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kaliaddy's review against another edition
3.0
Emphasizing mostly what we already know: the mind-body connection is real. This book was published in 2016 and I’m reading it in 2021. In the five years that have passed since publication, I think many more of these ideas are starting to be readily accepted in the “formal” medical community. So now this book is a nice primer for the basis of a lot of integrative health programs that we see more of lately.
sangfroid's review against another edition
5.0
If someone has not read a book in his life, and if he intends to do so now, and he is at a loss as to which book to choose, I should strongly recommend him "Cure: A Journey into the Science of Mind Over Body", a text that will leave an enduring impression upon him.
Anyone who has been convinced by Richard Dawkins' "The God Delusion" and Stephen Hawking's "The Grand Design" that there is no place for God in medicine should consider reading chapter 12 of this book that has persuasive arguments for scientists to re-think their postulate concerning a supernatural being, miracle and cures procured by alternative medicine.
Having said that, I should, however, like to add that Jo Marchant is not some New Age writer who advocates that modern science should embrace alternative medicine, or that she dogmatically persuades the reader to accept her point of view. Contrarily, the author, who has been trained as a scientist, presents her findings and research in a systematic and objective manner, leaving the evidence to speak for itself. (The author, who has a PhD in genetics and medical microbiology from St Bartholomew’s Hospital Medical College in London, and an MSc in Science Communication from Imperial College London).
The quondam senior editor at New Scientist and at Nature, who has contributed articles to the The New York Times, The Guardian and Smithsonian magazine, strongly "believes (that) everything in nature can be studied scientifically" (pg. xiii), and she, at the same time, confesses that she undertook the study of "mind-body" relationship with a singular view to finding out the truths behind the assertions made by the adherents of modern science and people who trust that alternative medicine is sine qua non of medical treatment.
Jo Marchant writes more like a creative novelist than a non-fiction writer, who is often known for boring readers by his heavy-going academic style and stilted language. "Cure: A Journey into the Science of Mind Over Body" reads more like a crime thriller than a science book that is loaded with scientific proofs.
Anyone who wants to be entertained by scientific proofs, modern science, and fallacies surrounding cures and treatment ought to read this book.
Anyone who has been convinced by Richard Dawkins' "The God Delusion" and Stephen Hawking's "The Grand Design" that there is no place for God in medicine should consider reading chapter 12 of this book that has persuasive arguments for scientists to re-think their postulate concerning a supernatural being, miracle and cures procured by alternative medicine.
Having said that, I should, however, like to add that Jo Marchant is not some New Age writer who advocates that modern science should embrace alternative medicine, or that she dogmatically persuades the reader to accept her point of view. Contrarily, the author, who has been trained as a scientist, presents her findings and research in a systematic and objective manner, leaving the evidence to speak for itself. (The author, who has a PhD in genetics and medical microbiology from St Bartholomew’s Hospital Medical College in London, and an MSc in Science Communication from Imperial College London).
The quondam senior editor at New Scientist and at Nature, who has contributed articles to the The New York Times, The Guardian and Smithsonian magazine, strongly "believes (that) everything in nature can be studied scientifically" (pg. xiii), and she, at the same time, confesses that she undertook the study of "mind-body" relationship with a singular view to finding out the truths behind the assertions made by the adherents of modern science and people who trust that alternative medicine is sine qua non of medical treatment.
Jo Marchant writes more like a creative novelist than a non-fiction writer, who is often known for boring readers by his heavy-going academic style and stilted language. "Cure: A Journey into the Science of Mind Over Body" reads more like a crime thriller than a science book that is loaded with scientific proofs.
Anyone who wants to be entertained by scientific proofs, modern science, and fallacies surrounding cures and treatment ought to read this book.
jnieto's review against another edition
4.0
Essential to understand that mind-body is ONE, not TWO; how and how far placebos, mindfulness... work and how we might improve medicine and health using the strong connection of above-the-neck and below-the-neck. Recommended both to believers and skeptics (such as I am).
chris_davies's review against another edition
5.0
This is not only an excellent popular science book, it also feels like an important one. Jo Marchant writes clearly and accessibly, always laying out the science behind the claims being made.
This is not a book that supports 'new age' therapies. Rather, it calls them out for what they are, then seeks to establish what (if anything) is really going on. This works best in the first half of the book, which is focused on the treatment of medical conditions. That is perhaps understandable, as there is bound to be more evidence in that area. But Marchant is always vigorous in her scientific approach. Opposing opinions are not ignored, although they are rarely explored much further than an acknowledgement than they exist - this is perhaps the only (minor) weakness of this book.
It's a great read, and one that could really herald a change in thinking about the human body and mind. Sadly, as Marchant herself points out, money talks and there is much less of it to be made in therapies that do not rely on pills and potions. Still, and if nothing else, this has provided me with plenty of fascinating information with which to regale friends in the pub!
This is not a book that supports 'new age' therapies. Rather, it calls them out for what they are, then seeks to establish what (if anything) is really going on. This works best in the first half of the book, which is focused on the treatment of medical conditions. That is perhaps understandable, as there is bound to be more evidence in that area. But Marchant is always vigorous in her scientific approach. Opposing opinions are not ignored, although they are rarely explored much further than an acknowledgement than they exist - this is perhaps the only (minor) weakness of this book.
It's a great read, and one that could really herald a change in thinking about the human body and mind. Sadly, as Marchant herself points out, money talks and there is much less of it to be made in therapies that do not rely on pills and potions. Still, and if nothing else, this has provided me with plenty of fascinating information with which to regale friends in the pub!
elsiebrady's review against another edition
4.0
“We have the capacity to influence our own health by harnessing the power of the (conscious and unconscious) mind.”
I appreciate her research and experiences to highlight our own ability to cure/heal ourselves. This book has broad application to the individual and humanity in general, if only we could receive mainstream approval. This doesn’t seem too likely with Big Pharma controlling most of the research ($ based when holistic approaches don’t guarantee the $ income). However, each person can determine what works and doesn’t work for them individually. BUT I would like to see preventative medicine starting with everyone from conception to adolescence to adulthood to reduce risk and effects of long term stress related illnesses (cardiovascular, diabetes, depression, cancer) rather than relying on medications after the fact to only manage a disease that could have been prevented earlier.
I appreciate her research and experiences to highlight our own ability to cure/heal ourselves. This book has broad application to the individual and humanity in general, if only we could receive mainstream approval. This doesn’t seem too likely with Big Pharma controlling most of the research ($ based when holistic approaches don’t guarantee the $ income). However, each person can determine what works and doesn’t work for them individually. BUT I would like to see preventative medicine starting with everyone from conception to adolescence to adulthood to reduce risk and effects of long term stress related illnesses (cardiovascular, diabetes, depression, cancer) rather than relying on medications after the fact to only manage a disease that could have been prevented earlier.
veryperi22's review against another edition
5.0
Cure, A Journey Into the Science of Mind Over Body
by: Jo Marchant
The Mind-body connection was hijacked by Alternative medicine/ New age gurus, spiritual healers, in short: quacks.
The hijacking has tainted the scientific research on the mind/body connection so much so that scientists who tried to study this topic were guaranteed not to get tenure, so they didn’t pursue it.
With good research and data, Jo Marchant sets out to explore the potential of the mind’s ability to heal the body, the power of the placebo,
And the peace that can come with the mind.
In her discussion on The Placebo Effect she talks about how drugs have to perform better than a placebo. What is not discussed is the rate of the actual placebo effect and how that can be beneficial.
Now, obviously, the placebo effect isn’t news. It is ubiquitous in all medical literature and training.
The question is, why isn’t it being harnessed, asks Marchant.
Ethics of placebo can be an issue, and Marchant extensively addresses the ethics of misleading patients, and studies on the ethical placebo, where patients know they are taking a placebo, and how it can still work.
She addresses how gut issues, fatigue, pain, inflammation are all examples of illnesses that the mind can help bring respite. Not to mention Mental Illness.
She speaks with people who have slowed the speed of their degenerative illnesses with Yoga and meditation. I learned about Biofeedback/paced breathing as well. As in centering and calming the body, this makes sense to reduce stress which in turn may reduce inflammation.
Doctors routinely attribute stress to be the cause of many fatal illnesses. Why can’t the reverse be, at least a little bit, true?
So better food patterns, sleep and stress relief in the form of mediation, yoga, etc, are critical in reducing inflammation. What she’s saying isn’t new.
It’s just illuminating and coherent.
She also has a chapter on the role of relationships and health, that social ties are linked to longevity.
Great if I don’t have patience to yoga, at least I have good friends.
Or in this time of social distancing where I can’t spend time with friends, take on Yoga
by: Jo Marchant
The Mind-body connection was hijacked by Alternative medicine/ New age gurus, spiritual healers, in short: quacks.
The hijacking has tainted the scientific research on the mind/body connection so much so that scientists who tried to study this topic were guaranteed not to get tenure, so they didn’t pursue it.
With good research and data, Jo Marchant sets out to explore the potential of the mind’s ability to heal the body, the power of the placebo,
And the peace that can come with the mind.
In her discussion on The Placebo Effect she talks about how drugs have to perform better than a placebo. What is not discussed is the rate of the actual placebo effect and how that can be beneficial.
Now, obviously, the placebo effect isn’t news. It is ubiquitous in all medical literature and training.
The question is, why isn’t it being harnessed, asks Marchant.
Ethics of placebo can be an issue, and Marchant extensively addresses the ethics of misleading patients, and studies on the ethical placebo, where patients know they are taking a placebo, and how it can still work.
She addresses how gut issues, fatigue, pain, inflammation are all examples of illnesses that the mind can help bring respite. Not to mention Mental Illness.
She speaks with people who have slowed the speed of their degenerative illnesses with Yoga and meditation. I learned about Biofeedback/paced breathing as well. As in centering and calming the body, this makes sense to reduce stress which in turn may reduce inflammation.
Doctors routinely attribute stress to be the cause of many fatal illnesses. Why can’t the reverse be, at least a little bit, true?
So better food patterns, sleep and stress relief in the form of mediation, yoga, etc, are critical in reducing inflammation. What she’s saying isn’t new.
It’s just illuminating and coherent.
She also has a chapter on the role of relationships and health, that social ties are linked to longevity.
Great if I don’t have patience to yoga, at least I have good friends.
Or in this time of social distancing where I can’t spend time with friends, take on Yoga
heykylie's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting points and fascinating studies and stories all about the mind's power over our physical bodies. I picked up this book bc I'm interested in positive thinking and meditation and their power to heal and transform our bodies and prolong our lives. The first half of the book focused on very physical healing, which, while interesting, was not as fascinating to me as the second half of the book, which focused more on positive thinking, social interaction, religious fervor, and more psychological aspects. I also had to skip a chapter in the middle bc of my easily-queasy-ness - too much medical detail makes my head swim.
Interesting ideas.
Interesting ideas.
melissa_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this book. I'd recommend it to anyone interested in science and medicine and healing.
The author clearly has a stance and a specific background, but presented material in an open-minded manner.
The author clearly has a stance and a specific background, but presented material in an open-minded manner.