Sexual Healing

"When I get that feeling,
 I need Sexual Healing"

Well, Sexual Therapy to be exact.  This relatively unregulated field has been tackling some of man's -- and woman's-- biggest problems for decades.  But the question is: Why isn't more work being put into something we all care so much about?

We all know about Viagra, but most problems are a little bit more "complex" than erectile dysfunction.  Fetishes, relationship problems, premature ejaculation, promiscuity, anxiety, insecurity: the list is endless.  Who do you turn to when you and your partner don't share the same fantasies, when you can't please your mate, or if you're simply "confused"?  The answer: a Sex Therapist.

"So Dr. Phil, where can I find a Sex Therapist?"  Well this, my friends, is the interesting part of the equation:  Although many people make their living as professional sex therapists, there are literally no requirements to be a sex therapist!  I won't go as far as to say I am a sex therapist, but there would be no consequences for doing so.

Ancient peoples had no problem discussing sex

"But Phil, how can I trust an unlicensed 'Sexual Expert' with such a delicate subject?"  I asked myself the same question.  Upon learning this information, I immediately researched sexual malpractice.  Luckily, there were no accounts of phony sex therapists violating their patient's trust.  Instead, I was delighted to learn that most "professional" sex therapists have training in family therapy and psychology.

I cannot express how surprised I was to learn how little information and regulation there is on sex therapy.  Sex is the reason we're all here -- literally -- so there is no reason I should be able to practice sex therapy without a license, if I am unable to practice normal therapy without a license.  If anything, a sex therapist should have more training than a psychiatrist; it's all backwards.

Float Tanks

"Its like floating in oil, that's what blew my mind. You are in water for an hour, you think you are going to be dried out like a prune but its 180 degrees the opposite. It literally feels like you are floating in oil and even afterwards the way my skin feels now, that really surprised me," says first-time user David Farnsworth.
        -Youtube




 Can you put bubbles in it?  After seeing a news report on Float Tanks last night, that was my only question.  To me, these Float Tanks seem to be nothing but glorified bathtubs.  Don't get me wrong, I'll be the first one in line when Float Tanks come to Rhode Island, but not for the medicinal benefits.  On many Float Tank websites, they make some very bold claims about the benefits of their product, so I feel it is my duty to reveal the truth.

As I began my research on Float Tanks, I found it very difficult to find any information outside Float Tank centers' websites.  Refusing to cite such a bais source, I forgot everything I have ever been taught and turned to Wikipedia.  There I learned both American and Swedish scientists have researched this subject extensively, but I could not find their actual data.  Both concluded Isolation Tanks, or Float Tanks, make a tremendous impact on stress levels and acute pain, but so do bubble baths.  Perhaps I am a bit skeptic, but I remain unconvinced.

[Update]

I refuse to publish an uninformative post, so I have kept this in the queue until now.  I spent a few nights surfing the web for information that would expose Float Centers as frauds, but I had very little success.  Sometime between Googling "Float tanks bullshit" and eating my midnight snack, I realized what I was doing.  When I first saw the news report, I had picked my side.  I -- a self-proclaimed open book-- had closed the doors on Float Tanks.  Only now, after realizing my wrongdoing, I can speak without bias on this subject.

Bert doesn't seem to appreciate Float Tanks either

Having no evidence to dispute the claims of the Float Tank Centers, I cannot preach against these clinics.  Like I said before, they look quite relaxing.  It has been proven salt water is great for the skin, so there's two points for Float Tanks.  And after hearing additional testimonials from Float Tank enthusiasts, I am willing to give Float Tanks a chance.  So you've heard it from the doctor: give Float Tanks a chance; I know I am going to.

Crystal Healing

Pseudoscience: Theory mistaken as scientific: a theory or method doubtfully or mistakenly held to be scientific


There are hundreds of examples of pseudoscience in the world today; some are more believable than others.  Many of the practices I have discussed in this blog, like Acupuncture and Chiropractic, can  be classified as Pseudoscience... but they are nothing compared to Crystal Healing.



Throughout history civilizations have heralded gems and crystals for their spiritual powers.  The ancient Egyptians believed Jade would help guide them through the afterlife, the Greeks thought a man wearing Amethyst could not get drunk, and apparently, 21st century Americans use crystals to relieve pain and stress. 

"Don't forget your Amethyst!"

First of all, there is literally no evidence supporting the benefits of Crystal Healing; any and every effect of a crystal therapy session can be explain by the Placebo Effect.  But despite these two undisputed facts, hundreds of Americans, like the woman above, continue to waste their time and money on Crystal Healing.  Clearly someone -- either the crystal healer or the crystal dealer -- is lining their pockets with the dollars of the gullible.

It is frightening to see so many advertisements disguised as research out there on the Internet.  Every day naive shoppers are tricked into buying hundreds of dollars worth of Topaz and Opal, and although unbelievable, it is happening.  Information disproving theories like Crystal Healing needs to be more accessible.  In fact, I found it very difficult finding a peer-reviewed source backing what I thought to be common knowledge.

In conclusion, I feel pseudoscience is a tricky subject.  It is important to distinguish science from theory, but it is unclear where we draw the line.  Perhaps some practices -- like Crystal Healing -- should be reclassified as Hoaxes, so disputed practices, like Acupuncture and Chiropractic, are not tarnished by the pseudoscience label.

Ayahuasca

 

I am yet to write about a topic as mysterious as this Amazonian brew; researchers are only beginning to explore the potential wonders hidden within this spiritual potion. Originally brewed by the Shamans of South America's rainforests, Ayahuasca is the headstone of Amazonian spirituality. This ancient concoction harnesses the power of a potent drug, known in the scientific community as Dimethyltryptamine -- the acting psychedelic chemical in Ayahuasca -- which is better known as DMT.

The history of Ayahuasca is shrouded in mystery. Due to the lack of recorded history amongst indigenous South Americans, we cannot pinpoint when and how these tribesmen discovered the power of this random combination of plants. First encountered by Spanish and Portuguese missionaries in the 16th century, South American tribes have used Ayahuasca ceremonially for the entirety of their recorded history. Now in the 21st century, Ayahuasca use has been exported into the first-world. In the late 1990's multiple churches -- specifically the Church of Santo Daime -- emerged in both France and Holland; Ayahuasca plays a quintessential role in their belief systems. Even in the United States, a church in Oregon has been fighting to continue their sacramental use of Ayahuasca. But the purpose of this blog is not to discuss the spiritual or legal significance of this ancient potion: I am here to explain the medical significance.

Obviously, there is a fine line between recreational, spiritual, and medical use of drugs like Ayahuasca, so it is important to distinguish what I am talking about. The majority of research done concerning Ayahuasca has used DMT, the acting ingredient in Ayahuasca, during their studies. Less than twenty years ago, Dr. Rick Strassman became the first researcher given a government grant to conduct psychedelic research. His study is detailed in the book/documentary DMT: The Spirit Molecule (which I recommend viewing if this topic interests you). To summarize, without going into too much detail: Strassman initially set out to measure the drug's effect on basic body functions -- heart rate, blood pressure, ectcetera -- but as his research progressed, he discovered a much more profound side-effect. The mind-bending psychedelic experience DMT creates has proven to leave a lasting impression on its users.

So, one must ask: "What medical benefits could tripping-out possibly have?" Well, the medical impact is far more existential than the effects of things like medical marijuana or acupuncture. Ayahuasca has proven to strengthen people mentally; whether they are coping with impending death or post-traumatic stress disorder, Ayahuasca therapy has changed their life. Strassman was unable to pinpoint exactly what causes this profound impact on the human psyche, but the results cannot be disputed. Dozens of Ayahuasca Retreats have been created to help guide people through this life-changing experience. These retreats are a one-of-a-kind form of psychiatric medical treatment. Truly, I cannot explain what patients of Ayahuasca therapy go through, so I will leave you with a quote from the lips of a true psychedelic enthusiast.


"In the Amazon and other places where visionary plants are understood and used, you are conveyed into worlds that are appallingly different from ordinary reality. Their vividness cannot be stressed enough. They are more real than real, and that’s something that you sense intuitively. They establish an ontological priority. They are more real than real, and once you get that under your belt and let it rattle around in your mind, then the compass of your life begins to spin and you realize that you are not looking in on the Other; the Other is looking in on you. This is a tremendous challenge to the intellectual structures that have carried us so far during the last thousand years. We can do tricks with atoms, there’s no question about that, but these tricks immolate us. The higher-order structure of molecules, let alone organelles and that kind of thing, is intellectual incognita to us. We have no notion of how these things work or what is going on. Yet it is from those levels that the constituent modalities of reality are being laid down."
— Terence McKenna

Ibogaine

"You don't take Ibogaine and party: You take Ibogaine and throw up on yourself."

                 -Anonymous Ibogaine Therapist






This Ibogaine situation is oh too similar to the Pscilocybin mushroom situation.  The reporter said it perfectly: The stigma associated with these hallucinogenic substances is stopping legislators from making progressive changes.  Just because a few degenerates are willing to poison themselves for a cheap high, mushrooms and ibogaine are not being used in American medicine.  These preconceived notions of negativity surrounding drugs are preventing us from researching their remarkable healing abilities.

Tabernanthe Iboga

Much like Psylobin mushrooms, Ibogaine can be found throughout nature.  The acting psychedelic chemical is prevalent in many African plants -- mainly the Iboga -- and indigenous Africans have been using these plants for centuries.  In 2000, the Tabernanthe Iboga was declared a national treasure by the nation of Gabon, so it seems not everyone shares America's view on the plant.

Of course, Ibogaine's legal status is not stopping people from experimenting.  Just like marijuana and mushrooms, Americans are using Ibogaine medicinally behind closed doors.  Although the market may not be as large as the others, there are dozens of Ibogaine therapists practicing in the US today.  One instance of Ibogaine treatment in the media is in the award winning documentary Facing The Habit.  This documentary follows "Dave", a former Wall Street millionaire, as he battles his heroin addiction with Ibogaine therapy.  Dave's story is not glamorous; he fails to recover after his first therapy session due to lack of dedication, but eventually, focused therapy cures his addiction.

Ibogaine, not as 'natural' as it sounds

So why is Ibogaine still illegal?  One key argument -- that I fully support -- is the lack of testing and research concerning the drug.  The long term effects are simply unknown.  If these potentially life threatening long-term effects are discovered after Ibogaine treatment is legalized, there will be dire consequences.  There is still much to be learned, but this simply amplifies the importance of research.  Hopefully we can uncover the mystery surrounding Ibogaine, before more Americans travel to Mexico for a potentially fatal treatment.

Rebounding

What are these people doing?  Rebounding -- but that's just the short answer; I'll let Albert Carter, head of the American Institute of Reboundology, explain the long answer...

"With Rebound Exercise, you also oppose gravity, but you also utilize two other natural dynamic forces found within our environment. Two forces which, for the most part, have been overlooked by other exercise methods. These forces are acceleration and deceleration. When your body stops its downward movement at the bottom of the bounce, the force of deceleration and gravity come into play. When the body begins its upward motion, acceleration is added to the other two forces. The physical human body doesn’t recognize these three different forces but simply accept the combination of the three forces as an increase of the gravitational pull of the earth. Logically, we know that increasing gravity is impossible, but the cells of the body don’t. Because all of the cells of the body have the capability to adjust to their environment, all of the cells of your body begin to adjust by becoming individually and collectively stronger.

  Old fashioned exercise programs teach how you can strengthen the muscles of the body. Rebounding is an advanced exercise in that it is a cellular exercise. All cells of the body will become stronger. This includes all muscles, bones, skin, all connective tissues, all vital organs, muscles of digestion and elimination. Even the cells of the eyes are strengthened by rebounding.”

You must be thinking: "That's quite the statement, Al."  Even I, an open book to exercise oddities, question his final statement: "Even the cells of the eyes are strengthened by rebounding."  Sure, all that jumping around is great exercise, but for your eyes?  This is one alternative exercise that needs some scientific evidence to supports the claims of the creator.

After reading many studies about the benefits Rebounding Exercise, I can safely say Rebounding is one of the most beneficial exercise options being practiced today.  Some supporters go as far to say: it is the only exercise you will ever need, but these enthusiastic bloggers are about as reliable as Al Carter.  But after further reading, the benefits of rebounding are hard to dismiss.  Obviously all the lateral movement is terrific for your muscles and cardiovascular system, so it is the other benefits that truly intrigued me. 

The most well-documented evidence supporting Rebounding's internal benefits concerns the lymphatic system.  For those of you who are unaware of your body's mechanics: the lymph system is much like the cardiovascular system, but it serves as your body's metabolic disposal -- which is directly related to the immune system.  While your cardiovascular system has a heart to pump blood, the lymphatic system relies purely on your movement to circulate its fluid.  Therefore, the constant bouncing motion during Rebounding helps to stimulate the lymph fluid's circulation, thus cleansing and strengthening your body.

I first heard about this practice from my sister Emily.  Her great condition supports the claims of Rebounding enthusiasts like Al, because Rebounding is her sole source of physical activity.  Living in a one-room apartment in Washington, D.C., she has little room for an elliptical or treadmill, but her mini-trampoline fits in perfectly.

The Power of Yoga

Ah, Yoga -- Squatting Dog, Standing Tree -- there is nothing like it.  Although I must admit, calling my personal experience with Yoga "Limited" would be a stretch; there are many people in my own life who swear by Yoga's healing powers.  And now, science confirms what the Indians have been saying for years (approximately four-thousand years). 

As researchers continue to probe this ancient form of meditation, hundreds of studies are being released -- all praising the positive effects of Yoga.  From the obvious, like stress relief, to the obscure, Yoga can have tremendous effects on the body.  With these effects now well documented, many professional athletes are inviting Yoga into their lives; even our University of Rhode Island Rams football team includes Yoga in their rigorous conditioning regiment.  I can safely say, no activity benefits both body and mind like Yoga, and with literally hundreds of forms to choose from, it is a healthy activity for everybody. 

Unfortunately, not every girl in Yoga Pants is coming from their weekly session, but those who are will swear by its life-changing powers.  Personally, it is these genuine testaments that prove the power of Yoga -- not the ground breaking research.  During her own battle with cancer, my mother dedicated herself to a life of Yoga.  Alongside traditional therapy, she used daily meditations, and the occasional retreat to Kripalu, to overcome her life threatening disease.  Although modern medicine is the true savior, perhaps her "Oms" had an equal part in her amazing recovery.  Now cancer-free, my mother claims she owes her life to this ancient exercise.

Baltimore Raven's Running Back Ricky Williams

Medicinal Mushrooms?

Dr. R. Andrew Sewell and Dr. John H. Halpern, Harvard researchers, are studying the effects of two substances -- psilocybin (found in certain mushrooms) and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) -- on cluster headaches. Their work will be published in an upcoming issue of Neurology, the journal of the American Academy of Neurology. In February, Dr. Sewell presented "The Effects Of Psilocybin And LSD On Cluster Headache: A Series Of 53 Cases" at the National Headache Foundation’s Annual Headache Research Summit.
 - About.com 

The above video is a brief segment from an episode of National Geographic's Drugs, Inc. As a healthy young man, I cannot even begin to fathom the level of excruciating pain people like Dan are forced to endure day-in and day-out.  He sums up just how serious these Cluster Headaches are when he says:

 "I was trying to figure out what I was going to where when I put a bullet in my head -- that was a bad day."

Although I cannot empathize with Dan, stories like his formed the foundation of this blog.  Cast aside by doctors and their traditional treatments, Dan's wife turned to the Internet, where she discovered this alternative solution to her husband's depression.  Her independent pursuit of a cure is the reason Dan now lives headache free -- not some doctor's prescription.  Because of his wife's willingness to try anything, Dan now swears by this treatment; as he discusses later in the segment, mushrooms literally saved his life.

The effects of Psilocybin (the active ingredient in these mushrooms) are truly miraculous, but with Dan's inspirational story comes larger questions.  In the eyes of the law, Dan is a criminal.  Technically, he could be arrested for felony possession of narcotics and even imprisoned for manufacturing this outlawed fungi.  This, my friends, is absurd.  Luckily, scientists have recently began to document the effects of Psilocybin on men suffering from Cluster Headaches.  Just this past February, Harvard researchers, Dr. Andrew Sewell and Dr. John H. Halpern, presented their findings on this topic at the Annual Headache Research Summit; the details of the duo's study can be viewed by clicking the above link. 

Now, with legitimate scientific research backing these claims, it will be interesting to see how the government's stance on Psilocybin Treatment is effected by the medical world's new outlook on the subject.  Like I have said before, ignorance is the only thing stopping treatments like this from being integrated into the professional medical world.  

Chiropractic

It is safe to say chiropractic is the most accepted form of alternative medicine in the world today.  There are schools, studies, and clinics all dedicated to this art, but popularity does not come without controversy.  Even with all the money and research being poured into chiropractic, the practice is still surrounded with controversy.  From fraud to murder, Chiropractors have dealt with it all.

The biggest problem in the chiropractic world is fraud.  Dozens of chiropractors have been arrested for practicing without a license.  Not only is this surprising -- due to the availability of classes -- it is downright scary.  If not preformed correctly, a visit to the Chiropractor could be fatal.  Although this reality is frightening, these unlicensed mad men should not shape the public opinion on chiropractic.

Chiropractic Logo

What I am interested in is the facts.  Can a chiropractor kill me?  There have not been any cases (that I have found) where someone has died as a direct result of chiropractic malpractice, but the same cannot be said about paralysis.  In this story, a Canadian woman woman sued a chiropractor for half a billion dollars, but even this is not concrete evidence.  Some researchers claim there are no significant benefits of chiropractic, while others claim it is the root of all cures; tt seems there are two sides to every aspect of Chiropractic.

Daniel David Palmer, the father of American chiropractic, is a subject of much controversy himself.  He asserted chiropractic is a spiritual and mystic art, and as we have learned, the words spirit and mystical are not thrown around very often in the medical world.  Many modern Chiropractors disassociate themselves  with the spiritual aspect of the practice, but mysticism's place in the foundation of chiropractic cannot be ignored.

I must admit: I ask a friend to crack my back every now and then, but my experience with professional chiropractic is nonexistent.  It is certainly something I am open to trying, but I cannot recommend the practice before I try it.

Acupuncture

The practice of Acupuncture - estimated to be 2,500 years old - dates back to ancient China.  The ancient Chinese were a curious culture, constantly pursuing both spiritual and physical truths.  Whether it was their hunt for eternal life or experimentation with opium, the Chinese explored the human body and mind like no culture before, or after, them.  The science of Acupuncture focuses on the concept of qi, or chi, an undetectable energy that flows through all life forms.  The Acupuncturist inserts thin needles into defined 'Acupuncture Points' in order to channel and balance the body's qi.  But despite this practice's ancient roots, besides treatment for pain and nausea, there is little physical or scientific evidence that exemplifies the concrete benefits of Acupuncture.

Pinhead - not actual Acupuncture

Acupuncturists across the globe have been practicing for years, treating everything from depression to high blood pressure, but sadly there is little evidence that proves Acupuncture to be a effective and versitile treatment.  Acupuncturists themselves will praise the limitless possibilities of the procedure, while skeptics will claim the entire practice is a fraud.  Unfortunately, due to lack of success using placebos, neutral items used to control an experiment, it has been extremely difficult to document the effects - or lack of effect - of this ancient remedy.

Some say Acupuncture has caused mysterious deaths, while others have heralded the miraculous healing power of this procedure.  Due to lack of concrete scientific evidence, the effectiveness of this procedure is highly disputed.  And since I am not a doctor or researcher, I cannot pick a side of this eternal argument.  Instead, I can recommend you to this alternative solution.  Both pain and nausea have been relieved by this practice, and if either are an issue in your own life; you can test the strength of this ancient remedy yourself.  Personally, I have never tried the procedure, so I leave it to you to pick a side - whether you become an enthusiast or nonbeliever.

Medical Marijuana

"To call what the Hyde family has been through a "parent's worst nightmare" sounds like a horrible cliche. But, it's hard to imagine what else you could call it. Their two-year old son Cash was diagnosed last year with a stage 4 brain tumor; he nearly died more times than they can count. He was miserable from the chemotherapy coursing through his body. Until his dad made a controversial decision to give cannabis to his young son. KXLY 4's Melissa Luck reports." -Youtube



No story personifies the importance of exploring alternative medical solutions quite like this one, so I thought it would be most appropriate to begin my blog with this heartwarming story.  Young Cash was given almost no chance to live, but because of his father's strong belief in alternative remedies, Cash will live on to enjoy the full-life he deserves.  In some situations, the steps Mr. Hyde took to cure his son could be classified as reckless and dangerous, but as made clear by Cash's miraculous recovery, Mr. Hyde's good intentions proved to be lifesaving.

The topic of Medical Marijuana is highly debated and extremely controversial.  Although legal in a dozen states, many state legislators still resist the idea of using narcotics to treat ailments.  Cash's doctors would have never proposed the option of treating a minor with medicinal marijuana, but unlike asprin or Flinstones Vitamins, there is no age requirement for this natural antibiotic.  We Rhode Islanders, ruled by an extraordinarily liberal state government, are privileged enough to have this medical treatment available to us, but not all of our countrymen are this lucky. 

Activists throughout the country are fighting for this alternative solution to be legalized in their home state, and if this ongoing trend of intellectual exploration continues, they will succeed in their efforts to legalize - for medicinal purposes - this once feared drug.  At this point, ignorance is the only thing stopping dozens of state legislators from permitting the use of medical marijuana in their state.  But if more people hear Cash's inspirational story, perhaps this nationwide ignorance will be replaced with hope - hope that more miracles like Cash's will fill our newspapers.

Mission Statement

Hello ladies and gentlemen,

In today's world - with ninety year-old alcoholics and thirty year-olds going into cardiac arrest - health is everyone's number one concern. Sometimes, especially in terminal situations, the average antibiotic or vaccine just won't cut it. With millions of unanswered questions about the human body, scientists around the world have been experimenting with alternative medicine. With health and longevity such a high priority in today's society, it is important to know what is out there and what is working. Breakthroughs are being made everyday, and ignorance is the only thing stopping millions from being cured.

Once a week I will profile a different story, study, or anecdote that involves alternative medicine. From meditation to magic mushrooms - if it's not sold at CVS, I'll be talking about it here. Whether it be legitimate scientific breakthrough or an absurd ritual, I plan to put my two cents in on everything out there. I can only hope you learn from this blog, and maybe even bring some of these alternative solutions into your own life.

Some of the procedures I will be discussing may be controversial - and sometimes illegal - but because of the lifesaving potential of these remedies, they are worth your attention.  Outdated laws are limiting many of these practices, and it is our duty to raise awareness about the endless benefits of these alternative solutions. 

My passion for this cause burns from within.  As I will detail later in my blog, two close family members have, one way or another, had success with alternative medical treatments during their battles with cancer.  Whether it was my mother's 'Woo-sa' and Squatting Dog or my Aunt's medicinal marijuana, non-doctor prescribed remedies helped them in their fights.  It is important to know your options, and maybe one day this blog will save your life.

Dr. Phil