The appeal of detox

People frequently mention that they are embarking on a detox in an attempt to improve their health. The basic premise of this concept is that a certain diet will allow the "toxins" in our bodies to be flushed out and our health will benefit as a result. According to medical writers, such as Ben Goldacre, the concept of detox does not gel with basic human physiology. Eating unhealthy foods is bad for you, however, unhealthy foods do not leave behind some sort of "toxin" that can be flushed out later. Goldacre argues that the idea of physical detox is a cultural one, since it does not belong in the realm of science.

However, there is a train of thought related to the concept of detox, that does seem worth exploring. The idea is that what we consume can have a bearing on our quality of life. I am thinking of this more in a mental sense. Humans have a limited attention span. Therefore, we must necessarily choose what to focus our attention on. I feel that the quality and nature of information that you absorb affects your thoughts. If you want to be more creative, have more varied and unusual experiences. If you want to be less depressed, hang out with happy people. "Garbage in, garbage out" definitely applies here.

Many people seem to obsess over healthy eating and what their body consumes. Maybe it is time people take the same care with what their mind consumes.