The Evolving Brain: How to Thrive in a World We Weren’t Made For

Neurologist and neuroscientist Dr Paul Goldsmith reveals compassionate, practical insights on the evolutionary origins of our brain and how we can best use it to thrive in our daily lives.

‘A fascinating exploration of how our ancient brains are mismatched for our modern ecosystem, and what we can do about it.’ Anna Lembke, MD, author of Dopamine Nation

‘Exciting and accessible …This is a book to help us to understand ourselves.’ Kathryn Mannix, author of With the End in Mind and Listen

A New Scientist ‘Best New Popular Science Books of 2026’ pick.

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We often blame ourselves when we struggle with modern life. We see loneliness, anxiety, and burnout as signs of personal failure. We feel miserable when we fall short of the unachievable goals we’ve set. We become frustrated when we compare our lives to others - whether through job titles or social media likes.

But the problem isn’t you. The problem is that the human brain was built for an environment utterly different to the one we now inhabit. Processes that once ensured our survival now leave us overloaded, restless and unhappy. Yet we don’t have to struggle: by understanding our brain’s original design, we can work with it to thrive.

In The Evolving Brain, Dr Paul Goldsmith draws on cutting-edge neuroscience and case studies from his clinical practice to produce the definitive user’s guide to our ancient mind, offering actionable insights to help us live happier, healthier and more connected lives.