[.ca] Natural Highs (ISBN 158333162X)

From Amazon.com:
Boundless energy awaits anyone willing to trade their cigs, drugs, or lattés for the healthier alternatives prescribed in Natural Highs. According to authors Hyla Cass, M.D., and Patrick Holford, the first step toward bliss is eating right. In their lean yet satisfying nutrition chapter, they advocate a fairly even ratio of complex carbohydrates, proteins, and fats; plenty of water; high-potency multivitamins; and minerals. After establishing this balanced diet, those seeking to "get high" or "chill out" can select from a menu of natural supplements and substances: various stress busters, energizers, and mood enhancers that research shows can mimic--or surpass--the appealing effects of stimulants like caffeine, sugar, and nicotine or sedatives like dope, alcohol, and tranquilizers. Best of all, these good vibrations allegedly come without the typical letdowns or addictions. Historical tidbits, ample charts and diagrams, scientific data, and case studies from the authors' practices create a compelling argument for natural alternatives, including kava, ginseng, choline, and DMAE. Helpful sidebars outline the positive effects, cautions (rarely any), and recommended dosages associated with each item. Cass and Holford also delve into uplifting lifestyle enhancements like meditation, massage, dance, and sexual chemistry. Lots of reference material rounds out this guide to healthy--and legal--mood magic. --Liane Thomas

This Book Rocks!:
The advice in this book worked for me, it has many options to improve over-all health!

OK, but not scientific:
There is definitely some interesting information in this book, but the use of biased anecdotes and several totally false claims make it difficult to determine how much of the book can actually be trusted. Overall it wasn't worth buying because I had to spend many hours doing my own research on the authors' claims. As always books that rely on anecdotes to back up claimed benefits should be viewed with suspicion.

Informative, readable, practical, and scientifically-based!:
"Natural Highs" provides readers with excellent, timely information in a most readable form. The review of herbs, nutritional supplements and other natural substances provides scientific documentation for Dr. Cass' recommendations, as well as practical instructions on usage. Reading this book will help countless people feel better without relying on "coffee, Cokes, sugary snacks and other pick ups. by William Crook...

Finally something useful!:
I don't know about you, but I get tired of health & nutrition books that go on and on about technical details without supplying any real information I can use. That is why I have appreciated the direct approach taken in Natural Highs. The authors clearly explain how to feel better and why it works. The descriptions of neurotransmitters and brain chemistry are sufficient without becoming tiresome. The supplement recommendations are candid and well balanced. Important techniques such as breathwork and meditation are also covered. This book is readable and even entertaining. If you are curious about natural ways to relax or improve your mood, give it a try!

A wealth of information from which everyone can benefit.:
I first came to this book because I was looking for help with the severe withdrawal symptoms I was experiencing from no longer taking Prozac. Natural Highs opened my eyes to the existence of not one, but many different natural supplements that would help me to rebalance and boost my mixed-up, post-Prozac serotonin levels. In addition, many of these supplements are, apparently, as good as or better than drugs for significantly improving problems with depression, anxiety, etc. in the long term -- with NO side effects. This book is well-written, thoroughly researched and organized, and provides clear, easy-to-read concise information. If the existence and significant benefits of these natural supplements were more widely known, and big drug companies had less money, power, and influence, I truly believe our world might very well be a happier, more well-adjusted, and more functional place.