Resources for Rewired: The Brain, Body & Recovery

This isn’t a master list. It’s just what helped me, or what I would’ve wanted to find when I was confused, overwhelmed, or looking for something that made sense. Some of these are scientific. Some are emotional. Some are just...honest.

If you’re here looking for help, I hope one of these gives you a starting point.

If You Need Help Right Now:

Please don’t wait. These resources are free, fast, and human.

  • NEDA Helpline: 1-800-931-2237

  • Crisis Text Line: Text "NEDA" to 741741

  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988

  • National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)

  • If you're outside the U.S., check Befrienders.org for global crisis lines

Books That Actually Helped

I didn’t love every recovery book I read. But these stuck.

  • The Body Keeps the Score – Bessel van der Kolk
    Helped me understand the long-term effects of stress and trauma in a way no other book could.

  • Sick Enough – Jennifer L. Gaudiani
    Made me realize that medical help shouldn’t be based on what your body “looks like.”

  • Life Without Ed – Jenni Schaefer
    A little more conversational, but it was comforting when I needed something softer.

  • Brain Lock – Jeffrey M. Schwartz
    If you’ve ever felt trapped in obsessive patterns, this book explains why—and what to do.

  • Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers – Robert Sapolsky
    It’s science, it’s storytelling, it’s why the brain and stress are so connected.

Podcasts & Videos

These were helpful for both understanding my brain and feeling less alone.

  • Maintenance Phase
    Myth-busting around health, food, and wellness culture. Smart and sometimes funny.

  • Huberman Lab
    More academic—but great for understanding dopamine, sleep, and behavior at a deeper level.

  • CrashCourse: Neuroscience (YouTube)
    Quick, visual, and surprisingly good for breaking down complex stuff.

  • TED: “Why do we get stuck in bad habits?” – Judson Brewer
    Short and worth watching if you’re dealing with compulsive behaviors.

For Learning the Brain (Because It Helped Me Heal)

When I started understanding the science, I stopped blaming myself.

  • MIT OpenCourseWare: Introduction to Neuroscience
    Deep dives into brain structures, their functions, and how they’re connected. I still go back to it.

  • Neuroscience for Kids – University of Washington
    It’s not just for kids. Honestly helpful when I needed simple, clear explanations.

  • Stanford’s Dr. Anna Lembke
    Her work on dopamine, addiction, and behavior completely changed how I think about habits.

  • “The Brain” by David Eagleman (docuseries)
    If you’re more visual, this is a beautifully made overview of how we work neurologically.

What Got Me Through Some Hard Days

I’m not saying these will work for everyone. But they worked for me.

  • Journaling (without rules—just dumping thoughts or writing letters I’d never send)

  • Talking to Oliver (my dog. no judgment)

  • Making playlists based on moods instead of food/exercise goals

  • Highlighting research papers like they were poetry

  • Keeping a “proof list” of moments I handled something I used to spiral about

  • Studying brain anatomy until I could name what was hurting me, instead of hating myself for it

If you know of a resource that helped you and want to share it with me, I’d love to hear it.
This page will probably keep improving, like I am.

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