Cure â€� Reader Q&A

Questions About Cure: A Journey into the Science of Mind Over Body

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Answered Questions (2)

Does this book present information in a scientific way with sources? I'm interested in the mind-body connection, but I bristle at the idea that things (depression, colds, whatever) are "all in one's head," and I want to make sure that wouldn't be what I'm getting into.

Wynne Lee I was worried by the prologue but... The author presents a series of totally serious, interesting and uptodate explorations of the puzzles & research,â€¦m´Ç°ù±ðI was worried by the prologue but... The author presents a series of totally serious, interesting and uptodate explorations of the puzzles & research, knowns and unknowns behind what people think of as the 'mind-body' connection. Having learned (as budding neuroscientist) in the mid 1970s of the mutual interactions between the 'mind' (aka brain and its functions) and other parts of our bodies, I was afraid this book would be mired/biased either by woo-woo or by Descartian dualism. However, the author has good chapters on various topics (e.g., placebo, nocebo, hypnotism, expectancy, conditioning) using easy-to-digest human stories and descriptions of how scientists of all stripes are exploring the what/hows of those interactions in a variety of medical conditions. Marchant has achieved, I think, an excellent balance between what's known and not, the many challenges of exploring these issues with intelligence and compassion.I'm only 1/2 way through but already recommending it (with descriptions of her examples) to friends who are sincerely interested in learning more about who and how complex we are. Those who are already 'certain' about The Truth (be they unshakeably pro or anti-science, or establishment vs alt medicine) have the chance to open their minds and maybe fill it with something more encouraging and real than whatever is their belief SOP. The rest of us, knowing that science is always a work in progress, simply can enjoy learning more. (less)

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Is this book about providing scientific evidence on mind affecting body or does it also try to give an explanation about why actually mind has an effect on body? (I don't need to read lot's of experiments to get convinced, I'm just curious about why it works)

Camelia Rose I say both. The point is, science has not fully find the answer for the "why" question yet. â€¦m´Ç°ù±ðI say both. The point is, science has not fully find the answer for the "why" question yet. (less)

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