At the Amen Clinics we have been balancing troubled brains for more than 20 years. We see small children and the elderly and everyone in between. One of the unique aspects of our work is that we use natural treatments whenever possible.
Ever since I was a medical student I have believed that it is important to teach my patients skills, not just give them pills to handle their problems. There are many ways to heal the brain, including:
- Natural supplements
- Psychological exercises
- Physical exercise
- Brain healthy nutrition, and if needed:
- Medication
There is extensive science behind using natural treatments to help the brain, such as using supplements, hypnosis, music therapy, meditation, gratitude and killing the ANTs or automatic negative thoughts that ruin your life.
In treating people, one question I always ask myself is what would I prescribe if this were my mother, my wife or my child? More and more, after 27 years of being a psychiatrist, I find myself recommending natural treatments. I am not opposed to medications and I have prescribed them for a long time, but I want you to use all of the tools available. Here are the pros and cons of using natural supplements to help the brain. To start, they are often effective. They have dramatically fewer side effects than most prescription medications and they are significantly less expensive. Plus, you never have to tell an insurance company that you have taken them. As awful as it sounds, taking prescription medications can affect your insurability. I know many people who have been denied or made to pay higher rates for insurance because they have taken psychiatric medications. If there are natural alternatives, they are worth considering.
Yet, natural supplements also have their own set of problems. Even though they tend to be less expensive than medications, they may be more expensive for you because they are usually not covered by insurance. Many people are unaware that natural supplements can have side effects and need to be thoughtfully used. Just because something is natural does not mean it is innocuous. Both arsenic and cyanide are natural, but that doesn't mean they are good for you. For example, St. John's Wort, one of my favorite natural antidepressants, can cause sun sensitivity and it can also decrease the effectiveness of a number of medications such as birth control pills. Oh great! ... get depressed, take St. John's Wort from the grocery store, now you are pregnant when you don't want to be. That may not be a good thing. One of the major concerns about natural supplements is the lack of quality control. There is variability and you need to find brands you trust. Another disadvantage is that many people get their advice about supplements from the teenage clerk at the health food store who may not have the best information. But, even when looking at the problems, the benefits of natural supplements make them worth considering, especially if you can get thoughtful, research-based information.
Daniel G. Amen, M.D., is a child and adult psychiatrist, brain imaging specialist, bestselling author and a distinguished fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. He is the author of 22 books, including The New York Times bestseller "Change Your Brain, Change Your Life," "Healing ADD," "Healing The Hardware of the Soul." "Making A Good Brain Great" and "Sex On The Brain," and the co-author of "Healing Anxiety and Depression" and "Preventing Alzheimer's." In January 2009, Harmony Books will publish Dr. Amen's upcoming book, "Magnificent Mind At Any Age." A new PBS special of the same name will air in March 2009.
