Mind over Medicine

Mind over Medicine – Lissa Rankin

Dr. Lissa Rankin, a physician trained in conventional Western medicine, became increasingly troubled by the limits of the health care system and by the patients whose health problems seemed connected to stress, loneliness and unhappiness. In Mind over Medicine: Scientific Proof That You Can Heal Yourself, she explores the relationship between the mind and the body.

Rankin examines research on topics such as the placebo and nocebo effects, the stress response and the relaxation response, and the ways in which factors such as relationships, work, creativity, spirituality, sexuality, finances and the environment may affect health. She argues that chronic stress can contribute to illness, while practices that promote relaxation, connection and fulfillment may support the body’s natural ability to heal.

The book also presents her model of the whole health cairn, which encourages readers to look at all areas of their lives, and includes a step-by-step program for writing what she calls a prescription for yourself, a personal plan for improving wellbeing.

Written in a warm, personal style, the book combines research findings with patient stories and Rankin’s own experiences.

Mind over Medicine will interest readers curious about the mind-body connection, stress and holistic wellbeing. Readers should note that some of the book’s claims about self-healing are stronger than the scientific evidence supports. It is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and readers should continue to work with qualified health professionals.