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ADHD – Politics, Money, or Science?
As a medicinal chemist I've had the opportunity to see a shockingly
different side of Ritalin (methylphenidate) and ADHD than the media
exposes.
The Experimental Pharmacology Department of the American Cyanamid
Company and the Merck Index report that Ritalin is no less toxic or
safer than amphetamine and methamphetamine. They continue, by stating
that upon administration of these drugs, motor activity decreases.
Often time's tremors and convulsions occur. Further studies on these
amphetamine derivatives show that short-term clinical doses produce
brain cell death. Long-lasting and sometimes permanent changes in the
biochemistry of the brain are also a result.
Toxicological studies
cited by the Merck Index showed that Ritalin was more toxic when
administered to grouped mice. Moreover, researchers showed that
increased excitement observed by maintaining mice in groups while
under the influence of Ritalin and other methamphetamines was the
cause of death, but the exact mechanism of lethality was unknown.
Lastly, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classify commonly
prescribed drug such as Ritalin, Adderall, and Dexedrine in the same
Schedule II category as methamphetamine and cocaine.
Logic says, end of story regarding Ritalin use. Unfortunately, the
most typical response from parents when confronted with toxicity
facts is as follows:
"I'm sure that Ritalin is prescribed improperly in many cases. But,
my son definitely has a chemical imbalance. Without Ritalin he is a
total mess and it has made his life so much easier! Without it he
can't focus, he talks out of turn, he's moody, and he won't listen to
anybody. So don't tell me ADHD doesn't exist and that my kid doesn't
need Ritalin."
My fist question is what chemical imbalance?
To date, no medical or scientific paper or research group has
elucidated the cause of ADHD! With our expensive and all-important
college and medical degrees professionals have ostensibly
hypothesized a cause (brain chemicals) and advocated a cure
(stimulants) for ADHD. To back it up we have listed dozens of
symptoms of ADHD while at the same time sacrificing a few billion
brain cells. How can we administer a toxic stimulant to treat
a "disorder" that doesn't exist according to a 100 years of research?
Daily, schoolteachers tell us "yes, Ritalin is a great drug".
School nurses assure us that, "Ritalin would be great for little
Johnny!"
And doctors assert, "yes, ADHD is a real disease".
When we trace back the history of Ritalin (say 40-60 years) we see
that medicinal chemists originally derived this synthetic stimulant
from natural stimulants, most notably caffeine (isolated from
guarana) and ephedrine (isolated from Ma Haung). Scientists found
that when given stimulants, rats were more focused, calm, attentive
and manageable when large groups were crowded into small cages.
Ma Huang and caffeine however, are not good stimulants due to their
very short half-lives and inability to "patent". To remedy this,
scientists experimented, and still are, with longer lasting synthetic
stimulants.
To date, a conglomeration of long lasting synthetic
stimulants like Ritalin (methylphenidate), Dexedrine
(dextroamphetamine), Desoxyn (methamphetamine), and Adderal (a
mixture of Ritalin, Dexedrine, and amphetamine) have been
encapsulated and administered to millions of children. Perhaps one
day they will simply infuse a Ritalin gas into classrooms.
Obviously, the goal is to get kids more focused, calm, attentive and
manageable when in large groups. The federal govt. wants to aid in
this endeavor. Jon Rappaport, writing for Stratiawire.com, shows
that in 1991, federal rules were adopted which granted US schools
$400 for each child diagnosed with ADHD.
Furthermore, in 1991, the
US Dept. of Education issued a formal recognition of ADHD as a
debilitating condition and ordered state education departments to
screen students and give ADHD cases special treatment. Guaranteed,
if the govt. offered increased funding for every redheaded student,
your student teachers would soon be convincing you that Johnny has
red hair, not brown.
No doubt, ADHD symptoms exist. I could walk into any classroom in
America and find a hypothecated victim. And yes, there is a spectrum
as to the suffering of the aforementioned symptoms. For those rare
cases on the extreme end, here is a partial list of factors that can
cause a child to have these "ADHD symptoms": chemicals and dyes in
food, excess sugar intake, vaccines, FDA approved drugs, heavy
metals, poor teaching, failure to grasp basic subjects (e,g.,
reading), head injuries, parents who aren't home, parents who don't
care, unsafe schools, street drugs, poor nutrition.
This list is a result of the profound discoveries that have been made
about the benefits of proper diet and natural supplements. It is
also the result of the horrific discoveries that have been made by
intelligent and truth-seeking parents and professionals regarding the
use of FDA approved drugs and vaccines. To date, it is possible for
anyone to live a happy normal life FREE of toxic drugs. As knowledge
of health, nutrition and the effectiveness of natural supplements
moves forward our own attitudes and ways of thinking must do the
same.
Be warned however, accurate information regarding the use of natural
supplements will be hard to come by from medical doctors. The
scientific study of medicinal uses of plants has not been part of the
American medical curriculum for at least 75 years! Conversely,
medicinal chemists have derived almost every synthetic drug from
nature. The only difference between the two is life-threatening
toxicity.
This is not an attack on western medicine. In fact, the latest
technology in emergency medicine has been an asset to the longevity
of human life. Endeavors made by emergency room doctors are admirable
to say the least. This is an attack on the ignorance and greed of the
American people, including doctors, patients, and pharmaceutical
companies. The reliance of drugs, surgery, and high-tech equipment
for healthy living is killing us and according to the latest
statistics, most of us will be overdosed on FDA approved drugs before
we will ever need the expertise of an emergency room doctor. Take the
power back! Start with a war on FDA approved drugs by learning about
natural alternatives and proper diet.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Shane holds a Master's degree in organic chemistry and has first-hand
industry experience with drug research, design and synthesis. He is
committed to raising health awareness by exposing the shocking and
sometimes-frightening truth behind FDA approved drugs, sports
supplements, and natural medicine. Combined, his unique experience
allows his clients to live naturally healthy for life with natural
medicine! Learn more by visiting
http://www.health-fx.net
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