Wellness and medicine all aim to improve health—but only one is backed by science. Here’s what you need to know.
Top Takeaways:
- Health is your current state, wellness is behavior-based, and medicine is evidence-based.
- Wellness can support health, but it’s not a replacement for medicine.
- Anecdotes and belief don’t equal scientific proof.
- Be an informed consumer—question claims, trust evidence.
There are three concepts that often get thrown around interchangeably but are very different: health, wellness, and medicine. While they all relate to the human body and its function, they are fundamentally different in their approach, use of evidence, and impact.
Health is a state. Wellness is a lifestyle. Medicine is a science.
These distinctions matter, especially in an age where influencers, trends, and alternative therapies blur the lines between evidence-based medicine and the growing wellness industry.
What is health?
Health is a measurable state of physical and mental well-being, defined by factors like:
- Blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels
- Immune function and disease resistance
- Mental health and cognitive function
Health exists on a spectrum. A person can be free of disease but still not be optimally healthy. Conversely, someone managing a chronic illness might still achieve a high quality of life through effective medical management.
What is wellness?
Wellness is your lifestyle. Unlike medicine, wellness is not evidence-based; it is behavior-based. Our personal choices and behaviors impact our health.
Wellness encompasses habits like:
- Diet and exercise
- Mindfulness
- Lifestyle choices (e.g., food choices, carnivore diet, detoxes, intermittent fasting)
- Alternative therapies like supplements and chiropractic care
Many aspects of wellness contribute to optimal health. For example, exercise, sleep, and stress management are undeniably beneficial. However, the wellness industry often promotes interventions without solid scientific backing.
For example:
- Green juices, detox teas, and “cleanses”: Our liver and kidneys detox our body just fine. There is no scientific basis for needing external “detox” solutions.
- IV drips for hydration and energy: Unless you have a medical condition that impairs hydration, drinking water and eating nutrient-dense foods are just as effective.
This is not to say wellness is useless; many wellness practices can improve quality of life, but they should not be confused with or used as medical treatment.
What is medicine?
Medicine is the application of scientific evidence to diagnose, treat, and prevent disease. It is rigorously tested, subject to regulatory scrutiny, and relies on controlled studies to prove effectiveness. Whether it’s a new antibiotic, a chemotherapy regimen, or a surgical technique, medicine must meet a high bar of scientific rigor before it becomes standard practice.
Medical treatments undergo:
- Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs): The gold standard for proving effectiveness.
- Peer review and replication: Findings must be validated by independent researchers.
- Regulatory oversight: Agencies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ensure safety and efficacy.
When you take an ibuprofen for a muscle ache or get vaccinated against a disease, you’re benefiting from a system that relies on reproducible, measurable evidence—not anecdotes or personal testimonials.
What are the issues with wellness?
The greatest concern regarding the modern wellness industry is its reliance on belief over scientific evidence.
Many wellness trends rely on:
- Anecdotes over data: “It worked for me” is not the same as rigorous scientific validation.
- Placebo effects: The mind is powerful, and believing in a treatment can sometimes yield perceived benefits, even if the intervention itself is ineffective.
- Fear-based marketing: Many wellness brands prey on people’s fears about modern medicine, chemicals, or “toxins.” (And as we know, everything is a chemical, and the dose makes the poison.)
For example, the rise of anti-vaccine sentiment, distrust of conventional medicine, and the push for “natural” alternatives like unproven supplements often originate from wellness influencers rather than scientists or medical professionals.
Are there benefits to focusing on wellness?
Despite the abundance of unsupported claims and questionable supplements in the wellness industry, many wellness principles are undeniably beneficial, such as regular exercise, a well-balanced diet, quality sleep, and stress management.
Strong lifestyle habits can enhance immune function, cognitive health, and overall well-being. Just as preventive nutrition supports long-term health, incorporating evidence-based wellness practices can positively impact health outcomes when combined with evidence-based medical care when needed.
Is medicine changing to support health better?
Modern medicine is shifting toward a more personalized and preventive approach. Advances in genomics, precision medicine, and microbiome research are enabling more individualized treatment protocols tailored to each person’s unique biology.
At the same time, healthcare systems are increasingly recognizing the importance of preventive care, integrating lifestyle-based strategies alongside medical interventions to support long-term health and well-being.
However, these advancements are rooted in rigorous scientific research, not anecdotes or unproven claims. Every change is driven by evidence-based practices, ensuring that lifestyle recommendations complement, rather than replace, medical science.
Can wellness and medicine co-exist?
Wellness should complement medicine, not replace it. A holistic approach that values science and lifestyle habits can lead to the best outcomes.
Most importantly, wellness should be rooted in evidence whenever possible. Evidence-based practices like exercise, a healthful, balanced diet, and sleep hygiene have robust scientific support that shows improved health outcomes.
Medicine should be accessible, and lifestyle changes should be encouraged, but we should not let unproven wellness trends replace evidence-based treatment.
How can I avoid being misinformed by wellness influencers?
Navigating the wellness industry can be challenging, as it’s often difficult to differentiate between evidence-based products and those driven by marketing.
To be an informed consumer, critically evaluate health claims by asking:
- Is there rigorous scientific evidence supporting this? Look for peer-reviewed research, not just testimonials.
- Are the claims exaggerated or too good to be true? If a product promises instant results or cures everything, be skeptical.
- Is this being sold primarily through social media? Influencer endorsements often prioritize sales over science.
By applying these questions, you can better identify misleading claims and make informed choices about your health.
The good news.
We’re learning more than ever about the connections between medicine, health, and wellness, and there’s a sweet spot where science and lifestyle meet. Even better, the best wellness habits are those developed based on evidence, like eating a well-balanced diet rich in nutrients, exercising, and getting enough sleep, no supplements required.
If you have any questions about ingredients or ideas for a blog post, please send us an email or submit your idea to us at go.msu.edu/cris-idea.
Learn more: citations and further readings.
Center for Research on Ingredient Safety. 101 series: Placebo effect. Michigan State University. https://cris.msu.edu/news/101-series/101-series-placebo-effect/
Center for Research on Ingredient Safety. Everyday toxicology: Digging deeper – The dose makes the poison, the cure. Michigan State University. https://cris.msu.edu/news/everyday-toxicology/everyday-toxicology-digging-deeper-the-dose-makes-the-poison-the-cure/
Center for Research on Ingredient Safety. Everyday toxicology: Dose & dose rate. Michigan State University. https://cris.msu.edu/news/everyday-toxicology/everyday-toxicology-dose-dose-rate/
Center for Research on Ingredient Safety. Everyday toxicology: The dose makes the poison, the cure. Michigan State University. https://cris.msu.edu/news/everyday-toxicology/everyday-toxicology-the-dose-makes-the-poison-the-cure/
Center for Research on Ingredient Safety. How to series: Interpret a study. Michigan State University. https://cris.msu.edu/news/how-to/how-to-series-interpret-a-study/
Center for Research on Ingredient Safety. How to series: Interpret a study – Background. Michigan State University. https://cris.msu.edu/news/how-to/how-to-series-interpret-a-study-background/
Center for Research on Ingredient Safety. Protective nutrition: Disease prevention. Michigan State University. https://cris.msu.edu/news/protective-nutrition-news/protective-nutrition-disease-prevention/
Center for Research on Ingredient Safety. Protective nutrition: Heavy metals. Michigan State University. https://cris.msu.edu/news/protective-nutrition-news/protective-nutrition-heavy-metals/
Center for Research on Ingredient Safety. Protective nutrition: Overview. Michigan State University. https://cris.msu.edu/news/protective-nutrition-news/protective-nutrition-overview/