Product Description

In The Healing Mind, Dr. Paul Martin, a renowned professor behavioral biology, asserts that Wolfe's words are closer to the truth than we might imagine. Long the stuff of poetry and folklore, there is increasing scientific evidence that the brain and the immune system are inextricably linked. Dr. Martin illustrates with remarkable clarity that biological and psychological links that do indeed exist between mind and body--links that have in intricately constructed by evolution over the millennia, links that, when frayed or severed, are the root cause of more problems that you might imagine. Drawing together the latest biological and medical findings, The Healing Mind explains how we can at last reconcile many commonplace notions about "psychosomatic" illness and stress with a modern scientific understanding of how the mind and body affect each other. Martin makes impressive use of literary references to illustrate the degree to which we commonly (and accurately) observe the link between health and psyche. Here, presented in a fascinating and uniquely accessible manner, are the latest scientific solutions to some ancient puzzles concerning the relationship between brain, behavior, immunity, and disease.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #175838 in Books
• Published on: 1999-12-23
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 384 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780312243005
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Amazon.com Review
Whoever said "Physician, heal thyself" seemed to know what he was talking about, if we are to believe the latest reports on the connection between health and consciousness. One such report, Dr. Paul Martin's The Healing Mind, is a lovely overview of the field that is neither too credulous nor too skeptical in its search for the truth. With a strongly humanistic style, quoting Shakespeare, Milton, and even Ian Fleming, Martin writes circles around most of his colleagues. Whether the topic is as heavy as cancer or as light as keeping pets, he grants the reader a deeper, more compassionate view than is usually seen in scientific writing. Of course, this is no mushy New Age tract, either; the book is well documented with a lengthy bibliography, and some of the facts may surprise you. (For example, those who get too much exercise are prone to respiratory problems.) Whether you're a doubter or a believer, The Healing Mind will give much food for thought, and respectfully challenge your point of view. --Rob Lightner

From Publishers Weekly
In an engaging manner, behavioral biologist Martin takes a comprehensive look at the relationship of mind and body, contending that the dualism so entrenched in Western thought is misleading. Steering well clear of New Age thought, Martin presents a scientifically sound case demonstrating that mind and body are integrally linked. "The mind affects the body and hence physical health," he writes. "Conversely, physical health affects the mind and hence our thoughts, emotions and behaviour." Martin's focus is largely on the newly developing field of psychoneuroimmunology, the ways in which psychology and neurobiology come together to influence the functioning of the immune system. Possible mechanisms through which our mental state can affect the onset and course of such maladies as cancer, heart disease, AIDS and bacterial infections are examined, and although the hypotheses discussed are still somewhat speculative, they are also tantalizing. Discussed in addition is the role, both positive and negative, that stress plays in regulating the immune system. Throughout, Martin does a fine job of presenting information in an evolutionary context, although he does rely rather excessively on classic literary texts (from King Lear to Crime and Punishment and beyond) to demonstrate the "links among the mind, emotions, behaviour, disease and death."
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From The Washington Post
...a trustworthy discussion of how psychological and emotional health affects the physical workings of the body and vice versa.

Customer Reviews

Psychoneuroimmunology 101.
I have just finished reading Dr. Martin's book and found it fascinating and very well-written. The principle argument or theme is that disease and death seldom have single causes. There is a link between what goes on in the mind, and what goes on in the body. This particular branch of study is known as "psychoneuroimmunology".
Contemporary physicians and scientists frequently dismiss the idea that the mind has any marked effect on physical health. The fact is that most people, doctors and scientists included, find it inherently easier to believe in the reality of apparently simple physical causes of disease (such as cholesterol, salt, smoking, lack of exercise, bacteria or viruses) than to accept that mere thoughts can affect our health. There are extremists on either side of the spectrum; those that claim that the mind/emotions have no influence whatsoever, and the New-Age gurus who believe that adopting certain thinking patterns can prevent cancer!
Dr. Martin's familiarity with well-documented research, authoritative commentary, and overall witty style combine to present a very convincing argument for a middle ground conclusion: that the relationships between mind, body and disease work both ways. The mind affects the body and hence physical health (negatively AND positively). Conversely, physical health affects the mind and hence our thoughts, emotions and behaviour.
Throughout the book, he alludes to examples in literature to illustrate these links between psychological factors and disease. These illustrations help to convey complex scientific ideas in a recognizable form, and I found this feature very innovative and effective... lifting the weight from some very heavy ideas, and making me say, "Of course, I get it now."
There is an extensive discussion of that modern-day source of malady... STRESS. How does "stress" make us more susceptible to breakdown and disease? Interesting sections on the Type A personality (typified by free-floating hostility, aggressiveness, competitiveness, impatience) and how it lends itself to increased risk of heart disease. Also, a section on the Type C personality (typified by suppression of strong emotions, avoidance of conflict, compliance with the wishes of others) and how it lends itself to increased risk of cancer.
The last chapter is marked heavily with Dr. Martin's thoroughgoing support of Darwinism/evolution. I differ with him on several points. But that does not take anything away from the overall value of the book. Fellow creationists be patient.

A fascinating book! Incidentally, my copy is old, and bears the original title, which was "The Sickening Mind".
Read the newer "Healing Mind" and find out for yourself just how appropriate both titles actually are!

Psychoneuroimmunology 101.
I have just finished reading Dr. Martin's book and found it fascinating and very well-written. The principle argument or theme is that disease and death seldom have single causes. There is a link between what goes on in the mind, and what goes on in the body. This particular branch of study is known as "psychoneuroimmunology".
Contemporary physicians and scientists frequently dismiss the idea that the mind has any marked effect on physical health. The fact is that most people, doctors and scientists included, find it inherently easier to believe in the reality of apparently simple physical causes of disease (such as cholesterol, salt, smoking, lack of exercise, bacteria or viruses) than to accept that mere thoughts can affect our health. There are extremists on either side of the spectrum; those that claim that the mind/emotions have no influence whatsoever, and the New-Age gurus who believe that adopting certain thinking patterns can prevent cancer!
Dr. Martin's familiarity with well-documented research, authoritative commentary, and overall witty style combine to present a very convincing argument for a middle ground conclusion: that the relationships between mind, body and disease work both ways. The mind affects the body and hence physical health (negatively AND positively). Conversely, physical health affects the mind and hence our thoughts, emotions and behaviour.
Throughout the book, he alludes to examples in literature to illustrate these links between psychological factors and disease. These illustrations help to convey complex scientific ideas in a recognizable form, and I found this feature very innovative and effective... lifting the weight from some very heavy ideas, and making me say, "Of course, I get it now."

There is an extensive discussion of that modern-day source of malady... STRESS. How does "stress" make us more susceptible to breakdown and disease? Interesting sections on the Type A personality (typified by free-floating hostility, aggressiveness, competitiveness, impatience) and how it lends itself to increased risk of heart disease. Also, a section on the Type C personality (typified by suppression of strong emotions, avoidance of conflict, compliance with the wishes of others) and how it lends itself to increased risk of cancer.
The last chapter is marked heavily with Dr. Martin's thoroughgoing support of Darwinism/evolution. I differ with him on several points. But that does not take anything away from the overall value of the book. Fellow creationists be patient.

A fascinating book! Incidentally, my copy is old, and bears the original title, which was "The Sickening Mind".
Read the newer "Healing Mind" and find out for yourself just how appropriate both titles actually are!

Consciousness is Key
"The Healling Mind" by Paul Martin contains important and useful information for you about immune conditioning.

He reveals how 'consciousness is key' for achieving optimal health.

Martin writes with an engaging style that is scientifically based, clearly revealing the integral link between body and mind.

Another important aspect of this book is the significant impact that 'stress' has on your 'state of being.'

"The Healing Mind" is effective in informing you about how to experience better health.

Highly Recommended.

More great books:

Cell-Level Healing: The Bridge from Soul to Cell

Nexus: A Neo Novel