Michel's Blog

[follinge@gmail.com]

Why Psychiatry Holds Enormous Power in Society Despite Losing Scientific Credibility: http://www.alternet.org/why-psychiatry-holds-enormous-power-society-despite-losing-scientific-credibility

Nice article. I have thought that chemical imbalance was overly simplistic of an explanation. It shows an ignorance of how neurotransmitters work. It reminded me of hitting the side of a TV with your hand to "fix" it. It will make things better temporarily but it ignores underlying causes.

I actually feel that a change in lifestyle, my wife's support, and meditation, cured my depression. I'm totally undepressed as of a few years, and I won't look back to that. There's a sense of "OKness" that I can feel now.

However, a few years ago, we learned that chemical imbalance was the caused depression in nursing school. Seems like that, as the article said, Big Pharma pushed its way into a Community College. Sad.

[Jhanananda]

follinge, It is the premise here, and by most genuine mystics, that by leading a fruitful contemplative life one is freed of one;s addictions, anxieties, and depressions, etc.  So, I am not surprised that you found relief from your depression in the practice of meditation.  However, the pharmaceutical industry does not get a cut when we fix our self by leading a contemplative life, so it is not likely that our findings here will ever be funded in a major way.

[Michel]

For the last year I've been taking pomegranate extract supplements. This article explains why this fruit is worth considering as a part of one's diet:

Why Eating Pomegranate Could Save Your Life: http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/why-eating-pomegranate-could-save-your-life

[Sam Lim]

I've known about the benefits for a while now and it's also beneficial for diabetics. It is also quite expensive here. I do take it once in a while when I can afford it.

[Jhanananda]

In Arizona we have so many pomegranate trees, and the taste of the fruit is unique, so not that many people like it, so when pomegranate fruit is in season here, then there are often boxes full of the fruit given away, or they are just left on the tree to rot.  So, I have eaten them most of my life, and quite like the taste of the fruit.  If I recall correctly, it is high in anthocynin, a natural anti-inflammatory.

[Michel]

I'm surprised to read both your comments. Pomegranate is very high in sugar.

[Jhanananda]

Un-fermented fruit is no longer on my diet plan.

[Sam Lim]

http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Research/Antioxidant-rich-pomegranate-juice-may-aid-blood-sugar-management-for-diabetics-Human-data