Natural Highs [Hardcover]

Hyla Cass (Author), Patrick Holford (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 6, 2002

We all need a boost now and then. Sometimes just a cup of coffee or tea will do the trick. Maybe a chocolate bar or a soda to get over the afternoon slump. Or perhaps a cocktail or a cigarette to help relax at the end of the day.

While many people automatically reach for chemical crutches (both legal and illegal) to alter or enhance mood, all these substances have unfortunate side effects and do nothing to rectify the underlying problems. Several can become addictive and set up a cycle of craving and withdrawal that may increase fatigue, stress, and depression.

In Natural Highs, two leading authorities in psychology and nutrition present a prescriptive breakthrough program based on nutritional supplements, herbs, and simple mind/body therapies that will help to increase energy, sharpen the mind, improve mood, relax the body, and beat stress. Their remarkable research shows how to formulate the perfect "brainfood" to improve how we think and feel, resulting in a greater sense of connection and joy in everyday life-the natural high.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

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

Review

"Here's a book that should be on everyone's shelf. A valuable contribution to the art and science of feeling good, -- Gay Hendricks, Ph.D. - author of Achieving Vibrance and Conscious Loving

Natural Highs may be one of the most important books you'll ever read. -- Joan Borysenko, Ph.D. - author of numerous books, including Inner Peace for Busy People

Offers ground-breaking evidence that the ability to feel good all the time - naturally - is easily within our grasp. -- Jack Canfield, co-author of the best selling Chicken Soup for the Soul series

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 338 pages
• Publisher: Avery (June 6, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583331336
• ISBN-13: 978-1583331330
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #566,992 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical, accessible info to help you feel good more, June 6, 2002

By 

Robert Kall "Rob Kall of Opednews.com" (Newtown, PA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Natural Highs (Hardcover)

I've known Dr. Cass's work for a number of years now and so, expected quality. But this book is even better than I expected, in terms of the breadth and depth it covers. It covers mood, energy, relaxation, entheogens, memory, stress busters--- and a lot more.

Knowing Dr. Cass's past books on herbal approaches, I expected a primarily herbal approach to natural highs. But this book covers all kinds of natural means to get high, to feel good more, including color therapies, biofeedback, aromatherapy, massage, meditation and much more. The list of resources and sources in the back of the book is probably worth the price alone.

This book gives a ton of great ways to get high naturally without drugs. I'm particularly interested in the supplements for sharpening the mind and will be trying some of them.

Lastly, the book calls for a kind of integrated approach to positive states, taking an enlightened, positive psychology approach. The book also discusses how to get off of addictive drugs. Put it all together and this book is good news.

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally something useful!, November 15, 2003

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Natural Highs: Supplements, Nutrition, and Mind-Body Techniques to Help You Feel Good All the Time (Paperback)

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!

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wealth of information from which everyone can benefit., October 14, 2002

By 

piercepeter (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Natural Highs (Hardcover)

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.