Neuroscientist Dean Burnett dives into the squishy science and bubbly feelings of what happiness means The pursuit of happiness is one of the most common and enduring quests of human life. It’s what drives us to get a job, fall in love, watch stand-up comedy, have questionable obsessions and come home at the end of the day. But where does happiness come from, and why do we need it so much? Is lasting, permanent happiness possible―or should it be? And what does any of this have to do with the brain? Dean Burnett, bestselling author of The Idiot Brain , combines cutting-edge theories of the science of emotions with interviews of dozens of people on the happiness scale, from relationship coaches to celebrity millionaires, in an attempt to unveil what makes our happy-dometer tick. Witty and perceptive, humorous and enlightening, The Happy Brain explores a fascinating aspect of modern neuroscience and in the process discovers something about what it means to be human. “You should read this funny, stimulating and rewarding book. You’ll be happy you did.” — The Guardian “Dean Burnett is a real funny cat, and I adore him and his brain.” — Whoopi Goldberg “Charming . . . Dean Burnett approaches the complex, often fleeting, state of mental satisfaction with ebullient curiosity and wonder.” — Salon “Burnett’s description of the neurochemistry of love and its affiliated emotions is worth the price of admission . . . a pleasing tour of the brain and its feel-good longings.” — Kirkus Reviews “Readers seeking an overview of the current research on happiness, who appreciate British humor, should find it enjoyable and enlightening.” — Library Journal Neuroscientist Dean Burnett dives into the squishy science and bubbly feelings of what happiness means The pursuit of happiness is one of the most common and enduring quests of human life. It’s what drives us to get a job, fall in love, watch stand-up comedy, have questionable obsessions and come home at the end of the day. But where does happiness come from, and why do we need it so much? Is lasting, permanent happiness possible—or should it be? And what does any of this have to do with the brain? Dean Burnett, bestselling author of The Idiot Brain , combines cutting-edge theories about the science of emotions with dozens of personal interviews. He speaks to people at all points on the happiness scale, from relationship advisers to celebrity millionaires, in an attempt to unveil what makes our happy-dometer tick. Witty and perceptive, humorous and enlightening, The Happy Brain explores a fascinating aspect of modern neuroscience, and in the process discovers something about what it means to be human. DEAN BURNETT is a neuroscientist, an experienced tutor and lecturer, and a regular blogger/contributor to the Guardian and other publications. The author of The Idiot Brain and The Happy Brain , he has appeared on NPR’s Fresh Air , CBC’s The Current , Ireland’s NewsTalk and countless platforms and publications in the UK. The TV rights for The Idiot Brain were purchased by Whoopi Goldberg’s One Ho Productions. Dean Burnett is currently a research associate (honorary) at Cardiff University Psychology School. He lives in Cardiff with his wife, their two children and an alarmingly psychopathic kitten named Pickle.