression and bipolar disorder without the side-effects of psychiatric medication.

**Disclaimer** If you are currently taking psychiatric medication do NOT stop taking it without consulting your doctor about the feasibility of tapering off your medication. NEVER stop taking psychiatric medication abruptly or without the assistance of a trained medical professional.

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This is an amazing documentary following the life of Tonier “Neen” Cain. It is an up close and personal exploration of the nature of trauma and how it shapes the lives of those who experience it. And offers personal insight into some of the choices available that can empower us to break the cycle of trauma and become the individual you want to be. IIt provides excellent insight into the nature of trauma as well as the trauma informed practices that can help people take control of their lives.

**Disclaimer** Personal stories of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse and struggles with mental illness and substance use are shared throughout the documentary.

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This is a classic, ancient Chinese text, regarded by some as a cornerstone religious/philosophical text for Taoists. Though it lends itself towards poetry, the concepts are a wonderful contrast to patriarchal Western religions must of us know. The beginning line (in some translations) has always spoke to me: “The way that can be named, is not the way.” It is a great way to expand your mind and alter your thinking processes if you are a left-brained, highly analytical, anxious thinker.

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This book is a fascinating exploration of how ancient mindfulness and meditation practices work within the context of neuroscience. Through understanding the mechanisms at work in the brain authors, Rick Hanson and Richard Mendius, guide you through mindfulness practices which incorporate neurological and physiological cues that will enhance the experience and benefits of meditation.

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When unexpected change, trauma, and loss disrupt our lives it shakes us to the core, challenging our firmly held beliefs about who we are and what life is supposed to be like. Often, our first instinct is to fight back against the changes or run away from the pain and fear we feel when confronted with a harsh new reality. If, however, we can learn to lean into the change, the challenge, and all the complicated, uncomfortable feelings they provoke we will learn that we have strength and wisdom we didn’t know we possessed. The Buddhist nun Pema Chodron provides compassionate and encouraging guidance to help you feel less alone and less helpless when you feel like your world is falling apart.

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The world is an objectively harsh place in many ways, and our own negative, painful experiences can harden our hearts in a misguided attempt at self-protection. In this book, Pema Chodron teaches us how Buddhist wisdom can help us remain compassionate, tender, and kind in the face of adversity. It is possible to protect ourselves, without shutting everyone out and emotionally shutting down. It takes courage to be vulnerable in a world which emphasizes the importance of thick armor and high, sturdy walls, but the benefit of wisely exposing our vulnerability is greater connection to ourselves, other people, and the world around us. It is possible to see light in the darkness, love in the heart of another, and softness within our own hardened exterior.

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