Description Isn't it amazing that your brain still functions at all after everything you put it through today? Meet Mr./Ms. A, an office worker who squeezes every last drop of brainpower out for brainstorming sessions, proposal writing, and competitive pitches. Three days a week involve either drinking or working late, and the commute home always leaves them feeling drained and out of sorts. Once home, they eat something, take a hot shower, and lie down to sleep—but their mind stays wide awake. Out of habit, they scroll through social media, leave the TV on, and eventually doze off on the couch with a smartphone still in hand. Come morning, the alarm goes off but getting up feels impossible. They head to work in a foggy daze that never quite lifts, even after downing an Americano with three extra shots. These days, they're running on nicotine and caffeine during the day and alcohol at night. Mr./Ms. A has become increasingly irritable, listless, and unable to concentrate. Forgetting things constantly and making careless mistakes, even small tasks now feel intimidating. What is this feeling of being 'completely worn down'? Could something be seriously wrong? Your body, mind, mood, and overall condition—it's all about your brain! Can a foggy, scattered, exhausted mind be 'optimized,' like putting together scattered puzzle pieces? For all of us living such physically and mentally exhausting lives, psychiatrist Shion Kabasawa offers this warning: "The habits and work styles that torment your brain are like flooring the gas pedal while the parking brake is still engaged." Whether we're employees or business owners, most of us make our living using our brains—yet we know so little about them that we casually overwork them every day. This book introduces the functions and roles of seven key 'neurotransmitters' in our brains, including dopamine, adrenaline, and serotonin, and explains in detail the lifestyle habits, eating habits, and work styles that can switch these on and off as needed. Want to restore motivation, passion, and happiness? That's dopamine. Need focus, memory, and precision? That's noradrenaline. Need to get into a state of flow? That's adrenaline. Stress piled up to your limit? That's serotonin. Chronic fatigue leaving your body and mind feeling like a soaked sponge? That's melatonin. Need a flash of brilliant ideas? That's acetylcholine. Want to relax your body and mind? That's endorphin. Which substance do you need most right now? This book offers concrete, practical methods for 'optimizing' these seven brain hormones according to your specific situation. Is your brain in peak condition right now? Here's how to maximize your mood, condition, and abilities using seven miraculous substances: o Serotonin – Count "one, two, one, two" in your head while walking or climbing stairs; walk more than 10 minutes to get lunch; read aloud; practice deep breathing; do neck rolls; take a morning shower to raise your body temperature. o Melatonin – Make your bedroom completely dark; avoid fluorescent lights, smartphones, and computers before bed; get sunlight in the morning. o Endorphin – Spend time with pets; eat spicy, rich, or chocolatey foods; take a hot bath above 40°C (104°F); try acupuncture. o Turning Off the Adrenaline Switch – Shower with water below 40°C (104°F); avoid working late into the night; spend time with people unrelated to work; avoid intense exercise in the evening. Work matters, but the health of your body and mind comes first. Understanding how your brain works allows you to reflect on the lifestyle habits, eating patterns, and work styles that have been overworking it. Even small changes—reordering your tasks slightly or adding a simple new habit—can help you work more happily and efficiently, without unnecessary stress. Is your brain in top condition right now? This book will serve as a restorative tonic for your brain, which works so hard every day to come up with better, smarter ideas. [Excerpt from the Book] You may have seen hammer throwers roar loudly on TV just before releasing the hammer. Many javelin and discus throwers do the same thing right before their throw. Why is that? Many people assume it's a psychological technique to 'psych themselves up,' but that's not actually the case. It's done to trigger the release of adrenaline. Shouting loudly stimulates the brain and causes adrenaline to be released. This 'shouting effect' has even been confirmed through experiments. Shouting is used in other sports as well...