Eric R. Kandel, Nobel Prize winner for his fundamental research on how memory is stored in the brain, is one of the pioneers of modern brain science. His work continues to shape our understanding of how the processes of learning and memory work, while also breaking down barriers that separate the fields of science and art.

In this important new book, Kandel, drawing on the innovative research he has been conducting for years, as well as the work of many other leading neuroscientists, offers us an unusual journey into the depths of the brain. He examines one of the most difficult questions we are called to answer: How does our mind — our personal sense of self — emerge from the physical matter of the brain?

The 86 billion neurons in the brain communicate with each other through highly precise connections. However, sometimes these connections become dysregulated. The brain processes that shape our mind can be disturbed, resulting in the emergence of diseases such as autism, depression, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, addictions, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

These disorders cause immense pain; however, they can also reveal the mysterious ways in which the brain produces our most fundamental experiences and abilities — the very nature of human existence. Studies on autism shed light on the neurological basis of our social instincts; research on depression provides significant insights into emotions and the integrity of the self; and groundbreaking work on addictions has led to a new understanding of the relationship between pleasure and self-control.

By studying the disorders of typical brain function and exploring potential ways to treat them, we will gain a deeper understanding of the concepts of thought, emotion, behavior, memory, and creativity. Only then will we be able to answer the crucial question: How is consciousness created from billions of neurons?