Dr. T. Rama Prasad's Scribblings...: January 2023

MODERN WELLNESS CENTRES

Dr. T. Rama Prasad

"The most modern wellness centre may just be a tree under which you may simply sit without doing anything at all." -- Dr. T. Rama Prasad

The inexpensive TREE is for the ORDINARY people. For the RICH, the following is a choice.

Wonderful VIBES; Wellness for the WEALTHY; Memorable EXPERIENCES

Read about the Billionaire's Burrow at the end of this writing (Rs. 3.5 lakh per day)

Wellness centres are facilities focused on holistic health, promoting overall well-being through preventive care, lifestyle improvements, and a balance of physical, mental, and emotional health. Unlike traditional gyms (which emphasise fitness alone) or hospitals (which focus on diseases), wellness centres integrate services like yoga, meditation, massage therapy, nutrition counselling, fitness classes, acupuncture, stress management, and sometimes medical screenings or alternative therapies.

They create relaxing, supportive and therapeutic environments to help prevent disease, reduce stress, and enhance quality of life, often catering to mind-body-soul-spirit alignment. At least, they are supposed to do all this. Are the benefits limited to that short period of stay, and the life would be as usual after going home ? People who stayed in these centres should be able to say something about this.

MODERN WELLNESS NATURE POOL

The zeal to be more healthy and to live longer is gaining steam around the world. It started with biohacking (experimenting with regimens and supplements to improve body performance) and extended to variants like cryotherapy, light therapy, oxygen therapy, gravity therapy, injecting supplements, yoga practice, meditation modifications, mind engineering, etc.

The recent scientific evidence on 'CHRONIC low-level INFLAMMATION' somewhere in the body (not causing any symptoms on its own) as a cause for various diseases -- cardiovascular diseases (European Jourrnal of Preventive Cardiology - Sept 2026), cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, autoimmune diseases, anxiety disorders, obesity, arthritis, endometriosis, brain fog and what not -- has further activated the 'wellness industry' to introduce various 'anti-inflammatory' products and interventions. It's a subject which is ill-understood and still evolving, but the wellness centres would tap the business potential based on the research findings. Diagnosis is difficult (CRP & ESR are not decisive) and the treatment advisories are widely varied -- from turmeric to elimination diets to celery juice resets to ice baths to parasite detoxes to 'monotrophic cleanses' (eating only one kind of food item) to anti-inflammatory products. All these are promoted by AI-generated doctors, healers and wellness influencers.

Is it all RIGHT or WRONG ? Click on > https://drtramaprasad.blogspot.com/2023/01/right-or-wrong.html

OLD AVATARS

'Wellness Centres' had been in existence for a very long time as extensions of luxury health facilities attached to many high-end holiday resorts. The 'Westin Resort & Spa’ in Himalayas still holds space for the traditional practices for deeper emotional calibration through a luxurious escape from the chaos of urban life to a forest stay with chirping mornings and dancing waterfalls tempered with Ayurvedic massages and sunrise yoga. 'Swastik Luxury Wellbeing' in Peacock Valley in ‘Khadakwasla Pune’ is one more centre.

NEW BRANDS

Swap the urban grind for personalised wellness , thoughtful nutrition and seriously soothing surroundings. One of the recent entrants is The Wellness Co Retreat at Karma Lakelands in Gurugram. This brand new centre calls itself India's first diagnostics-led integrated wellness retreat and longevity destination. Spread across 270 acres of greenery, the luxurious service includes : a comprehensive health assessment by a wellness doctor; a nutrition expert's personalised dietary schedule; lifestyle modulation; personalised consultations; movement and mindfulness sessions; Ayurveda; naturopathy; physiotherapy; Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy; Whole Body Cryotherapy; and what not.

MORE

Another one is on the outskirts of Bengaluru - KSHEMAVANA which offers a verdant pause from urban chaos; holistic programmes blended with naturopathy, food therapy, fitness, yoga, Ayurveda, meditation, etc.

One more is ATMANTAN near Pune. The fabulous doctor-guided wellness destination is said to bring together mind, body and soul as its name suggests - atma (soul)+ mana (mind) + tann.(body). At Atmantan, it is claimed that ‘Reax Neuroreactive Training’ (RNT) induces wellness by enhancing reflexes, coordination, and sensory responsiveness through dynamic, real world stimulus training.

And near Dehradun is the SIX SENSES VANA, tucked into 21 acres of sal forest. This is where the ancient wisdom gets a contemporary makeover. The retreat brings together Ayurveda, yoga, Tibetan Medicine, packed calendar of daily activities, personalised attention, wellness consultations, and even Retreat Attire.

Now, with extended facilities for 'wellness', it seems that the luxurious TAJ PALACE at Lucknow, and the ITC Hotels near Kempty Falls with sweeping views of the Siwalik ranges near Mussoorie are in the competition.

SILENT WELLNESS

The escape from the din of a city life has, of late, taken a further step to the extreme of SILENCE which is golden for some. In 2026, the ‘silent’ wellness tourism (hush tourism)is evolving into a major industry trend -- a niche trend with silent destinations with AI concierges and silent dead zone cabins with no Wi-Fi or cellular signal. Minimal human interaction – even the reception area is silent without receptionists (replaced by digital-only check-ins) and without small talk with staff or other guests ! It’s a refuge from auditory overstimulation leading to peace, healing and transformation. For the ‘auditory detoxing’, ‘Ayana Resort’ in Bali, ‘Six Senses Vana’ in Uttrakhand, ‘Santani Wellness Resort’ in Sri Lanka, and ‘Chiva-Som International Health Resort’ in Thailand are some to choose from. Ladakh, Uttarkhand, ‘The Azores’, Portugal (Islands of Silence) and ‘Atacama Desert’, Namibia, Middle East (for silent stargazing / celestial observation), and some centres in Himalayas are some more in this category which are becoming popular.

SCIENTIFIC COLOUR

The wellness travel to 'spa breaks' in Bali or 'Ayurvedic retreats' in Kerala seems to be old-fashioned and passe, with the establishment of ultramodern establishments all over the world with cleverly crafted introductory words of incomprehensible pseudoscientific expressions --- science and rituals stitching together BODY, MIND and SPIRIT; rewiring of neuro pathways; etc. The ''wellness language' is borrowing more and more fancy jargon from the neuroscience and psychology using terms like "emotional detox" and "dopamine fasting and "neuroelectric modelling" and "metacognition" and so on.

AI - POLISHED

As the wellness industry is advancing, wellness tools like 'Mindfulness apps', 'Headspace', 'Calm', generative artificial intelligence like 'Chat-GPT', etc. have stepped in. Clients are increasing in number, partly due to chronic exposure to toxins -- from blue light to environmental pollution, leading to cellular exhaustion. Many of the 'modern' wellness centres are located in posh localities and high-cost resorts.

CHINESE PEPTIDES

Even on the USA’s Silicon Valley frontiers, a wide array of unproven and unregulated ‘Chinese Peptides’ has taken hold. People are using BPC-157 and TB-500 to stimulate new blood vessel growth for faster healing of injuries; oxytocin for improving eye contact (an OpenAI researcher called it “Ozempic for autism”); epitalon for sleep enhancement; and retatrutide (a next generation weight loss drug, still in clinical trials) for everything from appetite suppression to increased focus of mind !

Imports into the USA of hormones and peptide compounds from China doubled to $328 million in the first nine months of 2025 from the same period of 2024. All for unproven benefits. The FDA of the USA has warned that many peptides pose “serious safety risks” because of potential impurities and immune reactions.

PEPTIDES

Peptides are short chains of amino acids, the basic building blocks of proteins in the body, that regulate hormones, metabolism, immune. responses and reduce inflammation. In therapy, these peptides are used to mimic the body's natural signals and send targeted instructions to certain cells. They are generally better tolerated than some conventional drugs. Some best known and currently popular peptides are in the weight reducing GLP-1 class of drugs (semaglutide, tirzepatide, etc). But in the gray market, many unproven and unapproved peptides are available -- BPC-157, and TB-500 for healing injuries; epitalon for sleep disorders; retatrutide for weight loss; and some others for anything from stomach problems to mind disorders. Many of them come from China, and the US imported more than $300 million in the first nine months of 2025. People are using them as 'biobackers', while the FDA of USA has warned that many peptides pose 'serious safety risks'. However, more than 80 peptide-based drugs are currently being studied, and many of hem are already being used in wellness, fitness and anti-ageing centres, as peptides are promoted as a 'targeted and advanced' way to improve health, appearance and performance. The safety issue remains unknown.

GRAVITY & TEMPERATURE

At a sleek retreat outside Lisban, guests float in a chamber of 1,200 pounds of Epsom salt, where gravity is suspended and the brain is said to enter a theta-wave, with an experience described as eerie and liberating.

In Goa, at a luxury wellness centre, clients emerge from minus 110 degrees cryo-chambers / pools claiming that they are exhilarated, their metabolism jolted awake and their mood lifted by a rush of endorphins. In some centres, alternate ‘cooling’ and ‘heating’ is adapted.

VISUALS, VITAMINS & WATER

Numerous wellness centres have come up -- in Rishikesh, headsets project visuals tailored to stress levels, transporting one into digital versions through Visual Reality Technology (VRT).

https://drtramaprasad.blogspot.com/2023/01/right-or-wrong.html

In another biohacking centre, a suffusion of magnesium or glutathione or vitamins, along with sipping of water infused with ‘adaptogens’ is practised for ensuring better health. In some centres, expensive drinking water is sourced from some remote mountain ranges, deep oceans, and selected places for special benefits. And, some supply expensive packaged and branded drinking water -- Rs. 30,000 (thirty thousand) for 750 ml; ‘cheaper’ ones at Rs. 700 for 355 ml; and there are many other imported costly brands such as Kona Nigari, Saratoga Spring water, Voss Artesian, Perrier, San Pellegrino along with the Indian premier aqua brand Aava. Water, like wine, has different taste, texture, and mineral content, when sourced from different regions.

At Aravallis, near Jaipur, guests step into sensory deprivation pods filled with warm saline water.

SOUND & YOGA

At 'Siddhayu Wellness Ayurveda', an immersive sound approach is said to infuse natural ambient sound, spiritual chanting of mantras, and mindful stillness, creating a deeply resonant and healing sonic environment.

In Gujarat, the 'WOODS' at Sasan, the 'Sonorium Sound Healing Space' and the 'Sound Healing Bed' are considered to guide guests through a 30-minute 'Five Elements Journey' which realigns body energy.

In Iceland, geo-thermal sound baths combine hot springs with immersive soundscapes. Japan's futuristic spas now offer Virtual Reality Meditation (VRM) pods. The Maldives introduced submarine yoga activity in glass pods under turquoise waters where 'manta rays' glide past as witnesses.

RED LIGHT & OXYGEN

At 'Fairmont Mumbai', 'Red-light therapy' is claimed to stimulate collagen production, boost cellular repair and reduce oxidative stress, and they combine Indian Naturopathy with precision diagnostics.

At Atmantan, it is claimed that ‘Reax Neuroreactive Training’ (RNT) induces wellness by enhancing reflexes, coordination, and sensory responsiveness through dynamic, real world stimulus training.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HOT) is positioned to replicate a mountain escape's rejuvenation, easing brain fog amid the city's hustle and bustle, at the 'Blu Xone' centre.

BACK TO GRANDMA

The 'WOODS' also offers culinary healing treks, where food is tailored to be a medicine by local grandmothers who forage herbs into broths that soothe gut, mind and spirit.

Various wellness centres offer various methods, claiming various benefits using various pseudoscientific and technical terms.

In these days of digital fatigue and stressful life, running parallel to overstimulation of the senses, people are confused and hence run to these exotic and expensive wellness centres. There are always celebrities to testify the benefits. Did not the former Prime Minister of India, Morarji Desai, who practised drinking his own urine and lived a long healthy life, wrote a book on the benefits of drinking one's own urine which costs nothing !!!

It all started with BIOHACKING practices long ago. Biohacking means making small, intentional changes to your diet, lifestyle, environment, or using technology to "hack" your biology and optimize your health, energy, mood, and mental or physical performance, ranging from simple habits like sleep optimization to more complex self-experimentation.

It's a DIY approach to self-improvement, essentially applying a hacker's mindset to your body's systems for better function.

Common Biohacking Practices

Diet & Nutrition:

Intermittent fasting, reducing refined carbs, mindful eating, or timing meals for steady energy.

Sleep Optimization:

Improving sleep quality for better health, stress management, and immunity.

Mindfulness & Focus:

Meditation, breath-work, and structured work/break cycles for cognitive enhancement.

Environmental Adjustments:

Using light exposure, cold therapy (like cold showers or ice baths), or sound therapy.

Technology & Wearables:

Using devices to track data (sleep, heart rate, etc.) to inform changes.

Supplements & Nootropics:

Using substances like caffeine strategically or exploring other cognitive enhancers.

BILLIONAIRE’s BURROW

In the sculpted valleys of Cappadocia (Turkey), the ultimate WELLNESS symbol is a Rs 3.5 lakh-a-night palatial suite carved into ancient volcanic stone. The concealed hotels like ‘Museum Hotel’ looks from outside like folded cliffs and fairy chimneys. Inside, are super-luxury chambers, carved from volcanic stone and layered with silk, marble, crystal and curated antiquities. The ambience expands into multi-level fantastic accommodation with private courtyards, heated indoor cave pools and dedicated five-star butler service. Limestone walls rise into cathedral-like ceilings, and the floors are dressed in hand-woven Anatolian carpets, and bathrooms gleam in heated marble with free-standing soaking tubs set beneath arched alcoves. ‘Argos hotels’ stretches across restored monasteries and subterranean tunnels in cinematic fashion, with vaulted salons, hidden passageways, private wine cellars and candlelit private indoor cave pools. Suites are built around preserved archaeological features and Ottoman artefacts, some with private plunge pools, overlooking ‘Pigeon Valley’ and its sunrise ballet of hot air balloons. And many more, including private hot air balloon charters and helicopter transfers. For destination weddings and milestone celebrations, the charges are around Rs 50 lakh per night. All this is said to bring a lot of WELLNESS to the rich.

-- Dr. T. Rama Prasad

Go to : https://drtramaprasad.blogspot.com/2023/01/right-or-wrong.html

https://drtramaprasad.blogspot.com/2023/01/right-or-wrong.html

To know a little about PERUNDURAI SANATORIUM & MEDICAL COLLEGE, click on :

https://drtramaprasad.blogspot.com/2017/04/perundurai-medical-college-sanatorium_29.html

A brief introduction

In the words of Prof C H Sivaraman, FRCP (London):

“ ... Dr. T. Rama Prasad belongs to a distinctly different and unconventional species of doctors. He speaks sparingly and does not even display his qualifications or merits, but his innumerable published writings (he calls them ‘scribblings’ though they are ‘pearls of wisdom and knowledge’, sprinkled with a bit of humour and sarcasm) which received wide acclaim talk eloquently for him. The ‘PAY WHAT YOU CAN’ Clinic where services are available for which one may pay whatever one can is a facility run by Dr. Prasad for a very long time which could be a world record. Dr. Prasad is called a “god” by his patients, and many of them named their children after his name “Prasad” -- that is the height of recognition of goodness of a human being.."

Service to Humanity is service to God; Kindness costs nothing

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The following is a list of some of my 'scribblings', including a few from the 28 articles on COVID published in a monthly medical journal in 30 months (a world record). To open them, click on the titles. -- T. Rama Prasad

Blog Archive

▼ 2017 ‪(115)

▼ March ‪(1)

COVID MEDICAL LITERATURE

▼ April ‪(112)

OREIKLE

DEEPAAVALI

Science and Nonsense about COVID

AMC BATCH 1959 (revised)

Nurses Day 2017

FOOD, EXERCISE and SLEEP

OMICRON -- a paper tiger ?