Review: Mind Over Meds

Mind Over Meds: Know When Drugs Are Necessary, When Alternatives Are Better - and When to Let Your Body Heal On It's Own by Andrew Weil, M.D. was an awesome read. I could be slightly biased because it validated my own beliefs regarding the pharmaceutical industry, medication, and the healthcare system, but I encourage even skeptics to read it - you may be surprised by what you learn. This was not a book written by a conspiratorial kook who wants people to live a hippie lifestyle. He just wants people to be better informed.

In Weil's book, he dedicates a chapter to common classes of drugs and in each chapter he discusses why they are prescribed, what they do to the body, and alternative therapies to try instead of resorting to them. He discussed opiods, antihypertension medication, psychotic drugs, and diabetic medication to name a few. One resounding theme amongst most, if not all of the drugs, is that they should be a last resort for the typical user. Weil described how, too often, doctors push medication on their patients in an effort to correct a medical issue, however, the drug often aggravates the condition and forces a person to continue the medication. This is especially evident with opiods.

One thing that helped distinguish Dr. Andrew Weil's book from others, is that he was not suggesting that people shouldn't take medication at all. He asserted that people should become more discerning in what they are taking, ask their doctor's questions, and make lifestyle changes for a healthier body. For those with chronic diseases or such, he does not suggest that they shouldn't take medication - but he does suggest that they consult with a pharmacist to ensure that the medication that they do take does not conflict with any other medication that they are prescribed. He argues that doctors do not have as well as a sound training in drugs and drug interactions as pharmacists do and he questions why pharmacists are so underutilized.

Overall, I highly recommend this book. I read it in one day - it wasn't a hard read and it was easy to follow. I learned a lot and appreciated everything that was said. Check it out, and drop your opinions on Mind Over Meds below!

Until we read again...