Our most recent post was on the extreme increase in the use of antipsychotic medications – especially in children: Since 1993 use in children (who have no choice in the decision) skyrocketed by 800%, in teens by 500%, and in adults by 200%. Now a new study just out demonstrates brain damage in 75% of those who take these drugs!!
THE IMPACT UPON SOCIETY
Think it does not affect you because you are not on them? Better think again because we will all pay to care for those suffering brain damage from these drugs in higher taxes, higher insurance rates, disability payments, etc. and in reduced productivity & creativity via the contributions these people could have made to our society had their brains remained intact and functioning.
SEROTONIN-INDUCED OXYGEN DEPRIVATION
PRODUCING CELL DEATH
Of course my first question would be, “How many of those patients tested had previously been on antidepressants BEFORE they were given antipsychotics to treat their antidepressant-induced psychosis which antidepressants are so prone to produce?” Why would I want to know that? Because antidepressants ALSO decrease the blood flow to the brain as will any other drug that increases serotonin. The main function of serotonin is constriction of smooth muscle tissue such as the veins & arteries that carry oxygen to the brain.
CORKSCREW BRAIN CELLS FROM ANTIDEPRESSANTS
As early as a decade ago in February of 2000 Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia published research indicating that several serotonergic medications within only four days use caused a shriviling up of brain cells or taking on of abnormal corkscrew shapes. (What a nice technical way to express that these drugs literally screw up the brain!) The drugs featured in this research were all serotonergic – the antidepressants Prozac and Zoloft, and the diet drugs Redux and Meridia which have now been pulled from the market due to the brain damage produced by these drugs (see below for that explanation).
BRAIN CELL DEATH? PERMANENT OR TEMPORARY?
The lead researcher in this study concluded: “We don’t know if results with four days of drug treatment are clinically significant,” Dr. Kalia says. “We don’t know if the cells are dying. That’s the key question. We need to do more studies to prove cell death. These effects may be transient and reversible. Or they may be permanent.” (Please see my comments below on the question of permanent damage or temporary.)
POPULAR DIET PILLS PULLED DUE TO BRAIN DAMAGE
Another piece of information few have is the fact that Fen-Phen & Redux were pulled from the market due to the massive brain damage they caused, not the heart valve damage or PPHN that so many assumed was the reason they were pulled from the market. Just two weeks before the removal of those drugs from the market the National Institutes of Health (NIH) had finished an extensive study on Redux & brain damage which the manufacturer, Wyeth, was suppose to have completed as part of the drug’s approval a full year before.
The NIH study results demonstrated some of the most massive brain damage you could imagine! JAMA published the study August 27 1997, titled, “Brain serotonin neurotoxicity and primary pulmonary hypertension from fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine. A systematic review of the evidence.”
BRAIN SEROTONIN NEUROTOXICITY?!!
PLEASE note that term in discussing ANY drug that increases serotonin! Make the connection between elevated serotonin and neurotoxicity – brain damage!
Within a couple of weeks after pubication that NIH study the drugs were off the market! But tragically that left MANY patients in horrific cold turkey withdrawal which naturally resulted in many suicides, murder/suicides, and deep depression which most had never suffered from before taking these serotonergic diet pills. These cases went mostly unnoticed or recognized as related to the drugs or the cold turkey withdrawal from these drugs. At that point many of those patients ended up on antidepressants which helped to stop the withdrawal, but of course should be expected to continue the damage to the brain via the excess serotonin they too produce. This is an example of a dangerous senario all those on antidepressants need to be aware of – the potential abrupt withdrawal of the drugs they are taking being pulled with little to no warning.
IS THERE HOPE AFTER SUCH DAMAGE?
I have long contended that this brain damage does not have to be permanent. I do believe there is hope for recovery, but I think you have to work at it. Just stopping the drugs producing the damage is not enough. Please go to www.drugawareness.org/alternatives to see just how many options there are to restoring one’s health and brain function after the use of these drugs. You can even see brain scans before and after some of the treatments showing recovery.
I would also refer all to our website link to alternatives we have found to help and also to a special done by Dr. Sanjay Gupta from CNN, who, after interviewing with him I have much respect for as a brilliant and open minded scientist and good human being. The link to information on that special is located here: https://www.drugawareness.org/cnn-teen-in-coma-from-severe-brain-injury-recovers-with-alternatives/
Read the study on antipsychotics & brain damage, along with references here: www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S014976341200125X
Read article from Jefferson Medical College on corkscrew shaped brain cells here: http://www.antidepressantsfacts.com/Thomas-Jefferson-University-Hospital.htm
Read NIH study on Fen-Phen & Redux, Brain serotonin neurotoxicity and primary pulmonary hypertension from fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine. A systematic review of the evidence, here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9272900
Ann Blake-Tracy, Executive Director,
International Coalition for Drug Awareness
Author: “Prozac: Panacea or Pandora? – Our Serotonin Nightmare – The Complete Truth of the FullImpact of Antidepressants Upon Us & Our World” & Safe Withdrawal CD “Help! I Can’t Get Off My Antidepressant!”
BOOK: Prozac: Panacea or Pandora? – Our Serotonin Nightmare! Anything you ever wanted to know about antidepressants is there along with everything drug companies hope you never find out about these drugs. Find the book & the CD “Help! I Can’t Get Off My Antidepressant!” on how to safely withdraw from antidepressants & most psychiatric medications. Available at www.drugawareness.org
“VERY BOLD AND INFORMATIVE”
“PRICELESS INFORMATION THAT IS GIVING ME BACK TO ME”
“THE ABSOLUTE BEST REFERENCE FOR ANTIDEPRESSANT DRUGS”
“WELL DOCUMENTED & SCIENTIFICALLY RESEARCHED”
“I was stunned at the amount of research Ann Blake-Tracy has done on this subject. Few researchers go to as much trouble aggressively gathering information on the adverse reactions of Prozac, Zoloft and other SSRIs.”
WITHDRAWAL HELP CD TESTIMONIALS:
“Ann, I just wanted to let you know from the bottom of my heart how grateful I am God placed you in my life. I am now down to less than 2 mg on my Cymbalta and I have never felt better. I am finally getting my life back. I can feel again and colors have never been brighter. Thanks for all that you do!!” … Amber Weber
“Used your method of weaning off of SSRI’s and applied it to Ambian. Took 6 months but had been on 15 mg for years so what was another 6 months. I have been sleeping without it for 2 weeks and it is the first time I have been able to sleep drug free for 15 years. What a relief to be able to lay down and sleep when I need or want to. Ambien may be necessary for people at times but doctors giving a months worth of it at a time with unlimited refills is a prescription for disaster. It is so damn easy to become dependent on. Thanks for your council Ann.”… Mark Hill
“I’m so thankful for Ann Blake-Tracy and all her work. Also for taking the time out to talk to me and educate everyone! She has been a blessing to me during this awful time of antidepressant hell!
13,975 total views, 2 views today