Stressed!
On my Twitter feed the other day, I mentioned that I was listening to “Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers” by Professor Robert Sapolsky. Illuminating stuff about the effects of stress on health, how psychological stress can turn into physical pain, why certain people are more susceptible to stress-related illnesses than others.
Professor Sapolsky’s official website can be found here.
There are two podcasts, a little under an hour each, that you can download for free (via iTunes), from that site, under “More About Stress”.
And I found out about all this because PBS just did an hour-long documentary on the subject, which covers much of the same material as the podcasts, and incorporates the results of studies by other researchers as well (which all confirm the conclusions reached by Sapolsky).
I’m not going to try to summarize everything here, apart from saying that the researchers make a convincing case that unmanaged stress has a pretty strong causal relationship with physical discomfort. They’re all definitely worth your time.
Dr. Sapolsky’s book, “Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers” is an excellent read that has been available for about 10 years. Most libraries have it. Be sure you get the 3rd Edition if buying it, as there have been some additions since it was first published.
A web search will bring 3 or 4 additional audio files that are similar in content to WZDGU, with some variation depending how long ago the recording was made.
For more on the brain, I recommend “Brain Rules” by John Medina, “The Brain That Changes Itself,” by Norman Doidge, M.D., “Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain” by Sharon Begley, and “Phantoms in the Brain” by V.S. Ramachandran, M.D., Ph.D.
You can skip, “Change Your Brain, Change Your Life” by Daniel Amen. I found it to be unsupported, very poor science and an attempt to lead people to his very expensive clinic. It’s too bad that PBS recently featured this work as part of their fund-raising as the response was very strong from the lay public. Worse yet, they are going to release another fund-raiser this winter, also supported by this author’s “work.”
However, PBS did release a feature program in December of 2007 that was very accurate and well done. That title is, “The Brain Fitness Program” and primarily featured the work of Dr. Michael Merzenich of UCSF. This program was hosted by Peter Coyote and outstanding in it’s accuracy.
That DVD is available from PBS and Amazon.com. Be aware that this DVD is not a “program” per se, for brain training, but a presentation of information about the brain, the newly emerging field of brain plasticity and how that knowledge can benefit almost everyone. I highly recommend this DVD.
Also, of interest regarding stroke patients and potential remarkable recovery, is Dr. Edward Taub, Ph.D. of the University of Alabama at Birmingham. This man’s work is awe inspiring! G’Day!
Robert L. Bayliss, CH, CI
Specializing in Tinnitus
Nashville, TN
Dallas, TX
Robet Bayliss
12 Oct 08 at 10:59 am
Thanks for the information, Robert! I have to admit, I have no background in medicine or psychology, and, after the Sapolsky podcasts, didn’t have much of an idea about where to go next.
I feel obligated to warn you though, there is a very small likelihood that many more of my blog posts will inspire such thoughtful and informative comments (although I very much appreciate you taking the time to post yours!)
Mattsociety
12 Oct 08 at 7:20 pm