PenCraft Book Awards 2023 Non-Fiction Runner Up
The world has long misunderstood trauma. Now, leading experts in the field have a radical new understanding of post-traumatic stress . . . and a surprising new treatment to reverse it could have profound implications for medicine, mental health, and society.
PenCraft Book Awards 2023 Non-Fiction Runner Up
The world has long misunderstood trauma. Now, leading experts in the field have a radical new understanding of post-traumatic stress . . . and a surprising new treatment to reverse it could have profound implications for medicine, mental health, and society.
Despite its prevalence, post-traumatic stress, PTSD, is often seen as an unbeatable lifelong mental disorder. However, top trauma doctors and neuroscientists now understand that the result of trauma is not a disorder, but rather a physical injury-and while invisible to the naked eye, the posttraumatic stress injury (PTSI) can now be seen on a scan. Most importantly, the effects of PTSI are reversible.
Meet Dr. Eugene Lipov. His research and partnerships have led to an amazing discovery that all trauma has at its root a single piece of human hardware- the sympathetic nervous system, controlling the fight-or-flight response. Anyone who has endured trauma, including long-term microdoses of emotional stress, can have this injury. Dr. Lipov has pioneered a safe, 15-minute procedure that reverses the injury, relieving mild to extreme symptoms of PTSI-irritability, hypervigilance, anxiety, insomnia, and more-for survivors to combat soldiers to the everyday person.
Weaving hard science with moving human stories, The Invisible Machine reveals how this treatment was developed. It also tells the incredible story of the unlikely team, including the doctor, an artist, Special Forces leadership, and a sheriff, who are working together to change our understanding of post-traumatic stress and why it matters to society.
Coauthored by artist and innovator Jamie Mustard and in collaboration with writer Holly Lorincz, The Invisible Machine weaves hard science with moving stories of warriors, prisoners, and ordinary people to provide a stark new understanding of the human condition. The implications for a better, pain-free world are astounding-and that world could be nearer than we think.
Industry Reviews
"""The nervous system can be reset. The significance of that, recognized by the legal system and by the medical profession, would be revolutionary.""
—Gabor Maté, MD, New York Times bestselling author of In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts and The Myth of Normal
""In The Invisible Machine, Lipov and Mustard rewrite the recovery narrative for many who have experienced personal disruptions and life compromises. Through personal stories we learn that traumatic experiences may lock the nervous system into a chronic state of defense and fight-flight behaviors, while compromising feelings of safety and sociality. The Lipov treatment gives permission to retune, enabling one to return to sociality, playfulness, and social connection.""
—Stephen W. Porges, PhD, author of The Polyvagal Theory, founding director of the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium at Kinsey Institute Indiana University Bloomington, and professor at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
""The Invisible Machine is a powerful book, filled with hope on recovery from the trauma that haunts millions of people. I highly recommend it.""
—Daniel G. Amen, MD, founder of Amen Clinics and New York Times bestselling author of The End of Mental Illness and Change Your Brain Every Day
""The Invisible Machine combines Lipov's astonishing innovation with Mustard's keen analysis and masterful integration. This book is a compelling game-changer.""
—John ""Jay"" Faber, MD, double board-certified forensic trauma specialist and former national medical director for Humana's behavioral health division
""Dr. Lipov discovered and perfected a modern treatment for post-traumatic stress. He understands how my patients hurt and has helped them heal. His work with Jamie Mustard is an amplifier of change. This book rewrites the narrative of trauma as a physical injury and is a must read.""
—Frank Ochberg, MD, founding father of trauma science and doctor who coined the terms ""Stockholm syndrome"" and ""post-traumatic stress injury"""
