Maia Szalavitz on February 27, 2008 12:10 PM
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A new meta-analysis of research on modern antidepressants-- some of it unpublished by the drug companies-- suggests that the drugs have little advantage over placebos.
Why then do so many people consider drugs like Prozac to be miracle drugs for depression-- many putting up with serious sexual side effects in order to take them? Are they simply being duped by a placebo effect or avoiding withdrawal symptoms? And how could drugs which are little different from placebo also produce suicidal or even homicidal thoughts in some patients?
Continue reading 'What the media misses about antidepressants' >
Ted Alvarez on January 4, 2008 1:02 PM
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Alan Bajandas on December 17, 2007 5:30 AM
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In the February 2007 issue of Psychological Science [sic], Ellen Langer determined that, all things being equal, 'mindfulness' of exercise significantly increases its health benefits.
Langer drew this conclusion from tests conducted with a group of hotel maids. She took various measurements of physical health from each maid. Then, to induce mindfulness in the treatment group, she posted a notice in the maids' lounges. This notice informed them that cleaning is exercise and listed specific cleaning-activity to calories-burned conversions. At the end of a month Langer reassessed the mindful maids. The informed group had lesser mean weight, body mass index, percentage body fat, waist-to-hip ratio, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Langer's explanation? 'Mindfulness.'
(In a past study Langer proved that if you say, "I am Spartacus" with enough mindfulness, you "are totally Spartacus!")
Continue reading 'In Exercise Study, Occam's Razor Shelved in Favor of Buddha's Magic Wand' >
