Learn about alternative medicine with Helene Langevin, Director of National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, as they discuss funding medical research, risks of overconsumption of vitamins, battle between big pharma and supplement makers, acupuncture as a complementary treatment, benefits of moderate stress, and the importance of regular movement for overall well-being.
Read more
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
auto_awesome
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
NIH prioritizes unbiased research for public health advancements.
Collaborative team science is vital for holistic health understanding.
Placebo effect demonstrates brain's influence on self-healing responses.
Deep dives
Understanding the Mission of the NIH
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the leading federal agency responsible for funding medical research. Their mission spans from understanding basic biology to implementing treatments for enhanced health. Government funding supports NIH's objectives of fostering groundbreaking discoveries and innovative research strategies to protect and improve public health.
Quality of Research at NIH
The NIH emphasizes the importance of rigorous, unbiased research to ensure objectivity and quality in scientific studies. Research projects are peer-reviewed and closely monitored to maintain integrity and prevent commercial bias. Transparency in disclosing financial influences and careful scrutiny of research results are vital aspects upheld by the NIH.
Collaborative Research and Team Science
Collaborative research is a cornerstone at NIH, especially in fields like complementary and integrative health where multiple systems interact. Team science is crucial to address complex health issues involving holistic approaches to understanding health as a whole, requiring diverse expertise and collaboration.
Understanding Placebo Effect and Self-Healing
The placebo effect is a fascinating manifestation of self-healing responses triggered by the belief in a treatment's effectiveness, regardless of its actual content. Placebo responses involve physiological changes in the brain's pathways related to pain perception, indicating the brain's role in influencing health outcomes.
Health Implications of Sitting and Importance of Movement
Prolonged sitting leads to physical adaptations in the body's connective tissues, limiting range of motion and flexibility. The NIH highlights the health risks associated with sedentary lifestyles, encouraging movement, daily stretching, and maintaining natural body functionality to support overall well-being.
What does science say about alternative medicines and health fads? Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly learn about the science behind alternative medicine with director of National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Helene Langevin, M.D.
NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://startalkmedia.com/show/guide-to-alternative-medicines-with-helene-langevin/
Thanks to our Patrons Patrick, Tylré Livingstone, Claire Sims, Terrel Kimber, tinybird, Shawn Hugo, Chris Trent, Deborah Lagutaris, Steve Doom!, and Brian Lopez for supporting us this week.
Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts to listen to new episodes ad-free and a whole week early.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode