In my post last week, I jokingly listed seven things that one could do to be unhealthy. However, I didn't want to leave it at that, so I also provided a list of seven things that can be done to maximize our health. All of the recommendations I made were related to lifestyle changes related to the ways our ancestors lived. The concept of incorporating ancestral behaviors such as proper sleep or whole foods diets universally embraced by our predecessors to achieve optimal health is known as the Ancestral Health Movement.

Unfortunately, many people prefer taking pills or undergoing procedures rather than modifying their behaviors. This post aims to explain why lifestyle changes are often more beneficial than relying on medication alone.

The Unintended Consequences of Modern Medical and Health Interventions

Let's take the specific example from my post last week of getting adequate sleep. As we know, many people don't get enough sleep due to their busy schedules or have a hard time falling and staying asleep. Many find making more time for sleep and optimizing their sleep environment too difficult. As a result, some people turn to sleeping pills as a compromise, thinking it is a good solution. It's important to acknowledge that sleep medication can be very useful for some people. This is because it's often better to sleep with medication than not to sleep at all. While sleep medication can be helpful in a crisis situation, almost all manufacturers' labels caution against the long-term use of sleeping pills.

The first problem with sleeping pills is that they disrupt REM sleep. As you might already know, the REM stage, which stands for Rapid Eye Movement, is where you dream and your brain regenerates. This stage is associated with improving your mental and emotional health. However, since pharmaceutical sleep medication decreases REM sleep, it reduces your emotional and mental resilience.

 Additionally, sleep medications can impair the deepest phase of sleep, known as Stage 3 sleep. During this phase, the brain produces large, slow brain waves that remove harmful toxins, called beta amyloids, that accumulate during the day. However, sleep medications reduce these delta brainwaves, leading to the buildup of toxins in the brain. This buildup can eventually cause the formation of plaques, which contribute to cell deterioration and memory issues. In severe cases, this may lead to Alzheimer's disease. 1

 Other than sleep stage disturbances, sleeping pills cause numerous side effects, and some can be very dangerous. A study published in 2015 revealed that around 80% of individuals who take sleep medication face residual symptoms and side effects. These symptoms include headaches, nightmares, dizziness, nausea, difficulty concentrating, impaired motor skills, lack of coordination, dry mouth, daytime drowsiness, depression, and periods of amnesia. 2

 Finally, sleep medications can cause people to engage in activities while asleep, such as driving, cooking, and shopping online, without any recollection of doing so. Although it may seem unbelievable, this phenomenon is well-documented and has resulted in tragic consequences. 3

Side Effects Are Universal and Unfortunate

The examples I just listed are unique to sleeping pills. Additionally, some medications are life-saving and indispensable. For instance, insulin is a life-saving medication for people who can't make their own. I could find no literature on the percentage of medications that produce side effects. However, I don't believe I am going out on a limb when I say that 100% of medications come with undesirable consequences (side effects).

Conversely, behaviors like the human need for sleep honed over millions of years come with no side effects. Incidentally, the third leading cause of death in the US is due to medical interventions, primarily errors, an unbelievable ten percent of all deaths. 4 Given the option, I would rather follow ancestral wisdom and reduce my chances of needing the care of a physician who may increase my chances of dying through error. 

If you are interested in learning more about the Ancestral Health Movement, my friends at ancestralhealth.org have a new podcast named Ancestral Health Today hosted by Isabel Burnett, a board-certified health coach, and Todd Becker, an engineer and independent researcher. The show features fascinating interviews with the leading minds in ancestral health science. You can find the Ancestral Health Today podcast everywhere podcasts are streamed.