The One You Feed

Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor and John Britton on Right Brain Injury vs. Left Brain Injury

Dec 14, 2021
Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, a neuroanatomist who survived a left brain hemorrhage, converses with John Britton, a former anesthesiologist who faced a right brain injury. They delve into how their experiences shaped their understanding of brain function. The discussion offers fascinating insights on how the left brain governs the past, details, and language, while the right brain embraces the present and connections. Their narratives highlight the importance of balancing logic with intuition for recovery and understanding one's identity after brain trauma.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Right Brain vs. Left Brain

  • The right brain governs present moment awareness, "we" consciousness, and interconnectedness.
  • The left brain focuses on the past/future, "me" consciousness, details, and language.
ANECDOTE

John Britton's Right Brain Injury

  • John Britton contracted herpes simplex type 1 from a patient, leading to encephalitis 30 years later.
  • This infection severely damaged his right brain, impacting his spatial reasoning and short-term memory.
INSIGHT

Invisible Disability

  • People with right brain injuries often appear normal, making their struggles invisible to others.
  • This can lead to a lack of understanding and support during recovery.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app