A Simple Guide To Being Alive

We built the smartest machines in history, and we programmed them to make us feel inadequate.

A Simple Guide to Being Alive is a bold, playful, profound science-backed manual for anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed by the modern world and wondered if there was a simpler, saner way to live.

This is no ordinary book. It is a life-changing software update for your nervous system disguised as something you can read on a plane. You’ll discover why anxiety isn’t your enemy, but a signal, what psychedelics teach us about how your nervous system shapes every moment of your existence, and why the simplest things, like a deep breath, a shared laugh, or a 20-second hug, can change your life more than any optimization hack ever could.

Dr. Rabin combines cutting-edge medicine with ancient wisdom to show that safety, not productivity, is the foundation of performance, joy, and longevity.  Drawing from his work as a psychiatrist and neuroscientist, A Simple Guide blends the scientific method with unapologetic humor, inviting you to return home to your breath, your body, and your beautifully human self.

“In this delightfully simple yet deeply resourced volume Dr. David Rabin addresses what is most essential in health and least appreciated in medical training: our vulnerable humanity. The many gems of wisdom he offers act, each, as an antidote to what he aptly calls the “ambient terror” of our lives in a supercharged culture. Suffused with acumen based on decades of clinical practice and research and written with wit and vivacity, this book calls you to life in your body and soul.”

- Dr. Gabor Maté, MD | Physician & Bestselling Author of The Myth of Normal


“A Simple Guide to Being Alive is a compassionate wake-up call. With remarkable clarity, Dr. Rabin bridges neuroscience and ancient wisdom, offering a clear path back to what it truly means to feel safe, present, and alive.”

Dr. David Perlmutter, MD | Physician & #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of Grain Brain and Brain Defenders

"A Simple Guide to Being Alive is a rare gem that bridges science, spirituality, and practical wisdom in a way that’s both deeply grounding and immediately actionable. Dr. Rabin masterfully translates the language of the nervous system into something you can actually feel, helping readers reclaim sleep, safety, and a sense of playful presence in their daily lives. This is the kind of book I recommend not just to patients, but to anyone who wants to truly rest, recover, and remember what it feels like to be human again.”

- Dr. Michael Breus, PhD | Double-Board Certified Sleep Doctor & Bestselling Author of The Power of When


"There is a generosity to this book that stands out. It seeks not merely to inform, but to help readers recover something easily lost: the ability to be present in their own lives. Drawing on neuroscience without being constrained by it, the author provides a thoughtful and engaging guide to a more attentive and meaningful way of living.”

- Dr. Ken Ford, PhD | Author, Scientist, Former Scientific Advisor to the President, Former Director of NASA, CEO emeritus IHMC


"A Simple Guide to Being Alive is a landmark contribution to the emerging field of psychedelic medicine and integrative mental health care. Dr. Rabin accomplishes something remarkably important and long overdue: he clearly explains, in scientifically grounded and deeply human terms, how psychedelics actually work to catalyze healing, not as magical substances, but as tools that enhance safety, connection, neuroplasticity, emotional learning, and meaning-making within the nervous system. 

At a moment when Western medicine is urgently searching for more effective treatments for trauma, depression, addiction, and existential distress, this book provides an essential bridge between neuroscience, psychotherapy, contemplative practice, and the wisdom of indigenous traditions. Dr. Rabin’s voice is compassionate, rigorous, and visionary.

This book will help clinicians, researchers, and the public better understand not only psychedelic therapies, but what it truly means to heal when we stop ignoring the role of trauma and start paying attention.” 

- Dr. Rick Doblin, PhD | Founder of The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS)

“A Simple Guide to Being Alive is a high-performance manual for upgrading your biology without losing your humanity. Dr. Dave distills neuroscience, spirituality, and state-shifting practices into tools that measurably improve energy, sleep, and resilience. If you want to run a cleaner nervous system, think sharper, live longer, and feel better doing it, this book is a must-have in your stack!”

- Dave Asprey | The Father of Biohacking, Founder of Bulletproof and Upgrade Labs


“A Simple Guide to Being Alive is a rare and timely contribution that bridges rigorous neuroscience with practical strategies for optimizing human performance,  well-being, and preventing burnout. Drawing on his extensive clinical and research experience, Dr. Rabin presents a clear, evidence-based framework for enhancing resilience, improving autonomic balance, and restoring a sense of purpose and vitality in daily life. This book offers both clinicians and the general public an accessible roadmap to better health by integrating mind, body, and behavior in a way that is both scientifically grounded and immediately applicable.”

- Dr. Joseph Maroon, MD, FACS | Neurosurgeon, Author

“A Simple Guide to Being Alive is a powerful blueprint for extending not just lifespan, but healthspan. Dr. Rabin translates cutting-edge neuroscience into practical, daily strategies that support nervous system balance, recovery, and long-term vitality. This is a smart, actionable guide for anyone serious about living longer, better, and with intention.”

- Dr. Darshan Shah, MD | Surgeon, Author, & Founder of Next Health

“Dr. Rabin bridges a gap that brings psychology, neuroscience and nutrition (and just enough spirituality) to create a well rounded picture on recovery and performance. Not to mention, it’s actionable and simple to apply; mainly because it just makes sense.”

- Thomas DeLauer | Leading Nutrition Coach to NFL & MLB Athletes

Dr. David M. L. Rabin, MD, PhD, is a translational neuroscientist, psychiatrist, entrepreneur & inventor on a mission to cure mental illness. He has been studying the impact of chronic stress in humans for over 20 years, focusing on trauma, addiction, and human performance. Dr. Rabin is a Senior Research Scientist at the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, the Chief Medical Officer and co-founder at Apollo Neuroscience, the Executive Director of The Board of Medicine nonprofit medical board, and Medical Director of The Apollo Clinic. In addition to hosting The Psychedelic Report and Your Brain Explained podcasts, Dr. Rabin regularly serves as an expert for news outlets such as The New York Times, Vogue, CBS News, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking, dancing, volleyball, sailing, and hikes with his wife Kathryn and their son, Sammy.

• The Simple Guide Vibe - and instructions on how to unlock it in your Apollo App
• The Simple Guide Playlists - music curated to accompany the book and accelerate learning
• The Simple Guide References - a complete list with links for easy access to all the original sources cited in the book
• Save $99 on the purchase of an Apollo Wearable + SmartVibes