By Bob McCauley, CNC, MH
I recently blogged about John F. Kennedy being heavily medicated while he was president of the United States. A question that was not posed in that blog is “How did that affect his judgment while he was president?”
A drug widely prescribed pharmaceutical (which is a civilized word for drug) for ADD and ADHD is Ritalin. The Medical Dictionary states:
Methylphenidate (MPH) is an amphetamine-like prescription stimulant commonly used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children and adults. It is also one of the primary drugs used to treat symptoms of traumatic brain injury and the daytime drowsiness symptoms of narcolepsy and chronic fatigue syndrome. Brand names of drugs that contain methylphenidate include Ritalin® (Ritalina®, Rilatine®), Attenta®, Concerta® (a timed-release capsule), Metadate®, Methylin® and Rubifen®.
First, you should be aware that Ritalin is very similar to cocaine. So when you start giving your 7 year old Ritalin you are essentially putting them on a drug that is very similar to a drug that countless users have lost their lives and families over. However, where you find most of the Ritalin is on college campuses all over the country. Ritalin is often prescribed “for assistance with studying” for college students.
I’m currently studying to become a Naturopathic Doctor, which is definitely one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done. The Dissertation is proving to be a monster, given I need to reference every claim, fact or argument I put forth. I live on a vegan diet of raw fruits and vegetables anchored by Spirulina and Chlorella, which I use for my protein.
I don’t have any concentration problems and I don’t take Ritalin. If I do have trouble concentrating I take some Bacopa with Chlorella Tablets. Bacopa is an incredible herb and particularly when when the bacocides, the active chemical, is concentrated. Bacopa is a one of the worst tasting herbs known, but when consumed with chlorella, it is better assimilated into the body, the bad taste is avoided and a person can take enough of it to notice a considerable difference. If it works for me I’m sure it would work for school children and college students. In fact, my 14 year old son has taken it on occasion and remarked how much his concentration improved when he did. He was able to concentrate so much better in school on the days when he consumed chlorella and bacopa.
Here is a list of FDA drugs approved for concentration problems, some approved for 3 year old children. Why not?
Trade Name |
Generic Name |
Approved Age |
Adderall® |
Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine |
3 and older |
Adderall XR® |
Amphetamine-dextroamphetamine extended release |
6 and older |
Concerta® |
Methylphenidate extended release |
6 and older |
Daytrana® |
Methylphenidate patch |
6 and older |
Desoxyn® |
Methamphetamine |
6 and older |
Dexedrine® |
Dextroamphetamine |
3 and older |
Dextrostat® |
Dextroamphetamine |
3 and older |
Focalin® |
Dexmethylphenidate |
6 and older |
Focalin XR® |
Dexmethylphenidate extended release |
6 and older |
Metadate ER® |
Methylphenidate extended release |
6 and older |
Metadate CD® |
Methylphenidate extended release |
6 and older |
Methylin® |
Methylphenidate chewable tablets and oral solution |
6 and older |
Ritalin® |
Methylphenidate |
6 and older |
Ritalin SR® |
Methylphenidate extended release |
6 and older |
Ritalin LA® |
Methylphenidate extended release |
6 and older |
Vyvanse™ |
Lisdexamfetamine |
6 and older |
Dr. Bob’s Blog is not intended as medical advice. The writings and statements on this website have not reviewed and/or approved by the FDA. Our products are not meant to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Rather they are meant to demonstrate that aging can be slowed and even reversed and that Great Health achieved when the most fundamental nutritional needs of the human body are met. Always consult a medical doctor or other medical professional when you consider it necessary.
Dr. Bob’s Blog is covered under (47 U.S.C. § 230): “No provider or user of an interactive computer service shall be treated as the publisher or speaker of any information provided by another information content provider”.
About Bob McCauley
Bob McCauley, ND (Robert F., Jr.) was raised in Lansing, Michigan and attended Michigan State University (BA, 1980 in Journalism). He is a naturopathic doctor, Master Herbalist and a Certified Nutritional Consultant. He has traveled extensively, both domestically and abroad, visiting over 32 countries. He published Confessions of a Body Builder: Rejuvenating the Body with Spirulina, Chlorella, Raw Foods and Ionized Water (2000), Achieving Great Health (2005), The Miraculous Properties of Ionized Water, (2006) which is the only book on the market that exclusively addresses Ionized Water, Twelve (Fiction, 2007) and Honoring the Temple of God (2008). He considers himself a Naturalist, meaning he pursues health in the most natural way possible. He studies and promotes nature as the only way to true health.
From 2002-2004 he hosted the radio program Achieving Great Health, which was heard by thousands of people each day. His guests included some of the most well-known and respected names in the natural health world.
With the help of his father, Dr. Robert F. McCauley, Sr. (Doctorate in Environmental Engineering, MIT, 1953) they started Spartan Water Company in 1992, which sold vended water machines in supermarkets. Robert Jr. founded Spartan Enterprises, Inc. in 1993. He is a Certified Water Technician with the State of Michigan. He is also a Type II Public Water Supply Specialist and has the certifications of S-5 and D-5. The McCauley family has a long history in the water industry. Bob's father pioneered environmental issues regarding ground water and drinking water quality. He received his Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1953 for his thesis on removing radioactive strontium from water. He earned his doctorate in Environmental Engineering in less than 2 years, one of the shortest doctoral studies in the history of MIT. He taught civil, sanitary and environmental engineering at Michigan State University for 18 years before retiring to run Wolverine Engineers & Surveyors of Mason, Michigan, for 17 years. His reputation throughout Michigan as a water quality expert was legendary. Bob worked for his father's company for 12 years learning the water business, which dealt primarily with municipalities, including water quality and sanitary sewer issues.
After apprenticing with his father, Bob moved on to the bottled water business. He established greater Michigan's biggest selling bottled water: Michigan Mineral – Premium Natural Water. He was introduced to Ionized Water in 1995 and has done more to promote Ionized Water than anyone else in the industry. Bob often lectures and offers seminars on his Seven Component Natural Health Protocol .
Bob is a Certified Nutritional Consultant and a Certified Master Herbalist. He is also a 3rd Degree Black Belt and Certified Instructor of Songahm Taekwondo (American Taekwondo Association).
Drugging kids with any pharmaceutical is disgusting and unnecessary. The more people that stand up against this criminal action the better. I met a guy here in Taiwan who was put on drugs as a child just because he went passed words he didn’t understand in his study and was stuck on it. Yikes!
Great about doing the Naturopath course, and eating raw. I recently finished a fast to begin my journey into raw food. Looking forward to it 🙂
Phil
ADHD is such a common diagnosis now days. Yet most parents blind fully trust their doctors and have no idea that they give real harmful drugs to their children. There is so much we can try before going to drugs: 1. Changing our nutrition and start consuming less processed food. 2. Spending more time outdoors 3. Introducing exercise to our daily routine and so much more. Hope more people get exposed to posts of this kind.
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