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. His website exposes the shocking and sometimes-frightening truth behind FDA approved drugs, sports supplements, and natural medicine. Learn more by visiting http://www.health-fx.net

 Shane Ellison

More Articles 

When Politics Prevent Innovation - John Savageau
When Politics Prevent Innovation Or… Still Fighting Battles and Losing Wars The objective is to beat the competition and make money. Everything a business organization does should be focused on that simple objective, with interpretation through...

The Fairness of Office Politics ... Integrity and Political Motivation! - Edward B Toupin
I hear many complaints daily about the "unfairness" of politics in corporate America. Employees say that their managers "lie" or issue "personal attacks" against them. Indeed, based on the pure ideals that we are taught as a child, this might...

Politics and the Internet - Bernice Ly
According to a recent poll conducted by ComputerWorld, about forty percent of the population believes that people can increase their political power by going online. Hence, many academics believe that people in western societies are...

Local Government and Politics - Meetings are the Challenge - Al Arnold
Copyright 2006 Al Arnold There are a couple of problems that exist, which hinder local government from being the best it can be. One problem that prevents some citizens from attending local government meetings, is the fear of the local...

Are You Caught In Insurance Politics? - Elizabeth Newberry
Did you know that there are certain kinds of medical treatments that insurance companies refuse to cover, even if a doctor deems the treatment necessary? It’s true, and this truth may make you wonder, are politics involved when it comes to...

Wearing Your Politics on Your Sleeve - Rachel Edelman
As the election season heats up, progressively minded entrepreneurs are combining their politics, creativity, and business savvy in an all-out effort to defeat George W. Bush in 2004. "Vote for Anyone but Bush 2004," says one slogan. "Not my...

American Politics And Insurance - Elizabeth Newberry
Many Americans have many more complaints with the American government and politics, and how ill-prepared the government was for helping American citizens before, during, and after Hurricane Katrina struck is only one example. However, it is...

Office Politics - Kevin Hobbs
Office politics! It’s just another way of saying: “The employees are not getting along!” When so much of a company’s success depends on the employees’ ability to work together as a cohesive team, it is critical that people understand and...

Voters are to Blame for Bad Politics - Terry Mitchell
When I was growing up, I actually considered a career in politics. I quickly changed my mind, though, when I discovered that there was way too much politics involved in it. Obviously, that's a play on words, but I get funny looks from people when I...

Politics Not So Sweet in Home Alabama - Steven Jackson
Those officals elected to represent it's citizens should excerise their power of leadership. We the people vote with hopes of landing our particular candidate into office. Thinking he or she will make change. Change for the better. In Cullman,...

Power and Politics - Margaret Paul Ph D
The following article is offered for free use in your ezine, print publication or on your web site, so long as the author resource box at the end is included. Notification of publication would be appreciated. Title: Power and Politics Author:...

Give Me Accutane or Give Me Death: The Politics of Prescriptions. - Naweko San Joyz
Any teenager will tell you that acne can drive you crazy, but is it dismal enough to drive you to kill yourself? Since its market debut in 1982, enraged parents and lawyers have implicated Accutane in the hospitalizations and suicide deaths of over...