You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.25 AVERAGE
3.25 AVERAGE
informative
slow-paced
A massive load of fear-mongering bulls**t. Absolutely baffled by this nonsensical drivel
There are good lists here of more and less healthy food, and a decent hypothesis about how we can promote our mental health by eating the chemical precursors of neurotransmitters. However, Dr. Dow confuses correlation for causation and often stoops to scaring the reader. I finished the book, but it made me feel like I wasn’t enough.
informative
medium-paced
I picked this up because I have depression and it makes my brain, well, foggy.
I can't finish this. I got really close, though. I got up to the chapter where he specifically starts talking about pregnant women's brains - I'm not pregnant, so I skipped it. Section after that was meant for elderly people - I'm 26. And I'm pretty sure the last part is the actual "program" itself, which I get the feeling will just be a repeat of everything he's already mentioned. This book is so repetitive that I had to stop listening.
But to its credit, the first half or so was mildly helpful and interesting, though. I did get some omega 3 supplements. (I hate seafood. I don't care how good tou say it is for me. Fish is nasty.) So I gave it 3 stars.
But this book can be summed up as:
Lose weight. (Let's completely ignore the people with depression that have zero appetite and probably need to gain weight. This one actually annoys me. It'd be one thing if the author only mentioned this a few times, but he's really in your face about it. Regardless of your weight situation, this will probably get annoying if you read this book.)
Eat an all organic, pescatarian diet
Get married
Be religious
There's some merit to these points, sure. But this author falls into the same trap that other self-help authors seem to fall into - repeating the same points over and over to fill up space. This book could have been 2/3 of it's original length.
I can't finish this. I got really close, though. I got up to the chapter where he specifically starts talking about pregnant women's brains - I'm not pregnant, so I skipped it. Section after that was meant for elderly people - I'm 26. And I'm pretty sure the last part is the actual "program" itself, which I get the feeling will just be a repeat of everything he's already mentioned. This book is so repetitive that I had to stop listening.
But to its credit, the first half or so was mildly helpful and interesting, though. I did get some omega 3 supplements. (I hate seafood. I don't care how good tou say it is for me. Fish is nasty.) So I gave it 3 stars.
But this book can be summed up as:
Lose weight. (Let's completely ignore the people with depression that have zero appetite and probably need to gain weight. This one actually annoys me. It'd be one thing if the author only mentioned this a few times, but he's really in your face about it. Regardless of your weight situation, this will probably get annoying if you read this book.)
Eat an all organic, pescatarian diet
Get married
Be religious
There's some merit to these points, sure. But this author falls into the same trap that other self-help authors seem to fall into - repeating the same points over and over to fill up space. This book could have been 2/3 of it's original length.
I really enjoyed this book. I learned a lot. I intend on getting a hard copy soon because listening to the audiobook, while great, made ya miss a lot of stuff. I want to highlight and take notes!
I enjoyed hearing the science of how our brain chemicals work. How food and sleep truly affect the brain. Instead of just hearing those platitudes, he explained the science. I loved it.
It feels like it would be overwhelming to make this change completely, but I want to. I hope I can.
I enjoyed hearing the science of how our brain chemicals work. How food and sleep truly affect the brain. Instead of just hearing those platitudes, he explained the science. I loved it.
It feels like it would be overwhelming to make this change completely, but I want to. I hope I can.
A lot in here is in almost every other book for helping with health issues. This book is also NOT for the fixed / low income and obviously this guy has no clue about living in a restricted financial state.
medium-paced
Book 21: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Brain Fog Fix. By Dr. Mike Dow.
“There is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way.” - Thich Nhat Hanh
From diet, substance abuse, technology, cognitive exercise and spirituality (through meditation), this book covers it all to explain brain fog and offer solutions to get out of your funk. It was exactly what I needed for my brain during this quarantine time. I wasted a lot of it so far and couldn’t get out of this foggy haze my brain was in. It felt a little like the onset of Alzheimer’s with my poor memory reining the day, so I was relieved to hear Dr. Dow discuss exactly this throughout the entirety of the book. After all this, Chapter 16 takes you on the three-week journey to cleanse and jumpstart your health. It’s a book you’ll want to be reading during this second month of social distancing if you find yourself struggling with your mental and physical health!
Favorite quotes and recommendations (Please note that I did not share vegetarian/vegan recommendations since I eat some meats, but there were alternatives shared for those, too!):
QUOTES:
There is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way.
The best gift is to build a meaningful and happy life.
Unfortunately, the nature of depression prevents many who are truly suffering. … The depressed brain is also more susceptible to self-loathing, which leads people to characterize their condition as a character defect. Another problem is that depressed people often view asking for help as a sign of weakness so they stay silent, even when they desperately need support.
Unfortunately, chronic sleep deprivation has become our new reality. We’re so used to being a little tired all the time that we think we’re fine, when we’re anything but. … A good night’s sleep is roughly 8 hours. Anything less, just won’t cut it.
Loneliness has been shown to be associated with depressive symptoms. And, of course, people who are depressed are more likely to isolate themselves, which leads to even more loneliness. The conditions reinforce each other in a downward spiral.
… SSRIs may prevent people from falling in love. When people first fall in love, dopamine soars while serotonin dips. As a result, you feel excited, turned on, and also anxious and obsessed with your love object, which may help cement a strong bond. You stay up all night talking about life. You want to be in physical contact at all times, but if SSRIs block this dip in serotonin, this obsessive quality associated with falling in love may not happen. Potential passion could end up being more take it or leave it.
Extreme loneliness may actually be more deadly than smoking. And twice as deadly as obesity. … Stronger social relationships resulted in a 50% increase in likelihood of survival. No wonder social connectedness has been called a behavioral vaccine. The lesson here is that human beings have an innate need to feel supported, connected and loved.
12-minute meditations: While the meditation had no religious meaning attached to it for the subjects, their brains showed decreased activity in the parietal lob, which results in a feeling of being one with the universe, nature, or God. Not bad for a 12-minute daily commitment. Subjects’ memories also improved by an average of 10-20%, with some showing an improvement of near 50%. Meditation an other mindfulness-based practices can ameliorate a range of both physical and mental illnesses.
Some form of meditation or prayer that promotes connection or purpose is essential to the human experience.
First, being in touch with your own unique life’s purpose is terrific for your brain. Second, feeling connected to something larger than yourself. This larger connection might be a religious or spiritual practice; an attachment to nature and animals; or philosophical, political or scientific awareness of a larger world. However you experience this connection with something larger, science shows that it is hugely important for brain health.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Combine turmeric and black pepper every single day if possible. Add to fresh lemon juice, cayenne pepper, and ginger if you want to take it as a shot. This improves cognitive function.
Mediterranean diet recommended (my favorite!!!)
Avoid teflon pots and pans as they can begin to release toxins into your food over time. (Mine are well over a decade old at this point, so I took this one to heart.)
Avoid cooking at high temperatures with Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and use regular Olive Oil instead. Extra Virgin can get toxic at high temps. He recommends olive oil is the most recommended lubricant to cook with.
Eliminate:
- Sugar/artificial sweeteners
- Flour and processed snacks
- Pro-inflammatory Omega-6s
- caffeine/alcohol/substances
Add more:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Omega 3s
Smoothie Recipe:
1/4 cup Romaine
1/4 cup Kale
1/4 cup Spinach
1/4 cup Broccoli
1/4 cucumber
Squeeze of lemon
1-inch piece of ginger
Half pear with skin on
Pieces of cut mango
2 cups water
Eat flourless and sprouted grain bread. He recommends Food For Life Ezekiel 4:9 Bread.
Buy only meats, dairy and eggs that say: organic, grass-fed, pastured, free roaming or free range
- Albacore tuna canned or fresh from US or British Columbia
- Arctic char farmed
- Black cod
- Mussels farmed
- Oysters farmed
- Salmon coho farmed US
- Salmon wild any origin
- Shrimp
- Chicken of the sea premium wild caught salmon - vacuum packed (target or amazon) (salmon melt)
Buy air-cleaning plants for your home to purify the air and rid of toxins, such as benzene and formaldehyde. Best options (check for toxicity to your animals first!): Palms - Erica, Lady, Bamboo, Dwarf Date; Boston Fern; English Ivy; and Peace Lilly.
12-minute Meditations:
Mindfulness meditation
Sound meditation
Kirtan Kriya
The Thought Stream meditation
Loving Kindness meditation
The Examine Meditation
The Brain Fog Fix. By Dr. Mike Dow.
“There is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way.” - Thich Nhat Hanh
From diet, substance abuse, technology, cognitive exercise and spirituality (through meditation), this book covers it all to explain brain fog and offer solutions to get out of your funk. It was exactly what I needed for my brain during this quarantine time. I wasted a lot of it so far and couldn’t get out of this foggy haze my brain was in. It felt a little like the onset of Alzheimer’s with my poor memory reining the day, so I was relieved to hear Dr. Dow discuss exactly this throughout the entirety of the book. After all this, Chapter 16 takes you on the three-week journey to cleanse and jumpstart your health. It’s a book you’ll want to be reading during this second month of social distancing if you find yourself struggling with your mental and physical health!
Favorite quotes and recommendations (Please note that I did not share vegetarian/vegan recommendations since I eat some meats, but there were alternatives shared for those, too!):
QUOTES:
There is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way.
The best gift is to build a meaningful and happy life.
Unfortunately, the nature of depression prevents many who are truly suffering. … The depressed brain is also more susceptible to self-loathing, which leads people to characterize their condition as a character defect. Another problem is that depressed people often view asking for help as a sign of weakness so they stay silent, even when they desperately need support.
Unfortunately, chronic sleep deprivation has become our new reality. We’re so used to being a little tired all the time that we think we’re fine, when we’re anything but. … A good night’s sleep is roughly 8 hours. Anything less, just won’t cut it.
Loneliness has been shown to be associated with depressive symptoms. And, of course, people who are depressed are more likely to isolate themselves, which leads to even more loneliness. The conditions reinforce each other in a downward spiral.
… SSRIs may prevent people from falling in love. When people first fall in love, dopamine soars while serotonin dips. As a result, you feel excited, turned on, and also anxious and obsessed with your love object, which may help cement a strong bond. You stay up all night talking about life. You want to be in physical contact at all times, but if SSRIs block this dip in serotonin, this obsessive quality associated with falling in love may not happen. Potential passion could end up being more take it or leave it.
Extreme loneliness may actually be more deadly than smoking. And twice as deadly as obesity. … Stronger social relationships resulted in a 50% increase in likelihood of survival. No wonder social connectedness has been called a behavioral vaccine. The lesson here is that human beings have an innate need to feel supported, connected and loved.
12-minute meditations: While the meditation had no religious meaning attached to it for the subjects, their brains showed decreased activity in the parietal lob, which results in a feeling of being one with the universe, nature, or God. Not bad for a 12-minute daily commitment. Subjects’ memories also improved by an average of 10-20%, with some showing an improvement of near 50%. Meditation an other mindfulness-based practices can ameliorate a range of both physical and mental illnesses.
Some form of meditation or prayer that promotes connection or purpose is essential to the human experience.
First, being in touch with your own unique life’s purpose is terrific for your brain. Second, feeling connected to something larger than yourself. This larger connection might be a religious or spiritual practice; an attachment to nature and animals; or philosophical, political or scientific awareness of a larger world. However you experience this connection with something larger, science shows that it is hugely important for brain health.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Combine turmeric and black pepper every single day if possible. Add to fresh lemon juice, cayenne pepper, and ginger if you want to take it as a shot. This improves cognitive function.
Mediterranean diet recommended (my favorite!!!)
Avoid teflon pots and pans as they can begin to release toxins into your food over time. (Mine are well over a decade old at this point, so I took this one to heart.)
Avoid cooking at high temperatures with Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and use regular Olive Oil instead. Extra Virgin can get toxic at high temps. He recommends olive oil is the most recommended lubricant to cook with.
Eliminate:
- Sugar/artificial sweeteners
- Flour and processed snacks
- Pro-inflammatory Omega-6s
- caffeine/alcohol/substances
Add more:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Omega 3s
Smoothie Recipe:
1/4 cup Romaine
1/4 cup Kale
1/4 cup Spinach
1/4 cup Broccoli
1/4 cucumber
Squeeze of lemon
1-inch piece of ginger
Half pear with skin on
Pieces of cut mango
2 cups water
Eat flourless and sprouted grain bread. He recommends Food For Life Ezekiel 4:9 Bread.
Buy only meats, dairy and eggs that say: organic, grass-fed, pastured, free roaming or free range
- Albacore tuna canned or fresh from US or British Columbia
- Arctic char farmed
- Black cod
- Mussels farmed
- Oysters farmed
- Salmon coho farmed US
- Salmon wild any origin
- Shrimp
- Chicken of the sea premium wild caught salmon - vacuum packed (target or amazon) (salmon melt)
Buy air-cleaning plants for your home to purify the air and rid of toxins, such as benzene and formaldehyde. Best options (check for toxicity to your animals first!): Palms - Erica, Lady, Bamboo, Dwarf Date; Boston Fern; English Ivy; and Peace Lilly.
12-minute Meditations:
Mindfulness meditation
Sound meditation
Kirtan Kriya
The Thought Stream meditation
Loving Kindness meditation
The Examine Meditation
The information given is fairly common info wrapped up as if the author has sole authority. The reality is many of the items discussed have nuance and complications and are simplified and reduced to an outdated binary in order to promote his program.