Chapter
1
Overview
Our
life and destiny is dependent on the choices we make. We to a great extent
we are what
we have chosen to be. Current medical research has documented that certain
medications affect our ability to make moral choices. Moral inhibitors
have been available for thousands of years in the forms of alcohol, opium and
others. Now we have a great variety of sociably acceptable moral inhibitors
classified as tranquilizers, narcotics, and hypnotics (sleeping pills).
Solomon said, "It is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes
intoxicating drink; Lest they drink and forget the law, and pervert the
justice of all the afflicted." Proverbs 31:4+5
Some
medications have the effect of decreasing emotional sensitivity.
If someone is hypersensitive and cries when some look wrong them then
this may be helpful, however is someone is used to violence on TV or games this
maybe dangerous. These drugs may
also reduce the feeling of guilt, which has emotional and spiritual
ramifications.
Although
the most common reason physician give for limiting certain drugs is because of
dependency. It is a consideration
but not a significant as many of the other spiritual side effect we are
discussion. We are also dependent
on food and water.
Addiction,
although similar, is different from dependency.
Webster’s defines addiction as: “compulsive
need for and use of a habit-forming substance (as heroin, nicotine, or alcohol)
characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon
withdrawal; broadly: persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user
to be harmful.” Addiction is
something controlling you this has profound spiritual ramifications.
Mankind
was originally created with the “higher powers” (reason, intellect and
conscience), as the guiding force on mans will. Happiness, peace,
mental normality comes from freeing ones will from the control of the lower
powers. God also created him with "lower powers" (emotions, instincts
of self-preservation, reproductive instincts, and appetites). The higher powers
were to govern. The lower powers were to minister to his happiness, and promote
survival. We must consider wither a
substance ingested will affect our minds hierarchy. Will it suppress the
reasoning or conscience? Will it stimulate the emotions or appetites?
Dr. R.
Binder MD. (Department of Psychiatry university of California, San Francisco)
published case reports of "Behavioral Disinhibition" resulting from
the minor tranquilizer Lonazapam (Klonapin). Behavior Disinhibition refers
to inability to control ones actions. In these cases the typical
manifestation was uncontrolled anger. Similar results have been reported
with other antianxiety medications (see chapt 3). . To every person
choices are made that decide their destiny. We must not be a nation taking
“moral inhibitors” if we expect to make moral decisions. Some of our
leaders, our businessmen are guilt ridden because of the corruption and immoral
decisions which they are a part of. They go to their physicians with
anxiety, guilt, and psychosomatic symptoms and they give them moral inhibitors
or they turn to the "over the counter" moral inhibitor - Alcohol.
Terminology
Behavioral
Disinhibition - refers
to inability to control ones actions
Moral Inhibitor – refers to
repressing or disabling ones conscious or sense of right or wrong.
Sensitivity depressor – refers to
making one less sensitive to human emotions
Dependency – refers to a need for
something for a state or felling of well-being
Addiction – refers to a
dependency on a substance characterized by tolerance and by well-defined
physiological symptoms upon withdrawal. May
include behavior in a
self-destructive manner in order to large amounts of the agent.
Cognitive dysfunction – refers to short-term memory impairment, confusion and
sometimes delirium.
Withdrawal
- refers to symptoms from anxiety and insomnia to psychosis.
Spiritual
side effects and it ramifications
The medical
literature and drug reference books (PDR and others) report or list “side
effect” that affect are mind, will, emotions and thinking.
Listed below are some of these mental side effect and the rational for
believe they affect our relationship with God i.e. a spiritual side effect.
1.
Agitation:
Not in harmony with the peace God want us to have.
2.
Aggression:
Not in harmony with love
3.
Akathisia: That is central
nervous system is over stimulated causing a need to move about. The person feels
irritable and is compelled to stand up, pace, shuffle etc. The sense of anxiety
causing an inability to control impulses. A
Christian is to be trusting not anxious.
4.
Amnesia: We need to remember what God is teaching.
5.
Anxiety:
Not in harmony with peace
6.
Apathy:
Dulls convictions from the Holy Spirit and our conscience.
7.
Clouded Thoughts: God
reaches us though our thoughts
8.
Confusion: Right choices
determine our destine
9.
Chronic cognitive impairments: God
says, “Come let us reason together”
10.
Delusions: God work by a understanding of truth
11.
Depersonalization: God wants a personal relationship with his
children
12.
Depression: God want joy and happiness for his children
13.
Disorientation: God is
reality.
14.
Disinhibition ranging from irritability to increased verbal hostility to
assault: Self control is a gift of
God
15. Dyscontrol - The dyscontrol included: "Overdose"; "Deep
neck cuts"; "Transverse wrist cuts"; "Tried to break own
arm"; "Threw chair at child"; and "Arm and heading banging;
jumped in front of car:
Self control is a command of God.
16.
Euphoria: God want use to
have Joy and happiness that last and is rational not irrational transient
euphoria
17.
Emotional anesthesia - lack of emotional response to family events.
Emotions are a gift of God for our benefit and happiness
18.
Floating feelings: Real
feeling not chemical feelings.
19.
Hallucinations: Satan is the
author of confusion.
20.
Hostility: Love is our goal.
21.
Hypomania behavior: Feelings
are to be under the control of reason and conscience.
22.
Insomnia: Sleep is necessary for
mental and spiritual health
23.
Irrational fears:
God says to fear not.
24.
Mania, a psychosis, (hyper-excited, aggressive psychotic states)
is a special danger in regard to
Xanax
Feelings are to be under the control of reason and conscience
25.
Nightmares: not helpful for spiritual health
26.
Panic:
Fear makes us non functional.
27.
Paranoia: We need to believe
the best of people
28.
Restlessness: Peaceful is God desire for use.
29.
Suicidal thoughts: we are not to
hate ourselves.
30.
Withdrawal symptoms – include
pessimistic, angry, demanding violent thoughts or actions.
All
the above effect of some medications are out of harmony with Christ like behavior.
Chapter 2
Alcohol
Moral
Inhibitor – refers to repressing or
disabling ones conscious or sense of right or wrong.
Alcohol is the first drug introduced to man with spiritual side
effects. Although alcohol does not require a physicians blessings or
prescription to obtain it is a necessary building block in the understanding of
spiritual side-effect of prescription drugs. We
find many references to alcohol and its effects in the Bible.
Solomon said, “It is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes intoxicating
drink; Lest they drink and forget the law, and pervert the justice of all
the afflicted.” Proverbs 31:4+5
Alcohol causes
cancer, intellectual decline, nerve damage, liver damage, heart damage, auto
accidents and a host of other social and health problems but the worst problem
is that alcohol is a moral inhibitor. A
Moral Inhibitor is a substance refers to repressing or disabling ones conscious
or sense of right or wrong. The
choices we make effect our destiny in this life and the life to come.
We have seen in the national news over the last few years the report of some
studies touting the benefit of moderate alcohol consumption.
The clams of some studies are that the risk of heart disease and other
vascular disease is slightly lower with wine consumption.
Most of the benefit is due to the ingredients that are also found in
unfermented grapes. But even if it
was shown that alcohol did help prevent vascular disease is the risk worth it? Alcohol is know even is small amounts to increase the
risk of breast cancer and other cancers. Can
you be sure you will not be the 1 in 7 who becomes a “problem drinker”?
Is it worth the risk? Clearly
even from a physical viewpoint alcohol should be avoided.
A person is considered addicted to alcohol or an
Alcoholic if the lost control of their alcohol consumption.
The alcoholic intents to control his alcohol consumption but often fails.
There are many different questionnaires to determine if one is an
alcoholic but the key principle is control or lack of control.
A sample Questionnaire is:
1. Have I neglected
responsibilities in order to drink?
2. Have I drunk or used more
than I thought I should have?
3.
Have I experienced negative consequences associated with my
drinking but have continued to drink or use anyway?
4. Have I continued to use
alcohol after I intended to stop?
5.
Have I found myself using alcohol in spite of wishing not to?
6.
Have I used alcohol in spite of promises not to drink or use?
7.
Have I felt guilty or remorseful about my drinking or my behavior
while drinking?
8. Have
I felt frustration and/or despair over my drinking or using?
9.
Have I attempted to control problems resulting from alcohol use by
quitting and failed?
10.
Have I expressed regret about drinking
or using without taking steps to change it?
Alcohol
is usually classified as a brain depressant.
The higher brain functions reason, judgment, intellect and conscience are the
first function of the brain to be affected by alcohol. The ability
to think and make decisions becomes impaired. As more alcohol is consumed, the
motor control by the brain of the body is affected.
The
big problem with alcohol is that a person under its influence makes bad choice.
They choice to drive impaired, cause many innocent lives to be lost.
They choose to have unwise relationship.
They choose to waist their financial resources and physical resources. They destroy family relationships. Alcohol impairs
rational thinking making chooses impaired and destructive.
Permanent
Brain damage is a common consequence of long-term alcohol consumption. Visual
/spatial abilities and higher cognitive brain functions are typically effected
by long-term alcohol consumption. Chronic
alcohol consumption causes a loss of brain volume in the frontal Lobe and the
cerebellum areas. The frontal lobe
is the area of intellect reason and judgment.
The cerebellum is the area controlling balance and gait.
Behavioral
Disinhibition - refers to inability to
control ones actions
Benzodiazepines.
Valium, one of the earlier drugs in this class, was at one time the most
proscribed medication in America, until it was realized that it was a highly
addictive medication.
Dr. R.
Binder MD. (Department of Psychiatry university of California, San Francisco)
published case reports of "Behavioral Disinhibition" resulting from
the minor tranquilizer lonazapam (Klonapin). Behavior Disinhibition refers
to inability to control ones actions. In these cases the typical
manifestation was uncontrolled anger. Similar results have been reported
with the tranquilizers Alprazola (Xanax), Chlordiazepoxide (Librium), Diazepam
(valium), and Oxazapam (Serax) . This obvious violent sporadic
disinhibited behavior is common to nearly all antianxiety drugs and has been
blamed for some violent "disinhibition" phenomenon (which is
relatively infrequent) but it impairs our ability to make moral choices.
To every person choices are made that decide their destiny. We must not be
a nation taking moral inhibitors if we expect to make moral decisions.
Some of our leaders, our businessmen are guilt ridden because of the corruption
and immoral decisions which they are a part of. They go to their
physicians with anxiety, guilt, and psychosomatic symptoms and they give them
moral inhibitors or they turn to the "over the counter" moral
inhibitor - Alcohol.
The
concern in the use of antianxiety drugs (tranquilizes), narcotics, and other
mind altering drugs should be as much with its effect on our ability to make
good choices as it is with our concern for addiction.
Benzodiazepines
List
Xanax or alprazolam
Valium or diazepam
Librium or chlordiazepoxide
Tranxene or clorazepate
Paxipam or halazepam
Ativan or lorzepam
Serax or oxazepam
Centrax or prazepam
Doral or quazepam
Klonopin or clonazepam
ProSom or estazolam- (For insomnia)
Dalmane or flurazepam- (For insomnia)
Restoril or temazepam- (For insomnia)
Halcion or triazolam- (For insomnia)
Versed or Midazolam – For anesthesia only.
The
first Grouping of medication (Xanax to Klonipin) has similar effects and
indications. They are must commonly
prescribed for anxiety. They are
also given for muscle spasm, panic attacts and seizures.
Benzodiazepines
are associated with amnesia, hostility, irritability, and vivid or disturbing
dreams, as well as tolerance and physical dependence. The withdrawal syndrome is
similar to that of alcohol and may require hospitalization. Abrupt cessation of
benzodiazepines is not recommended and tapering-down the dose eliminates many of
the unpleasant symptoms.
Given
the millions of prescriptions written for benzodiazepines (about 100 million in
1999), relatively few individuals increase their dose on their own initiative or
engage in drug-seeking behavior. Alprazolam and diazepam are the two most
frequently encountered benzodiazepines on the illicit market.
The
Mechanism Spiritual Side- effects
Benzodiazepines
(Valium, Xanax, etc.) increase the neuronal inhibition that is mediated by
gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This causes a generalized suppression of the
electrical excitability and activity in the large neurons throughout all regions
of the brain and spinal cord. These Benzodiazepines
receptors are most abundant in the cerebral cortex.
The
affect is similar to other sedatives including alcohol.
For this reason people withdrawing from alcohol are frequently given
Valium. Barbiturates have similar effects.
Frontal lobe (the reasoning area) is suppressed causing impairment in executive
and cognitive function, including reduced judgment and impulse control.
Impulsive behavior increases because the inhibition mechanisms of the frontal
lobes are impaired.
During
any withdrawal the GABA receptor sites, which have become tolerant
(down-regulated/ less sensitive), allow a generalized brain excitement state.
This state is manifested by feelings of losing control, overwhelming
feelings of anger or violence, or other untoward emotional responses including
nightmares.
Disinhibition
from Xanax or other Benzodiazepines may
occur without a noticeable sedative intoxication, such as slurred speech, lack
of coordination, or impaired consciousness as one who expect in alcohol
intoxication. With alcohol most are
aware of what will happen and prepare by having a designated driver etc.
With Xanax or Valium or other Benzodiazepines
the person may not know what might happen (or what is happening) and their
behavior may cause tragic emotional, social, physical or spiritual consequences.
These behaviors may occur while under the influence of these drugs or
during a withdrawal.
The
follow is a list of some the reported (in medical journals) mental effects of
Benzodiazepines that may effect ones morality, conscious and/or reasoning.
Therefore classified as Spiritual Side-Effects.
Potential
Spiritual Side Effects of Benzodiazepines
Agitation
Amnesia
Anxiety
Confusion
Chronic cognitive impairments
Delusions
Depersonalization
Depression
Disinhibition ranging from irritability to increased verbal hostility to assault
Dyscontrol - The dyscontrol included: "Overdose"; "Deep
neck cuts"; "Transverse wrist cuts"; "Tried to break own
arm"; "Threw chair at child"; and "Arm and heading banging;
jumped in front of car
Euphoria
Emotional anesthesia - lack of emotional
response to family events
Hallucinations
Of
all the medications is this book the Benzodiazepines are the most toxic to our
spiritual nature and should be only use as a last resort.
There are times when last resort measures are indicted such as cutting
off a leg to prevent spread of Gangrene. Alcohol is occasional infused
intravenously to prevent liver destruction in someone who accidentally ingests
Methanol. Cocaine is used during
nasal surgery as a vasodilating anesthetic.
Likewise Benzodiazepines may be necessary as a last resort in seizure or
for temporary use in uncontrollable anxiety.
Sensitivity depressor –
a substance that decreases ones sensitivity to feelings and emotions.
Selective
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)
The
SSRI inhibit the removal of serotonin (5-HT) from the brain fluids.
These cause an increase in serotonin in the brain and spinal fluids. In depressed people there has been found a decrease in brain
serotonin level. The restoration of
these levels is the presumed mechanism for their antidepressant effect. Some of
the SSRIs (and many tricyclic antidepressants) also effect other brain receptors
including 5-HT1A, 5-HT2, DA D1 and D2 receptors, α1-, α2- β-adrenoceptors,
histamine H1, muscarine cholinergic, benzodiazepine, and opioid receptors.
The
Mechanism Spiritual Side- effects
From an observational viewpoint the psychological basic effect of SSRI is 1.
Generalized brain stimulation 2. Decrease emotional sensitivity
“Sensitivity depressor”. This in many cases
results in decrease depression. If
the person taking the medication need stimulation and is to sensitive the
desired effect may be obtained. If
the person in not sensitive enough undesirable effects may result. This may
explain why SSRI diminish
suicidal ideation in many recipients, about as many patients experience
worsening suicidal ideation.
Some
of the effect and side effect are a result of effects on other brain receptors
rather then the seritonin levels. This
is the main difference between the different Drugs.
List
Luvox (Fluvoxamine)
Prozac (Fluoxetine)
Zoloft (Sertraline)- because of relatively short ½ life withdrawal symptoms
occur
Paxil (Paroxetine)- because of relatively short ½ life withdrawal symptoms
occur
Effexor (Venlafaxine)- because of relatively short ½ life withdrawal symptoms
occur
Serzone (Nefazodone)
Potential
Spiritual Side Effects of SSRIs
1. Aggression
2. Agitation
3. Akathisia The central nervous
system is over stimulated causing a need to move about. The person feels
irritable and is compelled to stand up, pace, shuffle etc. The sense of anxiety
causing an inability to control impulses.
4. Anxiety
5. Apathy
6. Depression worsens
7. Hostility
8. Insomnia
9. Irrational fears
10. Mania
11. Panic
12. Paranoia
13. Suicidal thoughts
14. Withdrawal symptoms - pessimistic, angry, demanding violent thoughts or
actions
At
best the response to SSRIs for depression is around 60%.
Considering the significant mental and spiritual risk with these and
unpredictable benefit, it would therefore be advisable to consider some
alternative treatments for depression before considering these antidepressant
medications.
Depression is a serious and potentially life threatening illness with a suicide
rate of about 15% and therefore can not be ignored and must be treated.
Alternnatives
to SSRIs
A. Exercise
A recent study from Duke University Medical demonstrated that aerobic exercise
is as effective as antidepressive mediation for depression.
B. Restoration of health
C. St. Johns Wort
In Europe, where herbal remedied are commonly prescribed physician, St.
John's wort outsells synthetic anti-depressants including Prozac and Celexa.
In the United States a position paper on the treatment of depression was
recently publish for the America College of Physicians-American Society of
Internal Medicine. In this publication they sight evidence showing St.
John's wort comparable to the other antidepressants. It however is not as
well studied and they conclude. "For short-term treatment of mild acute
depression, St. John's wort may be considered, but patients should be cautioned
that this treatment is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and
that preparations may vary substantially from those tested in randomized
trials." The dosage of hypericum extract (St. John's wort ) varied in
published trials from 300mg per day to 1800 mg per day. The mechanism of St.
John's wort is felt to be that it raises the serotonin levels in the brain.
D. 5-HTP (D. 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan)
When depression is from a deficiency of the CNS
neurotransmitter serotonin "5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) has also
been found to be as effective as a prescription antidepressant such as a
tricyclic drugs (e.g., Elavil) or a newer agent (Luvox).
In addition to
relieving depression, 5-HTP also has fewer side effects.
L-5HTP is not a therapeutically effective alternative in depressed
patients who have not responded to seratonin uptake inhibitors such as Prozac
because the mechanism is similar, i.e. increasing serotonin at the synapses
in the brain.
E. SAMs.
SAMe
is the short name for S-adenosylmethionine.
S-adenosylmethionine is a combination of two essential amino acids that
are naturally present in the body. They
interact with vitamin B12 and folic acid in the brain increasing the production
of dopamine and serotonin. S-adenosylmethionine
is involved with many other chemical reactions and may help with arthritis,
fibromyalgia, and migraines. It works quicker than the SSRIs but still take 1 to
3 weeks to work. It can be found at
pharmacies and health food stores.
F. Cognitive behavioral Therapy: It is based on the
concept that thoughts lead to feelings.
The goals:
1. Learn to recognize though distortions and to analyze situations or events
reasonably.
2. Look at situations and events in a more rational and positive way.
3. Demonstrate to participants the improved mood before and after cognitive
exercises.
Common cognitive distortions:
1. All-or-none thinking (one bad event means whole life is bad).
2. Overgeneralizing (the boss said something negative about my work - the boss
does not like me).
3. Mental filters (focusing on negative, disqualifying positive).
4. Jumping to conclusions (predicting negative consequences).
5. Emotional reasoning (depression colors view of world)
6. Should Statements (self-critical, I should have...)
7. Labeling (e.g.., rejecting someone as "complete bum" based on
single event)
8. Catastrophizing (exaggerating the magnitude of a negative event)
Narcotics refer to the drugs originally from opium, extracted from
opium poppy. Narcotics are pain
relievers. They act on the brains
pain centers. Pain is created by
God to cause us to avoid something harmful i.e. our finger in the fire is
painful alerting us the damage to our tissues.
Endorphins are produced in the brain an act on neuron receptions
that cause a general decrease in pain. Narcotics act on these same receptors. Exercise has been shown to cause an increased
endorphin release and is thought to explain the “high” some runners get.
Pain is generally a beneficial.
However when pain becomes unrelenting and limiting ones joy, functions and even
survival it must be address and the cause sought from and a plan of action
developed. Unlike alcohol and Benzodiazepines,
narcotics have a place is the rational practice of medicine.
There are however great risks in prescribing or taking Narcotics.
Tolerance to narcotics frequently occurs i.e. greater and greater doses are
needed to for the same effect.
Have
you ever watch a Circus bear with a 6 pack of Root beer?
He will hold the bottle in his to paws and tilt his head back and drain
the bottle is one messy gulp. He
will then proceed to drain the other 5 bottles before you can focus your camera
for a picture. When emotions
control reason and desire controls conscience the person is in trouble with the
prescription narcotic.
The
list of common Narcotics
Codeine
Darvocet (propoxyphene)
Demerol (meperidine)
Duragesic (fentanyl)
Dilaudid (hyromorphone)
Vicodan or Lortabs (hydrocodone)
Methadone
Morphine
Oxycontin
Numorphan (oxymorphone)
Spiritual side effects of Narcotics
1. Euphoria
2. Apathy
3. Clouded thoughts
4. Agitation
5. Apprehension
6. Depression
7. Floating feelings
8. Disorientation
9. Hallucinations
10. Nightmares
These
medications are not addicting and generally don’t give a "high".
In most cases the person would prefer not to take them and non-compliance
is a problem.
Psychosis
is a severe mental illness is which the person is irrational and non functional
is society. Delusions and hearing
voices are some of the symptoms. They may become catatonic (stop talking) or say
only gibberish. They may become paranoid or severely depress.
These
mediations can have some physical, mental and spiritual side effects but the
mental and spiritual stability obtained from these medications frequently
outweigh the risk. In many case
these medication allow a person to leave an institution and function in a home
environment safely.
List of Majors Tranquilizers
Haldol (haloperidol)
Mellaril (thioridazine)
Risperdal (risperidone)
Seroquel (quetiapine)
Thorazine (chlorpromazine)
Zyprexa (olanzapine).
Potental
Spritual
side effects of the major tranquilizers
1.
Anxiety
2. Euphoria
3. Depression
4. Hallucinations
5. Insomnia
Some prominent physicians and
health educators in the late 19th century and early 20th
century abandoned pharmaceutical medications, included in this group were Dr.
John Harvey Kellogg and E. G. White. The
practice of medicine in those days was an art and not a rational science.
The physicians were a comfort to the sick and ignorant people of the time
but there is little evidence for any benefit other than emotional comfort.
The physicians considered Medicine an art (i.e. whatever they decide to
try is alright even if there is no evidence for it stated benefit).
Medicine was called practice because patients were experimented on with
the poisonous medications at the time.
One of the most widely used and respected Medical Book is the “Merck’s
Manual”. The 1899
“Merck’s Manual” made the following recommendation:
Acne – “Mercury Nitrate
used topically”
Addison’s disease –
“Arsenic”
Arthritis – “Mercury Bichloride”, “Arsenic”
Asthma- “Strychnine”,
“Tobacco smoking is sometime beneficial”, “Morphine in combination with
belladonna is very useful”
Bronchitis- “Carbolic Acid”, “Arsenic”, “Mercury Subsulphate”,
“Digitalis”
Cerebritis- “Electicity”
Chest pain- “Strychnine”
Chicken Pox – “Laxatives”
Bladder infections – “Stychnine”, “Kava Kava”, “Leeches to
perineum”
Diabetes – “Arsenic in thin
subjects”, “Codeine”, “Morphine”, “Uranium”, “Saccharin”
Diphtheria – “Arsenic”,
“Alcohol: freely given, very useful.” “Mercury: internally as calomel”,
“cyanide 1-20 to 1-40 of a gran.” “Chlorine
Water”, “Copper Sulphate”
Exhaustion – “Cocaine”
In this and other standard
Medical references of the time there could be found very little medications that
could be considered beneficial and much that was toxic.
It is understandable why some advice against calling physicians.
One of the foremost Health
educator and writer in this time period was E.G. White.
The following is a discussion between E. G. White and a group of medical
students about the year 1900.
“Several
of the students are in doubt as to the meaning of the word “drug” as
mentioned in {your book} How to Live. Does it refer only to the stronger
medicines as Mercury, Strychnine, Arsenic, and such poisons, the things we
medical students call “Drugs” or does it also include the simpler remedies,
as potassium, iodine, Squills {a diuretic), etc? “
E.
G. White’s Statement in Answer to Questions on Drugs
“Drug
poisons mean the articles which you have mentioned. The simpler remedies are
less harmful in proportion to their simplicity; but in very many cases these are
used when not at all necessary. There are simple herbs and roots that every
family may use for themselves and need not call a physician any sooner than they
would call a lawyer. I do not think that I can give you any definite line of
medicines compounded and dealt out by doctors, that are perfectly harmless. And
yet it would not be wisdom to engage in controversy over this subject.
The
practitioners are very much in earnest in using their dangerous concoctions, and
I am decidedly opposed to resorting to such things. They never cure; they may
change the difficulty to create a worse one. Many of those who practice the
prescribing of drugs, would not take the same or give them to their children. If
they have an intelligent knowledge of the human body, if they understand the
delicate, wonderful human machinery, they must know that we are fearfully and
wonderfully made, and that not a particle of these strong drugs should be
introduced into this human living organism.
As the matter
was laid open before me, and the sad burden of the result of drug medication,
the light was given me that Seventh-day Adventists should establish health
institutions discarding all these health-destroying inventions, and physicians
should treat the sick upon hygienic principles. The great burden should be to
have well-trained nurses, and well-trained medical practitioners to educate
"precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little and
there a little" (Isa. 28:10).
Train the people
to correct habits and healthful practices, remembering that an ounce of
preventive is of more value than a pound of cure. Lectures and studies in this
line will prove of the highest value.”--Letter 17a, 1893.
The
physicians of today have come a long way from 1899 but we must continue to
strive for the stated goal in our oath of “doing no harm”.
25 years from now will the physicians of tomorrow consider some of our
medications with the same horror as we consider the medications of 1899?
Insulin is a hormone produced
from the Pancreas to regulate the blood sugar.
The giving of insulin injections in type 1 diabetes has prevented many
deaths. It would be irrational to
argue against insulin in these cases. In
some diseases thyroid or adrenal glands ceases to function and synthetic
hormones can replace these hormones. Seizure
medications can have significant spiritual, mental and spiritual side effect but
the risk of having seizure in many cases out weighs the risk of these
medications. Hypertensive medications, antibiotics, blood thinning medication,
heart medications and other medications have been a great blessing to mankind.
However inappropriate use and over reliance on modern medicine has in
some case been curse.
The best remedies are the eight nature
remedies. They should always be used and will be sufficient alone for
healing in the majority of illnesses. Pure air, sunlight, abstemious from
harmful substances, rest, exercise, proper diet, the use of water, trust in
divine power, --these are the true remedies.
The cause of the illness should sought for and
treated. If for example you are a Diabetic whose diabetes is caused by
obesity the proper treatment is weight loss, exercise and a proper diet.
If your diabetes is caused by an immunological destruction of your pancreas and
you no longer produce insulin, you require insulin injections.
I find it useful to follow a hierarchy
of remedies when considering a treatment approach. Using only #2 when #1 has
been considered/tried first etc..
1. Rational remedies without toxicity
2. Rational remedies with infrequent mild toxicity
3. Rational remedies with infrequent but serious toxicity
4. Rational remedies with predictable toxicity
5. Relief of Pain and Suffering.
Let us briefly review this.
1. Rational remedies without toxicity, these would be the eight natural
remedies.
2. Rational remedies with infrequent mild toxicity such as thyroid hormones,
charcoal, water soluble vitamins, estrogen hormone, certain herbs, etc.
3. Rational remedies with potential toxicity: antibiotics, insulin, diuretics,
heart medications, antihypertensive medications, etc.
4. Rational remedies with serious predictable toxicity; Prednisone, Interferon,
etc.
5. Relief of Pain and Suffering.
Most illnesses can be treated with rational remedies without toxicity but
because of the effects of disease/age/heredity we will need to make use of the
other rational remedies at times. We must always weigh the potential risk
against the likely benefits. It must also be pointed out that if a remedy is
given for an inappropriate illness it becomes irrational, not a remedy and
probably harmful. (Antibiotics for a non-bacterial infection i.e. a cold.)
Also if an effective remedy is withheld for irrational emotional reasons or an
ineffective remedy is given without knowledge of it effectiveness it become
irrational and generally harmful.
The simpler remedies are less harmful in
proportion to their simplicity; but in very many cases these are used when not
at all necessary. Even though simpler remedies (thyroid medication, ulcer
medication, minerals, herbs and vitamins, etc.) do not carry the risk of
addicting drugs, their use should be considered only when there is;
1. A rational base for believing it might help
2. Knowledge of the potential risk.
3. Evidence for its stated benefit.
Only a loving
God has your best interest in mind. You
should keep your mind as clear a possible to discern the still small voice of
God and to better understand His written word.
Others may not have your spiritual welfare as a priority.
Family member may prefer to have relaxed rather than concerned about
moral issues. Your physician may
not be concern or understand the spiritual issues with certain medications.
You must take responsibility for you own health and spiritual welfare.
Consider
carefully what mind affecting medication you ingest. Is the risk worth the benefit?
Consider
discontinuing alcohol, Valium, Xanax and similar tranquilizers because they
depress conscience and are moral inhibitors.
, “It is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes intoxicating drink; Lest
they drink and forget the law, and pervert the justice of all the afflicted.”
Proverbs 31:4+5
Consider other
rational proven method of treating depression before using the SSRIs and other
prescription antidepressant because of their possible effect of depressing our
moral sensitivity. Depression
however has spiritual consequence. The spiritual benefits of SSRIs (alleviating
depression) may outweigh the risk and in some cases may be the only way out of
depression.
Be aware of
the risk of Narcotics and search for alternative way of dealing with pain.
Narcotics may be required for severe pain.
In many cases
of severe mental illness (psychosis, schizophrenia etc.) medications are a
blessing. Many who would
otherwise be confined to a mental hospital are living independently.
These medications have side effects and risk but the benefits in many
cases outweigh the risk.
Finally
Be sober, be vigilant; because
your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may
devour: 1 Peter 5:8
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