Go Wild audiobook cover - Eat Fat, Run Free, Be Social, and Follow Evolution’s Other Rules for Total Health and Well-Being

Go Wild

Eat Fat, Run Free, Be Social, and Follow Evolution’s Other Rules for Total Health and Well-Being

John J. Ratey & Richard Manning

★ 4.1 / 5(41 ratings)
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Health & Nutrition

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Key Takeaways from Go Wild

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Mind Map

Go Wild
Evolutionary Mismatch+
Physicality & Brain Power+
Diet & Nutrition+
Social Bonds & Tribalism+
Restoring Natural Rhythms+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 7
According to the book, what is a primary cause of many modern illnesses such as obesity, heart failure, and depression?
  • A. Increased exposure to dangerous wildlife and environmental toxins.
  • B. Our modern sedentary lifestyle and disconnection from our evolutionary origins.
  • C. The genetic inferiority of modern humans compared to our hunter-gatherer ancestors.
  • D. The physical strain of transitioning from agricultural to industrial societies.
Question 2 of 7
How did the evolutionary development of empathy contribute to the survival of early humans?
  • A. It allowed early humans to peacefully communicate with predators and avoid attacks.
  • B. It prevented conflicts over food within the tribe, ensuring equal distribution.
  • C. It enabled humans to anticipate the reactions of their prey and effectively care for helpless offspring.
  • D. It triggered a biological response that decreased the body's need for a high-calorie diet.
Question 3 of 7
Why do the authors recommend running on a challenging outdoor path rather than a treadmill?
  • A. Navigating natural environments provides a mental workout that builds new neural connections in the brain.
  • B. Outdoor air contains specific microbes that naturally boost the immune system.
  • C. The uneven terrain builds lower body muscle mass much faster than flat, synthetic surfaces.
  • D. The lack of technology outdoors prevents the dangerous overstimulation of the nervous system.
Question 4 of 7
What adverse effect did the rise of sophisticated civilizations and agriculture have on human diets?
  • A. It forced humans to consume raw vegetables that their digestive systems could not easily process.
  • B. It increased the consumption of animal fats, leading to the earliest cases of heart disease.
  • C. It eliminated the need for hunting, which caused a rapid decline in human muscle mass and bone density.
  • D. It led to a diet overly dependent on cereals like wheat, which lack the diverse nutrients our bodies require.
Question 5 of 7
Based on a Japanese study mentioned in the text, what simple addition to a workplace can reduce sick days by 40 percent?
  • A. Ergonomic standing desks
  • B. Potted plants
  • C. Natural sunlight lamps
  • D. Open-plan seating
Question 6 of 7
While the hormone oxytocin promotes crucial social bonding and family ties, what is identified as a 'dark side' to this tribal nature?
  • A. It can lead to severe separation anxiety when individuals are left alone for short periods.
  • B. It frequently causes individuals to abandon their personal goals for the sake of the community.
  • C. It can manifest as discrimination against outsiders or perceived threats to the family unit.
  • D. It makes humans overly trusting of strangers, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation.
Question 7 of 7
What is one practical piece of advice the book offers to help modern individuals achieve a better night's sleep?
  • A. Taking melatonin supplements to artificially trigger the brain's sleep cycle.
  • B. Sleeping in a completely soundproof room to mimic the silence of a cave.
  • C. Keeping a dim light on to simulate the glow of an ancient campfire.
  • D. Getting a pet to recreate the ancestral feeling of having a companion to keep watch.

Go Wild — Full Chapter Overview

Go Wild Summary & Overview

Go Wild (2014) provides a timely look at why human beings shouldn’t be sitting in front of a computer all day. Evolution did not craft our bodies and minds for today’s sedentary lifestyle and diet. Our move from wilderness to cubicle is likely responsible for our increasing susceptibility to a number of new diseases.    

Who Should Listen to Go Wild?

  • Fitness enthusiasts
  • People looking to change their lives
  • Nature lovers

About the Author: John J. Ratey & Richard Manning

John J. Ratey, MD, is a clinical associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and the coauthor of the best-selling book Spark.

Richard Manning is an author and award-winning journalist whose works include One Round River and Against the Grain.

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