If you loved
Altered Traits
Daniel Goleman, Richard J. Davidson · Book · 2017
What hooked you in Altered Traits was the rigorous, scientific exploration of how specific techniques can fundamentally reshape your human consciousness.
Films on the same thread
Altered States
Film · 1980
Explores: Human Consciousness, Sensory Deprivation, Evolutionary Regression.
While Altered Traits examines meditation through clinical data, this film takes the concept of consciousness alteration into a visceral, experimental territory that challenges the physical limits of the human mind.
Series on the same thread
How to Change Your Mind
Michael Pollan · Series · 2022
Shares a thread with Altered Traits: Mental Health.
Just as Altered Traits demystifies mental practices with scientific inquiry, this series provides an investigative look at how substances can be utilized to achieve profound shifts in cognitive and mental states.
The Mind, Explained
Ezra Klein · Series · 2019
Shares a thread with Altered Traits: Mental Health.
If you appreciated the focus on neuroscience found in Altered Traits, you will value this series for its accessible breakdown of the complex biological mechanisms governing your thoughts and daily behaviors.
Headspace Guide to Meditation
Series · 2021
Shares 2 threads with Altered Traits: Mindfulness, Self-Improvement.
If Altered Traits convinced you of the benefits of mindfulness, this series offers the practical, guided application of those same principles to help you manage your stress and mental wellness.
Podcasts on the same thread
Hidden Brain
Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam · Podcast · 2026
Shares a thread with Altered Traits: self-improvement.
Building on the self-improvement focus of Altered Traits, this podcast uses behavioral psychology to explain the hidden patterns of your mind, offering actionable insights to improve your life and relationships.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What does Altered Traits reveal about the impact of meditation on the brain?
Altered Traits presents cutting-edge research from Daniel Goleman and Richard J. Davidson. The authors demonstrate that meditation and mindfulness provide measurable neurological benefits, moving beyond the common perception of these practices as simple, temporary solutions for personal achievement or relationship issues.
Who are the authors behind Altered Traits?
Altered Traits is written by Daniel Goleman and Richard J. Davidson. Both authors are New York Times bestselling writers who have spent the last twenty years analyzing the scientific evidence behind how meditation functions within the brain.
Is Altered Traits based on recent scientific research?
Yes, Altered Traits is based on twenty years of new research. The book focuses on unveiling scientific evidence to explain how meditation and mindfulness actually affect the brain, rather than relying on the popular, superficial trends often associated with these practices.
Does Altered Traits address the common trend of using meditation as a quick fix?
Altered Traits addresses the trend of meditation being treated as an omnipresent Band-Aid for weight, relationships, and achievement. The authors use their research to move past these popular misconceptions and provide a deeper understanding of what meditation can actually do for the human brain.