#37 – Psychology and Longevity with Dr. C. Norman Shealy

Transcript

C. Norman Shealy, M.D., Ph.D. is one of the pioneers of the holistic health movement. He is an eminent physician with a long and successful career in both conventional and complementary medicine. He is the founder of the American Holistic Medical Association and the author of 22 books and 280 other publications. He is also the holder of a number of patents for a variety of medical devices. Most notably, he pioneered the use of spinal electrical stimulation as a technique for pain control. In fact, he’s one of the world’s leading experts in pain management. He was among the first physicians ever to specialize in the resolution of chronic pain. In 1971, he created, The Shealy Institute, the first comprehensive pain and stress management facility in the United States. In addition to his medical degree, He also went on to earn a Ph.D. in Psychology. Dr. Shealy offers seminars and workshops worldwide, which are attended by physicians and lay persons alike. His most recent book is titled Life Beyond 100 and it focuses on issues relating to stress, depression, and self-esteem in addition to such factors as exercise and nutrition in the quest for a longer and healthier life. Our closing podsafe music is “Wake Up” by Michael Gomez.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

2 Comments

Rick V. on February 9, 2009 at 3:42 am

I don’t know about old Norm, I looked for research on some of his claims and all I could find were articles in which he was the first or second author and no independent replication of his research or results. But he was a likable guy. I also wasn’t able to confirm his credentials but I have to admit that I didn’t look that hard.

Reinhard, booklover on April 16, 2009 at 12:52 pm

I also quite like Dr. Shealy. I read one book by him and Caroline Myss, called “The Creation of Health: The Emotional, Psychological, and Spiritual Responses That Promote Health and Healing: Merging Traditional Medicine with Intuitive Diagnosis”

In this book Shealy and Myss claim that almost all physical illnesses have a psychological or spiritual reason and Miss Myss (no pun intendend) analyses many cases regarding this presumption.

I don’t know if I believe all of their assumptions, but still it’s an interesting way of looking at illness.

On another note, a very fascinating book about longevity is “Emotional Longevity: What Really Determines How Long You Live” by Dr. Norman B.Anderson.
Anderson cites very many studies conducted over the last years, some of them quite amazing. For example one guy tried to prove whether there was a relation between the height of a tombstone and how long the person in the grave had lived. And there was a strong relation! Richer people tend to live longer and richer people have bigger tombstones 🙂

Another little interesting tidbit: If you are a famous actor you tend to live 2-3 years longer if you actually win the oscar than your colleagues who were nominated but haven’t won.

So if you want and overview of the studies concerning longevity and very many different factors that influence it, check out Dr. Andersons book, it’s very well worth the read.

Reinhard from Austria

Rick V. on February 9, 2009 at 3:42 am

I don’t know about old Norm, I looked for research on some of his claims and all I could find were articles in which he was the first or second author and no independent replication of his research or results. But he was a likable guy. I also wasn’t able to confirm his credentials but I have to admit that I didn’t look that hard.
Reinhard, booklover on April 16, 2009 at 12:52 pm

I also quite like Dr. Shealy. I read one book by him and Caroline Myss, called “The Creation of Health: The Emotional, Psychological, and Spiritual Responses That Promote Health and Healing: Merging Traditional Medicine with Intuitive Diagnosis”

In this book Shealy and Myss claim that almost all physical illnesses have a psychological or spiritual reason and Miss Myss (no pun intendend) analyses many cases regarding this presumption.

I don’t know if I believe all of their assumptions, but still it’s an interesting way of looking at illness.

On another note, a very fascinating book about longevity is “Emotional Longevity: What Really Determines How Long You Live” by Dr. Norman B.Anderson.
Anderson cites very many studies conducted over the last years, some of them quite amazing. For example one guy tried to prove whether there was a relation between the height of a tombstone and how long the person in the grave had lived. And there was a strong relation! Richer people tend to live longer and richer people have bigger tombstones 🙂

Another little interesting tidbit: If you are a famous actor you tend to live 2-3 years longer if you actually win the oscar than your colleagues who were nominated but haven’t won.

So if you want and overview of the studies concerning longevity and very many different factors that influence it, check out Dr. Andersons book, it’s very well worth the read.

Reinhard from Austria