The Gaslit Brain

This psychological study analyzes the onslaught of gaslighting that has recently dominated the world stage, making many turn to the dictionary just to figure out how it works, who’s at risk, and why it’s becoming normalized. When power, credibility, and social status are harnessed to manipulate—not just individuals—but whole populaces may suffer violence against facts and truth. Our recent concern with gaslighting’s destructive force has made psychological safety a priority in relationships at home and at work. 

In PART ONE, we look at the impact gaslighting has on targets’ brains and minds. Many do not realize that gaslighting has an extremely harmful neurological impact. If manipulation leads to insanity, it’s because the brain and mind have been distorted and compromised. With the advent of non-invasive technology, scientists use brain imagery to examine what happens to brains that are lied to, manipulated, and betrayed. The damage is physical and visible and provides insights into why the mind’s functions are compromised. 

PART TWO lasers in on the brains of those who bully and gaslight. Many do not realize that those who lie and manipulate have deficits in their brains. If manipulation leads to insanity, it’s because the brain and mind have been distorted. With the advent of non-invasive technology, scientists use brain imagery to examine what's going on in the brains of bullies and gaslighters and why they're so effective. The damage is physical and visible, and it provides insights into why the mind’s functions are compromised, destructive, and dangerous.

PART THREE is practical and applicable. It teaches how to harness psychology and neuroscience to stay safe and sane. It provides proven exercises to keep us sharp and skeptical when faced with every manipulation from smear campaigns to spin doctors. It provides the tools needed to maintain clarity when exposed to those who are sowing the seeds of confusion and destabilization in an attempt to shatter our brains and lives. We can strengthen our brains and minds’ capacity to recognize and resist falsehoods, level by level, mechanism by mechanism, function by function. PART THREE of The Gaslit Brain turns the psychological and brain research into practical, applicable strategies that anyone can apply to identify and resist the manipulation of gaslighting.