Better Living Through Chemistry
Published by Jake Allen March 7th, 2005 in Uncategorized
Bob just put out a great post about the herbal vs. real science debate.
While it is related to Sarah’s comments on a previous post on this site, it is a distinct issue. Sarah has a philosophical preference, which, it appears from her blog at least, she follows. Bob points out the sociological impact of “natural” marketing vs. “scientific” marketing. And he’s in law school!
I have nothing specifically against herbal stuff in and of itself, it is merely another way to get chemicals into the body. It also is another way to induce a beneficial placebo effect. Somewhat unfortunately, the actually therapeutic chemical(s) in herbal products are often part of a chemical sea of other agents.. . .
Often when talking about this issue, I use the “better living through chemistry” phrase, which I should change to “better living through balancing risks with hard data”.
Not only is he right, but Bob has the cynicism to make it interesting. I wish I had blogged that post.
Madness.
I think that, at least for me, there seems to be two different approaches to “medicine:” Western medicine, characterized by surgeries and pharmaceuticals (basically disease management) and holistic, characterized by lifestyle changes, prevention, and other “natural products.” The best way to cure heart disease is to not get it in the first place. How do we do that- fresh fruits and veggies. How do most people do that- Lipitor. While, I do not jump on the bandwagon of every “natural” remedy that comes on the market, I would much rather heal or prevent using something more akin to food. If I can get it in an actual meal, all the better.
While I am not a scientist, I have conducted my own clinical research. Allergy meds make me jittery and shakey, the neti pot works much better. Antibiotics cause yeast infections and stomach cramps, and are often prescribed for things it cannot help- use only with grave caution! Anti-depressants cause anti-personality, St. John’s wort actually works and so does exercise! So on and so forth. Wouldn’t it be smarter to clean up one’s diet and start exercising? If the problem persists, then more measures need to be taken.
Problem is that we live in an impatient society. Waiting six to eight weeks for all that broccoli you have been eating to make a difference is hard, even for us hard-core types.
Shameless plug: I am going to be on public TV talking about organics and natural approaches to healing :oP
…O am such a jabbermouth
Wow, thanks for the compliments Jake.
I’m responding to Sarah’s comment with an entire post on self-observation, sorry that I’m stealing potential content from your comment section, but I had a lot to say…
I’m responding to Sarah’s comment with an entire post on depression and depression medication, sorry that I’m stealing potential content from your comment section, but I had a lot to say…
(and a little nod to Bob.)
Her post is here:
http://thoughtsofyouth.blogspot.com/2005/03/this-started-as-comment.html
For those of us who can’t get Blogspot, could someone email me Bob and “~The Amber”’s posts?
Thanks!
Preliminarily, however, I must take Bob’s side here. Though empirical science has failed us before, at least we know what we’re getting. I do think healthy eating, cv exercise, and the Holy Spirit can go a long way to keeping us healthy (should it so please God), but I’m not going to pop “natural” pills before I pop “chemicals.”
Dr. LeeAnn Baron at Hillsdale would be a good reference for this.
St. John’s Wort may work as an upper, but so does cocaine (www.cocaine.org). It took a while for the pill-pushers of the past to realize the addictiveness of cocaine, and who knows what they’re really putting in those herbal pills?
BTW, I don’t like to take even aspirin, unless I really, really have to. While a crutch is sometimes necessary, I think modern Westerners rely on the crutch of a little, white pill far too much.
Sarah’s right on about her criticisms of anti-biotics. In the words of Lonestar: “Take only what you need to survive!”
(~:
Kevin, I sent you both posts.
Your position is still unclear to me.
Madness?
Is all I write a vain babbling? Alas, if it is.
Anyway, what I’m trying to say is: here’s a heirarchy of actions if you’re not well:
1. Pray to God
If there is no obvious leading of the Holy Spirit, use wisdom.
2. Eat as naturally as you can, exercise as rationally as you can. (e.g. - not too much, not the wrong kind for your body type or problem)
3. If this still doesn’t work (e.g. - if you have food poisoning, then #2 may have to be skipped), then seek wisdom. Do what you know works.
4. If you don’t know what works, then ask people whom you trust.
5. If their answers don’t quite have the ring of wisdom, or if they tell you to go to a doctor, go to a doctor. Do what he says. Maybe get a second opinion or whatever.
6. If he says “Take a pill” then try to have him explain why it is the right one. He’s a doctor, not a priest; if he refuses to act except as one handing out mysteries, then get that second opinion. Of course, at some point, there will be certain unknowns, particularly if it concerns brain/mind/personality pills. But if his explanation makes sense, then trust that trained professional before taking an off-the-shelf “herbal” remedy.
7. Why be reluctant to shortcut the process by taking a cheap herbal? Because humans tend to pick poor shortcuts. McD’s is a shortcut for preparing supper. Hitler is a shortcut for restoring German pride. Leninist Communism is a shortcut for achieving equality, peace, prosperity, and a tyranny-free nation. Cocaine is a shortcut for pleasure and mental acuity. Heroin is a shortcut for peace. Meth is a shortcut for sensuality. Lies are a shortcut to power.
Now, there are legitimate shortcuts, but the ones that humans tend to swing to in droves are usually to good to be true. The herbal companies have just are just as economically-minded as the Big Drug companies, so beware of both, but lean a little on the side of research. Not clinical, but laboratory.