'The Inflamed Mind' by Edward Bullmore

The Inflamed Mind: A radical new approach to depression by Edward Bullmore
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Edward Bullmore's book is both amazing and disappointing. It's amazing because his writing is refreshingly clear as he lays out his thesis about inflammation's role in depression. He explains the nascent field of psycho-immunology and how much has been learned about the immune system 30 years. He also documents the weaknesses inherent in contemporary mental health-care, which is based on the ages-old Cartesian separation of mind and body.

The book is disappointing, however, because any treatment based on the role of inflammation in the brain is still years away. Unfortunately, he also has virtually nothing to say about any other approach to lowering inflammation in the body. For instance, there are a variety of anti-inflammation diets out there, but Dr. Bullmore has no guidance to give. No doubt that is because there is no inflammation-reducing diet verified as effective through research. (At least to my understanding.) But it would have been helpful if he at addressed it.

Regardless, any lay person interested in inflammation and the brain should find Dr. Bullmore's overview both accessible and educational.


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