We must all learn through experience that true TRUST and PATIENCE in the process is the only comfort when you are in an unknown place.

Are you experiencing this too? If so, what have you learned that might help others?

When we are lost, we typically look at a map to figure out where we are and how to get to our chosen destination. This works well, assuming there is a map of the territory in which we find ourselves and we know our destination. However, this is not always the case. At this time in human history, we are all venturing into uncharted territory, whether we know it or not. And as individuals, we may find ourselves covering ground that our predecessors never even knew existed. When we look to them for guidance, they often come up short. Not knowing exactly where we are, we find ourselves unsure of which way to go, and eventually the uneasy feeling that we are lost presents itself.

The beauty of being lost is the same thing that makes it scary — it asks us to look within ourselves to find the way. If we have no map, we must go on instinct, relying on our inner compass to show us which way to go. This can be scary because so much seems to be riding on it. We fear we might go too far in the wrong direction or become paralyzed and make no progress at all. Yet, this is the very challenge we need to develop our ability to trust ourselves. We are also learning to trust that the universe will support and guide us. We may believe this intellectually, but it is only through experience that it becomes knowledge of the heart. Learning to be okay with being lost and trusting that we will be guided, we begin our journey.

We can support ourselves by confirming that we don’t need to know exactly where we are going in order to take our first steps. We are learning to feel our own way, rather than following an established path, and in doing so we learn to trust ourselves. It is this trust that connects us to the universe and reminds us that no matter how lost we feel as we journey, on the inner level we are already home.

Several would check in to see how I was doing on a regular basis and I would often have to tell them “not well at all”. I really hated to say this as I am typically a very optimistic and cheerful person. However, there are seasons in life that can bring us to our knees – and THAT is when the true power of friendship really kicks in!

I am not ashamed to admit that I really needed my friends and called on them during my time of need and can only hope that they will reach out to me without a second thought. 

If you know someone that is going through a challenging time I hope that you will reach out to them…and…even more importantly, if YOU are not doing well, please ask for help.

We are here to help each other and we are WAY more alike than we are different.

When we are going through a difficult time, we may hesitate to call even our best friends because we don’t want to burden them with our troubles. This can be especially true if we’ve been going through a series of challenges, and we’re starting to feel as if we sound like a broken record. It is important to remember that at times like these our friends sincerely want to be there for us whenever they can. We can always check with them to make sure it’s a good time for them before we start talking, and if it’s not a good time, we can call back at another time, or call another friend.

We know for ourselves that when we have a good friend, we don’t want them to suffer alone when we are just a phone call away. We want them to call us and share their sorrows with us, as well as their joys, because this is what sharing a life through friendship is about. It is at our lowest points that we really need to rely on our friends without worrying that we are a burden. If you are feeling self-conscious about having a tough time, you can bring this fact into the conversation by acknowledging it. Chances are your friend will reassure you that she is happy to be there for you. In fact, rather than feeling taxed, most of us feel better when we have helped a friend simply by listening empathically while they share their feelings.

Without our friends, we would be hard pressed to get through the tough times and celebrate the good ones. If we leave our friends out of our process when the going gets tough, our friendships can begin to feel shallow. On the other hand, when we include our friends in the full story of our life — the good, the bad, and the ugly — we build authentic relationships in which we can be who we truly are. When we do this, we invite our friends to bring their whole selves to the relationship as well.

It is especially relevant today as so many unpleasant events are a big part of our lives. Is it possible that we might have a part in creating them?

I am personally learning to take responsibility for all of the difficult situations that have transpired in my life over the past few years and that ownership has created new levels of freedom.

Is it possible that you might have created certain events in your life that might in some way be serving your growth?

There are scores of people in the world who seem to be magnets for calamity. They live their lives jumping from one difficult situation to the next, surrounded by unstable individuals. Some believe themselves victims of fate and decry a universe they regard as malevolent. Others view their chaotic circumstances as just punishments for some failing within. Yet, in truth, neither group has been fated or consigned to suffer. They are likely unconsciously drawing drama into their lives, attracting catastrophe through their choices, attitudes, and patterns of thought. Drama, however disastrous, can be exciting and stimulating. But the thrill of pandemonium eventually begins to frustrate the soul and drain the energy of all who embrace it. To halt this process, we must understand the root of our drama addiction, be aware of our reactions, and be willing to accept that a serene, joyful life need not be a boring one.

Many people, so used to living in the dramatic world they create, feel uncomfortable when confronted with the prospect of a lifetime of peace and contentment. The drama in their lives serves multiple purposes. Upset causes excitement, prompting the body to manufacture adrenaline, which produces a pleasurable surge of energy. For those seeking affection in the form of sympathy, drama forms the basis of their identity as a victim. And when drama is familial, many people believe they can avoid abandonment by continuing to play a key role in the established family dynamic. The addiction to drama is fed by the intensity of the feelings evoked during bouts of conflict, periods of uncertainty, and upheaval.

Understanding where the subconscious need for drama stems from is the key to addressing it effectively. Journaling can help you transfer this need from your mind onto a benign piece of paper. After repeated writing sessions, your feelings regarding the mayhem, hurt feelings, and confusion often associated with drama become clear. When you confront your emotional response to drama and the purpose it serves in your life, you can reject it. Each time you consciously choose not to take part in dramatic situations or associate with dramatic people, you create space in your inner being that is filled with a calm and tranquil stillness and becomes an asset in your quest to lead a more centered life.

Our lives are defined by the decisions we make each day. When we choose one option over another, whether we are selecting a restaurant or considering a cross-country move, we shape our lives. The decision-making process can be empowering, allowing us to enjoy the benefits of self-determination. Yet it can also be a source of anxiety because decisions force us to face the possibility of dissatisfaction and inner conflict. As a result, many of us opt to avoid making decisions by allowing others to make them for us. We consequently turn our power over to spouses, relatives, friends, and colleagues, granting them the stewardship of our lives that is ours by right. Though the decisions we must make are often difficult, we grow more self-sufficient and secure each time we trust ourselves enough to choose.

Ultimately, only you can know how the options before you will impact your daily life and your long-term well-being. Within you lies the power to competently weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each selection. Even if you feel incapable of making a decision, your inner wisdom and your intuitive mind will give you sound counsel if you have faith in yourself. Try to come to your own conclusions before seeking the guidance of others, and even then, treat their suggestions as supplementary information rather than votes to be tallied. Before making your choice, release your fear of wrong decisions. Perceived mistakes can lead you down wonderful and unexpected paths that expose you to life-changing insights. If you can let go of the notion that certain choices are utterly right while others are entirely wrong, you will be less tempted to invite others to take the reins of your destiny.

When your choices are your own, you will be more likely to accept and be satisfied with the outcome of those choices. Your decisions will be a pure reflection of your desires, your creativity, your awareness, and your power. Since you understand that you must live with and take responsibility for your decisions, you will likely exercise great care when coming to conclusions. As you learn to make informed and autonomous choices, you will gain the freedom to consciously direct the flow of your life without interference.

Anything worth doing will always have some fear attached to it. For example, having a baby, getting married, changing careers–all of these life changes can bring up deep fears. It helps to remember that this type of fear is good. It is your way of questioning whether you really want the new life these changes will bring. It is also a potent reminder that releasing and grieving the past is a necessary part of moving into the new.

Fear has a way of throwing us off balance, making us feel uncertain and insecure, but it is not meant to discourage us. Its purpose is to notify us that we are at the edge of our comfort zone, poised in between the old life and a new one. Whenever we face our fear, we overcome an inner obstacle and move into new and life-enhancing territory, both inside and out. The more we learn to respect and even welcome fear, the more we will be able to hear its wisdom, wisdom that will let us know that the time has come to move forward, or not. While comfort with fear is a contradiction in terms, we can learn to honor our fear, recognizing its arrival, listening to its intelligence, and respecting it as a harbinger of transformation. Indeed, it informs us that the change we are contemplating is significant, enabling us to approach it with the proper reverence. 

You might wish to converse with your fear, plumbing its depths for a greater understanding of the change you are making. You could do this by sitting quietly in meditation and listening or by journaling. Writing down whatever comes up–your worries, your sadness, your excitement, your hopes–is a great way to learn about yourself through the vehicle of fear and to remember that fear almost always comes alongside anything worth doing in your life.

“There are many other things you can do first thing in the morning to promote well-being, and if you’re really depressed, it makes sense to also get counseling and take helpful supplements. But even if you only institute one of these six practices, you’ll likely see positive results sooner than otherwise. That said, the more of them that you make part of your life, the more positive the results you’re likely to experience.”

Getting your digestive tract in balance can be tricky and absolutely requires a change in lifestyle (eating, exercise, thinking…). For fungus in particular, I would recommend that you review my friend Doug Kaufmann’s website –www.knowthecause.com – great info on how to keep our fungi in balance.

If you are depressed while you suffer from regular yeast infections, or athletes foot, or have taken antibiotics recently, there is a connection. Our brains are inextricably tied to our gastrointestinal tract and our mental well being is dependent on healthy intestines. Depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and a host of other mental illness from autism to ADHD can be caused by an imbalance of gut microbes like fungi, and “bad” bacteria.

Candida is the opportunistic flora that typically takes over our colon with conventional diets. Along with it comes other fungi, harmful bacteria, and parasites. An intestinal system infected with this kind of ecosystem cannot process and assimilate many of the vitamins we need, like B vitamins, which are imperative for brain function and found to be low (especially B6) in virtually anyone experiencing depression. Candida also breaks down the intestinal wall and leeches into the bloodstream, allowing other toxic byproducts to leak from the colon to the bloodstream.

Much of the body’s hormone production occurs in the intestinal tract. 90 to 95% of our serotonin, the key neurotransmitter responsible for regulating mood, is produce inside our intestines. When the candida population reaches a certain point, it suppresses the production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin. A lack of serotonin leads to depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems.

Acetaldehyde, a byproduct of yeast (candida), also reacts with the dopamine neurotransmitter, which can cause mental problems such as anxiety, depression, poor concentration, and feeling spaced-out.

Candida impairs the liver’s ability to store vitamin B12. We don’t need much B12, but if we are low, depression and other more serious mental issues well develop quickly.

The byproducts of candida’s metabolism are toxic to us. Candida goes through the bloodstream and finds other areas of the body to make home in, invading everywhere it can and making detoxifying the blood every difficult for the body. The blood becomes sluggish with diminished regenerative capacities, and the body begins to age, ache, and develop allergies and then autoimmune issues, which all lead to and fuel depression.

It’s rare to find a person who suffers from depression and does not suffer from an overgrowth of candida. On the other hand, it’s rare to find a person in our modern culture that does not suffer from an overabundance of candida. That said, it’s very difficult to improve one’s mindset without a healthy mind. And you cannot have a healthy mind without a healthy colon.

Poor colon health does lead to poor brain health, as well as poor health within the rest of the body. For almost every major disease, both physical and mental, one of the most important things you can do, and the first thing that should be done, is to improve the health of the intestinal tract by killing excess candida and balancing the gut flora. A great way to do this is with thorough detoxification.

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I teach many classes for IBM all over the world, and find that regardless of the culture or geography, there are still way too many of us that are unforgiving of ourselves. We find it easier to be more kind to others than to ourselves. Please take the time to look in the mirror and just say “I love you” to those beautiful eyes staring back at you. It can make all the difference…

During those times when our lives are filled with what seems to be constant change and growth, it is important to remember that we need to be gentle with ourselves. Since it can be easy to use our energy to keep up with the momentum of our lives, we may not be aware of the fact that we are much more likely to run ourselves down. When things seem to be moving quickly, it is especially essential that we make a point to slow down and be gentle with ourselves.

It might be difficult to notice what is happening to us for we may be so caught up in the whirlwind of our lives that we lose sight of the direction in which things are heading. Being gentle with ourselves doesn’t mean that we don’t accomplish things. Instead it means that we honor ourselves on an ongoing basis and take care of the needs of our bodies.

This means different things to different people. For instance, it could mean having a session with a healer; taking a remedy, herbs, or vitamins; or getting extra sleep. Putting our energy into ourselves in this way helps create space for a more positive, loving, and accepting view of our lives. By setting the intention to do so, we will be more cognizant of our energy levels on a daily basis and more able to replenish them as needed.

The more we are able to treat our bodies with gentleness, the more tenderness and compassion we will call forth into our lives. Learning to understand and pay attention to what our self needs will in turn allow us to fill our lives with unlimited loving and healing energy and to truly take care of the things that mean the most to us.

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This type of fraudulent “science” is more common than any of us realize!

I had an entirely different newsletter written for this week—taking a look at Fukushima four years on—but I pulled it from the queue as soon as I saw the most recent issue of The BMJ. It contained a reexamination of a previous study that touched on a whole bunch of my favorite hot buttons.

• Antidepressants aren’t as safe or as effective as advertised.
• Clinical studies aren’t what you think they are.
• Study authors often have undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
• Study results are often written up, not by the people who do the research or even the respected names listed as the study’s “authors,” but rather, by ghostwriters hired by the pharmaceutical companies, who then cherry pick the study’s data to fit their employer’s needs.
• Flawed studies have influence far beyond their immediate publication.
• Doctors on the FDA advisory committees that evaluate pharmaceutical drugs for approval often have financial interests in the drugs they are evaluating.

Quite simply, that’s a marvelous laundry list. It was too good to pass up; I couldn’t resist. So, so long Fukushima (at least until the next issue); hello Paxil/Seroxat.

Taking Down Study 329

Under a new initiative to publish corrections to misreported trials, The BMJ (formerly known as the British Medical Journal1) published a study showing that the popular antidepressant paroxetine (sold as Paxil in the US and Seroxat in the UK) is neither safe nor effective for adolescents with depression.2 It is the first trial to be reanalyzed and published by The BMJ under its initiative called RIAT (Restoring Invisible and Abandoned Trials), which encourages abandoned or misreported studies to be published or formally corrected to ensure doctors and patients have complete and  accurate information to make treatment decisions.

The new results, published by The BMJ, contradict the original research findings that portrayed paroxetine as an effective and safe treatment for children and adolescents with major depression. To better understand what’s going on here, let’s cover a little history.

In 2001, SmithKline Beecham, now GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), funded Study 329 to compare their antidepressant drugs paroxetine and imipramine with a placebo to determine their effectiveness and safety for adolescents diagnosed with major depression. The results, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in 2001, reported that paroxetine was safe and effective for adolescents.3 But the study was later found to be flawed; the trial failed to report the true numbers of young people who thought of killing themselves while on the drugs. In response, in 2003, the UK drug regulator instructed doctors not to prescribe paroxetine to adolescents.4 The FDA, in a concession to GSK, thought that an updated warning on the label was sufficient.5 Notably, although the study was deemed to be flawed, it was not retracted.

Not surprisingly, given the FDA’s gift to GSK, over two million prescriptions were written for children and adolescents in the United States in 2002 alone. (So much for “black box” label warnings.)  In 2012, GSK was fined a record $3 billion, in part for fraudulently promoting paroxetine.

Which brings us to the current reanalysis of the study. The RIAT team, led by Professor Jon Jureidini at the University of Adelaide, identified Study 329 as an example of a misreported trial in need of restoration. Using previously confidential trial documents, they reanalyzed the original data and found that neither paroxetine nor high dose imipramine was more effective than a placebo in the treatment of major depression in adolescents. The authors considered the increase in harms with both drugs to be clinically significant.

And I quote:

“Contrary to the original report by Keller and colleagues, our reanalysis of Study 329 showed no advantage of paroxetine or imipramine over placebo in adolescents with symptoms of depression on any of the prespecified variables. The extent of the clinically significant increases in adverse events in the paroxetine and imipramine arms, including serious, severe, and suicide related adverse events, became apparent only when the data were made available for reanalysis. Researchers and clinicians should recognize the potential biases in published research, including the potential barriers to accurate reporting of harms that we have identified. Regulatory authorities should mandate accessibility of data and protocols.

“As with most scientific papers, Keller and colleagues convey an impression that “the data have spoken.” This authoritative stance is possible only in the absence of access to the data. When the data become accessible to others, it becomes clear that scientific authorship is provisional rather than authoritative.”

In an accompanying article, Peter Doshi, Associate Editor for The BMJ, talks about the resistance of the medical community to taking a stand against the flawed study, but says the new paper “has reignited calls for retraction of the original study and put additional pressure on academic and professional institutions to publicly address the many allegations of wrongdoing.”6

He points out that the original manuscript was not actually written by any of the 22 named authors but by an outside ghostwriter hired by GSK. In addition, he points out that “the paper’s lead author – Brown University’s chief of psychiatry, Martin Keller – had been the focus of a front page investigation in the Boston Globe in 1999 that documented his under-reporting of financial ties to drug companies.” Doshi also came down on the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry for refusing to intervene and retract the paper, and Brown University’s for its silence over its faculty’s involvement in Study 329.

Doshi quotes Paul Thacker, a journalist that investigated Study 329 and Brown University as part of his work as a former congressional staffer for Senator Grassley, “I don’t understand how Brown has gotten away with what it’s doing. It has essentially decided to ignore the whole thing. The only real investigation we’ve had on the Brown University campus on this drug has been by the Brown Daily Herald.” The Herald is the student newspaper. They’ve run at least six stories since 2008 that probe Study 329, Keller’s relationship with the pharmaceutical industry, and Senator Grassley’s investigations into conflicts of interest in clinical research.

As Doshi states, “It is often said that science self corrects. But for those who have been calling for a retraction of the Keller paper for many years, the system has failed.”

Let’s finish with a quote from Fiona Godlee, editor in chief of The BMJ.

“The RIAT re-analysis marks a new chapter in the story of Study 329, showing the remarkable power of open data. But it also shows how much our current systems are failing patients and the public. It should not have taken 14 years to get to this point.”7

What Can We Learn from this Fiasco?

To repeat what I said at the top:

• Antidepressants are neither as safe nor effective as advertised.
• Clinical studies are not what you think they are.
• Study authors, such as Dr. Keller, often have undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
• Study results are often written up, not by the people who did the research or even the respected names listed as “the authors,” but rather by ghostwriters hired by the pharmaceutical companies, who then cherry pick the data to fit their employer’s needs.
• Flawed studies have influence far beyond their immediate publication as they are frequently cited—again and again—picking up the imprimatur of truth by repetition, even though they may be totally false.
• Doctors on the advisory committees that evaluate pharmaceutical drugs for the FDA often have financial interests in the drugs they are evaluating.

Not one of these things should be a surprise as we’ve explored them in detail many times before. So, am I saying that we should never use antidepressants or trust clinical studies?

Not at all!!! All I am saying is that:

1. Antidepressants should be the option of last resort. There are so many natural options to try first. Heck, exercise has proven to be as effective as antidepressants—even for adolescents. Look, if nothing else works for you, then by all means give antidepressants a try. If they help, then God Bless. Just keep in mind that for many people they are no different than a placebo, and they come with a whole host of side effects ranging from suicide to murder.
2. Clinical studies are important, but they are not gospel. Anyone who doubts their importance should watch The Knick. Anyone who believes they are gospel should reread this newsletter.

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We are racing through our lives pursuing one achievement after another, but missing the point of just being and enjoying the journey and, more importantly, the people in our lives.

I (like many) learned the hard way, through a stressful corporate job, the value of my health, and most importantly the value of balance in all things. It’s great to work hard on your career (or other goals) and achieve, but only if it’s in balance with the things that matter most in life.

Throughout our lives, we are taught to value speed and getting things done quickly. We learn that doing is more valuable than merely being, and that making the most of life is a matter of forging ahead at a hurried pace. Yet as we lurch forward in search of some elusive sense of fulfillment, we find ourselves feeling increasingly harried and disconnected. More importantly, we fail to notice the simple beauty of living. When we learn to slow down, we rediscover the significance of seemingly inconsequential aspects of life. Mealtimes become meditative celebrations of nourishment. A job well-done becomes a source of profound pleasure, no matter what the nature of our labors. In essence, we give ourselves the gift of time—time to indulge our curiosity, to enjoy the moment, to appreciate worldly wonders, to sit and think, to connect with others, and to explore our inner landscapes more fully.

A life savored slowly need not be passive, inefficient, or slothful. Conducting ourselves at a slower pace enables us to be selective in how we spend our time and to fully appreciate each passing moment. Slowness can even be a boon in situations that seem to demand haste. When we pace ourselves for even a few moments as we address urgent matters, we can center ourselves before moving ahead with our plans. Embracing simplicity allows us to gradually purge from our lives those commitments and activities that do not benefit us in some way. The extra time we consequently gain can seem like vast, empty stretches of wasted potential. But as we learn to slow down, we soon realize that eliminating unnecessary rapidity from our experiences allows us to fill that time in a constructive, fulfilling, and agreeable way. We can relish our morning rituals, linger over quality time with loved ones, immerse ourselves wholeheartedly in our work, and take advantage of opportunities to nurture ourselves every single day.

You may find it challenging to avoid giving in to the temptation to rush, particularly if you have acclimated to a world of split-second communication, cell phones, email and overflowing agendas. Yet the sense of continuous accomplishment you lose when you slow down will quickly be replaced by feelings of magnificent contentment. Your relaxed tempo will open your mind and heart to deeper levels of awareness that help you discover the true gloriousness of being alive.

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