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The Skeptic's Guide to Alternative Medicine

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The Skeptic's Guide to Alternative Medicine

By: Steven Novella MD, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Steven Novella MD
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About this listen

Energy medicine. Acupuncture. Superfoods. Healing magnets. What does the scientific evidence really say about these and other "alternative medicine" treatments for personal wellness?

How can we know if a natural remedy is safe and effective? How can people become their own best skeptical consumer of health news in the media? Join neurologist and science educator Dr. Steven Novella for a fascinating exploration of these and other important questions about the truths—and myths—behind alternative medicine.

Perhaps the most important skill to have in this brave new world of ever-changing medical news is the ability to evaluate sources and information, and to think critically about how alternative medicine is marketed, regulated, and used. Dr. Novella takes a rigorous, science-based approach in exploring so-called "popular" and "cutting-edge" trends. Armed with this knowledge, listeners will be in a much better position to assess alternative pathways to physical health.

Dr. Novella’s 10 leading-edge lectures will answer such questions as:

  • Do magnetic fields really have useful biological properties?
  • Why is chiropractic treatment no more effective for pain management than simple physical therapy?
  • Can brain games truly make one smarter or help in staving off dementia?
  • Can homeopathic remedies, such as those derived from plants and minerals, really cure ailments?
  • Does cupping therapy really help to reduce pain and inflammation, while increasing blood flow?

Dr. Novella provides insights on the ever-widening gap between alternative medicine and scientific medicine, giving listeners the confidence they need to become their own best health advocates.

©2019 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2019 Audible Originals, LLC.
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Our favorite moments from The Skeptic's Guide to Alternative Medicine

Chapter Three – Lecture Two
  • Chapter Three – Lecture Two
Herbs and Supplements
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Chapter Five – Lecture Four
  • Chapter Five – Lecture Four
Healing Magnets
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Chapter Eight – Lecture Seven
  • Chapter Eight – Lecture Seven
Chiropractic Treatment
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  • Chapter Three – Lecture Two
  • Herbs and Supplements
  • Chapter Five – Lecture Four
  • Healing Magnets
  • Chapter Eight – Lecture Seven
  • Chiropractic Treatment
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About the Professor

Dr. Steven Novella is Assistant Professor of Neurology at the Yale School of Medicine. He earned his MD from Georgetown University and completed his residency training in neurology at Yale University. Dr. Novella is active in both clinical research and in medical education at every level, including patients, the public, medical students, and health professionals. An expert in neuroscience, Dr. Novella focuses his practice on headache medicine. His NeuroLogica blog is considered one of the top neuroscience blogs and covers issues in neuroscience as well as the intersection of science with the media and society. Dr. Novella is also the founder and senior editor of Science-Based Medicine, a medical blog dedicated to promoting the highest standards of basic and clinical science in medical practice. Dr. Novella is president and co-founder of the New England Skeptical Society, a nonprofit educational organization designed to further public understanding of science. As the host and producer of an award-winning science podcast,The Skeptics’ Guide to the Universe, Dr. Novella explores the latest scientific discoveries, the presentation of science in the mainstream media, and public understanding and attitudes toward science.

What listeners say about The Skeptic's Guide to Alternative Medicine

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True science not fiction.

Makes you think twice about using miracle cures and alternative medicine. Don't believe the hype.

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Bringing light to the dark world of alternative medicine

Easily digestible chapters that provide ample data and information without going into too much scientific detail. A look at a broad range of topics that helps educate the reader and set them up for successful decision making.

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Required listening to every thinking citizen

If you believe in facts, evidence and the scientific method, these set of lectures on the evidence on so called alternative medicine is a joy to listen too and an outstanding learning experience.
Dr Novella is a master in distilling the essential arguments of the believers in the so called alternative medicine field and why you as the consumer should have a critical mind to it's claims.
If you think and believe that opinions matter more than facts and the scientific method is not capable and ill equipped to validate the claims of alternative medicine, then, these lectures, are a major disappointment.

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if it worked, it'd just be called medicine

The conclusion is clear from the start (don't trust claims of magic alternative treatments), but this goes into a lot of detail as to *why* these alternative medicine claims are nonsense and how they have no evidence for effectiveness.

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Sceptical guide

The Skeptic's Guide to Alternative Medicine by Steven Novella MD, The Great Courses Audible Original narrated by Steven Novella is giving information that encourages critical thinking. To develop critical thinking, you most likely need to have more information than inspiring personal experiences from an individual or group of people. A medical trial is done, be aware of the results, where the trial was held and so on. Incredibly thoughtful and mind changing.

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BLUF: Basically all Alternative Medicine is Fake

Save the 4.5 hours. Synopsis: The book quickly covers topics listed below and basically states that they are all fake snake oil with a caveat that very basic Chiropractic could have some benefits.
1. Herbs and Supplements
2. Homeopathy
3. Healing Magnets and other devices
4. Energy Medicine
5. Acupuncture
6. Chiropractic and Manipulative Therapies
7. Brain Training
8. Cutting Edge Treatments

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    5 out of 5 stars

Alt treatments that do not work

Excellent review about what alternative medicine does not do. I have had so many patients who probably out of desperation and ended up actually worst off trying pseudo science which delayed needed treatment. I suppose we all want miracles but modern medicine has in many diseases done just that. Good audio book !

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Misleading.

The short exeurp summarized herbs as medicines and need to be treated as such. Recommends talking to your Doctor for prescription medications you're taking for interactions.

Sounded great. Nope, it's a chapter after Chapter of here, this is whyp they are wrong. Nothing works.

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Eh, read with your mind open and be skeptical of the author’s conclusions!

IMO: The author is an American MD and his “skepticism” essentially means that, if a treatment hasn’t undergone FDA clinical trials, then it’s unworthy of recognition as a medical therapy.

I agree that scientific methods have been developed for a reason but this is a false conclusion to draw across the board.

Lots of interesting information included otherwise!

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CLINICAL PROOF

Many listener/readers will be disappointed, if not outraged, by Steven Novella’s criticism of alternative medicine and medical treatments. He notes that many such treatments are untested by properly conducted experiment, and replication. He notes many alleged medical treatments and cures either fail clinical tests or are not tested at all.

The public is forearmed by Novella’s critique of alternative medicine. Be skeptical about what your friend, an acquaintance, a mother, a sister, a brother suggests is a remedy for your malady. Be particularly skeptical of an industry unsupervised by the FDA. Everyone should be wary of unqualified medical treatment, prescribed medicines, vitamins, and herbs. Companies in the field of alternative medicine are not in the business for your health. They are in the business of making money.

It seems prudent to suggest one should reserve a measure of skepticism for all purveyors of cures, even medical professionals. As is true of all humans, medical professionals can be seduced by the desire for money, power, and prestige--even at the expense of those who seek care.

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10 people found this helpful