Medical Dr. Andrew Weil's best-selling books have done much to bring concepts such as alternative medicine, homeopathy, and holistic healing into the medical main stream. Join Ira in this hour of Science Friday for a conversation with Dr. Weil.

Plus, new research shows a common over-the-counter treatment for depression actually works. Researchers found that the hormone DHEA was 'an effective treatment for midlife-onset major and minor depression,' leading to significant improvements on several measures of depression. We'll talk about it.

Call in with your questions and comments at 1-800-989-8255 (3-4 Eastern). Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.

Guests:
Peter J. Schmidt, MD
Chief, Reproductive Endocrine Studies Unit
National Institute of Mental Health
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, Maryland

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Andrew Weil, MD
Author: "Health and Healing;" "The Marriage of the Sun and Moon;" "The Natural Mind;" "Natural Health, Natural Medicine" (all 2004 re-issue in paperback, Houghton Mifflin)
Director, Program in Integrative Medicine
University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona

Books/Articles Discussed:

"Dehydroepiandrosterone Monotherapy in Midlife-Onset Major and Minor Depression" Peter J. Schmidt, et al. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2005;62:154-162.

"Health and Healing," by Andrew Weil. Houghton Mifflin, 2004.

"The Marriage of the Sun and Moon," by Andrew Weil. Houghton Mifflin, 2004.

"The Natural Mind," by Andrew Weil. Houghton Mifflin, 2004.

"Natural Health, Natural Medicine," by Andrew Weil. Houghton Mifflin, 2004.

(find books discussed on previous broadcasts)

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This segment produced by Annette Heist