Connecting to ancient traditions and harnessing the powers of spirit and mind. I want the same thing you do. The secret to living longer, happier. Where do we find it . Im chasing life. Theres a little town nestled in the fertile mountains of central turkey. Between the call to prayer and the sleepy pace, it feels like a world away. But in the fields nearby, theres something growing. Typically, if youre feeling pain, you pop a pill. And some of the most powerful painkillers are known as opiates. And they start from a unique crop in the province of opium. That opium comes from the poppy plant, who gets hauled in by the ton, for the largest processor. This is one of the top executives here. So, this is what all of the fuss is about. Poppy. How many trucks like this come every day . 40 trucks. 40. Yes. All these medications you hear about, codeine, oxycodone. They come from this. The poppy plant. You can hear the seeds inside. What theyre really looking for, though, this shell that contains that all that opium. That white substance. The lab here extracts and purifies the opium until its stronger than the natural painkillers or endorphins our bodies produce on their own. Drugs called opiates from this flood our brain with feel good chemicals and over time can permanently alter our perceptions of pleasure and pain which often leads to dependency and addiction. Im a doctor in the United States, and a lot of these medications are prescribed over there. Do you have any idea how much is coming from here . And turkeys best customer . The United States. American doctors wrote 259 million prescriptions for painkillers in 2012 alone. Enough for every adult in the country to have their own supply. When users get hooked, many turn to a cheaper derivative of opium, hair win. Heroin. A drug ravaging communities across america. Clearly this is a powerful plant. Something the turks figured out a while back. Hundreds of years ago opium was a goto remedy prescribed by doctors and it wasnt long before it was abused in turkeys cities. But a lot of the rural areas including the opium growing hub of afyon were spared the ravages of addiction. How do they do it . A turkish scholar might have some answers. I think if you had a town named opium in the states, people would be suspicious. People are proud of the name itself and what it stands for here. Spice markets are always the place to visit. Yep. Here are different kinds of poppy seeds. The tiny seeds, the gem for people. And so locals built a life around poppy seeds. Their livelihood depends on the cash crop. As far as a lot of turks are concerned, its more a corner stone of their economy and diet whats over here . This is the poppy paste. This is poppy paste. You want to try . Am i going to test positive if i eat this stuff . No. Its thats pretty good. So people think that consuming the paste is very beneficial. It makes your digestive system work better. The emphasis is more on food than medicine. But there is also belief that medicine is there, the therapeutic aspect is there. Im curious to try a little bit. Poppy and health go hand and hand here. But that relationship has grown more complicated. And so here they have a shell that has the opiate. Its amazing how controversial this plant can be. I mean, its a plant. Its seen as a problem. It is seen as a solution. In the states drug overdoses are a top cause of unintentional death. Here you make a lot of it in turkey and you dont see it. Even in the town thats literally named opium, you dont see it that much. We all need to use medication occasionally in our lives, but i think it has to do with social and family structures. Here the family ties are quite strong. People still keep an eye on each other. Theres this selfcontrol mechanism that is there. Is there a stigma around addictions . Exactly but its not only that. The culture is so influenced by religion that islam shapes peoples perception. Turkey is predominantly muslim and the koran prohibits the use of mind altering substances. But for generations opium was unregulated here. Until america declared the war on drugs in the 70s. Americas public enemy number one in the United States is drug abuse. Nixon pressured turkey to stop growing opium because it was flooding the United States in the form of illegal heroin, but for farmers here in afyon this crop was their life blood. They fought back and got the ban overturned with a catch. Every single grower must now hand over the medicinal part of their crop to the government. Very nice to meet you. Got to have tea before you sit down and talk. Thank you. These farmers relationship with opium couldnt be more different from our own. I was doing some math. I was at the factory earlier today. So for one kilogram of opium costs 400 u. S. Dollars. When you actually pull the opium out of the poppy, they sell it for about 400 for one kilogram, but on the streets it sells for 1 million. Whats coming from these fields over here. As long as you have enough to eat . When you were young, what did you use opium for . Was it used in your family . A tooth ache . When you take this poppy as a medicine, does it affect your brain . Do you feel an effect up here . It worked for you . Doctor here. Americans consume 80 of the worlds opiods but we dont have 80 of the worlds pain. And if opioids are any indication, turkey doesnt turn to pills the same way we do. So where do they look for healing . Its time for our Memorial Day Sale on the sleep number 360 smart bed. It senses your movement and automatically adjusts to keep you both comfortable. Save 1,000 on the new queen sleep number 360 special Edition Smart bed, only 1,799. Only for a limited time. Take me to your best friends house going around this roundabout oh, yeah another wireless ad. Great. So many of them are full of this complicated, tricky language about their network and offers and blah blah blah. Look. Sprints going to do things differently. And let you decide for yourself. Theyre offering a new 100 total satisfaction guarantee. Try it out and see the savings. If you dont love it, get your money back. See . Simple. Now sprints unlimited plan comes with one of the newest phones included for just 35 a month. So switch now. For people with hearing loss, visit sprintrelay. Com sustainable wildcaught. Or responsibly farmed. And now at a lower price. Aw. Confetti. There was no hesitation, i went straight to ctca. After my mastectomy, it was maddening because i felt part of my identity was being taken away. When youre able to restore what cancers taken away, you see that transformation firsthand knowing that she had options that she could choose, helped restore hope. My team made me feel like a whole person again. Cancer Treatment Centers of america. Appointments available now. Travelocity is there for you. Not right in the room. Thatd be awkward. But you know, online, on the phone, when you realize you want to extend your stay. Travelocity. Wander wisely. Turkey is a bridge linking east and west. Extending nearly 1,000 miles across the peninsula. For more than 2000 years the region has been a crossroad for arabian traders and islamic emperors. Those who have passed through left behind their own ideas about health and medicine. In the Southwest Corner of the country stands the ruins of an ancient city. A time capsule to 500 b. C. When the greeks ruled this land. Before modern hospitals and doctors, this was one of the worlds oldest sites for healing. When i look at the first thing that comes to mind is beauty. This is history. This is a part of who we are. This is the center of the city. In the ancient amphitheater im meeting francesco, an archaeologist who spent more than 30 years trying to uncover the healing powers of the city. People used to come from all over the place to try and treat themselves in some way . Yes. What sort of healing happened here . Illness of eyes, also the skin, for the bones. The healing here is all the time connected with the great religion. For this reason they build the gates of the under world. The gates to the under world i dont think im alone here when i say the underworld or hell is pretty much the last place id imagine any healing to occur. They search for the hell gates. Like some sort of real life Indiana Jones he discovered manage remarkable in 2013. We make the descent to the underworld. All right. I hope everybody is ready for that. So this was considered the entrance to the hell. They have dedicated the arch to pluto to the god of the underworld from the gates come the springs with thermal water. What were look agent are volcanic pools with Carbon Dioxide gas. Essentially, poison. Its impossible for people to go inside. Two years ago two tourist slept near the groto and they were killed by the fumes. Its dangerous. We know the initiated people, some people were chosen to go. A select few of the religious class knew that these deadly gases in smaller doses would have a special kind of medicinal effect. In search of heal, they had to enter the underworld through a back door by crossing over an earthquake fault line. So you have to jump here in the other dimension. They would ceremoniously enter the chambers adorned, lamp lit. One of the most sacred spots in the ancient city. And you see the thermal water coming here. I see it. Yeah. People came here without eating, without drinking, and all the gas gave a change of perception in the minds. They go into this altered state . Yes. Altered state to have a dream, and after this dream came the healing. Its not possible to heal without the mind. They are strictly connected. The ancients practiced the psychedelic right as late as the 12th century. They figured out something profound. Healing can be as much about healing your perception of pain as much as the pain itself. Its the experiment with lsd to treat things like ptsd and depression and anxiety. And turks today still travel here to bathe in nontoxic thermal pools bubbling through other worldly formations. Im not sure that i buy this water is medicinal, but the locals are convinced it can cure all sorts of different ailments. I think almost since i thought about becoming a doctor, this question would come up. How does science and belief interplay . Whats the relationship . On one hand scientists on other people the people with the hope that youre going to heal in some way. Our ancestors did it before us, and were now following in their footsteps. Theres nothing more important than the education of a young mind. Lets go. Lets go. Lets go. Except maybe being first in line to the grand opening of the Worlds Largest rollercoaster. [ cheering ] the volkswagen atlas. More room means more fun. Hyaits in here. New from Revitalift Derm intensives hyaluronic acid serum with our highest concentration of hyaluronic acid visibly plumps skin and reduces wrinkles. Bounce back new revitalift hyaluronic acid serum from loreal. [video game sounds playing in the background] [video game sounds playing in the background] who used expedia to book the hotel that led to the ride which took them to the place where they discovered that sometimes a little down time can lift you right up. Flights, hotels, cars, activities. Expedia. Everything you need to go. Weve transformed this home to show the keurig kcafe brewer makes any house a coffee house. Just pop that in for a coffee or brew a shot and froth milk for a latte or cappuccino. Easy peasy. Now shes a barista its so frothy. A little piece of heaven. Thank you. But hows the coffee . The latest a litinisnt just a store. Ty its a save more with a new kind of Wireless Network store. Its a look what your wifi can do now store. A get your questions answered by awesome experts store. Its a now theres one store that connects your life like never before store. The xfinity store is here. And its simple, easy, awesome. A neuro surgeon im used to thinking of the brain as a complex hunk of flesh. A black box full of our thoughts and feelings. But even after performing thousands of procedures, theres a question i still struggle with. Where does the brain end and the mind begin . In turkey, in ancient religion has been asking that same question for nearly a thousand years. We have a ceremony. Bethink about who we are, why we are living. We feel all the love of god, but this is not prayers. This is not a worship. This is a meditation. This man belongs to a mystical sect of islam which professes through meditation we can overcome the limitations of the body. Its a medicine to your heart. Its food for your soul. Sema practiced by rolling der dervishes is said to elevate the spirit by freeing the mind. Medically im not sure what that means, but i do know that spinning like this sometimes for hours on end is not as gentle or easy as it seems. Its tough for our bodies to tolerate. Your Balance Center is inside your ear and the back of your brain tell you not to spin like this. You start to become nauseated. When you start it, of course. But you have to take some things. I was eight years old when i started. Im closer to god now. My mind is relaxed. Im more pure. What do you mean more pure . Pure. I dont think anything. Completely blank . Thats it. Its hard. My mind is constantly running. Youll learn. Anybody can be trained . Of course. People practice meditation throughout the world. Nearly 10 of americans do some form of it. And the most fervent believers claim it even has the power to heal. This family lives in ankara, turkeys capital city, and they have three adult sons, tolga, 25, shows symptoms of autism. Back in america, we think about 1 in 68 children have Autism Spectrum Disorder and people with the condition can have difficulty socializing and show repetitive behavior, but whats happening inside the autistic brain is a mystery. Somehow the brain is overly or under sensitive to sight, sound, and touch. Maybe the best way to understand whats going on with tolga is to step into his life. Thank you. Nice to meet you. Tolga. Thank you for having me. Do you remember when you first noted anything was going on with tolga, anything different . Tolga might never be able to work or live on his own. The hyperactivity and anxiety that often comes with autism can get in the way of a normal life. Were medications ever part of what was being offered . In the states between 50 and 60 of people with autism are treated with antipsychotics or antidepressants but the pills dont work for everyone and they can have side effects of their own. Tolgas parents say theyve chosen a different path. [ speaking nonenglish ] in turkey a deeply spiritual nation can an unconventional treatment break through the barriers of the mind when mainstream medicine falls short . Woman 1 this is my body of proof. Man 1 proof of less joint pain and clearer skin. Man 2 proof that i can fight psoriatic arthritis. Woman 2 . With humira. Woman 3 humira targets and blocks a specific source of inflammation that contributes to both joint and skin symptoms. Its proven to help relieve pain, stop further irreversible joint damage and clear skin in many adults. Humira is the number one prescribed biologic for psoriatic arthritis. Announcer humira can lower your ability to fight infections. Serious and sometimes fatal infections, including tuberculosis, and cancers, including lymphoma, have happened, as have blood, liver, and nervous system problems, serious allergic reactions, and new or worsening heart failure. Tell your doctor if youve been to areas where certain fungal infections are common and if youve had tb, hepatitis b, are prone to infections, or have flulike symptoms or sores. Dont start humira if you have an infection. Man 3 ask your rheumatologist about humira. Woman 4 go to mypsaproof. Com to see proof in action. Oh, sir. That was my grandmas. Dont worry, maam. All of your stuff is in ok hands. Just ok . They dont give two and a half stars to just anybody. Here you go. Whats this . Its your piano. Hold this for a sec. We dont have a piano. No. But the neighbors do. Just ok is not ok. Especially when it comes to your network. At t is americas best Wireless Network according to americas biggest test. Now with 5g evolution. The first step to 5g. More for your thing. Thats our thing. When you rent from national. Its kind of like playing your own version of best ball. Because here, you can choose any car in the aisle, even if its a better car class than the one you reserved. So no matter what, youre guaranteed to have a perfect drive. [laughter] vo go national. Go like a pro. See what i did there . Today, lifechanging technology from abbott is helping hunt them down at their source. Because the faster we can identify new viruses, the faster we can get to stopping them. The most personal technology, is technology with the power to change your life. Life. To the fullest. Tolga lives with the symptoms of autism, but hes never been treated with medication. His family invited me to attend one of his special education classes provided by the local government where his teacher is searching for other ways to reach him. How was tolga when you first met him . How would you describe him . In turkey Educational Opportunities for developmentally challenged are few and far between. Shes breaking new ground encouraging tolga and his classmates to transcend their diagnosis with school, art, and the tradition of sema, the 800yearold practice of whirling. [ speaking nonenglish ] i think about whats happening here, and many of the students could not even be touched let alone participate in a Group Activity such as this one. What exactly is happening in the brain, why this works . We dont know. [ speaking nonenglish ] what is happening in the brain with this sort of therapy . Tolga is new to sema. For now hes comfortable on the side lines. But for a man who struggled his whole life to speak or make eye contact, thats a big step. Very nice. Thank you. Tolga . After all ive seen and heard about the power of whirling, i wanted to know if my mind was Strong Enough to overcome the nausea and vertigo and maybe get tolga to do it with me. This is a first. Im pretty sure this is going to be very tough for me. I dont think im a natural twirler, but im willing to give it a go and see what happens to my brain. I feel a little bit dizzy already. Is that unusual . Its normal. Everything is turning. Universe, solar system, your blood. Everything is turning. They can do this for hours after just a few minutes ive had about all i can take. Im going to slow down. That is a lot harder than it looks. You feel like your brain gets rebooted. I have new respect for the whirling dervish. Olga tells me this is the first time tolga has been able to whirl like this. With more training and support, olga hopes she can help him overcome and slowly change his perception of the worl