John Coates Knihy

A Wall Street trader-turned-neuroscientist reveals the biology of boom-and-bust cycles to explain the impact of risk taking on body chemistry, citing the relationship between testosterone, decision making, and emotional health.

A successful Wall Street trader turned neuroscientist reveals how risk taking and stress transform our body chemistry Before he became a world-class scientist, John Coates ran a derivatives trading desk in New York City. He used the expression “the hour between dog and wolf” to refer to the moment of Jekyll-and-Hyde transformation traders passed through when under pressure. They became cocky and irrationally risk-seeking when on a winning streak, tentative and risk-averse when cowering from losses. In a series of groundbreaking experiments, Coates identified a feedback loop between testosterone and success—one that can cloud men’s judgment in high-pressure decision-making. Coates demonstrates how our bodies produce the fabled gut feelings we so often rely on, how stress in the workplace can impair our judgment and even damage our health, and how sports science can help us toughen our bodies against the ravages of stress. Revealing the biology behind bubbles and crashes, The Hour Between Dog and Wolf sheds new and surprising light on issues that affect us all.

Exploring the intricate dynamics of an impending economic and political crisis, this book delves into the underlying forces at play. It examines key factors such as global market trends, governmental policies, and social unrest that contribute to instability. Through a detailed analysis, the author sheds light on the interconnectedness of these elements and their potential consequences, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of the looming challenges. Insightful and thought-provoking, it serves as a crucial resource for those seeking to grasp the complexities of modern crises.