Self-Defense

“Davis is a world-class scientist and one of the best science communicators of his generation. From the role of tobacco scientists in promoting stress to why astronauts take antihistamines, Self-Defense will answer every question you have about your immune system and many more. It is deeply absorbing, wise, and beautifully written. Packed with astounding science, compelling stories, and ideas, it will change the way you think about your body and live your life.”–Chris van Tulleken, author of “Ultra-Processed People”“In Self-Defense, immunologist Davis explains everything that we know about our immune systems with clear, concise, and engaging stories based in the latest science, not hype. So, if you’re tired of all the people trying to sell you things that they swear will improve your immune function, but then never do, this book is for you. Davis walks us through the often complicated answers to all our questions and shows us that there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution to immune health.”–Theresa MacPhail, author of “Allergic”“A masterful exploration of what we know (and don’t know) about the workings of this most crucial of bodily functions. In a world of sales patter, soundbites, and social media videos, scientific rigor, clarity, and nuance is much needed. Self-Defense provides precisely that. Davis dissects claims and widely held beliefs surrounding the workings of our immune system, and shines a light on what is myth, hype, uncertainty, and scientific truth.”–Guy Leschziner, author of “Seven Deadly Sins”“There is so much misinformation in the health and science arena that it can be really challenging to pick the truth out of all that fiction. Self-Defense is a perfect antidote to so many of those assumed truths about immune health that have gone unchallenged for way too long. It is a refreshing, expert examination of health myths, beautifully written, packed with science but always accessible. I learned a lot.”–Suzanne O’Sullivan, author of “The Age of Diagnosis”“Why does weight-loss drug Ozempic reduce dementia risk, and what’s the connection between the bacteria living in your gut and risk of allergies? The answer–as in so many parts of biology–is the immune system. Self-Defense takes us on a fascinating tour of our bodies, linking happenings inside our cells to everyday practical advice, and dealing with pervasive myths about vitamins, inflammation, and more along the way. This book will do more for your health than any bottle of vitamin C tablets!”–Andrew Steele, author of “Ageless”“Self-Defense: A Myth-Busting Guide to Immune Health uncovers how curiosity-driven science can help you truly understand and optimize your immune system–free from hype, misconceptions, and the traps of mistaking coincidence for causation. From the surprising links between cytokines and mood to the effects of stress on immunity, this book reveals how our biology shapes us in unexpected ways. With stories like how a glowing jellyfish transformed medical research, it shows how simple discoveries can lead to profound insights. Dive in to see how thoughtful, evidence-based exploration can lead to better health, resilience, and self-awareness.”–Roger Highfield, science director at the Science Museum Group (London) and coauthor “The Dance of Life”“This book is a masterclass in science communication. Davis unravels one of the most complex and vital elements of human biology, our immune system. Self-Defense disentangles the science of immunity and addresses some of the key questions we all want answered. Does orange juice really help us fight off colds, prevent us getting cancer, or combat HIV? Do increased infections in early childhood protect against allergies, and is it true that children who grow up on farms are less likely to have asthma and hay fever? How might our genes or gut bacteria alter our vulnerability to infection? What is the link between obesity, stress, and sleep with our ability to fight infection? And does our immune system affect our mental health and the aging process? This is essential reading for anybody who wants to understand their health.”–Russell Foster, neuroscientist and author of Sunday Times-bestselling “Life Time”“As David Attenborough opens our goggling eyes to the natural world without, so Davis brings us face to face with the stunningly clever and, yes, beautiful world within… . One of those books that makes you look at everything human in a new, challenging, and thrilling way.”–Stephen Fry, on “The Beautiful Cure”

Daniel M. Davis is head of life sciences and professor of immunology at Imperial College London. He is the author of The Compatibility Gene, The Secret Body, and The Beautiful Cure, the last also published by the University of Chicago Press and named a Book of the Year in the Times, Telegraph, and New Scientist. His writing has appeared in the United Kingdom’s leading newspapers, as well as in New Scientist, Wired, and Scientific American. In 2025, he was awarded an MBE in the King’s New Year’s Honors list for services to science communication.