Medical Myths, Lies, and Half-Truths: What We Think We Know May Be Hurting Us

By: Steven Novella, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Steven Novella

Length: 12 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

True or false: Eight glasses of water a day are mandatory for staying hydrated. Vitamin C protects you from catching a cold. Natural foods are always better for you.

What do these nuggets of so-called medical wisdom have in common? They're not true. They're myths, half-truths, and misconceptions - pieces of information so familiar we take them for granted without truly considering the scientific truth behind them.

In today's information age, such medical myths are all around us. And using them to make decisions about your own health can be harmful. Even deadly. That's why it's critical to understand the accuracy of medical information and discover the truth about everyday health and well-being.

That's the core of this important series of 24 eye-opening lectures from an acclaimed neurologist, educator, and science broadcaster. Dr. Novella will give you evidence-based guidelines for good health, enhance your ability to be better informed about common medical myths, and strengthen your skills at assessing medical information and advice.

An essential aid for any home, the lecture series is divided into three sections that focus on specific aspects of health. "You Are What You Eat and Drink": Get pointed looks at proper hydration, the routine use of multivitamins, natural foods and probiotics, antioxidants, and more. "Fighting Diseases": Sort out truth from fiction regarding vaccines, the supposed link between vaccination and autism, chronic diseases, and other subjects. "Exploring the Alternatives": Investigate the claims behind herbal medicines, homeopathy, acupuncture, and other alternatives that aren't as worthwhile as they claim to be.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2010 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2010 The Great Courses

Very well done series of lectures!

As a healthcare provider, I found this to be very informative and while some of it is redundant for me, I think the lectures are great for a review of what is often considered common knowledge. Many times these long held beliefs are wrong and Dr. Novella does a great job of reviewing the literature and presenting what the established science tells us.

Steven Novella pops your bubble

This is the second great courses series I've listened to by Dr Novella. A great lecture series on medical myths. As an RN I have experienced many patients believing many of these beliefs. My head was even fillled with a few as well. Thank you Dr Novella for your tireless educational efforts!!

Ryes Syndrome

Debunking all these myths and the myth of Ryes Syndrome gets a pass.
It takes years to label a rare syndrome. Years more to come to a plan of action. More years to get compliance. Ryes Syndrome? One month never heard of. Next month panicking. Switch to Tylenol. Then it's gone forever. 50 years later and the hoax still buffaloes the entire medical community.

Extremely eye opening

Amazing information! I can't wait to share this information with others. Definitely worth the listen.

Excellent overview of the myths surrounding us

Would help people a lot if everyone would listen/read the material - good for their health and for the society/medical costs as a whole. Thank You!

Good listen

I enjoyed hearing the back stories to so many medical myths, great factual lectures. Professor was knowledgeable and easy to listen to, the lectures were very well organized.

Sound information from a reliable source.

I've heard a lot of different sources of medical information. Dr. Novellas' reasoned and thought full review of medical literature on the topics covered is what can be trusted. It's far more trustworthy than many of the self proclaimed health "experts" that pedal the woo and want to separate you from your money.

Steve Novella is great communicator of science

I downloaded 4 other Great Courses lectures this is one of the most informative, I loved it so much I downloaded his second lecture.

nice tone, lacking in evidence

Would you try another book from The Great Courses and/or Professor Steven Novella?

I really enjoyed the professors tone, it was effortless to follow along with and engaging. I was disappointed with the lack of evidence given for the claims. The professor did a great job at explaining the main points but gave little mention of the specific studies or scientific literature behind them. I was hoping to leave the course with some working knowledge of what makes certain claims mythical rather than just understanding what the myths are.

Has Medical Myths, Lies, and Half-Truths: What We Think We Know May Be Hurting Us turned you off from other books in this genre?

no

Which scene was your favorite?

I liked the tips given on how to spot non-credible sources of information

If it sounds too good to be true…

(As posted on GoodReads)
I admit that I went in expecting to like this book, partly because I knew that I was familiar with the general ideas, and I was looking forward to – oh I don't know – confirmation. Although that was generally true, I also learned a fair amount from the book! I learned the sources of some of the ridiculous beliefs that people have, and I learned some extensions of what I already knew. Also, I had some confirmation on ideas that I had no proof or real reason. I do know several people who could stand to hear some of this, because I get tired of some of the nonsense that comes from them… I tend to be a skeptic, even about my skepticism! Most of it was confirmed, although I admittedly flat-out doubted some things that I probably shouldn't have. Even skepticism does need to be checked sometimes!