Why do we think, feel, and act in ways we wish we didn't? Dr. David A. Kessler has explored this question through his research on tobacco, food, and drugs, uncovering a common mechanism behind various forms of human suffering: capture. This phenomenon refers to how our attention is hijacked and our brains controlled by external forces. Dr. Kessler delves into profound questions about the origins of mental afflictions, from everyday unhappiness to addiction and depression, and their interconnections. He examines where healing and transcendence fit within our emotional experiences. Drawing from psychology, medicine, neuroscience, literature, philosophy, and theology, he deconstructs centuries of thought, highlighting capture's central role in mental illness and challenging traditional labels that obscure our understanding. By providing a new perspective on capture, he shares emotionally resonant stories of individuals affected by it. Understanding capture's nature, Kessler argues, enhances our ability to alleviate its negative impacts and change our thoughts and behaviors. Ultimately, this exploration sheds light on how we form thoughts and emotions, manage trauma, and heal, offering insights into both mental illness and our everyday anxieties.
