Podcast Summary: The Dr. Josh Axe Show
Episode Title: Modern Medicine Was Built on Lies (What Big Pharma WON’T TELL You)
Release Date: June 5, 2025
Host: Dr. Josh Axe
Introduction
In this provocative episode, Dr. Josh Axe delves deep into the foundations of modern medicine, challenging the integrity and intentions of Big Pharma. He exposes the historical manipulations that have shaped the current healthcare system, highlighting the detrimental effects of pharmaceutical dominance on true healing practices. Dr. Axe advocates for natural, holistic approaches to health, emphasizing the importance of addressing root causes rather than merely managing symptoms.
Historical Context: The Flexner Report and the Rise of Big Pharma
Dr. Axe begins by tracing a pivotal moment in medical history—the 1910 Flexner Report commissioned by the Carnegie Foundation and heavily influenced by J.D. Rockefeller. This report:
- Discredited Natural Healing Schools: Aimed to marginalize and suppress chiropractic, homeopathy, naturopathy, and herbalism.
- Promoted Drug-Based Treatment: Pressured licensing boards to recognize only "scientific" medical schools focused on pharmaceuticals, sidelining holistic practices.
- Economic Motives: Rockefeller’s goal was to dominate the pharmaceutical industry, ensuring financial gains from synthetic drugs over natural remedies.
Notable Quote:
"The Flexner Report discredited most natural healing schools... He radically transformed American medicine for the worse."
— Dr. Josh Axe [02:15]
This historical maneuver established a medical system primarily driven by profit rather than patient well-being, a trend that continues to this day.
Big Pharma’s Financial Dominance and Ethical Concerns
Dr. Axe highlights the staggering financial footprint of Big Pharma:
- Global Worth: Projected to reach $1.21 trillion.
- Annual Profits: Exceed $400 billion in the U.S. alone.
He argues that these profits are prioritized over genuine healing, with the primary objective being financial gain. This profit-driven model leads to:
- Overprescription of Medications: An estimated $200 billion annually is spent on unnecessary or improperly used medications.
- Polypharmacy: 25% of individuals take four or more medications, increasing the risk of adverse drug interactions and hospitalizations.
Notable Quote:
"The main goal of the pharmaceutical industry and our American Medical Association is not to heal people, it's to make money first."
— Dr. Josh Axe [10:45]
Overprescription and the Epidemic of Polypharmacy
Dr. Axe discusses the alarming rates of medication use:
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Prescription Statistics:
- 70% of U.S. adults take at least one prescription drug monthly.
- 90% of adults over 65 use prescription medications.
- 25% take four or more medications, and 22% take five or more concurrently.
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Consequences:
- Hospital Visits: Nearly 30% of hospital admissions in older adults are due to drug interactions and side effects.
- Chronic Medication Use: Medications intended for short-term use are now lifelong dependencies, masking underlying health issues.
Personal Anecdote:
Dr. Axe shares a poignant story about his grandmother, who was prescribed up to 18 medications, leading to deteriorating health—underscoring the dangers of polypharmacy.
Overdiagnosis: Labeling Normal Variations as Disorders
A significant concern raised is the trend of overdiagnosis:
- Definition: Diagnosing conditions that wouldn’t cause symptoms or problems if left untreated.
- Examples: Labeling normal experiences like sadness or minor fatigue as medical disorders warranting drug treatment.
- Impact:
- Increased Prescriptions: More diagnoses lead to more prescriptions, fueling Big Pharma’s profits.
- Vicious Cycle: Overprescription leads to more side effects and further health complications.
Notable Quote:
"Overdiagnosis is diagnosing a condition that, if left untreated, would not cause any problems or symptoms during a person's lifetime."
— Dr. Josh Axe [18:30]
Influence on Policy and Discrediting Alternative Medicine
Dr. Axe exposes how Big Pharma influences medical policy and education:
- FDA Advisory Committees: Former reliance on industry members, exemplified by Marty Makary’s reforms to remove Big Pharma influence.
- Kickbacks and Lobbying: Pharmaceutical companies contribute millions to political campaigns, ensuring favorable policies.
- Suppression of Alternative Practices: Efforts to discredit and ban natural healing practices continue the legacy of the Flexner Report.
Featured Segment: A clip from Marty Makary, Head of the FDA, discusses removing pharmaceutical representatives from advisory committees to eliminate conflicts of interest.
Notable Quote:
"We are removing industry members, pharma members, from FDA advisory committees... replacing them with patients and family caregivers."
— Marty Makary [22:51]
Dr. Axe emphasizes the significance of this change, highlighting how pharmaceutical influence has historically hindered public health.
Pharmaceutical Misconduct: High-Profile Lawsuits
Dr. Axe outlines major lawsuits against pharmaceutical giants, demonstrating systemic deception:
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Purdue Pharmaceuticals:
- Settlement: Over $6 billion for misleading marketing of OxyContin.
- Impact: Fueled the opioid crisis by obscuring addiction risks.
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Johnson & Johnson:
- Settlement: Over $5 billion for opioid crisis involvement and talcum powder-related cancer risks.
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GlaxoSmithKline:
- Settlement: $3 billion for fraudulent marketing of Avandia, linked to cardiovascular deaths.
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Pfizer:
- Settlement: $2.3 billion for promoting drugs for off-label uses and providing kickbacks to doctors.
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Merck:
- Settlement: Nearly $5 billion for concealing Vioxx’s heart attack risks, leading to an estimated 60,000-100,000 deaths.
Notable Quote:
"Merck created a drug called Vioxx... there are some estimates, they said at least tens of thousands, but many people believe anywhere from 60 to 100,000 people died as a result of taking the drug Vioxx."
— Dr. Josh Axe [19:45]
These cases underscore the pervasive unethical behavior within the pharmaceutical industry, prioritizing profits over lives.
Interconnection with the Food Industry
Dr. Axe reveals the symbiotic relationship between Big Pharma and the food industry:
- Shared Ownership and Investment:
- Pharmaceutical conglomerates also own or invest in major food companies (e.g., Hershey's, Nestlé, General Mills).
- Impact on Public Health:
- Diet-Related Diseases: Processed foods contribute to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic conditions, which in turn drive the demand for pharmaceutical interventions.
- Engineered Sickness: The prevalence of unhealthy foods ensures a continuous market for medications.
Notable Quote:
"Ultra processed food companies are often owned or heavily invested in by pharmaceutical conglomerates... they're okay with keeping all this sugar and cereal and food dyes because then they're going to go and take more pharmaceuticals."
— Dr. Josh Axe [21:10]
Advocating for Natural and Functional Medicine
Transitioning from critique to solutions, Dr. Axe champions natural healing methods:
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Personalized Medicine:
- Functional Medicine: Tailors treatments based on individual biology, addressing unique needs rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
- Ancient Practices: Incorporates principles from Chinese, Ayurvedic, and Greek medicine, focusing on holistic well-being.
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Lifestyle Interventions:
- Diet: Emphasizes whole foods, low glycemic diets, organic produce, and beneficial spices like cinnamon.
- Supplements and Herbs: Utilizes natural supplements such as berberine and chromium for conditions like diabetes.
- Physical Activity: Advocates for regular movement to improve overall health.
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Case Studies:
- Type 2 Diabetes Reversal: Dr. Axe shares a success story where dietary changes and increased cinnamon intake normalized a patient's blood sugar levels, allowing them to discontinue diabetes medications.
- Anxiety Management: Highlights exercise, mindfulness, and gut health as effective alternatives to anti-anxiety drugs.
Notable Quote:
"If somebody were diagnosed with diabetes and their doctor told them... in order to heal, here's what you got to do... almost every time type 2 diabetes will be reversed."
— Dr. Josh Axe [17:00]
Conclusion: Empowering Awareness and Discernment
Dr. Axe concludes by urging listeners to cultivate awareness and discernment to navigate the complexities of modern medicine:
- Awareness as a Tool: Understanding the historical and financial contexts of healthcare empowers individuals to seek genuine healing.
- Critical Thinking: Encourages questioning mainstream narratives and being open to alternative, holistic approaches.
- Future Outlook: Expresses optimism about emerging government officials supporting natural medicine, signaling potential systemic changes.
Final Notable Quote:
"If you rely on the pharmaceutical company to get your truth and find your truth, you'll end up dying early, you'll end up more sick. If instead you can have awareness and see through the lies, you're able to better discern the truth moving forward."
— Dr. Josh Axe [25:30]
Key Takeaways
- Historical Manipulation: The Flexner Report played a pivotal role in sidelining natural medicine, fostering a profit-driven pharmaceutical industry.
- Financial Priorities Over Healing: Big Pharma's enormous profits are often achieved at the expense of patient health through overprescription and unethical practices.
- Overdiagnosis and Polypharmacy: These trends contribute to unnecessary medication use, escalating healthcare costs, and increased health risks.
- Influence and Deception: Pharmaceutical companies' deep ties to policy-making and the food industry perpetuate a cycle that prioritizes profits over public health.
- Holistic Solutions Exist: Natural and functional medicine offer effective alternatives by addressing root causes through personalized and lifestyle-focused interventions.
- Empowerment Through Awareness: Educating oneself about the healthcare system's flaws is essential for making informed health decisions and advocating for genuine healing practices.
Actionable Steps for Listeners
- Research and Educate: Learn about historical reports like Flexner and their impact on modern medicine.
- Question Prescriptions: Assess the necessity of each medication with healthcare providers and explore natural alternatives where feasible.
- Adopt Holistic Practices: Incorporate dietary changes, regular exercise, and natural supplements to address health conditions.
- Advocate for Change: Support legislative efforts to reduce pharmaceutical influence in healthcare and promote holistic medicine.
By shedding light on the systemic issues within modern medicine, Dr. Josh Axe empowers listeners to take control of their health through informed, natural, and personalized approaches.