What do you make of the book’s subtitle, Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence? Does Lembke effectively establish the premise that we live in an age of indulgence? Explain your reasoning, referencing the text.

What do you make of Lembke’s choice to begin the book with Jacob’s story? What is her purpose here? How does she use it to introduce a broader commentary on modern society?

What is Lembke’s ultimate message when she shares David’s story in Chapter 2? What does his story suggest about wider trends in the practice of medicine?