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  • When the Body Says No

  • The Cost of Hidden Stress
  • Written by: Gabor Maté MD
  • Narrated by: Daniel Maté
  • Length: 11 hrs and 48 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (344 ratings)

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When the Body Says No cover art

When the Body Says No

Written by: Gabor Maté MD
Narrated by: Daniel Maté
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Publisher's Summary

National Best Seller

In this accessible and groundbreaking book - filled with the moving stories of real people medical doctor and best-selling author Gabor Maté shows that emotion and psychological stress play a powerful role in the onset of chronic illness, including breast cancer, prostate cancer, multiple sclerosis and many others, even Alzheimer's disease.

When the Body Says No is an impressive contribution to research on the physiological connection between life's stresses and emotions and the body systems governing nerves, immune apparatus, and hormones. With great compassion and erudition, Gabor Maté demystifies medical science and, as he did in Scattered Minds, invites us all to be our own health advocates.

©2021 Gabor Maté (P)2021 Vintage Canada

What the critics say

“His medical background and lucid writing style make complex biological processes accessible to non-scientific readers.” (The Gazette, Montreal)

“Maté carefully explains the biological mechanisms that are activated when stress and trauma exert a powerful influence on the body, and he backs up his claims with compelling evidence from the field.... Both the lay and specialist reader will be grateful for the final chapter, 'The Seven A’s of Healing', in which Maté presents an open formula for healing and the prevention of illness resulting from hidden stress.” (Quill & Quire)

“[An] enthralling exploration of the relationship between stress and disease.... Maté probes deeply into the life histories and psyches of [his] many patients.... What emerges is nothing short of a revelation.... When the Body Says No has the power to change medical thinking.” (The Edmonton Journal)

What listeners say about When the Body Says No

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

a real eye opener into what stress does to you

Just loved this book! Well written and stories from real people lives. Prompts me to take a serious look at the stress in my life and what I can do about it.

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  • AiA
  • 2024-02-26

transformative!

It's been on my reading list for years. I'm glad I finally got around to listening to this evocative book.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

intellectually Enriching

If you enjoy stories of others and how they lives enriches ours this is the perfect read. the consciousness Gabor shares in his storytelling I find a refreshing, humbling, and cathartic for my soul.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Not what I thought it would be

I read this as part of a book club choice. I live with a lot of stress, childhood trauma, PTSD from childhood and was looking for the connection between the body and stress, and how the body says No. The first chapters were good and I was able to identify with many of the points, and I thought "oh good, a book I can relate to". Unfortunately there were some intervening chapters that were so dry and long winded it sounded like someone's university thesis brought to life. Chapter after chapter tying certain kinds of stress to certain kinds of ailments and frankly I don't need that in my head, and thankfully I don't have any of those ailments. I don't need to be wondering if every little ache and pain is related to stress. I skipped to chapter 14 and carried on from there... and chapter 17, The Biology of Belief is the reason I skipped the previous chapters. I have read Dr. Bruce Lipton's book called The Biology of Belief and it is fantastic. I am very aware of self talk, ingrained beliefs and programming and what affect that has on the body. The following chapters to the end are worth listening to and value to be gained. The examples can still be long winded as they are "story like" and word for word recapping of conversations. A book that uses examples with less detail and more information on what I can do to change would have been much more valuable. If I had to buy this again, not sure if I would. I need a "how to" book on identifying, understanding, and changing old programming and beliefs so I can move forward... and this isn't it. :(

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Mind provoking

I like the stories, although some very sad. They touch on points that I never knew existed. Clearly changing one's own narrative. Has to happen.

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it was very knowledgeable & enjoyed audible !

I get very distracted reading books where as it was much easier to listen to Audiobooks.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great Insight

Excellent look into how the mind and body are connected; mental health and stress are directly related to physical ailments. Great read/listen.

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Brilliant book. A must read.

Love Gabor Maté’s work. This book is no exception. Everyone who is a parent or care giver should read this. Every medical student and medical professional should read this. I bet they don’t teach this knowledge in medical school, which is why and what makes Gabor’s work so brilliant and so very needed in our times and world. It is not a book just for those who are ill and seeking healing. It is for everyone who cares about their health, and those of their children and loved ones. I learned so much about myself, my behaviours and emotions, and all the ways my body is saying no to me by reading this book. Thank you Gabor Maté, for the wisdom you bring to the world through your work.

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    5 out of 5 stars

Life Changing & Brilliant!

This was probably the best book I’ve read in years! Very eye opening and alarming at the same time. It really makes us think of how things are connected and how the way we manage our stress can affect our overall wellbeing and health. The case studies and experiences presented in each chapter are relatable and timely. SO grateful to back came across this book!

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    5 out of 5 stars

Superb!

Always a pleasure to read books by this Canadian author. He displays so much compassion and understanding in his writing. This is the third book that I have read from Gabor maté, and I will be reading all the others.

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1 person found this helpful