Natural Highs - Hardcover

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

Hyla Cass, M.D., is Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine. A prominent psychiatrist and expert on nutritional medicine, she is a frequently sought-after lecturer and consultant. She is also the author of St. John's Wort: Nature's Blues Buster, Kava: Nature's Answer to Stress and Insomnia, and All About Herbs.

Patrick Holford is the United Kingdom's leading nutritionist and one of the world's authorities on health. He is the founder of The Institute for Optimum Nutrition in London, the largest training school in the UK for nutrition consultants. He is the author of The Optimum Nutrition Bible, The Optimum Nutrition Cookbook and many other books.