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4/25/2018

HOW MANY AMERICANS ARE MISUSING OR ABUSING PRESCRIPTION STIMULANTS?

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HOW MANY AMERICANS ARE MISUSING / ABUSING PRESCRIPTION STIMULANTS?

Picture
It's not a shock that PRESCRIPTION STIMULANTS (the two most common are Ritalin and Adderall) are being abused.  What is shocking (kind of like the SLEEPING PILL STUDY I recently shared with you) is the extent to which it's happening.  Case in point, a study from this month's issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry (Prevalence and Correlates of Prescription Stimulant Use, Misuse, Use Disorders, and Motivations for Misuse Among Adults in the United States).  The study revealed that approximately 2% of our adult population (5 million) are abusing these drugs.  Furthermore, almost 7% of the population (16 million adults) have taken these stimulants in the past year.

Researchers from the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, both of which are in Maryland, used the 2015 and 2016 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health to show that close to half a million adult Americans have "use disorders" (addictions) when it comes to these stimulants.  Where are they getting them?  "The most likely source of misused prescription stimulants was by obtaining them free from friends or relatives (56.9%). More frequent prescription stimulant misuse and use disorder were associated with an increased likelihood of obtaining medications from physicians or from drug dealers or strangers and less likelihood of obtaining them from friends or relatives."

America has a CULTURE OF DRUG USE, both pushed and prescribed.  At less than 5% of the world's population, we are, according to our own governmental statistics, using 75% of the world's prescription medications (HERE).  I don't care who you are or what your belief system is, that's ridiculous.  If you are looking to get off the medical merry-go-round and start taking your life back from a group that sees you as nothing more than a commodity (Big Pharma), I've created a simple (and free) protocol that will help most of you get the ball rolling (HERE).   And be sure to show some love on FACEBOOK if you are enjoying our site.

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12/5/2015

IS YOUR CHILD ON RITALIN?

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IS YOUR CHILD BEING MEDICATED FOR ADHD?

Ritalin
Dr. Archibald Cochrane (1908-1988) was a Scottish physician whose seminal work, Effectiveness and Efficiency: Random Reflections on Health Services, argued that the medical profession could best move forward by placing its emphasis on the evidence extracted from placebo-controlled, randomized trials and cohort studies.  Five years after Cochrane's death, a group of physicians and researchers decided to do just that by starting the Cochrane Collaboration (now simply called 'Cochrane'), which publishes their findings in the Cochrane Library, a series of databases.  It also contains their numerous "Cochrane Reviews".

Cochrane Reviews are large meta-analysis of numerous studies that summarize and interpret the results of medical research.  Unlike many research organizations who make you pay to see their results (usually only the abstract is free), Cochrane Reviews are always freely available to the public in their entirety.   How respected is this group of 37,000 professionals?  A decade ago the Canadian Medical Association Journal stated that Cochrane Reviews are.....

"The best single resource for methodologic research and for developing the science of meta-epidemiology....."


Thus, the Cochrane Library is an important piece of what we today call "EVIDENCE-BASED MEDICINE".   In a perfect world, neutral third-party researchers review studies from around the world on a specific topic, and crunch the data.  This is the goal of Cochrane.  We know, however, that there is little research not tainted at least to some degree, by FINANCIAL CONFLICT-OF-INTEREST.  Cochrane is probably as good as anyone at cutting through the COI, weeding it out, and getting down to the brass tacks facts.  A perfect example of a Cochrane Review was found in my recent post on THE EFFICACY OF FLU SHOTS (hint: they're not).   And just the other day they gave us their thoughts on the drugs used to treat ADHD --- the most common being Ritalin.

In case you did not know, Ritalin, as well as similar drugs like Aderall and Concerta, are prescription methamphetamine (HERE), which makes them a prime target for all kinds of abuse.  The recent Cochrane Review (Benefits and Harms of Methylphenidate for Children and Adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder --- ADHD) tackled this issue head on.  After telling us what ADHD is, and how prevalent it is in American society, they told us something we already knew; "Methylphenidate is the drug most often prescribed to treat children and adolescents with ADHD".  They looked at 185 studies that involved over 12,000 children diagnosed with ADHD.  They determined that, "Most trials were small and of low quality, and seventy-two of the 185 included trials (40%) were funded by industry."  They also said that the short duration of the studies, "made it impossible to assess the long-term effects of methylphenidate."    The group's conclusions?

"
Findings suggest that methylphenidate might improve some of the core symptoms of ADHD – reducing hyperactivity and impulsivity, and helping children to concentrate. Methylphenidate might also help to improve the general behaviour and quality of life of children with ADHD. However, we cannot be confident that the results accurately reflect the size of the benefit of methylphenidate.

The evidence in this review of RCTs suggests that methylphenidate does not increase the risk of serious (life threatening) harms when used for periods of up to six months. However, taking methylphenidate is associated with an increased risk of non-serious harms such as sleeping problems and decreased appetite."

There are a couple things that stuck out to me in these two short paragraphs.  Firstly, one of the things we know from Cochrane and others is just how UNDER-REPORTED ADVERSE EVENTS really are.  According to several large meta-analysis on the subject, about the best you ever see is that 1 in 10 adverse events is ever reported to the proper authorities so that it can actually become a statistic, with most studies putting that number closer to 1 in 100 (see the link).  Secondly, although they don't reveal it in these two paragraphs, no one is really sure how these drugs even work.  A scary thought considering we are dealing here with one of the most addictive substances on the planet --- Meth.  And thirdly, while the Cochrane Review considers things like INSOMNIA & DECREASED APPETITE, "non-serious," I would argue the opposite.

Not only are these two side-effects potentially serious --- particularly for children ---- but they are the very hallmarks of methamphetamine addiction.  After Googling "hallmarks of meth addiction" and clicking the first thing that came up (Behavior Characteristics of Meth Addiction and Crystal Meth Addicts at Stop Meth Addiction dot com), the second thing on their list --- right behind "jumpy eyes" was, "loss of interest in normal activities, food, water, sex, sleep."

Every time I think about this topic I think of the late Kurt Cobain, front man for the Seattle grunge band Nirvana.  It's no secret that like many children and adolescents, he had issues.  And like millions of other American children, even though Nancy was telling us all to 'Just Say No,' those who were supposed to love and care about us the most (parents, teachers, doctors, etc) were instead prescribing Meth.  It's no secret that Cobain was on Ritalin by age 7.  After blowing his head off with a shotgun in April of 1994, his widow, Courtney Love, said, "When you're a kid and you get this drug that makes you feel that feeling, where else are you going to turn to when you're an adult?"  If what she is saying is accurate, and I think it is, we are making addicts out of a second generation of American children.

The thing is folks, there are better ways to deal with your children's attention and behavior issues than taking them to a doctor who is going to give them Meth (and you thought WEED was a gateway drug).  I would argue that the first thing you need to do is to clean up their diet.  What do I recommend?  Essentially the same thing I recommend for all CHRONIC INFLAMMATORY ILLNESS or AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES ---- a PALEO-LIKE DIET based on WHOLE FOODS.   Honestly, if you follow this step, you will solve 90% of these cases.  The other thing you might have to do is actually DISCIPLINE YOUR CHILD.  Bottom line, if you are trying to justify the reasons you are allowing a physician to prescribe Methamphetamine (Methylphenidate), it might be time to re-evaluate the situation.

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5/28/2014

RITALIN IS "PRESCRIPTION METH"

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RITALIN.... "PRESCRIPTION METH"
MEDICATION OR DOPE?

Ritalin Meth
Ractapopulous (JL) - Pixabay
"I do believe I was a victim of the pharmaceutical and insurance cartel in this country, which indulges a system where drugs are administered before every other possible option is explored."    Twenty year old "M", the subject of a recent Yahoo article called Taking My Kid's Ritalin was a Nightmare and a Revelation
Although many of you are already aware of this, most of the drugs commonly used to treat children with ADHD are actually forms of methamphetamine.  In fact, if you look at the names of the three most commonly prescribed drugs for this problem (both adults and children), you'll find that some portion of the word "methamphetamine" is used as part of the drug's chemical name (Concerta --- methylphenidate, Aderall ---amphetamine / dextroamphetamine, Ritalin ---- methylphenidate).  There are numerous others. 

A recent article on Yahoo (Taking My Kid's Ritalin was a Nightmare and a Revelation) exposed a stepmom's shock at the strength of her stepson's medication --- medication he had been on non-stop since first grade.  After mistaking his RITALIN for one of her sleeping pills one night and subsequently feeling, "her jaw tightening, clammy, agitated, and chilled," she was not so surprised that her son, "seemed emotionally dependent on having his meds".  It is no wonder that Courtney Love, widow of Nirvana's front man, Kurt Cobain, who killed himself 20 years ago last month at age 27, said of their drug use, "when you're a kid and you get this drug that makes you feel that feeling, where else are you going to turn to when you're an adult?".   Cobain was diagnosed with ADHD and begin taking Ritalin at age 7. 

Note the dichotomy here.  Even though "M" (from the quote at the top of the page) wishes doctors would have explored other options before the drugs, his stepmom writes that, "he feels that some of his prescription drugs have allowed him to function in society far more effectively than he might have otherwise. At the same time, he's concerned about the effects of synthetic chemicals on a developing brain. He also wonders if other issues that arose in his late teens might have been related to long-term Ritalin use."  In the end, the author states that, "it's impossible to know now whether it was a mistake to start M on Ritalin all those years ago".

My point with sharing this article is not to beat folks over the head for something they may honestly not have known, but to educate them about better ways.  In the same way that "Meth" is a dangerous and highly addictive street drug, so are the meth-based medications used to treat ADD / ADHD.  You need to do whatever it takes to get your child(ren) off these meds.  Because many mental issues (DEPRESSION for instance) are considered to be "INFLAMMATORY" problems, you first need to figure out how to squelch the inflammation.  Start by following the previous link and consuming PGFO.  Also,  ADD / ADHD is another one of the "NEUROLOGICAL PROBLEMS" that is being heavily linked to GLUTEN.  And everyone knows what SUGAR does to these kids --- it's not some sort of mystery.  You'll probably have to deal with some GUT ISSUES as well --- particularly if your child has been on any amount of ANTIBIOTICS.  This is a starting point.

Here's the good thing.  In the time since Cobain and "M" were prescribed their Ritalin, the internet has taken a prominent place in our society.  There are huge quantities of information on dealing with ADD / ADHD naturally --- some of it right here on our site.  If you do nothing else, please do whatever it takes to keep your kids of these drugs!

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3/21/2014

RENOWNED MEDICAL DOCTOR SAYS ADHD DOES NOT EXIST

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ADHD DOES NOT EXIST?

ADHD Cure
"Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most commonly diagnosed conditions of childhood in the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in 2012 11% of children ages 4 to 17 had been diagnosed with ADHD. In recent years, a recognition that ADHD can continue into adulthood has led to increased diagnosis and treatment in adults."  Page 4 of the Turning Attention to ADHD paper.
Less than two weeks ago, St Louis based think tank, Express Scripts Lab (a division of the huge Pharmaceutical Management Company), released a report called, "Turning Attention to ADHD: U.S. Medication Trends for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder".  The report provided some rather shocking statistics.  Not only did they show us the dumbfounding numbers of Americans on ANTI-DEPRESSANT DRUGS, they revealed how the use of drugs to treat ADHD is skyrocketing.  In fact, the report stated that, "spending on ADHD medication rose 14.2% in 2012, the greatest increase seen among any traditional drug category".  They also said that by 2015, that number should hit 25%.  Enter Dr Richard Saul.

Richard Saul is a sharp guy.  He is a medical doctor with over 5 decades of experience as a Behavioral Neurologist.   He holds board certifications in both Neurology, and Immunology (two extremely complex specialties) as well as Pediatrics and Behavior & Development.  He runs the Diagnostic and Developmental Center near Chicago, and has made the news recently because of his latest book ----  ADHD Does Not Exist.  Dr. Saul and his book have made headlines in virtually every single newspaper and magazine in the Western world over the past week or so, and although I have not read the book, we should all take notice of some of the things he is saying.  If you condense his recent article in Time Magazine down to a couple main points, they would be that according to the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), the criteria for diagnosing ADHD is so broad that virtually everyone either has it or could be diagnosed with this it.   He also makes the point that stimulant use and addiction are epidemic in America, and that the medical community has to do more for people with ADHD symptoms than merely provide them with stimulants.

That's correct.  The drugs that physicians use to treat ADHD, are "stimulants", and led by some heavy hitters that most of you are at least somewhat familiar with; Aderall, Concerta, and Ritalin.
  • ADERALL:  Amphetamine / Dextroamphetamine is commonly used by athletes looking to boost energy levels and performance.
  • RITALIN / CONCERTA:      Methylphenidate is commonly abused by adults looking for a big high, or college students hoping to get better grades.

Here's what I want you to notice.  The chemical names of these drugs contain either the word "amphetamine" or "meth" in them.  Yep; when you allow a doctor to prescribe your child various forms of Methamphetamine (HERE) to control their ADHD, problems are bound to ensue.  Ask someone who knows.  It was Kurt Cobain's widow, Courtney Love, who said when asked about the relationship between his ADHD and drug problem, "When you're a kid and you get this drug that makes you feel that feeling, where else are you going to turn to when you're an adult?".  It's a valid point.  According to the report, not only are the people on ADHD meds far more likely to be taking Depression medications, but, "Children on ADHD medications are 10 times more likely to be using an antipsychotic than children who are not using ADHD medications."  I could go on and on, but the report itself is fairly short.  You can read the whole thing in 15 minutes or less.  But this is not the only place that ADHD drugs take you.  It leads to the land of INSULIN RESISTANCE.

Not quite a year ago (HERE), I told you that men who had been diagnosed with ADHD as children, were twice as likely to be OBESE as adults.   A recent study of 164,000 people done by doctors at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and published in the journal Pediatrics confirmed these results. The crazy thing was that the stimulants kept people lean while they were young, but as they got older, their BMI's tended to rise rapidly ---- probably due to frying their ADRENAL GLANDS.   Although the researchers speculate on the reasons for the weight gain, they never give a definitive reason.

I have a pretty good idea that much of the physical aspect of this problem goes back to GUT HEALTH (more about this HERE).  Between the barrage of ANTIBIOTICS, SUGAR, VACCINATIONS, ESTROGEN-LIKE HORMONES, GLUTEN, TRANS FATS, HALIDES, FOOD ADDITIVES, MERCURY, JUNK FOOD & SODA, and numerous other substances that we are saturating our babies / children with from the day they are born, we are destroying the bacteria that make up 80% of their Immune Systems, not to mention the wide array of other critical functions they perform (HERE & HERE).   I gave you one example of this phenomenon just the other day (HERE).  Then, as the child gets older, throw in copious amounts of T.V., computers, video games, cell phones, and dumbed-down educational standards, and you have a recipe for disaster.

Without reading Dr. Saul's book, it is tough for me to make an accurate assessment.  But after reading lots of the articles about his book, not to mention reading the short piece in Time that he wrote himself, I am not sure that the most accurate way to describe his position is that ADHD does not exist.  It's a great title that will automatically sell books via its controversial nature.  I think, however, that a more accurate title would have been "Many Different Health Conditions Result in Children that Cannot Concentrate".  Either way you slice it, the drugs used to treat people with an ADHD diagnosis are not only frequently abused themselves, but often times lead to both drug and alcohol abuse.

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5/20/2013

ADHD AND OBESITY

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ADHD IN CHILDREN LINKED TO OBESITY LATER IN LIFE

ADD ADHD
A new study from the medical journal Pediatrics has determined that men who were diagnosed with ADHD as children, were twice as likely to be OBESE in later life (my guess is that it has a great deal not to do with the diagnosis itself, but in the drugs these kids are given, and their GUT HEALTH).  For more information on the best ways to deal with both problems, please follow the links.  Just be aware that the authors declared support from Eli Lilly, Shire Pharmaceuticals, GLAXOSMITHKLINE, and Genopharm.  This means that soon, these companies will be coming out with new drugs for said problems.  Isn't "EVIDENCE-BASED MEDICINE" just grand?
ADHD ADD
If you know people with children who have been diagnosed with ADD / ADHD, please forward this post.  You can also help us reach more people by liking us on FACEBOOK.

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1/25/2013

ADHD RATES ARE EXPLODING

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ADHD NUMBERS EXPLODE OVER THE PAST DECADE

ADHD
Gerd Altmann - Freiburg/Deutschland - Pixabay
"The rates of childhood attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis has increased by nearly 25% over the past decade, researchers [Darios Getahun, MD, PhD, and colleagues of Kaiser Permanente Southern California Medical Group] found."     The work of Dr. Getahun and colleagues from JAMA Pediatrics as reported on Medpage Today

Should we really be surprised at this information?  If we really stop and think about it, how could we be?  We live in society characterized and defined by fast food, JUNK FOOD, SUGAR ADDICTION, CRAZY AMOUNTS OF VACCINATIONS, overt consumption of TRANS FATS, OBESITY, GLUTEN SENSITIVITY, AUTISM, violent movies and video games, online porn, and a virtually negligible intake of EPA & DHA and other essential fats.  Not to mention, the average person is getting almost no WHOLE FOODS in their diets, with few getting enough quality EXERCISE.  On top of that, too many people are spending hours upon hours texting or blankly staring at screens of all kinds.   Truthfully, the only thing we should be surprised about is that the rates of ADHD are not higher than they are!

If you are a person who either struggles with ADHD yourself, or have children with ADHD; become proactive and intervene.  Step up to the plate and be the parent you should be.  Their / your future depends on it!  Educate yourself.  Read.  Click on the links.  Don't sit there in sheep-like fashion watching Seinfeld reruns while your doctor "medicates" you or your family with drugs in the Methamphetamine family (Adderall and Ritalin).  Take the steps to defeat ADHD naturally.

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11/14/2012

ADHD & THE MEDS USED TO TREAT IT

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CHILDREN SHOULD BE ACTIVE
DEFEATING ADD / ADHD NATURALLY

ADHD
"Finally, the illusion that children’s behavior problems can be cured with drugs prevents us as a society from seeking the more complex solutions that will be necessary. Drugs get everyone — politicians, scientists, teachers and parents — off the hook. Everyone except the children, that is."  Dr. L. Alan Sroufe; Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Child Development.

"There's a fine line between genius and insanity."  Oscar Levant
Is ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) really a disease?  The truth is, there are many experts who say it is not a disease in any sense of the word.  Not to mention the numerous others who claim that at the very least, it is over-diagnosed --- way over-diagnosed.  Interestingly enough, most of the people who have devoted a significant portion of their lives to finding the root cause(s) of ADHD, almost universally believe it has something to do with with diet (a subject most doctors are clueless about --- HERE).  I would have to concur.  The renowned Dr. Feingold said the problem is mostly due to processed food and Food Sensitivities (GLUTEN, dairy, etc).  Hans Larsen's Oil of Pisces site contains several peer-reviewed medical studies whose conclusion is that ADHD is nothing more than a deficiency of high quality Omega Three Fatty Acids. I think that they are both right, but probably not completely so.  We will explore all of these things and more.  But first I want to show you something very intriguing.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ADHD AND GENIUS

BEHAVIORS ASSOCIATED WITH ADHD
(Webb & Latimer 1993)

  1. Poorly sustained attention in almost all situations
  2. Diminished persistence on tasks not having immediate consequences
  3. Impulsivity, poor delay of gratification
  4. Impaired adherence to commands to regulate or inhibit behavior in social contexts
  5. More active, restless than normal children
  6. Difficulty adhering to rules and regulations

BEHAVIORS ASSOCIATED WITH 'GIFTEDNESS'
(Barkley 1990)

  1. Poor attention, boredom, daydreaming in specific situations
  2. Low tolerance for persistence on tasks that seem irrelevant
  3. Judgment lags behind development of intellect
  4. Intensity may lead to power struggles with authorities
  5. High activity level; may need less sleep
  6. Questions rules, customs and traditions
I was absolutely stunned when I saw this chart.  My wife now has proof that my problem for all these years has been undiagnosed genius.  Of course, I am kidding.  With great numbers of people, however, this is no laughing matter.  When the symptoms of a well known disorder are virtually indistinguishable from genius (or as the author refers to it, 'giftedness'), the potential for missed diagnosis is off the charts.  And with missed diagnosis comes treatment that may very well be 180 degrees different than what this person requires to be successfully educated --- not to mention lead a successful life.

But think about it for a moment.  If greedy people can convince the American public that these characteristics listed above are symptoms of a "Disease", everyone in the medical community benefits.  The University Research Facilities (built and funded by big government and big pharma) get more of your tax dollars to tell the world how wonderful and effective their drugs are, and doctors get over-simplified solutions to complex problems ---- i.e. drugs.  Hey; why try to solve underlying problems when you have a prescription pad and pen in your pocket?   And who makes out like the biggest bandit in this happy shindig?  Everyone knows the answer to this one --- the pharmaceutical companies.  But it all comes back to convincing people that they or their children have a disease --- a disease that can only be addressed with drugs.

METH ANYONE?
The drugs used to treat ADD / ADHD are in such great demand right now that an ongoing shortage of the medications used by the medical community for the pharmaceutical treatment of these problems has left many patients scrambling to fill their prescriptions.  These shortages are the result of an ongoing battle between drug manufacturers who value profit above all else, and the DEA (not the FDA; the DEA), which wants to slow down the Meth problem.  What did you just say?  Yes, you heard me correctly.  Believe it or not, Ritalin and other ADHD drugs are a form of METHAMPHETAMINE. 

Ritalin (Methylphenidate ---- look at the first four letters of the drug's name), Adderall, and other similar drugs are prescribed by physicians to combat ADHD.  Manufacturers claim that when used correctly, these medications are not addictive.  If you believe that one, I have this bridge over in Brooklyn I'd just love to sell you.  The truth is that almost half of the teenagers in drug treatment centers across the United States report having abused Ritalin / Adderall.  And there is no argument that when Ritalin is abused, it is addictive --- very addictive.

According to the latest CDC statistics (2007 -- yeah; I realize they are over five years old), North Carolina is the state with the highest incidence (nearly 16%), while Nevada is the lowest at between 5-6%.  Missouri comes in at almost 11%.  Somewhere in the neighborhood of 3 million children (ages 4-17) are on drugs for the disorder, with almost half of that group on Ritilin or Meth-like meds.   Not surprisingly, boys are diagnosed almost 3 times more often than girls.    Depending upon whose stats you choose to believe, the rate of ADHD is increasing at a rate of about 5% per year.   Things, however, may be much worse than our outdated government stats are saying. 

A recent study by Dr. Craig Garfield of Northwestern University in Chicago was published in the medical journal, Academic Pediatrics.  It showed that nearly 10.5 million American kids (4-17) were diagnosed with ADHD in 2010.  That adds up to an almost incomprehensible increase of 66% in ADHD since Y2K.  But even more shocking is that the authors claim that the actual numbers are much higher.

ADHD DRUGS
Ritalin / Adderall are stimulants that affect the central nervous system.  Although the drug's effects are similar to amphetamines, for those with ADHD, they may prove to be just the opposite.  Scientists know that Ritalin increases the release of dopamine in the brain.  But the truth is, no one really knows how the stuff works.  I've heard it said that Ritalin (speed) cranks the kids up so tight (like an over-wound watch) that it actually slows them down (the spring broke).  The "experts" say that people with ADHD have weak dopamine receptors or low amounts of dopamine in the brain, and the increase in dopamine brought on by ADHD drugs focuses their attention.  The problem is that most recreational drugs tend to work in much the same way --- they increase neurotransmitters such as dopamine or serotonin.  They also tend to burn out the parts of the body where these neurotransmitters are made.  This leaves us with addicts who are unable to feel anything other than sadness and depression without the drugs. 

If you ever have a chance, google "Kurt Cobain ADHD".  "When you're a kid and you get this drug that makes you feel that feeling, where else are you going to turn to when you're an adult?" ---- Cobain's widow Courtney Love talking about their drug use.

Ritalin and other similar drugs such as Concerta or Adderall (look how many pro athletes have been suspended lately for Adderall) are abused because of their Meth-like qualitites. This is why there are always stories of teachers, parents, day care supervisors, nurses, etc, stealing little kid's Ritalin.   Because Ritalin is a form of Meth, it suppresses appetite and suppresses fatigue.  It gives people a boost that is said to last for hours, providing elevated awareness and pleasure (the word actually used most often is 'euphoria').  This class of drug is usually taken orally or crushed and snorted like cocaine.  To anyone who has followed this sordid affair, none of this should be surprising.  In the past 30 years, there has been a twenty-fold increase in prescriptions for treating ADHD.   It's always interesting that even though there is an overt message of 'Just Say No' going on in our schools and communities; the people who supposedly love these children and care about them the most (parents, teachers, doctors, caregivers, etc) are canceling out that message by giving them drugs every time they turn around.

DO THESE DRUGS WORK?
ADHD medications undoubtedly increase concentration over the short haul.  Probably why one of the main groups of abusers are college students.  But what does the research say about long-term results with these drugs.  One thing we do know is that these drugs do not improve test scores or fix behavior issues when given over the long haul.  Nor does this take into account the side effects of these drugs (we'll get to them shortly).

The interesting thing about these drugs is that despite the fact that no one seems to know how they work, various forms of amphetamines have been given out by our military since the days of WWII.  Sure they help people stay awake and focus on mundane tasks (air traffic control or radar / sonar operator, for example).  The problem is that there is almost no hard evidence that these drugs are improving the overall ability of diagnosed children to learn.  One of the biggest studies on this particular issue was published just a few short years ago in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.  The study showed that for a relatively short period the drugs seemed to work.  But the longer the kids took them, the less effective they were.  The authors pointed out that there was no long term benefit in these drugs as far as either academics or behavior were concerned ---- the two reasons these drugs would be prescribed.  By the way, this study has been going on for well over a decade, and is ongoing.



SIDE EFFECTS OF ADHD DRUGS

We have not yet covered the side effects of ADHD Drugs like Adderall, Concerta, Ritalin, and others.  Most of this is a no-brainer.  If you are on these drugs very long, the side effects can begin to make you look suspiciously like a meth-head.  And as you have seen, there is good reason for this.  These drugs are amphetamines ---- speed ---- a form of legalized meth.

One of the most common class of side effects involves the Circulatory System (heart).  Six percent of the people who take these drugs have a significantly increased heart rate.  The drugs also commonly cause palpitations, irregular heart beat, and high blood pressure.  And just like meth, they can cause stroke, heart attack, and even death.  But this is not even near all of it.  If you have ever seen people on meth for any length of time, you know they do not tend to cast much of a shadow (they are often skin and bone).  This is because the drugs remove the sensation of hunger (which, by the way, is why most diet drugs are versions of speed as well).  Meth and similar drugs have always been a favorite among those wishing to lose weight via chemical means.  Believe it or not, approximately one in three people taking the ADHD drugs are going to have anorexia-related side effects (nausea, vomiting, anorexia, things taste different, diarrhea, etc).  This is particularly true of Adderall.

Urinary Tract Infections are another common side effect of ADHD drugs.  According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common of these includes symptoms of abdominal pain, increased frequency, cloudy urine, bloody urine, as well as several others.  Although these are bad, the worst is yet to come.  Not surprisingly, ADHD meds have a tendency to mess with people's minds.  Prolonged use of stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin can cause various forms of psychosis such as paranoia, hostility, DEPRESSION, and feelings of worthlessness or uselessness.  Like many other drugs, the amount that it took to cause a certain effect, does not cause that effect any more.  People need more of the drug to get the same effect.  Most of these side effects are synonymous with SYMPATHETIC DOMINANCE.

WHAT TO DO INSTEAD OF TAKING METHAMPHETAMINE

  • STAY AWAY FROM FOOD ADDITIVES:  Food Additives are associated with about a jillion and one problems --- including Hyperactivity.  This is not new information.  Dr. Benjamin Feingold wrote two books on the relationship of 'Hyperactivity' to Food Additives back in the 1970's.  It is not difficult to find people who still swear by his work.  Just be aware that like most healthcare pioneers, mainstream medicine views his life's work as quackery.

  • DO YOU HAVE FOOD SENSITIVITIES?  This was another of Dr. Feingold's major points.  You see; he was an M.D. (an allergist) who concentrated on, among other things, food allergies and their relationship to Hyperactivity.  The problem is that Food Sensitivities are much more common than Food Allergies and can be far more severe.  Of course GLUTEN is the most common.  And unless you understand GLUTEN CROSS REACTORS, you probably need to be tested (Cyrex Array 4).  If you understand this concept, you can determine which foods you are sensitive by going on an ELIMINATION DIET / PALEO DIET.

  • EAT ONLY WHOLE FOODS:  This is a no-brainer, and goes along with the previous bullet point.  In January of this year the medical journal Pediatrics got in on the act.  I certainly cannot agree with all of their conclusions, but it is a start --- they are finally admitting that ADHD is definitely related to diet.  I have been pumping this idea for over two decades (HERE)!

  • NO ANTIBIOTICS:  When I say no antibiotics, I don't really mean 'no' antibiotics.  Take them if you are on your deathbed.  Other than that, stay far away from them!  Antibiotics are one of the top destroyers of health in the United States.  They not only kill the good bacteria that live in your Gut and make up 80% of your Immune System (HERE), they destroy your body's ability to make neurotransmitters.  For instance, 90% of your Serotonin (your 'feel good' neurotransmitter) is made in the Gut.  Antibiotics are the single biggest destroyer of GUT HEALTH in America today.

  • STRICTLY LIMIT SCREENS:  If your kid has been diagnosed with ADHD, he is probably spending way too much time in front of a TV or computer screen.  Again, this is not new information.  Doctors have been writing books about this for at least 50 years.  When I was a little kid, my parents pulled the plug.  It was one of the singularly best things they ever did for us.

  • MAKE SURE THAT YOUR KIDS ARE GETTING LOTS OF ACTIVITY & EXERCISE:  Yet another no-brainer.  Seems like most of this stuff is just plain old common sense.  Thanks to things like screens (previous bullet point), kids are getting way less exercise than they used to.  Just take a deep breath and repeat after me, "I am the parent.  I am the parent".  Now, go make the changes that need to be made!  The day will come that your children thank you for it.  If they are little, they will never really know the difference.

  • BE LEARY OF VACCINATIONS:  All you have to do is Google "Childhood Vaccinations & ADHD".  Prepare to be shocked.  Like Antibiotics, certain vaccines have a propensity for killing off the Gut's normal bacteria.  These bacteria not only compose a full 80% of your immune system (HERE), they perform all sorts of other vital functions as well --- such as helping to manufacture 90% of your body's serotonin.  There is much too much evidence on this topic (both empirical and anecdotal) to ignore --- but Americans continue to do so.  You can go HERE to do more research on the topic.  All I am asking you to to do your own research into the matter.

  • TAKE PHARMACEUTICAL GRADE FISH OIL:  The brain is made up of large amounts of Omega-3's.  Study after study tells us that Americans get about 1/30th of the amount of Omega Threes we need to be healthy.  I have found numerous peer-reviewed studies citing a virtually causal link between lack of Omega Threes and ADHD.   Just make sure the fish oil you take is Pharmaceutical Grade Fish Oil!  For lots more information on this topic, just go HERE.

  • STAY AWAY FROM SUGAR AND OTHER HIGH GLYCEMIC INDEX JUNK:  Even little kids know that SUGAR makes them hyper.  Avoid it!  This does not even take into account that scientific research is tying almost every health problem you can think of back to UNCONTROLLED BLOOD SUGAR.  If you really love your children, you will limit the amount of sugar and High Glycemic Index foods they consume.  Better yet, teach them why it is bad.  You'll be surprised how much they 'get it'.

  • DISCIPLINE YOUR KIDS --- TEACH THEM TO LIVE DISCIPLINED LIVES:  I will never forget the first time I went to Eugene & Edna's house for Sunday service.  All their little bitty kids sat through service as quiet and well behaved as church mice.  What was the difference between their kids and children in the average church?  He and Edna have high expectations of what their children's behavior will be.  I have since seen this phenomenon many times with many different families.  Kind of reminds me of the book I read with my son recently, Do Hard Things. The gist of this book is that adults do not expect nearly enough of children, but especially teens.

  • CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENTS:  Once you understand that the Nervous System controls each and every function of the body (HERE), you can begin to grasp how chiropractic adjustments can often help kids (or adults for that matter) with ADHD.  Over the years, I have seen this work time and time again.

  • JUST REMEMBER THAT SOME KIDS ARE NATURALLY MORE HYPED THAN OTHERS:  Back in the days I worked at CAMP WOOD, I would run into a fair number of these kids.  They were always my favorites --- maybe because I was fairly hyped and half-cocked myself.  If you love on these kids and wear them out physically, they are rarely a problem.
CONCLUSION
The advice in this post is just the beginning --- a template for you create your own plan.  There is no one-size-fits-all answer for ADHD --- particularly when it comes to treating with meds.  Like I tell all my patients.  Never believe anything that any doctor (self included) tells you.  Do your own research.  What you will begin to learn, however, as you learn more about natural health is that almost all sickness and disease have both a common origin and a common remedy (HERE).  Knowledge is power, and if you ever hope to defeat ADHD or any other major health problem without medical intervention of some sort, you had better be educating yourself. 

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    Russell Schierling

    Dr. Schierling completed four years of Kansas State University's five-year Nutrition / Exercise Physiology Program before deciding on a career in Chiropractic.  He graduated from Logan Chiropractic College in 1991, and has run a busy clinic in Mountain View, Missouri ever since.  He and his wife Amy have four children (three daughters and a son).

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