Rick Hanson
Rick Hanson is a psychologist, Senior Fellow at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, and New York Times best-selling author specializing in positive neuroplasticity and contemplative neuroscience. His seven books, including "Buddha’s Brain" and "Hardwiring Happiness," have sold over a million copies in English and been published in 33 languages.
Biography & Author's Journey
Rick Hanson was born in the United States and developed an early fascination with science and the mind, eventually graduating summa cum laude from UCLA with a self-designed major focusing on institutional structures. He went on to earn advanced degrees in clinical psychology from the Rosebridge Institute and the Wright Institute in Berkeley, solidifying his foundation as both a practitioner and thinker in the fields of psychology and neuroscience. A decisive turning point in his personal and professional journey was his immersion in meditation, which began in 1974; this practice would later deeply influence his integration of neuroscience and contemplative traditions.
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Popular Books
Hardwiring Happiness
Rick Hanson
Rewire your brain for happiness using simple techniques to override negativity bias and build lasting inner strength.
Buddha's brain
Rick Hanson
Unlock your brain's potential for happiness and wisdom using neuroscience and ancient Buddhist practices in this transformative guide.
Making Great Relationships
Rick Hanson
Practical guide offering 50 powerful skills to transform relationships, grounded in neuroscience and psychology for lasting connection and fulfillment.
Neurodharma
Rick Hanson
Explore the neuroscience of enlightenment and learn practical techniques to cultivate inner peace and profound contentment in daily life.
Resilient
Rick Hanson with Forrest Hanson
Discover twelve inner strengths to build resilience and well-being, backed by neuroscience and positive psychology principles.
Hardwiring Happiness
Rick Hanson
Rewire your brain for happiness using simple techniques to override negativity bias and build lasting inner strength.
Buddha's brain
Rick Hanson
Unlock your brain's potential for happiness and wisdom using neuroscience and ancient Buddhist practices in this transformative guide.
Making Great Relationships
Rick Hanson
Practical guide offering 50 powerful skills to transform relationships, grounded in neuroscience and psychology for lasting connection and fulfillment.
Neurodharma
Rick Hanson
Explore the neuroscience of enlightenment and learn practical techniques to cultivate inner peace and profound contentment in daily life.
Discover more
The Neuroscience of Manifestation
This plan bridges the gap between self-help and science, offering a biological perspective on achieving goals. It is ideal for high-performers and skeptics alike who want to leverage brain science to increase their personal agency and effectiveness.
Master Mind, Habits & Behavioral Science
This plan bridges the gap between neurological theory and practical application for anyone seeking total self-mastery. It is ideal for professionals, leaders, and individuals looking to optimize their performance by understanding the science of how they think and act.
The Neuropsychology of Self-Mastery
This plan bridges the gap between brain science and personal agency, offering a biological blueprint for self-regulation. It is essential for high-performers and leaders looking to overcome subconscious barriers and master their internal landscape.
Live wired book
This plan distills the groundbreaking research on brain plasticity into practical applications for personal growth. It is ideal for lifelong learners, educators, and anyone seeking to intentionally reshape their habits and cognitive potential through neuroscience.
Psychology of Sustainable Habits
In an era of constant distraction, understanding the cognitive mechanics of behavior is essential for lasting change. This plan is ideal for professionals and lifelong learners who want to move beyond willpower and build systems that make success inevitable.
The Hidden Laws of Human Behavior
This plan is essential for anyone seeking to bridge the gap between subconscious impulses and intentional action. It is ideal for leaders, educators, and individuals looking to master self-regulation and influence through a scientific lens.
The Science of Self-Control
In an age of constant distraction, mastering the biological and psychological drivers of behavior is essential for personal growth. This plan is designed for professionals and students who want to move past impulsive reactions and build lasting discipline through neuroscientific principles.
Finding Hope in an Unquiet Mind
This plan is essential for individuals navigating mood disorders and those seeking to understand the science of brain health. It offers a compassionate, evidence-based roadmap for anyone looking to transform clinical knowledge into a sustainable, lived recovery.
Community Voices
"Rick Hanson is a psychologist and New York Times best-selling author whose work in positive neuroplasticity is widely recognized"
— Greater Good Science Center
"As a senior fellow at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, Rick Hanson has lectured at NASA, Google, Oxford, and Harvard"
— PESI
"Rick Hanson’s work is praised for blending neuroscience, mindfulness, and positive psychology into practical advice"
— Audible
"Rick Hanson's books have been published in 29 languages and have sold 900,000 copies in English alone"
— Penguin Random House
"Rick Hanson is the founder of the Wellspring Institute for Neuroscience and Contemplative Wisdom and co-host of the Being Well Podcast"
— Greater Good Science Center
"Rick Hanson is regarded as an expert on integrating ancient wisdom and modern science to foster resilience and well-being"
— PESI
"Rick Hanson has been featured on the BBC, CBS, NPR, and other major media as an expert on positive neuroplasticity"
— Greater Good Science Center
"Rick Hanson’s books, including Hardwiring Happiness and Buddha’s Brain, are influential in the fields of mindfulness and neuroscience"
— Audible
"Rick Hanson’s seven books have been published in 33 languages and have sold over a million copies in English"
— Rick Hanson official bibliography page
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
