Nervous Systems

The narrative delves into the transformative 1950s, highlighting groundbreaking advancements in brain science amid the Cold War's social upheaval. Researchers made significant strides in understanding memory and treating mental illnesses, while also grappling with emerging fears like brainwashing and the instability of human personality. These scientific discoveries intertwined with societal anxieties, leading to experimental methods that influenced both counterculture and later events like the War on Terror. Andreas Killen weaves together these threads to reveal the complex history of our fascination with the brain.