My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist's Personal Journey

How does Taylor’s description of “pre-stroke Jill” contrast with her personality and approach to life after her stroke? Explain with references to the text.

Taylor gives the reader a detailed explanation of how the left and right hemisphere function. What role do these parts of our brain play in our lives, and why does Taylor advocate for balanced-brain thinking?

Taylor believes that inner peace or nirvana is accessible at any time by accessing our right hemispheres. What practices does she recommend to people who want to do so?

The author has a close relationship with her mother and credits her in helping her make a full recovery. What was her mother’s approach to her healing, and how does Taylor believe it differs from the institutional method of rehabilitation?

In the months following her stroke, Taylor’s right mind’s interpretation of events dominated her thinking . Which aspects of this experience did she enjoy and appreciate, and which did she find challenging?

How did My Stroke of Insight change the way you view your own brain and the thoughts it produces? Do you agree with Taylor that we can exercise control over our thoughts and “tend the garden” of our minds? Why or why not?

What are the differences between ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes? Why are the consequences of strokes so difficult to predict?

Taylor argues that everyone has the brain circuitry necessary to experience joy, but they may be overwhelmed by other circuits that produce anxious thoughts. What does Taylor consider healthy and unhealthy ways of trying to overcome these powerful thought patterns? Cite three examples from the text.