In the two weeks since launching Meo Energetics, the company I co-founded to share clinical essential oils for brain health, I’ve experienced deep support from the Empowered Sustenance community.
I received encouragement and enthusiasm in my inbox, on Empowered Sustenance comments, and on social media comments. I consider it my soul’s work to share with as many people as possible the tools and techniques I’ve used for healing, so I felt joyful and fulfilled to share these our oil blends with you.
As would be expected – I’m a well-weathered blogger by now – I did receive some not-so-supportive comments. One of those I want to share with you today.
I considered Spamming this comment immediately, primarily because the writer’s condescending and accusatory tone turned my stomach. Instead, I slept on it and woke up the next day with gratitude for E. She took the time to share with me her beliefs about healing, beliefs that often go unquestioned in our Western culture, and she presented me with the opportunity to open a discussion about these beliefs.
Many people, like E, trust only methodologies proven by scientific studies and condoned by medical institutions. They only consider viable those therapies which have an identifiable “mechanism of action,” such as a specific, drug-like chemical reaction in the body.
I don’t share that worldview. I believe we can profoundly support our health with time-honored methods that have yet to fit the processes and instruments of our medical industry. I made the choice to heal outside the “rules and regulations” of western medicine. That choice may not be right for you. But if it is, I am here to empower you in that choice.
This is E’s original comment:
I love what you’ve done to promote healthy eating, but I’m shocked to read about your work with this new company. As medical professionals, we must make ethical decisions on behalf of our patients. You are pushing expensive products with no peer-reviewed data in support of their efficacy onto the readers of your blog, many of whom are ill, desperate for solutions to their chronic health issues, and easily goaded into trying unverified treatments. These people have spent hundreds of dollars on medications already, and you’re using your personal anecdote to sell the kind of product that’s offered by multi-level marketing companies. I’m glad to read that you felt better after dabbing peppermint oil on your head, but to make a claim to the general public that it improves functioning of your parasympathetic nervous system–with zero reproducible results, even in animal models–is fraudulent. Wake up, Lauren. You seem like an articulate woman who is capable of stepping back and seeing the forest for the trees. I apologize if this sounds hurtful. It pains me to see people being duped, and a seemingly nice person like you, who seems to want to help people, getting caught up in this mess.
Have you ever considered applying to a Master’s or PhD program to research the treatment you’re interested in? It’s not an easy road, as there are many more rules and regulations in place to vet information. It will, however, bring you much closer to the truth than giving oil rubs at Bastyr.
Finally, I encourage you to take a look at naturopathicdiaries.com for a viewpoint from a naturopath who is now completing her Master’s at a reputable institution
This is my response to E, which I have now published as a page titled Energetics on the Meo Energetics website.
Energetics
Meo Energetics is pioneering the approach of using essential oils and flower essences as an energetic therapy to promote specific brain functions.
Energetic therapies are the most universal and ancient lineage in healing. In our modern culture, these therapies are called alternative healing, but a more accurate description is original healing. Archaeological excavation of mummified bodies suggest humans used acupuncture, an energetic technique, as early 3000 B.C. to treat conditions such as arthritis and back pain.
“In every culture and in every medical tradition before ours, healing was accomplished by moving energy.” -Nobel Laureate Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
The Energy of Plants
In his clinical practice, John developed the ability to feel the flow of the body’s subtle energies, as well as the energy fields of organs and brain regions. This tactile perception of energy, now uncommon, was an integral part of ancient energy healing.
Using this perception, he created energetic, plant-based formulas that balanced brain regions. As John and other clinicians tested these blends, the results were repeatable and effective. One of our testing processes was a Pilot Study, where we distributed our blends to a hundred holistic practitioners who tested the oil on their clients and then provided us with feedback.
We knew the formulas worked, we wanted to share them, but we couldn’t answer one question: “How, exactly, do essential oils energetically support the brain?”
The Unknown Unkowns
For years, I had searched for a scientific explanation of energy therapies, with the intent to legitimize this holistic tool in the eyes of modern science. I sought a certain, proven, and mechanistic explanation, but found no theory satisfactorily thorough.
When read the book Ignorance by Stuart Feinstein, Professor and Chair of the Department of Biological Sciences at Columbia University, I realized that I was on an endless pursuit. I was searching for a scientific answer that was, likely, not yet discovered by science.
In his book, Feinstein explains how we further the progress of science through a necessary, but often uncomfortable, time of uncertainty. To use the words of Nobel Prize winning physicist Erwin Schrodinger, we must “abid[e] by ignorance for an indefinite period.”
“Consider the wide stretches of the electromagnetic spectrum, including most obviously the ultraviolet and infrared but also several million additional wavelengths that we now detect only by using devices such as televisions, cell phones, and radios. All were completely unknown, indeed inconceivable, to our ancestors of just a few generations ago,” writes Feinstein. “Just as there are forces beyond the perception of our sensory apparatus, there may be perspectives that are beyond the conception of our mental apparatus.”
In other words, there are unknown unknowns. With a sense of freedom, I realized energy therapies may work at a level of forces we do not – and may not ever – comprehend.
We heard this scientific uncertainty echoed when we were discussing energetic therapies with a family member, who has a PhD in physics. We asked him for a scientific explanation of how our products work energetically. His response? “Given all the energy fields in the universe, we could say that we, in all probability, only know a small percentage the energy fields that exist in our universe.” He suggested that forms of energy healing take place in energy fields that we can’t quantify yet, and maybe never will quantify.
The Music of Energetics
Modern science will eventually develop measuring devices sensitive enough to reveal more of the energy fields that interact with the human body. I believe that we will see faster progress in this area if we explore energetics beyond the realm of reductionism.
Modern science is governed by reductionism, a belief which attempts to understand a whole by breaking it down and analyzing the tiniest particles. Author and biochemist Rupert Sheldrake points out the primary problem with reductionism: it’s like trying to find out how a computer works by grinding it up, and studying the molecules of nickel and copper. There is a place for reductionism in studying the human body, but we also need to compliment it with a bigger-picture perspective.
The human body is a Mozart Symphony, but Western science often tries to study the symphony by playing each note by each instrument, one by one. That’s a sure way to lose the music.
I believe we’ll learn how energetics work by listening to the entire symphony, not to the individual notes of atoms and chemical interactions.
Where’s the Cat?
Feinstein says, “More often than not, science is like looking for a black cat in a dark room, and there may not be a cat in the room.” Studying energy therapies from a reductionistic approach is often like trying to find a nonexistent cat.
Consider acupuncture. We know it works, and we have the double-blind, placebo-controlled, peer-reviewed studies to show it. But, after investing countless dollars into analyzing this therapy, we do not have a measurable mechanism to explain acupuncture. Scientists are trying to catch the Acupuncture-Explanation-Cat, but maybe there is not a cat. Maybe, the explanation is the dark room itself. Maybe it’s the whole house.
Scientifically and Exactly
At the end of this article, you may still be asking me the question, “how, scientifically and exactly, do your products work?”
And my reply is, “Scientifically and exactly, I don’t know.”
Perhaps that leads you to the next question: “Then why do you use and recommend these products?”
Because I want to tell you that you have a choice in your healing journey. You can choose, as I did, to find support in therapies not yet sanctioned by the scientific studies of Western Medicine.
Finding this support is a journey of discovery and careful experimentation that will be unique to you, your history, and your body. The modalities that work for you may not be mechanistically repeatable for someone else, even in similar situations.
When I used energy medicine and alternative nutrition, both neglected and even “unproven” by modern science, I experienced healing that Western Medicine told me was impossible. I want to encourage you to consider alternatives, anchored in ancient traditions, that have yet to fit the processes and instruments of our current medical industry.
delivered weekly
Well said Lauren!! I’m so glad you decided to respond to E as you did. Kudos. I find it fascinating how some people are so against alternative modalities, yet time and again the ‘proof is in the pudding’, all they have to do is give it a try. Like you said, what works for one may not be exactly the same for another, however, ancient healing methods were and are successful today in reaching the potential of healing the WHOLE individual. Thank you for what you do and I enjoy your blog/website!
I appreciate your comment, and am glad to hear this post resonated with you!
Bravo,,
Excellent post, Lauren! I, too, struggled with quite a few alternative therapies and how they were not ‘scientifically’ proven when I graduated from university back in 2007 (especially the energy medicines like reiki and crystal healing), because we were taught to be critical of everything and that only peer-reviewed science was legitimate. It all seemed hokey to me and hard to believe. But as the years have gone on, I now realize the legitimacy of many of these treatments. And I also know more now about how the peer-review process and funding for studies comes about. So in reality, we will probably never have studies done on alternative or energy medicine, because there is no profit in it, and who would fund the study then? Certainly not the pharmaceutical companies. Keep up the great work, Lauren! I hope these become available in Canada soon.
I appreciate hearing your own experience with alternative modalities. Yes, the funding for peer-reviewed funding is another can of worms to open. There is, unfortunately, funding bias and industry corruption in many of the institutions doing medical research.
The good news is that we do ship to Canada now!
This is beautifully written and gave me an entirely new perspective on how to respond to the “alternative” medicine skeptics. I love the metaphor about the Mozart symphony, about neglecting to treat the body as a whole rather than applying “bandaid” medications for every function. I hope that soon, people will start to understand and apply energetic healing and it will become more commonplace as ancestral nutrition is becoming. Thank you for this and I wish you luck with Meo Energetics!
Thank you Raya, and I’m so glad that this post resonated with you!
Thank you Lauren. Experience trumps science when it comes to healing! Our bodies are not all exactly alike, so it makes perfect sense that if one drug works for, say an insomnia patient, but not for a second patient with the exact same symptoms, why wouldn’t essential oils work for a third patient? And with none of the side effects of the drugs, count me in! I do NOT understand why oh why people get so up tight about it. I choose to listen to people’s experiences with compassion, and try to never judge a anyone without having walked a mile or two in their moccasins.
Well said, Lea, and thank you for your thoughtful comment.
I know that my depression is pretty bad, I have never wanted to take meds. So I was never diagnosed by a physician. People have told me they noticed my waves of depression. I realized food is my medicine, I have monitored some of my results. I’m happy you published someone else’s viewpoint. I have never spent money on this other than food. This was the first time I decided to purchase oils for my health, I had a gut feeling about these oils. The first full day I tried the oil was a work day. I didn’t see the instructions. I dabbed less than a drop on my wrist, spread it on my temple, neck, and under my nose. I felt so positively awake and sharp, I was working for a few hours before realizing I forgot to drink my daily cup of coffee. I had forgotten all about the oil, but I kept on getting wonderful wifts of cumin and other herbs. It made me happy and see my customers differently. Then I realize I was different, not them. To finally notice the wonderful smell was the oils I put on, was a surprise half way though me day. To my disappointment, when I got home, I saw the instructions for the oils on the back of the cards. Then I was happy at what a wonderful day I had and how well the oil work. I was able to sleep well and woke up feeling awesome the next day. When do I want to get up for work, this is a first! My boss must be happy I’m arriving to work on time after working there 26 years (being late all the time)! I’ve had the oils for about a week, I don’t always use them, I forget. I do feel way better. It feels like I have a brain with good thoughts. By the way, I am using the oils properly now! Ha ha! I’m exciting my gut feeling was right, I would not splurge on these four bottles of oil if I didn’t have this gut feeling. Absolutely life changing. I had a better holiday this year, one that I can even remember due to brain clarity. Thank you bring a smile to my face, giving my spirit, goals with results and energy to start and finish things without effort and procrastination. This feel like a reversal of alztimers.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience, my heart started to sing as I read your words! These oils allowed beautiful shifts in my health, and I am so fulfilled that I can share them with you, and that you are also experiencing shifts. And it sounds like you are in touch with your intuition, because it was an intuitive choice to try the oils.
Hi Lauren
What a fascinating viewpoint E.. puts forward. I am glad for her that she still holds such a strong belief in the medical industry that gives her some kind of comfort or faith, because as we all know believing in something, anything, has a positive influence on health. How many have been just like E.., probably including you Lauren, and myself, until they found themselves stuck with a dire recommendation to undergo extreme treatments/surgery which might not help much anyway and leave extreme consequences? My questions to E.., and I would invite her to step outside her current belief system just for a minute, which takes courage, would be along the lines of: If the relatively new medical industry and peer review literature are so “scientific” and so standard and so successful, then why are so many people failing to regain their health even while following doctor’s orders? Why are one in approximately two people I speak with, quietly sharing with me the “startling” experiences they have with their family doctor and medical specialists who have no answers for their set of symptoms. Why do so many of these industry medications have side effects as bad as, if not worse than the original symptom – even stated on the information sheet inside every medication box? Walking away from the medical industry which we have been taught is the answer to all health problems takes courage and faith in something greater than a profit driven industry.
Would this industry completely change focus to one of prevention of poor health, prevention of disease (and I’m not meaning vaccination) if there was little profit to be made? Hmmm.
A graceful reply to some less than constructive criticism!
Way to go Lauren! This was definitely an “empowering” post! 😉
I cannot believe the person that left that comment can actually believe more in modern Western Medicine than alternative healing such as Energetics. No doubt they are free to have their own opinion, but maybe someday they will realize how much more powerful alternative healing is than pharmaceutical drugs.
On another note, I have been using Brain Deflame and Neuro Reboot for about a week. They are absolutely wonderful!! I’ve been experiencing awful and nearly disabling brain fog lately, but these help put me at ease and relax and calm me instantly. I can’t wait to see what the results of long-term use will be for me! As always, thank you for sharing your wisdom and helping me (and many others) on my own healing journey!
Lauren
I am on board with you! I was very moved by your post.
I was told after years of suffering and doctor after doctor and migraine headaches that I had MS.
I was being fitted for w wheel chair, and I decided that there had to be a better way. A friend of mine said don’t get it, start walking. So I have changed my diet and I have slowly gone off all my medications. I make my own makeup. Soaps. Cleaners. Everything I can to avoid all the toxins we are exposed to daily. I’m Paleo, and I used essential oils to treat my ailments. I’ve done this over the last couple years. I’m 60 years old and I’m glad to see you stand up and stand out to help people see that traditional medicine does good in some areas but we have to take control over our own health and not rely on big pharma to take care of us. All “Big Pharma” does is make money from their drugs. They are not interested in healing anyone. If they did they would not exist any longer.
Good job. Thank you! And God bless you
As someone who has been arrogantly belittled for choosing (and championing) “alternative” healing practices, I felt this post at the soul level. This is one of your best pieces to date.
This summer, I found myself groaning to a mentor, “Man, f**k science. I am so tired of science.” What I really meant when I said that was everything you’ve written here.
Thank you, as always, for being an articulate and gracious beam of white-hot fiery light.
What she said.
Oh Holly, I adore you. I feel like this post came from my soul, thank you for seeing that and thank you for your light!