What your brain wants and what your brain needs aren't always the same. In fact, the shortcuts our brains take can lead to biases and distortions that make us our own worst enemy. Science writer David DiSalvo, author of "What Makes Your Brain Happy and Why You Should Do the Opposite," discusses our brain's shortcomings and how we can identify and conquer them. 

More reading from Curiosity:

Confirmation Bias Makes You Ignore What You Don't Agree With

The Backfire Effect Says When You Hear Contradictory Evidence, Your Beliefs Get Stronger

The Framing Effect Shows How Simple Word Swaps Can Secretly Trick Your Brain

Bad News Isn't Everywhere—That's Just Your Negativity Bias At Work

Survivorship Bias Makes You Focus On Successes When You Should Remember Why Others Failed

Motivated Reasoning Is Why You Can't Win An Argument Using Facts

Trash Talk Makes You Work Harder — but There's a Cost

Additional resources from David DiSalvo:

"What Makes Your Brain Happy and Why You Should Do the Opposite"

"Brain Changer: How Harnessing Your Brain's Power to Adapt Can Change Your Life"

"The Brain in Your Kitchen: A Collection of Essays on How What We Buy, Eat, and Experience Affects Our Brains"

David DiSalvo's website

David DiSalvo on Twitter @Neuronarrative