A fascinating exploration of the profound loss of pleasure in our daily lives and the seven steps for restoring it. Recent brain-imaging research suggests that our pursuit of extreme and overstimulating thrills hijacks our pleasure system, robbing us of our ability to experience pleasure in even simple things. In this book, the author explores the stark rise in a phenomenon known as anhedonia, the inability to experience pleasure or happiness. Previously linked only to serious emotional disorders, anhedonia is now seen as a contributing factor in depression (specifically nonsadness depression) and in the growing number of adults and children who complain of emotional numbness or profound boredom. Explains the process of the brain's pleasure center, the damaging trends of overindulgence and overstimulation, and the signs and problems of anhedonia Offers the seven important steps we must take to recover our joy in living