The devastating effects of the drug Ritalin-A Huge Article!

[MillenniumMan]

(Btw, this huge article, or articles has many diagrams that I took out)...


Ritalin - Target Brain


Do doctors know what they are doing to the children? The devastating effects of the drug Ritalin and the long-term side effects in the brain.

by medical director, {retired} Dr. med. Heinrich Kremer, of Barcelona, Spain.

The number of Ritalin prescriptions for children and teens has risen twenty times within the last 8 years. These horrifying numbers point to a more than thoughtless dealing with the drug Ritalin by the medical profession.

"Raum & Zeit" ("Space & Time") therefore, asked the longtime medical director, Dr. Med. Heinrich Kremer of the Niedersachsen and Schleswig-Holstein clinic, specializing in medications of the states Berlin, Bremen, Hamburg, to describe in detail the effects of the drug Ritalin in the brain and to introduce alternative, Ritalin-free therapies for restless children. No conscientious doctor will prescribe Ritalin after studying this article.

For the current discussion about medicating children and teens with psycho-social problems with the psycho stimulant Ritalin, biochemical label methylphenidat] Space & Time published three important articles [Barbara Simonson: "Ritalin-Children Treated with Drugs. The Dangerous Effects of the Psychopharmaca Ritalin"; Space & Time no. 111/2001; Horst Wimmer :"Ritalin and Criminality, Summons for Working Together. Space & Time no. 113/2001; Dr. med. Hedwig Vogl; "Ritalin-Are There Alternatives?" Space & Time no. 13/2001].

Legal Drug Trade

The increase of medically prescribed daily doses of Ritalin, during the time period between 1991 thru 1999, has risen 20 times. In the ranking order of prescriptions of all prescribed medications within Germany, Ritalin has climbed in rank from number 2,230 in 1991 to number 213 in 1999 (see graph 1). This development is even more disquieting since Ritalin prescriptions fall under the narcotics legislation and can only be prescribed when warranted with strict medical indicators. (3 copies have to be sent to the government narcotics department). The upper prescription doses for Ritalin has been determined by law as 1.5g for 30 days, corresponding to an average daily doses of 50 mg. Psychiatrically, the daily doses recommended can be up to 60 mg: [See Poser, W., Ebert, U.:ZNS -Pharmaceuticals. In: Frohlich, J.C., Kirsch, W.: Practical Pharma Therapy, Springer –Publisher, Berlin-Heidelberg 2000]. The currently published data of the government narcotics department shows that Ritalin consumption rose from 34 kg in 1993 to 119 kg in 1997. The data of the pharmaceutical index of the legal medical insurance companies, excluded are private insurance companies and prescriptions in clinics, show that the daily Ritalin prescriptions almost doubled within one year from 4.7 million in 1998 to 8.4 million daily doses in 1999.The current discussion in Space & Time, in regards to the development of a legal narcotics market, due to medical prescriptions in Germany which are contrary to the intentions of the law, seems to be totally justified.

The next question of how Ritalin prescriptions are distributed in regards to children, teenagers, and adults and the regional concentrations, cannot be answered in lieu of the publicized data. There is no personal data in regards to a person's age and gender, which could, for example, be drawn from anonymous health insurance companies. This seems to be a serious omission for all involved in public health services.

Too Many or Too Few Ritalin Prescriptions?

In the German medical publication [editor: Bundesaerztekammer and Kassenaerztliche Bundesvereinigung, corresponds to AMA], Prof. Lehmkuhl and his colleagues from the clinic and polyclinic for psychiatry and psychotherapy for children and teens at the University Koeln, were opposed to the terms, "correct use or misapplication", and that the medical diagnoses for Ritalin prescription was issued too often. [Schubert, I. et. al., methylphenidate with hyperactive disturbances. Decrees during the 90's. - German Medical Publication 2001; 98 A541-544, pamphlet 9.

The authors discussed the development of Ritalin usage in Germany for the 90's exclusively in lieu of data for medically diagnosed frequency of hyperactive disturbances during childhood and teenage years. Attentions turn to obvious uncommon active behavior and the accompanying disturbances, such as attention deficit, learning difficulties and social behavior. Ritalin therapy "seems designated when the hyperactive symptoms are very visible and therefore could be dangerous for the further development of the child and also when the symptoms cannot be sufficiently decreased via other means and forms of therapy' [Schubert, I. et.al., a.a.O.].

Since the authors do not discuss the possible origins of hyperactive disturbances during childhood and teenage years, this definition shows the subjective judgment of the prescribing doctors for Ritalin medication, as there are no objective lab diagnostics available or psychological differentiating tests.

Instead, the Koeln psychiatrist for children point to the fact that the European guidelines, and those of the German Association for Children and Teen Psychiatry, together with the professional unions for children and teen psychiatry, recommend a multi-level therapy with the inclusion of stimulants and therapeutic behavior intervention for ADHD. [Schubert, I., a.a.O.]. ADHD=Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is the English definition for the German definition ADS=Attention Deficit Syndrome, with or without hyperactive disturbances.

Therefore, Prof. Lehmkuhl and his colleagues deduce from the global data of medically prescribed Ritalin use, a 'conservative estimation' of 41,791 long-term Ritalin prescriptions in Germany for the year 1999. Yet, they do point out with prudence, that "the number of children who came in contact with methylphenidate (Ritalin), could possibly be much higher" [Schubert,I. et. al , a.a.O.].

The Symptoms of Nerve Messenger Material in the Brain

The essay of Barbara Simonson, Space & Time no 111/2001, cites from the medication usage instructions of Ritalin manufacturer, the Swiss pharmaceutical company, Ciba-Geigy [now Novartis]: "Ritalin is a mild stimulant for the central nervous system. The way Ritalin works in the human body is not yet quite understood, but Ritalin presumably activates the brain stem and the cortex in order to achieve a stimulating effect. There is no specific proof that could ascertain the mechanisms of how Ritalin produces mental and behavioral effects in children, nor is there convincing proof of how these effects are related to the central nervous system."

This claim, in regards to how Ritalin works on the molecular level, is grossly misleading and the conclusion of Barbara Simonson, "The way methylphenidate works is still not established", is incorrect. In reality, in the arena of the psycho pharmaceuticals, there are no substances that have been so well documented as amphetamines and their derivatives, Ritalin belonging to this family.

Almost all psycho-pharmaceuticals used today to influence the biochemical and bio-energetic processes in the central nervous system, act to inhibit or reinforce the interaction between messenger material, which a stimulated nerve cell delivers as a sender, and membrane molecules of a second nerve cell, which, as the receptor, transforms this biochemical message into impulses for its own stimulation.

For a long time it was assumed that the bioelectrical energy potential between two neurons in the brain would jump like a spark from nerve cell to nerve cell. A hundred years ago, the famous Spanish neurologist Santiago Ramon y Cajal nevertheless recognized that the cable-like branches of the neurons, called axions, end at certain points which separates one neuron from the others. Later, investigation could prove without a doubt that these contact points, which were called synapses [Greek synopsis=connection], consist of the end of a nerve fiber, pre-synoptic membrane, a piece of membrane of a second nerve cell, the membrane of the cell body of a branch of this neuron, and a tiny split between the two contacting nerve cell membranes, the synaptic split.

Within the pre-synoptic nerve ending, an incoming impulse releases the biochemical transmitters (neurotransmitter). It then spreads through the synaptic split and makes contact with the receptive molecules of the receptors, or, within the membrane of the adjacent nerve cell, (post-synaptic membrane). The receptors are either directly coupled with an ionic channel for incoming or outgoing sodium-potassium chloride, or they exchange with molecules within the post-synaptic membrane. These influence, via a signal relay of special molecules (second messengers), the incoming and outgoing of ions through membrane channels at more distant regions of the post -synaptic membrane. These transfer paths of signals are of special interest here for understanding the effects of amphetamines.

The respective, specific neurotransmitter of a pre-synaptic nerve cell accelerates or de-accelerates the impulse rate of the electrical energy with which the post-synaptic neuron "fires".

The intervals between the rounds of impulses of the neuron become shorter or longer and, due to these interactions, the neurotransmissions can be stimulating or hampering. The brain houses more than ten billion neurons (together with the more than 100 million glia cells in the brain which are not neurons, but offer nutritional and immune system support). Nevertheless, each neuron synthesizes its own neurotransmitter. But many neurons form thousands of branches of their own axion, as thousands of cell branches sprout (dendrites, Greek: dendron=tree) from their cell bodies. The axions and dendrites of a single neuron are in contact with a vast number of axions and dendrites of other neurons which can be stimulated or suppressed via their synapses under the influence of different neurotransmitters.

Every Manipulation is With Risk

This immensely complex symphony of the interplay of neurotransmitters, receptors, ionic channels, signal pathways, opening of cell energy, and numerous biosyntheses between and within the totality of neurons and the cell partners, naturally has limits for understanding in the field of research. The complexity of the effect of the exchange of neurons makes us realize how risky every manipulation in the neurotransmitter arena can be when foreign substances are introduced in the brain. For every desired inhibiting or accelerating neurotransmitter function, an inhibiting or accelerating effect on other neurotransmitters, either directly or indirectly, is produced at the same time. The desired influencing of neurotransmitter function can change with long term medication, e.g. the post-synaptic characteristics, and thus, can increase the original symptoms, and in some cases can make them irreversible. We cannot maintain that the molecular interactions are identical with psychological processes.

Meanwhile, more than 50 neurotransmitters of the central nervous system are known. The speculation is that there could be up to 200 different neurotransmitters. Half a dozen of the 'classical' neurotransmitters were discovered before 1975, the majority was discovered only during the last 25 years. [A selection of messengers in the central nervous system and its receptor partners , as well as the effects on the ionic in and output and the two signal pathways of the second messenger].Graphhic 3 The Deception and Confusion of Amphetamine Misuse

Nerve cell material consists of simple biochemical building blocks which can be found within and outside the body cells. There is nothing mysterious about that. It mostly has to do with amino acids, short chains of amino acids [oligopeptides], or amino acids which are transformed step by step through enzymes for neurotransmitter tasks. Two of these later ones are tryptophan and tyrosin. The 'classical' neurotransmitter, serotonin, is synthesized from the first one and from the last, the 'classical' neurotransmitters dopamine noradrenalinand adrenalin are formed through a step by step enzymatic reaction [graph 4].





Adrenalin was the first nerve cell messenger discovered in the adrenals as a hormone [lat. ad ren = on the kidneys] which pours into the bloodstream as a reaction to acute stress. Adrenalin is also synthesized in nerve cells of the medulla oblongata for different tasks, but is of no importance for the central nervous system in contrast to the autonomous nervous system.

Adrenalin accelerates the heartbeat in mammals and humans in critical situations, as in fight or flight predicaments, and it improves muscle power and dilates the respiratory ducts of the lungs. The latter characteristic was exploited and used as a therapeutic means for asthmatics and, with that, the story of deception and confusion in the development of amphetamines and derivatives like Ritalin, and the misuse of these substances as central stimulants, begins.

Since adrenalin is quickly absorbed in the digestive-intestinal tract, it could not be used orally and so pharmaceutical researchers looked for alternatives. At the beginning of the 20's, a substance from a Chinese herb, ma huang [ephedra vulgris] was isolated, which was biochemically related to adrenalin and could be used orally for effectively treating asthma. This substance, called ephedrine, is still incorporated in cough syrup and mucilaginous medicine. It became widely used for the relief of bronchial spasms, but it also had a stimulating effect on the central nervous system. During the 30's, a synthetic variation called amphetamine was finally developed. [See the structure of adrenalin, ephedrine, and amphetamine in graph 5] A new system of inhaling amphetamine gave relief to asthma symptoms. This anti-asthma substance, called benzedrine, was quickly recognized as a central stimulant which produced an effect similar to cocaine, at this time labeled in the U.S. and Europe as a narcotic. Thus was founded a cheap cocaine alternative as the benzedrine inhalers needed no prescription and the contents could simply be sold over the counter.

Ritalin Has an Effect Similar to That of Cocaine

In medical publications at the end of the 30's, it was described that the use of amphetamine had the effect of an increase in psycho-motor capabilities without the danger of dependence, even with long term use. Cocaine and amphetamines have different chemical structures, but identical physical stimulation effects like, heightened wakefulness and euphoria, suppression of hunger, and under certain conditions, psychosis of a certain type. Subjectively, the effect of the central stimulants is labeled as providing a feeling of energy, power and a clear mind. Objectively, the limited suppression of fatigue and the accelerated physical and mental endurance has been proven in numerous tests. As a result of the attributed euphoria, "cool" performance, and appetite suppression, amphetamines were the most prescribed medication during the 70's, even though the potential for misuse was known from the beginning.

During the Second World War, military pilots from all countries consumed amphetamines for combat endurance, and following the war, amphetamine epidemics developed in the USA, Japan, and Sweden. During the 60's, drug users in San Francisco discovered that the euphoric effects of amphetamines could be greatly increased when intravenously injected, but were followed inevitably by sudden and deep depression phases.

However, the higher the overall feeling of pleasure attained, the deeper the depression was afterwards. The fast developing amphetamine tolerance could, as with all narcotics, only be compensated with higher and higher doses and the habitual high doses actuated the compulsive longing for the stuff, the classic drug dependency scenario.

These circumstances finally resulted in making amphetamine and its derivatives, lawfully illegal narcotics. The only clinical indication for allowing medication with amphetamine derivatives such as anphetaminil=AN1, fenetyllin=captagon, methylphenidat=ritalin and dextroamphetamine, to be used are for treating narcolepsy (sleep disorder), eating addiction (pathological gluttony e.g. after brain damage), and for hyper kinetic symptoms during childhood and teenage years.

The Mechanism of Amphetamine in the Central Nervous System

From the extreme results of amphetamine use (deep depression, paranoia, hallucinatory psychosis, and excessive appetite suppression, with gross retardation), one can induce which neurotransmitter function within the brain neurons are influenced by amphetamine and its derivatives. Because of the effects of amphetamines on the adrenaline receptors in the bronchial branches of asthmatics, it was assumed that in brain cells, analogously, the structurally related neurotransmitters noradrenaline would be increasingly released.

Adrenaline and noradrenaline operate as messengers of the sympathetic part of the autonomous nervous system, partially across the same post synaptic receptors for the functioning of inner organs like the bronchi, heart, stomach, intestines, etc. Since neurons play a dominant role in the brain via noradrenaline, the main function of the amphetamines as central stimulators had to originate via noradrenagic synapses.

During the 60's researchers could experimentally demonstrate precisely, with a brain map, with certain color techniques and with brain parcels, the location of the noradrenagic neurons, the pathway of their axions and dendrites which were leading to other brain areas. The result was astounding and unparalleled at the same time: most of the noradrenaline neurons in the brain were concentrated in the brain stem in a comparatively small nucleus with about 3,000 neurons within the so called "blue nucleus" (locus coeruleus). These few neurons nevertheless send out axions over long stretches into other brain areas and into the bone marrow.

Across this giant spiderweb of nerve fibers, the noradrenaline neurons control many billions of other neurons in the brain stem via innumerable branches for the control of the general activities (i.e. sleeping, awakening, reflex stimulation of the bone marrow) in the thinking part of the cerebral cortex, in the hypothalamus as the controlling organ for hormone synthesis, also in the cerebellum as the organ for small motor movements, in the bone marrow for the regulation of arm and leg movement and muscle tension due to synaptic action, but also very much in thesystem (lat. limbus- border) (graphic 6). The limbic system is a structure in the brain which, on an evolutionary basis, is much older than the cerebral cortex and is localized in a circular form below it.

The limbic system with its multitude of brain nuclei, which are profusely connected with noradrenagic neurons, is deemed the part of the brain that deals with emotions.

During the 70's, brain researchers could demonstrate, through radioactive tracing of neurotransmitters, the effects of exchange with the specific receptors on the postsynaptic membranes. The results showed that amphetamines, because of their similarity in structure, will push the noradrenalin out of the bubble-like structures in which it is stored, after its synthesis in the presynaptic nerve endings. The result is that more noradrenaline molecules, with their specific receptors, have a reciprocal effect and release in the post-induced, postsynaptic neurons, a lasting effect.

Normally, the noradrenalin neurons in the blue nucleus liberate their messengers across billions of axion branches when they are induced to fire through environmental factors of emotions from the inner world of the brain which causes an emotional agitation under the influence of amphetamines. The noradrenalin receptors are on constant alert, independent of outer or inner emotions. This process explains not only the process of hyper -alertness and the ability for concentration in the cerebral cortex, but also the feeling of euphoria connected to the limbic system and the increased coordination of muscle activity. One also understands better the characteristic "coolness" of amphetamine and cocaine users, since they feel independent of inner and outer emotional changes.

Cocaine has a somewhat different mechanism but which also applies in a lesser degree to amphetamines. It impedes the resumption of noradrenalin after contact with the post-synaptic receptors in the parasynaptic nerve endings, which also increase the length and strength of the noradrenalin.

Pharmaceutical substances which are effective for certain forms of depression also impede the resumption, respectively the decomposition of noradrenalin, in the presynaptic nerve endings. That is the reason why psychiatrists have prescribed amphetamines to depressive patients. On a short term basis there is an improvement, followed by tolerance development which requires higher doses, which then leads to the typical withdrawal symptoms when the medication is stopped. The tolerance creation is explainable because of the decrease of sensitivity of the receptors (and probably also a decrease of the number of receptors) on account of the continuous effect of the noradrenalin molecules. These receptors become "immune", which explains the dramatic depressive collapse (crashing) following an amphetamine high.

Amphetamine and cocaine influence an increase in the curbing of take-up of noradrenalin, and at the same time they influence the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin. The stronghold of dopamine neurons is in the "black nucleus"(substantia negra) in the brain stem. From there, long axions lead to the so-called striated bodied coordination center (corpus striatum), which is responsible for the movement of arms and legs.

Psychosis Mimicking Schizophrenia The disturbances and degeneration of this nerve system leads to the characteristic symptoms of rigidity, decreased mobility and of tremor with Parkinsons disease. From an area next to the "black nucleus", a dopamine like nerve trail with branches, moves to the different parts of the limbic system as well as to the oldest part of the cerebrum, the gyrus cinguli, and to the youngest structure of the frontal cerebrum {cortex frontalis}(graphic 7). Important parts of this dopamine stimulated cerebrum (mesolimbic dopamine system) are labeled as the "reward system", because research with animals led us to assume that all narcotics producing euphoric effects, including amphetamines and cocaine, increase the release and respectively, the curbing of resumption or decrease of dopamine.

Since pharmaceutical substances (neuroleptica) from the schizophrenic arena are effective with psychosis, since they block specific dopamine receptors, one assumes vice versa, that amphetamines and cocaine can generate a schizophrenic like psychosis, because of the over activation of dopamine, dependent on doses and duration.

The amphetamine and cocaine psychosis differentiate themselves from the organic, physically originated psychosis, like the delirium of alcoholism or when the cerebrum is organically damaged by a tumor, through an over active condition, without disturbing consciousness. Beyond that there are other congruent symptoms with schizophrenic, like psychoses. The afflicted experience acoustic, sometimes optic hallucinations, and feel a certain suspicion, which can develop into feelings of delusion of self. This clouds the interpretation of events and information in respect to one's self and can lead to full-fledged psychosis, and the impression of a hostile conspiracy. At times, these congruent symptoms have led to the faulty diagnosis of schizophrenia, where amphetamine and cocaine use were present but not known to the clinician. A specific form of hallucination with amphetamine and cocaine psychosis is the tactile hallucination, which is seldom found with schizophrenia. It manifests as a disorder where the drug user experiences the sensation of crawling insects, worms, and other animals on their skin.

The immediate effect, when blocking the dopamine receptors with the help of anti schizophrenic neuroleptica in the case of amphetamine psychosis, shows that the short and long term effects of amphetamine consumption is indeed activated, not only through over stimulation of the noradrenalin receptor, but also through the over stimulation of the dopamine receptor. On the contrary, patients have shown within a short time period, heavy psychotic reactions when given small amphetamine doses, after the paranoid and non-paranoid schizophrenic symptoms had subsided. It is assumed, that by blocking the dopamine receptors with neuroleptica, the receptors are over-sensitized (up regulated), while other specific dopamine receptors are down regulated with long-term amphetamine therapy during childhood and teen years, which creates a disposition for depression and dependency in later years. Of all the important psycho-pharmaceuticals, amphetamine, and cocaine, have the strongest selective effects on the mesolimbic dopamine energetic reward system. Amphetamine also release the neurotransmitter serotonin, which comes from the amino acid tryptophan, from the reservoir in the presynaptic nerve endings. All of the serotonin nerve channel systems in the brain originate from a group of nuclei in the brain stem (raphe-nuclei) and ascend to higher centers. The axions of the serotonin neurons branch out over the whole brain but are especially interlocked tightly within the limbic system (graphic 8). The serotonin neuron system is seen more as a "listless system". The appetite and growth depressant effects of amphetamines are associated with the over activation of the serotonin receptors. A deficient activation of the serotonin receptors is instrumental with certain forms of depression. Depressive individuals with too little serotonin receptor activation often attempt serious, especially violent, suicide attempts or can be impulsively violent against others. Long-term amphetamine use can therefore, lead to a tendency for violence against self or others because of the over activation of the serotonin receptors, thereby enhancing a desensitizing of the down regulating receptors.

The Working Mechanisms of Amphetamine in the Vegetative Nervous System Along with the desired effect from Benzedrine inhalation, dilation of the bronchi in the asthmatic patients, amphetamine also affects the adrenergic receptors in the synapses in the vegetative nervous system. This system is connected, via centers in the spine, in both directions with the central nervous system, and among other things, the hypothalamus-hypo physical system, the limbic system up to the cerebral cortex. From the spinal centers in the chest and pelvis, the nerves of the sympathetic system cross ganglia, which were redirected to noradrenergic nerve fibers, to the synapses of the inner organs (graphic 9).

In these sympathetic nerve fibers, amphetamines also cause increased expulsion of the neurotransmitter, noradrenaline into the synaptic crevices. The consequence is an increased stimulation of the specific membrane of the receptors which, over a long time, can be constantly overactive or hampered. For example, the heart muscles cells are accelerated and in response, the heart's pumping and beating frequencies increases. This turbo effect nevertheless leads to oxidation, causing a lasting burden on the heart muscle cells.

The sympathetic and the counter action of the parasympathetic system are, in a neuro and anatomical sense, separate parts of the vegetative nervous system, but they work in a polar dynamic way organically in the inner organs (graphic 9). The balance of this constant synergy is disturbed in many ways on account of the over activation of the sympathetic system by long-term amphetamine therapy.

A specific sympathetic nerve channel between the vegetative centers and the adrenals directly stimulates the release of noradrenaline and adrenaline from cells of the adrenal marrow into the blood stream when under stress. This vital cell system, influenced by amphetamines and under stress from the hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline, together with the whole metabolism and hormone and immune systems, are compromised. The adrenergic cells of the adrenal marrow are stimulated simultaneously by cortisol that formed in the adrenal cortex. Cortisol is the final hormone from the stress cycle of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. This axis is also influenced by the amphetamine over activation, via the noradrenagic, dopamine and serotonin agitation of the limbic system. In this scenario the frontal pituitary excretes cortisol stimulating ACTH hormone into the blood stream, which stimulates cortisol synthesis in the adrenals. The elevated cortisol table has a stress reducing effect on the hypothalamus which acts like a control valve to prevent backflow (graphic 10). This negative backward coupling can be disturbed by permanent stress. It is the opinion of today's psychiatrists that nearly all depressive episodes are caused by stress, which blocks the cortisol. Since most of the anti -depression drugs, like amphetamine, elevate noradrenaline and serotonin in the brain synapses, the hyper kinetic syndrome and the attention deficit can be seen as stressors and the positive amphetamine effect in the beginning can be seen as a stress reducing factor. The relationship between the cortisol hormone and the adrenal receptors in the brain or between the inner organs in the periphery of the brain is, in any case, much more complicated. Since there are different adrenal receptors (alpha and beta receptors) and a constantly elevated cortisol level mainly sensitizes the beta receptors and increases their numbers, the signaling path of the beta receptors is more strongly activated within the cell. The relationship between the signal path via cyclical adenosinmonophosphate (cAMP) and the one mediated through the cyclical guanosinmonophosphate (cGMP) (graphic11) shifts in favor of the signal path of cAMP. Imbalance of Cell Metabolism

What transpires is an imbalance in the cell metabolism and the synthesis of cell energy. The noradrenaline-adrenaline supply, elevated by amphetamine, also stimulates the alpha receptors plus the couples signal path of cGMP. The balance, decisive for the bio-energetic and biochemical cell work, can be reinstated. With too high a dosage or too long a term of amphetamine use, the receptors respond by desensitizing, (down regulation). The dosage then needs to be increased to balance the decreasing effect because otherwise, the inner and outer stressors are experienced even more. Nevertheless the dosage has been significantly limited because of undesirable side effects and because of the liberation of nonadrenal message material at the same time.

In the vegetative nerve system, in contrast to the central nervous system, dopamine plays a role only as a precursor for the synthesis of noradrenaline and adrenaline, apart from some blood gradient of the intestines and kidneys. When influenced by amphetamine, the messenger material which was synthesized from amino acids, for example serotonin, is largely liberated from intestinal mucus membrane cells and blood cells. Quantitatively, serotonin formation in the stomach and intestinal areas is higher than it is in the brain, so amphetamine overstimulation of the serotonergic receptors, due to medication and certain antidepressive substances (serotonin uptake-downgrade), can spark stomach and

[mctavish23]

Try reading the US Surgeon Generals Report on Mental Health (Chapter three) Disorders of Infancy,Childhood & Adolescence. It completely refutes this article.

Ritalin (methylphenidate) is not an amphetamine. Even if it were, "stimulants are the most benign drugs in psychiatry," according to Russell Barkley ,Ph D.He is considered the world's leading researcher on ADHD.

If this article were as "huge" as it would like you to believe, it would be on the cover of TIME, NEWSWEEK,THE NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE and the JAMA(Journal of the American Medical Association).It's not because its bogus.

As it is, this rates the lowest rent checkout isle in Berlin, right next the The Star 's article on Elvis and ADHD: the untold story.

There is NO DATA I've ever seen that supports this (and don't tell me I haven't read any journal articles on meds, you'll only get this post bleeped).

I'm not criticizing you. In fact, I'm glad you posted it as a "heads up," I appreciate it.
I am, however,critizing the article because it's deliberately misleading and inflammatory; which is a polite way of saying Bull****.

take care

mctavish23 (Robert)

P.S.
The first research article on the effects of stimulants on behavior goes back to 1937.The track record, and the data, for the effectiveness and safety of stimulants is overwhelmingly positive. One study (on anything) doesn't suddenly wipe out 68 years of positive research. It doesnt work that way.

The only other thing I'd say on this is that ADHD is viewed very differently in Europe ever since the 1960's.That was when US psychiatrist Stella Chess led the movement towards focusing on the specific symptoms and AWAY from the notion of brain damage.

That was the "beginning of a major conceptual shift between professionals in North America and those in Europe that continues to some extent to the present."
" European clinical professionals continued to view hyperkinesis as a relatively rare condition of extreme overactivity often associated with mental retardation or evidence of organic brain damage."
Russell Barkely
- ADHD and the Nature of Self-Control (1993), page 6.

[MillenniumMan]

well I'll tell you this for sure Adderall is a different story.

[Nova]

I wish this hype would cease and desist, also..It's an old worn out tale..
There is nothing wrong with the meds. And as far as brain cells deteriorating...it's called 'life'...
Nova

[mctavish23]

Adderall had 12 sudden deaths out of 38 million prescriptions. Here's what the except from the US Food & Drug Administration says ( and I dont work for SHIRE or any other company, but I have read the abstracts on these data):

"Of the 12 cases, 5 occurred in patients with underlying structural heart defects (abnormal arteries or valves, abnormally thickened walls,etc.), all conditions that increase the risk for sudden death."

"Several of the remaining cases presented problems of interpretation, including a family history of ventricular tachycardia,association of death with heat exhaustion, dehydration and near drowning,very rigorous excercise,fatty liver, heart attack, and Type 1 diabetes mellitus."

"One case was reported three to four years after the fact and another had above-toxic levels of amphetamine.The duration of the treatment varied from one day to 8 years.The number of cases for sudden deaths reported for Adderall is only slightly greater, per million prescriptions, than the number for methylphenidate products, which are commonly used to treat pediatric patients with ADHD."

Public Health Advisory for Adderall and Adderall XR
US Food & Drug Administration (Center for Drug Evaluation and Research)-2/11/05.

[MillenniumMan]

btw Nova I'am 22 and shouldn't have to worry about
my brain needing a scan, and you know what sometimes
I don't think the FDA gives a care about people's well being.
I'am an accomplished author with my book right next to me
I should be embracing it rather than hardly showing no emotion to it.
As well I worked very hard on it. I also read that many AD/HD people
are very creative and I feel like I'm not all the creative as I used to.
When I got off Adderall I almost felt brain dead now I'am fine I think
but my memory isn't the greatest in the world I'am 22 and feel that
now I have minimal brain dysfunction just "minimal" btw that's what
ADD used to be called for all those who didn't know.
You know I'am not sure of this...but my brain does feel "a little fried"...
my brain/well being is WAY MORE important than a supposed-false
miracle drug I also read that it's not a healing drug for AD/HD
it only does short-term/short run effects then down the road
it probably makes your ADHD either worse or it makes it diminish
along with a few-to-some brain cells which shouldn't be allowed to happen.

[Imnapl]

Originally Posted by MillenniumMan

I'am an accomplished author with my book right next to me
I should be embracing it rather than hardly showing no emotion to it.

Awesome! Fiction or Non-Fiction?

[MillenniumMan]

It's a poetry/song book and it's VERY INSPIRATIONAL.
Problem is with me I feel not very emotional, embraceful about it
that's why I think I might have some nerve damage, or some type
of damage...I've written 4 poetry books but if there is something
wrong with me I either want something to help me feel more emotion
of happiness. Maybe I need a microchip placed in...~sigh~...

[Nova]

MilleniumMan:
'btw Nova I'am 22 and shouldn't have to worry about
my brain needing a scan, and you know what sometimes
I don't think the FDA gives a care about people's well being.
I'am an accomplished author with my book right next to me
I should be embracing it rather than hardly showing no emotion to it.
As well I worked very hard on it. I also read that many AD/HD people
are very creative and I feel like I'm not all the creative as I used to.
When I got off Adderall I almost felt brain dead now I'am fine I think
but my memory isn't the greatest in the world I'am 22 and feel that
now I have minimal brain dysfunction just "minimal" btw that's what
ADD used to be called for all those who didn't know.
You know I'am not sure of this...but my brain does feel "a little fried"...
my brain/well being is WAY MORE important than a supposed-false
miracle drug I also read that it's not a healing drug for AD/HD
it only does short-term/short run effects then down the road
it probably makes your ADHD either worse or it makes it diminish
along with a few-to-some brain cells which shouldn't be allowed to happen.'

You may also view your loss as something that would've occurred naturally, anyways, even at 22 years of age. Somehow, being an author, allows me to believe you haven't lost your creativity...but maybe part of your self, through ordinary life stresses, which everyone experiences, throughout their lives.
ADHD will never diminish, some of us learn to adjust better, in understanding ourselves and our needs, and, yes, it is sometimes exascerbated, by outside triggers.
I do agree, with you, that most medications, do not 'heal' ADHD itself, and never declared them to do so, because they would have to biologically create certain synapses and neurons, that didn't exist, or properly work, initially. And there certainly is no drug, that is capable of doing so,...unless the Gods come in pill formation

However, since my community strongly enforces that I obey state and federal statutes, deciding to crank up my stereo, at 2am, because I impulsively decide I need to do it, those 'meds' ensure I won't do that. In situations, when I feel safe to don on my wild child party hat, I don't take them, putting my trust in those I'm with, who will keep me safe, and keep me from being too much of a pain in the dupa, in being over reactive, over emotional, overly animated, with the end result always being overwhelming anxiety and depression afterwards.

I am only advocating my opinion as you are doing.

For short durations, Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta...or even other meds, such as Zoloft, Prozac, Paxil..or even ones we take for granted now, as in Advil, Claritin..which were also received with resentment, by some...long ago..allows for someone to be at peace.
Declaring an all out war, and use of slander, is not really your decision to make, for all people who do benefit from some prescription drugs.
If it were your opinion, only, that would be different..but you and I know it wasn't...
It was a personal attack, for reasons, that are only identifiable to you, which may or may not have to do with the meds...
You are able to make those decisions for yourself, or your children, if you have any, but please allow others, to be able to do the same, sweetie..and I mean that with the utmost respect, to your convictions.

I wish you the best...in seeking and finding buried treasures..
Nova

[Nova]

MilleniumMan:
'It's a poetry/song book and it's VERY INSPIRATIONAL.
Problem is with me I feel not very emotional, embraceful about it
that's why I think I might have some nerve damage, or some type
of damage...I've written 4 poetry books but if there is something
wrong with me I either want something to help me feel more emotion
of happiness.'

And yet an abundance of creative people feel meloncholy..at times when others think they should be happy...but then again, not all 'others' are incredibly creative...are they?
I still contain my visible emotions, to those I'm not intimate with (as in close relations of trust) to happy, but detached, or absurdly apathetic. And they buy into it, every single time..Because they aren't creative and caring enough, to be insightful enough, to recognize any other emotions...It frightens them, and they feel obligated to minimize my emotions, as ones which aren't viable...so they won't have to admit to not understanding them...

You are feel deeply...and feel all emotions...I sense that...give yourself a break, and know that if we are alive, we have the gift of experiencing them, in true form, as they knock on the door to our soul-room...
Nova

[Nova]

You could always, do as others have done, and post some of those creative insights of yours...to share with some of us..Just a thought...
Nova

[MillenniumMan]

insight...okay...here it goes...

Passionate
Of
Expression
Truth
Reason
You

[Nova]

Originally Posted by MillenniumMan

insight...okay...here it goes...

Passionate
Of
Expression
Truth
Reason
You

Now that....that totally 'resonates' with me
Thank You! It means a lot to me!!!
Nova

[scuro]

This article is huge!!...as far as dog turds go. The ladies will tell you, size doesn't always matter. Give us the link and I'll take the time to look to see where the stink is coming from. My bet is one of the two sources below.

My bet is Scientology
http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18118

or Breggin et al
http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16872
http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16873

If you still believe this article is "huge", give us the two most important points in the article, with quotations and I shall counter.

[scuro]

Dr. Kremer also believes that AIDS is caused by poppers.

"Kremer: Yes. Addiction to poppers among homosexuals was rife in the metropolises of the USA and Europe during the 1970s. It involved inhalation of nitrogen gases as sexual doping agents for sphincter muscle relaxation during anal sexual intercourse and for extended penis erection. Nitrogen gases, amyl nitrite, and other agents were found in animal experiments to be extremely dangerous immunosuppressive substances. Anyone can read in medical publications on the first AIDS patients that they were all nitrite users".

http://health.consumercide.com/kremer-interview.html