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Podcast: New Books in Medicine
Episode: Yves Agid, "Subconsciousness: Automatic Behavior and the Brain" (Columbia UP, 2021)
Description: We are conscious of only a small fraction of our lives. Because the brain constantly receives an enormous quantity of information, we need to be able to do things without thinking about themâto act in âautopilotâ mode. Automatic behaviorsâthe vast majority of our activitiesâoccur without our conscious awareness, or subconsciously. Yet the physiological basis of subconsciousness remains poorly understood, despite its vast importance for physical and mental health.The neurodegenerative disease expert Yves Agid offers a groundbreaking and accessible account of subconsciousness and its significance. He pinpoints the basal gangliaâthe ancient âbasement of the brainââas...