Mind Over Meds: Know When Drugs Are Necessary, When Alternatives Are Better - and When to Let Your Body Heal on Its Own Hardcover – April 25, 2017

Great book to understand when meds are really necessary

Every day we see countless advertisements for medications. We go to the doctor and expect that we will leave with a prescription that will make us better. But do all of these drugs really make us better? Dr. Andrew Weil in Mind Over Meds helps readers make informed decisions on medication use.Mind Over Meds goes through most of the commonly prescribed medications in the United States: antibiotics, statins, medicine for Gerd, antihistamines, cold/flu medicines, sleep aids, steroids, psych medicines for adults and children, and several other categories of popularly used medications both over-the-counter and prescribed. Dr. Weil also has writes chapter on over-medication for children and over-medication for the elderly. The last chapter covers medications with a pharmacist, whom Dr. Weil says is an underutilized medical person in the management of medications. All of these chapters were written with other medical personnel who specialize in these areas since Dr. Weil says he is not an expert in each of these areas.Mind Over Meds could be used as a reference book by reading just the areas that apply to the reader's situation or it could be read straight through like I did. I learned a lot by reading this book and I know I will also use it as a reference book based on that knowledge.I'm not one that likes to take medications but I think there are times it is necessary to do so. I am also an Andrew Weil fan having read most of his books and followed his anti-inflammatory diet. I like that he is an integretive medicine doctor and works with patients from a holistic perspective and I wish more doctors followed this model. I found Mind Over Meds to be quite interesting. I like that Dr. Weil writes in layman's terms and his books are easy to understand and apply. I would recommend this book to every one to have as a reference and to make informed choices should the need arise either in your own situation or to help your children or elderly parents.I read an advance reader's edition of Mind Over Meds through Net Galley and Little and Brown publishers. I also purchased a hard copy of this book to keep for future reference.

I don't have most of the conditions that this book focuses on, but I found it very informative just the same. A major theme of the book is how the profit motive of the pharmaceutical industry is influencing both doctors and patients to rely too much on prescription and over the counter medicines as cure alls. TV advertising for prescription drugs is ubiquitous and the public is often misled. Dr. Weil doesn't fully discount the value of mainstream medications, but instead believes that they are most effective when used in the short term and that possible risks from side effects should be more of a serious concern.Dr. Weil advocates what is known as an integrative approach to treatment. That is, incorporating into a treatment plan: natural supplements and non-drug, mind-body techniques such as meditation, biofeedback, and breathing exercises. Unfortunately, in my home state, finding a physician who practices integrative medicine is a bit like finding a needle in a haystack. Using the University of Arizona Center of Integrative Medicine search engine, that he recommends, I found only one doctor practicing integrative medicine in the entire state of Massachusetts.The descriptions of the pros and cons of popular prescription drugs are excellent. A weakness in the overall treatise of the book is that many of the natural supplements cited, come with caveats. It seems that the studies have not conclusively proved that many of them actually work. In a nod to the lay reader, each chapter has two case studies, which kept me engaged in what can be somewhat dry subject matter.The two best chapters are on the overmedication of children and the elderly. I've read about these issues before, but here it's especially well elucidated.I learned a lot from Mind Over Meds. it's the first book that I have read from this author. I will go back to it for future reference.

Read entire book in two days it was so good. Extremely informative! Everyone should read this book. I was taking so many pills, prescription and OTC not realizing the full extent of the consequences. Following the advice in this book, I have phased out the bad stuff and phased in organic herbal supplements. I had no idea how bad some of the OTC meds I take regularly are! Dr Weil explains exactly which food and supplements are good for treating particular ailments so I have been able to choose my own regimen that suits me uniquely. My five prescriptions are down to one and that is for one of the issues Dr Weil strongly suggests continuing treating with a prescription under a doctor's care - which i also liked - he's not a nut telling people not to go to doctors, he's giving options for those things that we can heal naturally on our own. I feel significantly better and my allergies, eczema and rosacea are under control and not causing me the same problems as before. My mood has improved also (more on that in his book Spontaneous Happiness). I could go on because I can't say enough good things about Andrew Weil. All of his books are worth every penny and I have such gratitude he took this path and shared the knowledge with us. (The Dr Weil Mega - Mushroom line of products at Origins is kick-ass also especially if you have rosacea or sensitive skin. Pricey but perfect).

Dr. Weil has done a good job of explaining the over prescribing of drugs in America. He also makes suggestions of organic ways to help with some health issues. He is trying to help us live more healthy lives. Great book. I will keep for reference rather than pass on.

The section on presidents was really fun.. brought all of those men to mind again and their quotes really seemed to match their skills and the times. Great thanks

I liked the honesty of the author based on his experience and scientific study plus patient observation. He makes you look at the facts and encourages you to make an informed and sensible decision. From personal experience I know that the mind can have a negative effect on our health and a positive one. I’ve worked on the positive when very sick and helped to heal myself. The author helps you to see the possibilities. Great book well worth reading

Really useful book to have. I have been given a lot of medication recently and this book has helped me make informed decisions

Great book. I came to know about Dr. Andrew Weil from the Tim Ferris podcast. As a doctor who is sceptical of modern medicine myself, I found this pretty soothing. Drugs are not always the best option to go about things and as much as we can, we should try to fix our bodies with exercise, healthy food, and positive mental states.

I found some extremely useful info in the book which helps my diabetes and hay fever.

Mostly common sense put together