The Rabbit Effect by Kelli Harding M.D. M.P.H Summary
Overview of The Rabbit Effect
Discover why kindness is medicine in "The Rabbit Effect," where Dr. Harding reveals how compassion literally saves lives. When chronic loneliness equals smoking a pack daily, this NPR Best Book shows why your relationships might matter more than your doctor's advice.
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The Rabbit Effect: When Kindness Becomes Medicine
Picture this: two groups of rabbits on identical high-fat diets show dramatically different heart health outcomes. The difference? One group received regular handling, petting, and talking from researcher Murina Levesque. These rabbits had 60% fewer fatty deposits despite identical cholesterol levels. This groundbreaking 1978 discovery by Dr. Robert Nerem reveals what medicine often overlooks - our health extends far beyond medical interventions and personal choices to how we treat each other and structure our communities. This "Rabbit Effect" challenges our understanding of what truly makes us healthy in an increasingly isolated world, showing that kindness isn't just nice - it's necessary for physical wellbeing. Seventy-three-year-old Bella radiates health despite aggressive pancreatic cancer. She tends her garden, takes art classes, bakes for neighbors, volunteers, and enjoys weekly bridge games with friends. Her oncologist remains puzzled by how she thrives despite her grave diagnosis. Meanwhile, forty-three-year-old Daisy appears withered beyond her years despite perfect test results. Recently divorced and working two jobs, she moves slowly through constant pain and exhaustion, barely able to leave her house. This stark contrast highlights Western medicine's fundamental problem - categorizing people as either sick or well based solely on physical factors while ignoring crucial social contexts. Dr. George Engel's biopsychosocial model offers a solution, recognizing health occurs within concentric layers from cells at the center to relationships, community, and society in outer rings. Nothing exists in isolation; chronic stress triggers cellular inflammation while strong social connections boost immune function.
The Healing Power of Human Connection
Workplace Dignity and Health
The Purpose Prescription
Environmental Influences on Health
The Science of Nurturing Relationships
The Medicine of Connection
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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