Table of Contents
How to Change Your Body: The Science of Interoception and Healing Through Connection to Yourself and Others
How to Change Your Body offers a compelling examination of a crucial aspect often overlooked in the mind-body dynamic: our fundamental need for social interaction.
Could the symptoms of prevalent conditions—ranging from depression and anxiety to addiction and PTSD—stem from a detachment from our physical selves?
This book delves into this intriguing idea through a series of detailed interviews with scientists, somatic practitioners, and artists globally, revealing the social-emotional dimensions of what are typically considered mental illnesses. Saga Briggs serves as an empathetic narrator, blending scientifically backed research with poignant personal stories from her own experiences overcoming alcohol dependency. This narrative highlights the critical role of bodily awareness, social connections, and mental health. It discusses ‘interoception’—often referred to as our ‘eighth sense’—as a vital component of health, underpinning various approaches that enhance our self-relations and interactions, including psychedelic-assisted therapy, synchronized movement, and energy healing.
For those diagnosed with mental health issues or those simply seeking a deeper sense of self and community connection, How to Change Your Body presents a powerful remedy to feelings of isolation. By embracing the complexity of our bodies, we can enhance our ability to be present, forge connections with others, and embark on a path to healing.
About the author
Saga Briggs is a freelance journalist renowned for her work on interoception and psychedelics. She was featured in publications such as Scientific American, Aeon+Psyche, and DoubleBlind Magazine. Previously, she served as an editor for the MIND European Foundation for Psychedelic Science. And as the managing editor of InformED, a digital magazine dedicated to linking teachers and students with the latest developments in educational psychology. Originally hailing from the Pacific Northwest, she relocated to Berlin in 2018, guided by instinct, and she continues to follow her intuitive path.