ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is making the news again. No it is not another plea to stop medicating children, and it’s not another argument about how normal children can’t or shouldn’t be expected to sit still in a classroom. The current news is that young adults with no prior history of ADHD are now being diagnosed with the disorder.

ADHD Diagnostic Criteria

The following is the current CDC diagnostic criteria for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The CDC uses the DSM V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual V – the diagnostic manual for mental health professionals). ADHD diagnosed as follows:

Inattention: Six or more symptoms of inattention for children up to age 16, or five or more for adolescents 17 and older and adults; symptoms of inattention have been present for at least 6 months, and they are inappropriate for developmental level:

• Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, at work, or with other activities.
• Often has trouble holding attention on tasks or play activities.
• Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
• Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (e.g., loses focus, side-tracked).
• Often has trouble organizing tasks and activities.
• Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to do tasks that require mental effort over a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).
• Often loses things necessary for tasks and activities (e.g. school materials, pencils, books, tools, wallets, keys, paperwork, eyeglasses, mobile telephones).
• Is often easily distracted.
• Is often forgetful in daily activities.

Hyperactivity and Impulsivity: Six or more symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity for children up to age 16, or five or more for adolescents 17 and older and adults; symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity have been present for at least 6 months to an extent that is disruptive and inappropriate for the person’s developmental level:

• Often fidgets with or taps hands or feet, or squirms in seat.
• Often leaves seat in situations when remaining seated is expected.
• Often runs about or climbs in situations where it is not appropriate (adolescents or adults may be limited to feeling restless).
• Often unable to play or take part in leisure activities quietly.
• Is often “on the go” acting as if “driven by a motor”.
• Often talks excessively.
• Often blurts out an answer before a question has been completed.
• Often has trouble waiting his/her turn.
• Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games).

In addition, the following conditions must be met

• Several inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms were present before age 12 years.
• Several symptoms are present in two or more setting, (e.g., at home, school or work; with friends or relatives; in other activities).
• There is clear evidence that the symptoms interfere with, or reduce the quality of, social, school, or work functioning.
• The symptoms do not happen only during the course of schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder. The symptoms are not better explained by another mental disorder (e.g. Mood Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Dissociative Disorder, or a Personality Disorder).”

Late Onset ADHD

The late onset ADHD was found through a longitudinal twin study of 2232 children born in England and Wales from January 1, 1994 to December 4, 1995. Researchers found the following, “Among 166 individuals with adult ADHD, 112 (67.5%) did not meet criteria for ADHD at any assessment in childhood.”

The actual cause of ADHD is officially unknown. If we stop being distracted by the myths associated with this disorder (that this it doesn’t exist, that it is over diagnosed, etc.) and realize the significance of this new finding, we might see ADHD for what it is – a horrific and alarming result of our toxic lifestyle.

ADHD is a neurobehavioral disorder associated with both structural and chemical alterations in the prefrontal cortex of the brain. In other words, ADHD is a set of symptoms exhibited due to damage to the brain. Currently, 11% of American children are diagnosed with this disorder.

ADHD, autism, chronic autoimmune diseases, and a host of other diseases continue to rise along with the recommended number of vaccines and the daily chemical exposure we all experience through our environment and through our food. It’s time we wake up, use our common sense, and stop poisoning our children and young adults.

Related Reading:

• How To Detoxify and Heal From Vaccinations – For Adults and Children
• ADHD, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Autism – What Do They Have in Common?
• Hypothyroidism – Natural Remedies, Causes, and How To Heal the Thyroid
• Doctors Against Vaccines – Hear From Those Who Have Done the Research
• The Power of Our Hormones and How To Balance Them

Sources:

• Evaluation of the Persistence, Remission, and Emergence of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Young Adulthood – JAMA Psychiatry
•  Understanding the Neurobiological Basis of ADHD – ADHD and You
• Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) – CDC

Vitamin D is one of the most important vitamins for general health and well-being. It is essential for bone health and a healthy immune system. It helps prevent and fight cancer and is a key factor in preventing depression.

In Europe, papers on diseases linked to vitamin D deficiency were written as early as the 1600s. It took the medical establishment in the U.S. a little longer, but since the 1900s, everyone knew of this vitamin’s importance. Contributions to the original research came from different doctors; many of them were looking for a way to cure rickets, a childhood bone disease. But the word spread far after Adolf Windaus, who won a Noble Price for Chemistry in 1928, spoke of vitamin D in his acceptance speech.

And yet, here we are, almost a full century later, with the media starting to publish about vitamin D’s benefits as if they were just discovered. Moreover, there have a been a lot of lies about vitamin D spread for a few decades, some accidental due to misunderstanding of what vitamin D is, some are very much purposeful to prevent us from using a truly natural way to heal, instead having to rely of pharmaceuticals that in no way can ever produce the same effect.

Sifting through all of the medical chatter, this is what you need to know about vitamin D.

What is Vitamin D, Really?

What confused earlier doctors the most, is that vitamin D is not really a vitamin. Generally speaking, true vitamins, such as vitamins A, and C, are found in food. The human body is not able produce these vitamins. Vitamin D is different; it’s a hormone that’s not common in the foods we eat. Vitamin D naturally occurs in fish and egg yolks and it is produced by the body when our skin comes in contact with the sun, The ultraviolet B energy is converted to vitamin D3, which is transferred to the liver, and later made into vitamin D by the kidneys.

Because vitamin D is mostly acquired from the sunlight, vitamin D deficiency has plagued humanity at different stages. In the case of rickets, the disease was a huge problem for children who lived during the Industrial Revolution, when smog filled the cities preventing sunlight from coming through. Today most people are vitamin D deficient due to our modern lifestyles and because we have been taught to fear of the sun (and sometimes vitamin D in general).

Vitamin D from the Sun is Vital (and Sunscreens Blocks It)

Researchers have noticed that when there is a lack of sunlight, such as during the winter months, there are more illnesses – from a simple cold to cancer. It is extremely important to soak up the sun. But many ask, “Doesn’t the sun lead to skin cancer?”

The sun’s electromagnetic light spectrum is divided into different wavelengths: UVA, UVB, and UVC. Only the first two reach the Earth’s surface. UVC gets blocked by the ozone layer. It is the UVB rays the body uses to create vitamin D. And unfortunately, it is these rays that the sunscreen blocks. The ones that may contribute to cancer are the UVA rays, and they sunscreen does not protect against them (instead most sunscreens contains chemicals such as oxybenzone that actually lead to skin cancer and other cancers). And let’s not forget that even though more people use sunscreen, and with higher SPF value, the rates of skin cancers did not

The ones that may contribute to cancer are the UVA rays, and sunscreen does not protect against them. Instead, most sunscreens contain chemicals such as oxybenzone, that actually lead to skin cancer and other cancers. And let’s not forget that even though more people have been using sunscreen, and with higher SPF value, the rates of skin cancers did not decrease. They actually increased.

It is not the UVB rays that increases your chances of skin cancer, but being sunburned does. There is no such thing as getting too much vitamin D from the sun. As long as you do not get burned, you can get as much sun as you want.

To prevent sunburn, eat a lot of antioxidant-rich foods, especially dark greens, as they help protect the skin from cell damage. If you are planning to stay outside for a long time, wear a hat and clothes that cover your body or  stay in the shade. And if you are sure  you may get too much sun, choose sunscreens that are made with more natural ingredients.

When you soak up the sun, you receive the most vitamin D, and the benefits of it are numerous.

A Long List of Benefits

• Healthy bones: allows body to assimilate calcium and prevents fractures and osteoporosis
• Healthy teeth
• Muscle strength
• Heart health: prevents heart disease: heart attacks, heart failure, stroke, artery damage, cardiovascular issues, and cardiovascular death and controls blood pressures.
• Immune system: prevents autoimmune disorders, type 1 diabetes; helps fight the flu, tuberculosis, and the common cold.
• Nervous system: prevents multiple sclerosis
• Kidney health
• Proper calcium absorption
• Reduces inflammation
• Prevents obesity
• Prevents premature death

And perhaps one of the most important benefits of vitamin D in today’s world is cancer prevention.

Vitamin D and Cancer Prevention

What many don’t realize, is that vitamin D is a strong cancer-fighter, and by being exposed to the sun, you are actually lowering your chances of cancer.

Vitamin D helps destroy damaged cells and reduces cancer cell growth. Studies have shown that at least 16 types of cancers can be prevented by a higher vitamin D intake, including breast, lung, and skin cancers.

In the winter months and in places where the natural sunlight is not easily accessible, it is possible to receive some vitamin D from the food, but most often it is important to add a good vitamin D supplement to your daily wellness routine.

Foods With Naturally Occurring Vitamin D

• Cod liver oil
• Swordfish
• Salmon
• Tuna
• Sardines
• Other fish
• Seafood (clams, crab)
• Liver (beef, pork, chicken, lamb)
• Egg yolk

It is also possible to take vitamin D in supplement form. Naturopathic doctors recommend up to 10,000 IU’s per day.

The FDA recommends between 400-600 IU a day, but that number is flawed. When the medical establishment studied vitamin dosage, they used synthetic versions of the vitamin, which can indeed be toxic at higher levels, leading to birth defects, cancers, breathing problems, and mental problems. It is impossible to overdose on Vitamin D acquired from the sun, its few food sources, or naturally derived supplements.

Related Products:

• Vitamin D

Related Reading:

• Foods with Vitamin D and Vitamin B12 for those with Multiple Sclerosis
• Vitamin D and Hypertension
• Vitamin D and Hypertension
• Gluten, Candida, Leaky Gut Syndrome, and Autoimmune Diseases
• The Power of Our Hormones and How To Balance Them
• Sunlight and Vitamin D

Sources:

• The Nobel Prize and the Discovery of Vitamins — The Official Website of the Noble Prize
• History of the discovery of vitamin D and its active metabolites — BoneKEy Reports
• The Surprising Cause of Melanoma (And No, it’s Not Too Much Sun) — Mercola

That old saying, “Big things come in small packages,” can certainly refer to the adrenals, the endocrine glands located on top of the kidneys. These tiny powerhouses are responsible for a myriad of functions within the body, including the production of hormones, some of which are essential for survival. The adrenals are well-known for their function in how the body responds to stress, but their lesser known functions are also involved in the regulation of blood pressure, the secretion of sex hormones, and immune response. Understanding a little about how the adrenals work can bring a greater understanding of why these tiny glands can be at the root of seemingly unrelated health conditions such as allergies, asthma, and reproductive imbalances.

Each adrenal gland has two distinct parts, each responsible for secreting specific hormones vital to life or wellbeing. The cortex comprises the outer portion of the gland and produces the hormones hydrocortisone (cortisol), corticosterone, aldosterone, and small amounts of sex hormones. Cortisol plays a critical role in metabolism, cardiovascular function, and blood pressure while its sidekick corticosterone is the VIP hormone that is responsible for healthy immune response and inhibiting inflammation. Aldosterone handles the body’s levels of water and sodium; thus, it is critical for the minute-to-minute regulation of blood pressure. Unlike the adrenal cortex, the medulla or inner portion of the adrenal gland secretes the hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline. We can live without them, but when they are disrupted or impaired, quality of life and well-being are compromised, for they play an important role in how we handle life’s stresses and can affect blood sugar levels as well as blood pressure.

The Body’s Foundation for Good Health and Homeostasis

In conventional medicine, serious disorders including Addison’s Disease, Cushing’s Syndrome, and other diseases of the adrenal cortex are most readily recognized and treated, but imbalances within both the cortex and medulla can slip between the cracks. From the holistic view of things, both portions of the adrenal glands and all of their hormones are taken into account in order to get a bigger picture of what is going on in the body when it comes to depression, anxiety disorders, female hormone imbalance (including PMS), and menopausal havoc. The superficial symptoms of adrenal-rooted illnesses are too often treated with pharmaceutical medications, so the primary cause is never addressed, and a lifetime of suffering can result.

The average individual in our modern times steps on an ambition-fueled treadmill that begins in childhood. Gone are the days when our bodies lived in harmony with the natural cycles of seasons and light. Modern convenience and technological wonders have enabled us to burn the candle at both ends, and despite the fact that most of us claim to enjoy it, our core ability to fight disease has been severely compromised. Epidemic conditions such as chronic allergies, food and environmental sensitivity, asthma, diabetes, ADHD, depression, anxiety, and fibromyalgia were considered rare just a few decades ago. Allopathic and alternative medicine offer many approaches, but according to cutting-edge, holistic-minded medical doctors, resolution will be nowhere in sight as long as the role of adrenal function is ignored.

Adrenal imbalance can manifest as, or play a role in, low immunity, insomnia, infertility, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, pain syndromes, PTSD, eating disorders, and failure to recover from or conquer addiction. The adrenals may be small and misunderstood, but in essence, there is no quality of life if they are not functioning properly. We must provide them adequate nutrition along with any needed lifestyle changes, supplements, and alternative modalities such as bodywork and clinical aromatherapy. Prolonged physical, mental, and/or emotional stress, lack of rest, poor diet, antibiotics, and continual stimulation of the nervous system via electronics contribute to adrenal compromise. Some people are born with adrenal weakness while others acquire it through life circumstances. Most of us, no matter how health-conscious, are susceptible, but there are many ways we can help the body to restore core vitality and balance. Here are some wonderful ways:

Herbal Allies for Adrenal Support

Due to medication contraindications and other factors, please consult your health care practitioner before taking herbal supplements.

There are many herbal formulas on the market that are purported to boost energy by stimulating the adrenals, but nothing could be more detrimental to compromised adrenal function. Herbs that nourish the glands and support the parasympathetic nervous system can be highly beneficial for regaining the balance of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (hpa).

American White Ginseng

American white ginseng is an excellent herb to support the body’s endocrine system during times of stress. It also promotes healthy immunity and resilience after illness, as it provides nourishment to the adrenals and sex glands. Considered gentler than Korean ginseng, American white is recommended for adrenal exhaustion and non-diabetic hypoglycemia.

Korean Ginseng

Korean ginseng is an age-old herb that is considered a tonic for the body and an elixir for longevity. It is excellent for improved stamina and balanced hormones, and it is recommended for both men and women.

Tip: Be sure your source of Korean ginseng is authentic. If the product seems inexpensive, its integrity is usually compromised.

Damiana

Fragrant and calming, damiana is nourishing to the adrenals and the reproductive system. It is excellent for frayed nerves, low libido, menopausal and perimenopausal discomfort, and hormonal-based anxiety.

Tip: Damiana can be combined with licorice for adrenal support.

White Willow Bark

White Willow Bark is an excellent herb for pain reduction and overall adrenal support. It works best when brewed into a tea.

Caution: Do not use white willow bark is you are allergic to aspirin. Check with your doctor if you are taking blood thinners.

Licorice Root

This sweet root supports the adrenal cortex, which in turn, helps the body regulate and utilize cortisol. It also helps the body’s production of DHEA, a hormone that helps the body respond to stress. It is an excellent herb for the nourishment of tired adrenal glands, especially when combined with other herbs such as ginsengs, juniper berries, or damiana. It can also be very useful for asthmatic or allergic conditions and is excellent for lung support.

Caution: Avoid licorice if you have high blood pressure and check with your physician if you are taking blood pressure medicine.

Juniper Berries

These small, purple-black berries from the evergreen shrub support adrenal function, boost immune response and help the organs eliminate toxins. They work especially well when combined with damiana for adrenal health.

Maca

Maca root balances the endocrine system and is especially beneficial to the adrenals and reproductive system. It is wonderful when added to a morning health shake.

Kava Kava

Kava kava root stimulates the production of various neurotransmitters, chemicals that work hand in hand with hormones in the body. It is an excellent herb for anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, mental agitation, and adrenal function.

Tip: Be sure to purchase kava kava from a reputable source for product quality.

Caution: Do not take with alcohol, medications, or antidepressants. Do not take if you have liver or kidney disease.

Lavender Flowers

Beautifully fragrant lavender helps the body maintain equilibrium and is unsurpassed during times of stress. It helps the body to find balance and is beneficial for adrenal support, blood sugar regulation, neurotransmitter production, and overall nervous system homeostasis. It is helpful for insomnia, low immunity, allergies, and muscle tension.

Tip: Lavender is available in bulk form and can be made into a lovely tea. Be sure to purchase non-sprayed/organic flowers.

Helpful Vitamin Supplements for Adrenal Health

Pantothenic Acid

Pantothenic Acid, also known as B-5, is essential for adrenal support and is highly useful for illness and addiction recovery, times of stress, and lack of energy. B-5 works hand in hand with other B vitamins, especially biotin.

Vitamin B Complex

B complex is the body’s ally for better adrenal and nervous system health as well as healthy immunity and overall endocrine function.

Tip: Look for a formula that has a balance of all B vitamins in equal ratios (50-100 mg.)

Vitamin C with Bioflavonoids

Like B vitamins, vitamin C is crucial in healthy adrenal and immune function. The adrenals use more vitamin C than any other organ and use it to release hormones. During times of stress, vitamin C is used up in the body at an alarming rate.

Essential Oils and Clinical Aromatherapy

Black Spruce Essential Oil

Blue spruce essential oil is recommended during times of prolonged stress because it decreases excessive cortisol, a stress hormone secreted by the adrenals.

Application: Apply 2 drops of essential oil undiluted to the soles of the feet daily, preferably in the evening before bed. Can also be added to a bath or foot bath by mixing a few drops in Epsom salt or evaporated sea salt.

Balsam Fir Essential Oil

Balsam Fir Essential Oil brings equilibrium to the endocrine and nervous systems. It is an excellent choice after a long work day or stressful conditions.

Application: Apply 2 drops of essential oil undiluted to the soles of the feet daily, preferably in the morning and evening before bed. Can also be added to a bath or foot bath by mixing a few drops with Epsom salt or evaporated sea salt.

Pine Needle Essential Oil and Pine Bark Essential Oil

Pine needle and pine bark essential oils help the adrenals and nervous system restore core vitality and life force.

Application: Apply 2 drops of essential oil undiluted to the soles of the feet daily. Can also be added to a bath or foot bath by mixing a few drops in Epsom salt or evaporated sea salt.

Juniper Berry Essential Oil

Juniper Berry Essential Oil is invigorating and nourishing to the adrenals, lungs, and immune system. It is excellent for afternoon slumps and hard-to-get-going mornings.

Application: Apply 2 drops of essential oil undiluted to the soles of the feet daily, preferably in the morning or early evening. Inhaling this oil will help restore energy. It can also be added to a bath or foot bath by mixing a few drops in Epsom salt or evaporated sea salt.

Geranium Essential Oil

Unsurpassed for adrenal support and female hormone balance, geranium essential oil helps the body find equilibrium and supports immunity. It is excellent for PMS, perimenopause, menopause, and adrenal fatigue during hormonal shifts.

Application: Apply 2-3 drops of essential oil undiluted to the soles of the feet daily. It can also be added to a bath or foot bath by mixing a few drops with Epsom salt or evaporated sea salt.

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender is the go-to essential oil for balancing the body, restoring the nervous system, and endocrine support.

Application: Apply 2 drops of essential oil undiluted to the soles of the feet daily, preferably in the evening before bed. It can also be added to a bath or foot bath by mixing a few drops with Epsom salt or evaporated sea salt.

Frankincense Essential Oil

Frankincense is an overall balancer for the endocrine system that is especially effective for imbalances of the pituitary, adrenals, and nervous system. It is unsurpassed for adrenal exhaustion and related disorders of the nervous system and highly useful for chronic anxiety, panic attacks, certain forms of depression, and insomnia.

Application: Apply 2 drops of undiluted essential oil to the soles of the feet daily, preferably in the morning and evening before bed. Can also be added to a bath or foot bath by mixing a few drops with Epsom salt or evaporated sea salt.

Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

Yland ylang regulates adrenaline and balances the body during stress and after a fight-or-flight response. It also supports the female reproductive system.

Application: Apply 2 drops of essential oil undiluted to the soles of the feet daily, preferably in the evening before bed. Can also be added to a bath or foot bath by mixing a few drops with Epsom salt or evaporated sea salt. Place a drop on the hand and inhale for immediate calm to frayed nerves and a racing heart due to anxiety and to regain equilibrium during or after a panic attack. Ylang ylang can also be combined with neroli essential oil for this purpose.

Lifestyle Changes

Unplug

Unplugging from computer screens, devices, phones, television, and overall electronic distraction for periods of time can have a tremendously positive impact on our overall health. Cortisol levels soar when we are engaged in these activities, especially in the evening.

Remove devices from the bedroom; turn off cell phones during meals. Try to eliminate excuses for not taking time away from electronic devices so the body, namely the brain, can have some down time. Only then can the adrenals restore vitality and the nervous system kick into parasympathetic mode- the mode that turns off stress hormones, encourages healthy digestion, and promotes better sleep.

Get More Sleep and Rest

Take a cat nap. Go to bed an hour earlier each night. Close your eyes for ten minutes. Look into adrenal support if you suffer from insomnia. The body only heals during REM sleep, and without it, adrenal function is severely impaired and remains so. All the vitamins, supplements, meditation, yoga, and good food in the world cannot do us much good until the body receives adequate rest and sleep. Shifting priorities is essential.

Avoid Conflict and Agitation

Most adrenal-aware doctors agree that emotional stress is a major factor in adrenal exhaustion, and until we change our responses or eliminate the problem entirely, the adrenals cannot recover. Sometimes choices in our lives must be aligned with our higher good. Self-preservation is not selfishness.

Play and Make Time for Pleasure

Playing and seeking healthy pleasure signal the body to step out of the fight-or-flight stress mode. Enjoyable, non-competitive games, activities, and hobbies contribute to our body’s long-term good health.

Conclusion

The adrenals can determine our quality of life, so it is to our benefit that we remember to take care of these precious glands. If we don’t put our health and emotional needs on the to-do list, the adrenals will certainly be our tough teachers who show us what we need to do to get back in alignment. Life is meant to be more than survival, accomplishment, and getting ahead. Our adrenals remind us that joy, pleasure, rest, and calm are not only the best medicine the doctor can order but our reason for being here. Be well!

For more information check out The Adrenal Fatigue Center.

OLM Recommended Reading:

• Natural Remedies for Adrenal Fatigue
• Understanding Stress, Chronic Stress, and Adrenal Fatigue
• Hypothyroidism – Natural Remedies, Causes, and How To Heal the Thyroid
• Gluten, Candida, Leaky Gut Syndrome, and Autoimmune Diseases
• What Causes Chronic Inflammation, and How To Stop It For Good

Sources:

• Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome by James L. Wilson
• Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome: Reclaim your Energy and Vitality with Clinically Proven Natural Programs by Michael Lam
• Chronic Fatigue Unmasked: What You and Your Doctor Should Know About the Adrenal Syndrome, Today’s Most Misunderstood, Mistreated and Ignored Health by Gerald Poesnecker
• The Edge Effect: Achieve Total Health and Longevity with the Balanced Brain Advantage by Eric R. Braverman
• Tired of Being Tired: Rescue, Repair, Rejuvenate by Jesse Lynn Hanley
• Multidimensional Aromatherapy by Marlaina Donato

We’ve all seen the prototypical stoner teen, whether in real life or depicted in movies or on TV. Dull-witted, spaced out, these kids are the poster children for lost IQ points. The belief that marijuana causes a cognitive decline due to damaging the developing brain was reinforced by a 2012 study. Other studies have resulted in conflicting outcomes.

Two recent longitudinal twin studies negate the conclusion that marijuana causes neurocognitive damage to the developing brain.

One study followed 789 predominantly Hispanic kids from California from age 9-10 through age 19-20. During this 10-year period they were assessed 5 times.

The second study followed 2,227 predominantly non-Hispanic, Caucasian kids from Minnesota. These children were assessed at 3-year intervals

The kids were given IQ tests over the years and questioned about their marijuana usage. The results affirmed that the kids who smoked marijuana showed a greater decline in IQ over the years than the typical kid who did not. However, due to the fact that these were twin studies, the sets of twins where one smoked marijuana and the other did not revealed that marijuana was not the cause of intellectual decline.

When one twin who smoked marijuana showed a decline, so did the other, even when the other did not smoke marijuana. Since both of the twins showed a decline, lower test scores were attributed to their home environment and parental deficits such as “less parental monitoring” and “less emphasis on scholarship.”

These twin studies have once again proven that just because you can associate something (marijuana) with an outcome (cognitive decline), that doesn’t make it the cause.

Recommended Supplements:

• CBD Oil Total Body Care Preventative Maintenance • 30c – BioCBD+

Recomended Reading:

• Marijuana Laws by State
• Smoking Marijuana to Cure Cancer
• How To Detoxify and Heal From Vaccinations – For Adults and Children

Sources:

• Marijuana Use May Not Lead to Cognitive Decline After All – Pacific Standard Magazine
• Impact of adolescent marijuana use on intelligence: Results from two longitudinal twin studies – Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

At first glance, ADHD, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and autism have little in common. When we think of ADHD, we tend to think of hyperactivity, kids zooming from room to room. Chronic fatigue brings up opposite images, of people so wracked with fatigue they can barely get out of bed. Autism suggests children lost in their own world, spinning objects while rocking from side to side. How could they possibly have anything in common?

In order to answer that question, we have to take a serious look at the numbers and understand the diagnostic criteria. If we don’t, the myths and lies will continue to overshadow every effort to understand the real story behind the rise in these debilitating conditions.

ADHD, CFS, and Autism – Epidemics

The first thing these diseases have in common is the fact that all three have reached epidemic proportions. The CDC reports the following statistics:

ADHD (> 6 million children in the U.S.)

• 11% of our children have ADHD as of 2011 (up from 7.8% in 2003)
• 1 out of 42 boys
• 1 out of 189 girls
• Rates vary from state to state

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (up to 2.5 million estimated in the U.S.)

• Between 0.2% and 2.3% of children or adolescents (up to 1.7 million) suffer from CFS.

Autism (> 11 million Americans)

• 30% increase from 2012 to 2014
• 5 times more prevalent in boys
• Up 119.4% since 2000, though some current reports now say it has moved from 1 in 68 children to 1 in 50; other reports say 1 in 45.

Add up the current numbers afflicted with one of these three illnesses, and we are talking about 6% of the population – without counting adults with ADHD.

Public Perception of ADHD, CFS, and Autism

The perception of these three illnesses are skewed and no clarity is in sight.

ADHD Myths and Propaganda

• ADHD is horribly over diagnosed
• Children can’t sit still in a classroom; ergo, hyperactivity is normal
• All active little boys are diagnosed with ADHD
• The rising numbers of ADHD cases are all due to over diagnosis
• Kids diagnosed with ADHD are spoiled children who don’t behave

For decades, we have heard the number of children with ADHD is dramatically over reported. This myth has resulted in the public ignoring the alarming rise in the number of children (and children who have grown into adulthood) afflicted by this disorder.

The idea that children are diagnosed with ADHD just to medicate them is ludicrous. That might be a good argument if tranquilizers were the medication prescribed for ADHD, but the opposite is true. Put any child without ADHD on amphetamines and the child will become hyper, anxious, and out of control. Amphetamines have the opposite effect on most of the children with ADHD. The child is able to calm down, focus, concentrate and control impulsivity. (Note: We are NOT advocating the use of medication to treat ADHD).

As long as we continue to discount the validity of this diagnosis, the sheer number of afflicted children won’t alarm us, and we won’t shake the boat by looking for the cause or causes.

Chronic Fatigue Myths and Propaganda

• It’s all in their head
• They’re not sick, they’re lazy
• There is no such thing as chronic fatigue syndrome

Like ADHD, chronic fatigue syndrome has been discounted, but in this case, it is dismissed as a non-disease. It was even given a derogatory nickname, the yuppie flu. Severe chronic fatigue is a devastating illness, and yet, due to propaganda within the medical field and vague diagnostics, many doctors believe it to be psychosomatic. Patients are dismissed as attention seekers, histrionics, and malingerers. This is an all too common occurrence whenever doctors cannot find a cause or determine a diagnosis for autoimmune or neurological symptoms unless evidence can clearly be shown through a blood test, an MRI, or some other definitive test.

Although it is estimated that twice as many Americans suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome as HIV, the National Institutes of Health budgeted a paltry $6 million in funding for chronic fatigue research for 2016 while HIV/AIDS research is budgeted at $3.1 billion. (Compare this amount to headaches budgeted at $25 million – migraines have a separate budget of $21 million.) So we have a serious, debilitating illness on the rise that affects a huge number of Americans, but since it became an issue, it has been discounted and largely ignored.

Autism Myths and Propaganda

• The change in diagnostic criteria is responsible for the increase in rates.
• Vaccines have no association with autism.
• Autism is an entirely genetic disease.

Autism was a rare diagnosis in the last century. In the 1980s, estimates from multiple studies suggest autism affected 1 in 10,000 children. In a mere 20 years, the year 2000, that number rose to 1 in 150 children. By 2010, the number was 1 in 68. The 2010 numbers are still being reported as the official numbers by the CDC and used by other organizations, though some are now estimating 1 in 45 children. Dr. Stephanie Seneff, Senior Research Scientist from MIT, stated, “At today’s rate, by 2025, one in two children will be autistic.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3P6wVUH0pc

While there is truth to the claim that new diagnostic parameters created a bump in the numbers, the increase happened once. Once! And again the numbers climbed and continue to climb. Like ADHD and CFS, autism is a relatively new disease with the first case diagnosed and named in 1938.

The autism epidemic is huge. How can we continue to deny the truth? The numbers are frightening and not just for the afflicted child and parents. The impact on our society will be tremendous when the children with severe autism grow to adulthood. Who will care for them when their parents are no longer able to provide for them?

Diagnostic Criteria

The myth that “ADHD is horribly over diagnosed,” is a bit harder to swallow when you understand the diagnostic criteria, when you appreciate the severity of the impact ADHD has on a child and his/her family, and when you see how unlikely it is for a child to be improperly diagnosed.

CDC Diagnostic Criteria for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

The CDC uses the DSM V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual V – the diagnostic manual for mental health professionals) definition as follows:

“People with ADHD show a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development.”

Inattention: Six or more symptoms of inattention for children up to age 16, or five or more for adolescents 17 and older and adults; symptoms of inattention have been present for at least 6 months, and they are inappropriate for developmental level:

• Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, at work, or with other activities.
• Often has trouble holding attention on tasks or play activities.
• Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
• Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (e.g., loses focus, side-tracked).
• Often has trouble organizing tasks and activities.
• Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to do tasks that require mental effort over a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).
• Often loses things necessary for tasks and activities (e.g. school materials, pencils, books, tools, wallets, keys, paperwork, eyeglasses, mobile telephones).
• Is often easily distracted.
• Is often forgetful in daily activities.

Hyperactivity and Impulsivity: Six or more symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity for children up to age 16, or five or more for adolescents 17 and older and adults; symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity have been present for at least 6 months to an extent that is disruptive and inappropriate for the person’s developmental level:

• Often fidgets with or taps hands or feet, or squirms in seat.
• Often leaves seat in situations when remaining seated is expected.
• Often runs about or climbs in situations where it is not appropriate (adolescents or adults may be limited to feeling restless).
• Often unable to play or take part in leisure activities quietly.
• Is often “on the go” acting as if “driven by a motor”.
• Often talks excessively.
• Often blurts out an answer before a question has been completed.
• Often has trouble waiting his/her turn.
• Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games).

In addition, the following conditions must be met

• Several inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms were present before age 12 years.
• Several symptoms are present in two or more setting, (e.g., at home, school or work; with friends or relatives; in other activities).
• There is clear evidence that the symptoms interfere with, or reduce the quality of, social, school, or work functioning.
• The symptoms do not happen only during the course of schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder. The symptoms are not better explained by another mental disorder (e.g. Mood Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Dissociative Disorder, or a Personality Disorder).”

DSM-V Diagnostic Criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder

Diagnostic Criteria

Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts, as manifested by the following, currently or by history (examples are illustrative, not exhaustive, see text):

1. Deficits in social-emotional reciprocity, ranging, for example, from abnormal social approach and failure of normal back-and-forth conversation; to reduced sharing of interests, emotions, or affect; to failure to initiate or respond to social interactions.
2. Deficits in nonverbal communicative behaviors used for social interaction, ranging, for example, from poorly integrated verbal and nonverbal communication; to abnormalities in eye contact and body language or deficits in understanding and use of gestures; to a total lack of facial expressions and nonverbal communication.
3. Deficits in developing, maintaining, and understanding relationships, ranging, for example, from difficulties adjusting behavior to suit various social contexts; to difficulties in sharing imaginative play or in making friends; to absence of interest in peers.

Specify current severity

Severity is based on social communication impairments and restricted repetitive patterns of behavior (see Table 2)

Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities, as manifested by at least two of the following, currently or by history (examples are illustrative, not exhaustive; see text):

1. Stereotyped or repetitive motor movements, use of objects, or speech (e.g., simple motor stereotypies, lining up toys or flipping objects, echolalia, idiosyncratic phrases).
2. Insistence on sameness, inflexible adherence to routines, or ritualized patterns or verbal nonverbal behavior (e.g., extreme distress at small changes, difficulties with transitions, rigid thinking patterns, greeting rituals, need to take same route or eat food every day).
3. Highly restricted, fixated interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus (e.g, strong attachment to or preoccupation with unusual objects, excessively circumscribed or perseverative interest).
4. Hyper- or hyporeactivity to sensory input or unusual interests in sensory aspects of the environment (e.g., apparent indifference to pain/temperature, adverse response to specific sounds or textures, excessive smelling or touching of objects, visual fascination with lights or movement).

Specify current severity

Severity is based on social communication impairments and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior (see Table 2)

1. Symptoms must be present in the early developmental period (but may not become fully manifest until social demands exceed limited capacities, or may be masked by learned strategies in later life).
2. Symptoms cause clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of current functioning.
3. These disturbances are not better explained by intellectual disability (intellectual developmental disorder) or global developmental delay. Intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder frequently co-occur; to make comorbid diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability, social communication should be below that expected for general developmental level.

Note: Individuals with a well-established DSM-IV diagnosis of autistic disorder, Asperger’s disorder, or pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified should be given the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. Individuals who have marked deficits in social communication, but whose symptoms do not otherwise meet criteria for autism spectrum disorder, should be evaluated for social (pragmatic) communication disorder.

Specify if:

• With or without accompanying intellectual impairment
• With or without accompanying language impairment
• Associated with a known medical or genetic condition or environmental factor
  (Coding note: Use additional code to identify the associated medical or genetic condition.)
• Associated with another neurodevelopmental, mental, or behavioral disorder
  (Coding note: Use additional code[s] to identify the associated neurodevelopmental, mental, or behavioral disorder[s].)
• With catatonia (refer to the criteria for catatonia associated with another mental disorder, pp. 119-120, for definition) (Coding note: Use additional code 293.89 [F06.1] catatonia associated with autism spectrum disorder to indicate the presence of the comorbid catatonia.)

Table 2  Severity levels for autism spectrum disorder

Severity level	Social communication	Restricted, repetitive behaviors
Level 3 “Requiring very substantial support”	Severe deficits in verbal and nonverbal social communication skills cause severe impairments in functioning, very limited initiation of social interactions, and minimal response to social overtures from others. For example, a person with few words of intelligible speech who rarely initiates interaction and, when he or she does, makes unusual approaches to meet needs only and responds to only very direct social approaches	Inflexibility of behavior, extreme difficulty coping with change, or other restricted/repetitive behaviors markedly interfere with functioning in all spheres. Great distress/difficulty changing focus or action.
Level 2 “Requiring substantial support”	Marked deficits in verbal and nonverbal social communication skills; social impairments apparent even with supports in place; limited initiation of social interactions; and reduced or  abnormal responses to social overtures from others. For example, a person who speaks simple sentences, whose interaction is limited  to narrow special interests, and how has markedly odd nonverbal communication.	Inflexibility of behavior, difficulty coping with change, or other restricted/repetitive behaviors appear frequently enough to be obvious to the casual observer and interfere with functioning in  a variety of contexts. Distress and/or difficulty changing focus or action.
Level 1 “Requiring support”	Without supports in place, deficits in social communication cause noticeable impairments. Difficulty initiating social interactions, and clear examples of atypical or unsuccessful response to social overtures of others. May appear to have decreased interest in social interactions. For example, a person who is able to speak in full sentences and engages in communication but who to- and-fro conversation with others fails, and whose attempts to make friends are odd and typically unsuccessful.	Inflexibility of behavior causes significant interference with functioning in one or more contexts. Difficulty switching between activities. Problems of organization and planning hamper independence.

CDC Diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

A clinician should consider a diagnosis of CFS if these three criteria are met:

1. The individual has unexplained, persistent fatigue for 6 months or longer that is not due to ongoing exertion, is not substantially relieved by rest, has begun recently (is not lifelong)
2. The fatigue significantly interferes with daily activities and work
3. The individual has had 4 or more of the following 8 symptoms:
   • post-exertion malaise lasting more than 24 hours
   • unrefreshing sleep
   • significant impairment of short-term memory or concentration
   • muscle pain
   • pain in the joints without swelling or redness
   • a sore throat that is frequent or recurring
   • tender lymph nodes in the neck or armpit
   • headaches of a new type, pattern, or severity

Association Not Cause

In a recent interview, Judy Mikovits, PhD eloquently explained the scientific definition of cause and effect versus association. In order to say that a disease is “caused” by something, there has to be a clear cause and effect that is the same each time. For instance, mumps is caused by a particular virus – every time. It isn’t caused by a virus in one case and a bacteria in another.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6HPe-s1V2o

Most of us are used to defining an illness through cause and effect of a bacterial or viral infection. Contagious illness and trauma are well understood by the general public. Autoimmune diseases and neurological diseases are much harder to understand, and this is true for medical professionals as well as the general public.

There are few definitive diagnostic tests for ADHD, CFS, or autism. Most of the diagnostic criteria is based on observation and patient report.

However, MRI studies with children diagnosed with ADHD have shown lower activity in the frontal lobes as well as recent discoveries of disrupted connections between different areas of the brain showing structural and functional abnormalities.

In 2011, Judy Mikovitz, PhD, found an association between gammaretrovirus XMRV and chronic fatigue syndrome and autism. Retroviruses damage DNA and cause autoimmune and neurological damage. Judy believes up to one-third of our vaccines are contaminated with this retrovirus that accidently contaminated cell lines in the labs where vaccines were made.

Fragile X syndrome is “…the most common inherited cause of intellectual disabilities. It is also the most common known cause of autism.” – Fraxa Research Foundation website.

Fragile X is caused by a defect in the FMR1 gene. The gene shuts down and fails to produce a protein vital for brain development. Symptoms include mild to severe attention deficit and hyperactivity and autism. One can’t help but wonder if damage to the FMR1 gene is caused by a retrovirus.

What Do We Know?

Vaccines are certainly proving to be a major factor associated with ADHD, autism, autoimmune disease, and other diseases with mercury poisoning, retrovirus exposure, and damage from aluminum and other toxins all playing a part. But vaccines are not the only toxins we are exposed to and clearly not the only factor in play. We know that there are multiple means to damage the immune system and the neurological system and that damage is cumulative.

Damage begins in utero. A fetus pulls mercury out of its mother’s body. It is tragic that doctors continue to recommend pregnant women get vaccines, especially the flu shot that contains mercury.

In addition to vaccines, environmental toxins contribute to damage. Herbicides and pesticides accumulate in our tissues along with the countless chemicals we are exposed to every day.

Conclusion

If we are to stop the current epidemic of neurological and autoimmune diseases including ADHD, CFS, and autism, we have to stop poisoning our bodies and our children’s bodies with chemicals and heavy metals. We need to clean up our food, eliminate toxin exposure in our homes and workplaces, and stop poisoning ourselves and our children through vaccines. The numbers don’t lie. ADHD, CFS, and autism are the result of our polluted lives and a vaccine schedule that would defy common sense even if our vaccines were safe and effective. Too many of us are sick. Too many children are sick. It’s time we stand up and demand change.

Further Reading:

• How To Detoxify and Heal From Vaccinations – For Adults and Children
• Doctors Against Vaccines – Hear From Those Who Have Done the Research
• Scientists Against Vaccines – Hear From Those Who Have Done the Research
  
• Mercury Fillings, Root Canals, Cavitations – What You Need to Know

Sources:

• Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) – CDC
• A Biological Basis for Chronic-Fatigue Syndrome – The Atlantic
• Facts About Autism – Autism Speaks
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) – CDC
• Estimates of Funding for Various Research, Condition, and Disease Categories (RCDC) – NIH
• Quick History – Fourteen Studies
• DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria – Autism Speaks
• MRI Scan Detects ADHD In Children’s Brain; May Mean Earlier And More Accurate Diagnosis – Medical Daily
• Vaccines, Retroviruses, DNA, and the Discovery That Destroyed Judy Mikovits’ Career – Organic Lifestyle Magazine
• Fragile X – Fraxa.org

Seasonal affective disorder, also called the winter blues or SAD, is a type of depression that typically occurs during the fall and winter seasons when days get shorter. The main cause is lack of exposure to sunlight.

This type of depression is more prevalent in latitudes that are farther away from the Equator. Women are three times more likely than men to suffer from it. Stress, of course, can aggravate it and lead to a worsening of symptoms.

When people have less exposure to sunlight, their bodies produce less Vitamin D. Vitamin D is technically a hormone that can only be produced when we are exposed to sunlight. When we do not produce enough vitamin D, our bodies can experience a serious deficiency, which can cause numerous health issues. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to osteoporosis, diabetes, cancer, and depression. During the winter months, low levels of vitamin D can cause seasonal affective disorder. Thankfully, this is easily treatable.

How To Treat Seasonal Affective Disorder

Treatment of seasonal affective disorder is relatively easy and cheap through exercise, light therapy, and diet.

Exercise

Regular exercise can raise serotonin levels in the brain, helping to alleviate one of the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder. Go for a brisk walk, lift weights at the gym, do yoga, or find some exercise that you enjoy. Feeling miserable by doing some exercise you don’t enjoy will defeat the purpose. Of course, if you can exercise outside, you get the double benefit of exposure to the sun, which helps your body produce more vitamin D. This in turn helps to alleviate your symptoms of depression.

Light Therapy

Light therapy can help the body produce more vitamin D, the cause behind SAD. Spending time outside as much as possible, even on a cloudy day, can help the body produce more vitamin D. If that’s not feasible, special light boxes that produce UVB light can be purchased. These function similarly to sunlight in helping the body produce vitamin D. Caution should be practiced when using them to not stare directly into the light, just as you wouldn’t stare directly at the sun.

Foods That Fight SAD

Of course, eating a diet high in fresh, raw produce is ideal. It is harder to get a variety of fresh produce during the winter months, but not impossible. There are a number of fruits and vegetables in season during the colder months of the year. Kale, cabbage, collard greens, winter peas, and root vegetables are just a few of the vegetables you will find in season. Fruits in season include cranberries, pomegranates, and apples.

In addition to a diet high in raw produce, there are certain foods that can help alleviate the symptoms of SAD including foods high in antioxidants (specifically anthocyanidin), tryptophan, and omega-3 fatty acids. Dark chocolate, high in cocoa, and bananas, high in tryptophan, can help the body produce dopamine and serotonin. Avocados are high in oleic acid while fatty fish and flaxseed oil are high in omega-3 fatty acids. These two types of fatty acids help the brain by lowering inflammation, which in turn aids in the production of dopamine and serotonin.

Conclusion

You do not need to suffer through winter blues every year. Exercise, light therapy, and diet are the primary methods of treatment. Even aromatherapy can help lift your mood when fighting SAD. If you find that your levels of vitamin D and other vitamins and minerals essential to mental health are severely low and that diet and exercise alone are not fixing things, there are supplements that can help alleviate seasonal affective disorder. Vitamin D and B vitamins can help.

Recommended Reading:

• How Candida Leads to Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, and Other Mental Disorders
• The Power of Our Hormones and How To Balance Them
• Natural Remedies for Chronic Stress
• Insomnia – A Comprehensive Look with Natural Remedies
• How I Overcame Depression Naturally
• Mental Health, Physical Health & B Vitamins – Nature’s Valium
• How Candida Leads to Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, and Other Mental Disorders

Sources:

• What is Seasonal Affective Disorder? – Dr. Normal E. Rosenthal
•  Sunlight and Vitamin D – Organic Lifestyle Magazine
•  Vitamin D Deficiency and Depression – Psychology Today
•  Five Foods That Fight Depression – Organic Lifestyle Magazine
•  Treating Depression with Omega-3: Encouraging Results from Largest Clinical Study – Science Daily
•  Healthy Fats the Healthy Way – Organic Lifestyle Magazine

The world and its people are clearly in a lot of pain. Whether it’s physical pain or emotional pain, the response of the medical community has been to prescribe drugs to medicate it. Using prescription drugs like Vicoden and Percoset to treat chronic physical pain results in approximately 17,000 deaths each year in the U.S. alone. That’s an increase of more than 400% since 1999. Even over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen can prove dangerous with prolonged use or taken in large doses.

While the U.S. leads the world in addiction to prescription opioid painkillers, Australia currently ranks second. The Australian Medical Association recently declared the rising statistics a “national emergency”. Nearly all countries have reported an increase of addiction to prescription drugs. According to the Psychology Today, a large percentage of people receiving drug treatment in Europe are addicted to benzodiazepines. This class of prescription drug is commonly used to treat anxiety and includes popular drugs like Xanax.

Alternatives to the Use of Prescription Drugs to Manage Pain and Anxiety

To avoid the added pain of addiction, people are looking for alternative treatments for chronic pain.

Exercise and Meditation

Exercise can reduce pain in a number of ways. It strengthens muscles, increases joint mobility, releases natural pain-killing endorphins, and improves sleep. Relaxation can also be an effective tool in treating both pain and anxiety by decreasing stress and muscle tension. Meditation techniques can also reduce stress and adding yoga can make you stronger and more flexible in the process.

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy has been proven to be hugely beneficial in treating chronic pain, both physical and emotional. There have been multiple studies that concluded massage was superior to relaxation and acupuncture in managing back pain. The benefits of massage are also more long-lasting than other types of treatments, for up to a year past the end of active treatment in some cases. More proof lies in the fact that many insurance companies now cover therapeutic massage.

Massage has proven effective in treating chronic shoulder pain, headaches, fibromyalgia, and carpal tunnel syndrome. It has also been demonstrated to improve grip strength, increase range of motion, and decrease anxiety and depression. Despite its many benefits, many people still aren’t able to take advantage of its benefits. The most common reasons are the lack of time and cost. Taking a pill only takes a moment. A therapeutic massage requires travel time in addition to the hour it takes for the massage. Massage usually costs approximately $100 per session.

Massage Chair

One increasingly popular alternative for busy people who want to manage pain or stress and avoid prescription drugs is a massage chair. Utilizing every form of state-of-the-art technology now available, massage chairs have come a long way from the first models. Today’s models include a wide range of features such as 16 settings from light massage to deep tissue massage, a heated lumbar and seat region, shiatsu massage for neck and shoulders, and special rollers designed for foot massage. Some even have a full-body stretch feature that helps exercise seldom-used muscle groups.

Massage therapy can literally be a life-saving choice in the treatment of chronic pain. Just as importantly, it can enhance your quality of life by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression while increasing flexibility, mobility, and relaxation. Unlike the epidemic of prescription drug addiction, a global epidemic of relaxation would be a welcome one.

Further reading:

• What Causes Chronic Inflammation, and How To Stop It For Good
• NCB study  – Effectiveness of Massage Therapy for Chronic, Non-malignant Pain – NCBI
• Brain Damage from Benzodiazepines: The Troubling Facts, Risks, and History of Minor Tranquilizers– Psychology Today
• The Benefits of Massage – Inada 
• Pain Management – Side Effects of Pain Medicines – Web MD
• The Effects of Painkillers on the Brain and Body – Maryland Addiction Recovery
• Prescription Drug Addiction in Australia is Out of Control – The Cabin Sydney
• 16 Of Nature’s Best Natural Painkillers – Natural Society