Your Subconscious Brain Can Change Your Life: Overcome Obstacles, Heal Your Body, and Reach Any Goal with a Revolutionary Technique

I’m a licensed psychotherapist in private practice and I cannot recommend Dr. Mike Dow’s recent book, “Your Subconscious Brain Can Change Your Life.” I give Dow’s book zero stars.Here are my concerns:Firstly, I think this book is irresponsible. It may suggest to people that they should stop or don’t need their psych meds. Dr. Dow, is not a licensed psychologist, and he repeatedly devalues psych meds. Dr. Dow declares, “Filling your life with productive, pleasurable, and purposeful events every day is a potent antidepressant.” Or, “While prescription medication can be a piece of the solution for some who truly need it, your everyday choices, your mind-set, your daily diet, your exercise routine, your spiritual practice, the power of hope, and your relationships have an even more profound and lasting role in your health and happiness.” Claiming that physical exercise or a spiritual practice has a more profound impact on health and happiness than prescription medication is very dangerous and harmful advice to give.To get people to buy into his “revolutionary” “subconscious visualization techniques” Dr. Dow pits helpful therapies against each other. It’s too bad he feels he has to knock everything else, why not just make your point?Secondly, his discussion on neuroscience is flawed. In ch.1, Dr. Dow pits the “subconscious mind” against the “conscious mind.” Dr. Dows views the conscious mind as the trouble maker that plays a role in anxiety disorders because of all its analyzing and “weighing every piece of information to reach conclusions.” He praises the subconscious mind stating, “your subconscious brain is always on your side” and “when it comes to the subconscious brain: positive emotion trumps negative emotion.” Neuroscience experts like Dr. Louis Cozolino, (In, “The Neuroscience of Human Relationships)” actually claim the exact opposite. Conscious processing in the left hemisphere of the brain is biased towards “positive affect” and unconscious or subconscious processing in the right hemisphere of the brain is biased toward “negative affect.” Those who work with anxious, depressed, or traumatized patients see first hand how their subconscious mind is not “always” on their side and is anxiously on the look-out for the next bad thing. As a therapist, I often encourage my clients to use their conscious mind to talk back to their anxiety mind (e.g., “Be quiet anxiety mind!” “Maybe not!” “Most likely, it’s going to be OK”).Thirdly, this author presents old ideas as if they are brand new. There is nothing “revolutionary” or “ground breaking” about cultivating positive thinking or using guided imagery techniques to increase one’s confidence or reduce anxiety.Rather than buying this book that over promises and embodies “splitting” (black-and-white thinking) (i.e., natural supplements-good, psych meds-bad, subconscious mind-good, conscious mind-bad) I highly recommend Dan Harris’ new book “Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics” it offers practical exercises and the science he offers about the benefits of meditation is solid. Dan Harris is not grandiose like this author is. And doesn’t claim that this "one" technique will change your life forever!

The material sounds intriguing. I too went to Hayhouse as directed. I was able to get in and it accepted my code, but all I could do was listen to the tracks at their website on my desktop computer. I was expecting to be able to download the material and perhaps transfer to my MP3 player or to a CD. (I had actually thought there would be a CD with the book, but I suppose that's too old-fashioned now.) Could someone explain to me if they are actually able to "download" these tracks from the website, and if so how? WELL, I finally figured out how to download to my computer. If any other low-techie like me has the same issue, you right click on the "Access Now" button on the right of each audio and choose from a long list to "Save to" or "Save as" and send it where you'd like in your computer. I've been having issues recently with heavy-duty situational anxiety and sleeplessness, and I have found the two tracks I've used so far very helpful and look forward to trying more. Haven't had much luck in the past trying to meditate on my own. I didn't get the impression from what I've read so far that everyone should throw away their medications as I saw claimed in another review. I'm sure I read that this is in fact not suitable for everyone. I'm just seeing it as another tool in the toolbox. Will see how it works long-term.

I was a skeptic and wasn't hoping for much. I started reading the first couple of chapters and then skipped ahead to the hypnosis audio track. WOW!!!! That was incredible. I don' know how to describe what I felt, but it was different than anything I've ever experienced. It was deeper than meditation and the suggestions I heard felt like they were reprogramming my brain. I instantly felt lighter and relaxed. I can't wait to use the other tracks. Highly recommended.

From a doctor’s perspective this is a well-written and informative book that is obviously well researched. It provides useful tools to aid in everything from minor concerns to more serious depression. I would recommend this to any patient as a great resource and supplemental treatment or guidance with an array of issues.

I am extremely sleep-deprived; haven’t slept in over a year...since my mother suffered a massive stroke. i started to feel I was never going to sleep again...soooo happy i bought this book. Desperate, I skipped directly to the insomnia audio track-woooow; I finally had a good night sleep. eager to read this book from cover to cover, but already, it’s obvious and soooooo true that the subconscious can change your life. To Dr. Mike-a great doctor and a wonderful soul-Thank u!!!

By far the best book I've read (backed by the best science) on the power of the subconscious brain for not only your health but also your overall well-being. Well-written and extensively researched. I've practiced some of the techniques described in the book but never to this extent and certainly not with the understanding I now possess. I think it has the potential to be life-changing on so many levels - can't wait to pass it along to my family members. And Dr. Mike's voice is very soothing.

I love this book and will definitely recommend it to others. Dr. Dow does a great job of making the scientific pieces understandable for those of us who don't read science magazines for fun..... and even for those of us who do. The material is immediately usable, even before you have finished the book. I love that. As always, his passion for science and for people merge effortlessly into another wonderful book. Thank you.

The subconscious is very, very important if you want to live a very joyful, healthy and contented long life.So if your into Selfhealth this is for you.Denis

I like all the exercises in the book. Easy to read and clear to understand it. Thank you

The book is as I expected, but I have yet to read it

After going through a traumatic year I needed help to heal what I’ve been through. I listened to Dr Mike Dow in Sirius Radio and I knew I needed this book! This book really helped me restore my purpose in life and heal my mind. This is a must read for your mental health! Thank you Dr Mike!

Fast delivery, interesting to read and filled with tools to take us to that deeper level. Thank you!