How Ritalin Works- WebMD
A recent article was posted by a couple medical doctors in response the medical journal article "How Ritalin Works in ADHD."
It is theorized that alterations in dopamine metabolism between the frontal cortex and mesolimbic regions of the brain attribute to ADD/ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). The authors of this refuting article report that this is merely a theory and that in fact there has been no reproducible evidence to demonstrate the cause of ADD/ADHD.
Apparently, PET and SPEC scans of children diagnosed with ADD revealed changes in some regions of the brain when compared with "normal" children. It is not clear if these ADD children had ever been exposed to mind altering drugs prior to scanning (As we all know, medications can themselves lead to physiological changes in the brain). It is arguable that "normal" individuals may also exhibit the same changes seen in these studies depending on behaviors, tasks, and alertness. These types of controls were not utilized in this experiment. The study appeared to claim that a cause was found when evidence is surely lacking.
Not only are we short on causal evidence, but over five million children in the U.S. currently hold presciptions for Ritalin and share them with others. Police departments and rehab centers are concerned about the amount of Ritalin being snorted, rolled into joints, and even added to heroin. The FDA rates Ritalin as one of the most highly addictive medications in use today!
More concerning than those intentionally putting themselves at risk are the prescription holders who are misinformed about the possible side-effects of this psychostimulant. I wonder if all those ten million parents are aware that Ritalin suppresses appetite in their kids(a common cause of stimulants) and ihibits the pituitary gland from secreting normal levels of growth hormone! Topping this are the current wrongful death suit litigations in court alleging severe heart damage and death of long-term Ritalin users. Lastly, medication-induced Tourette's syndrome could plague children taking Ritalin who started out with a small inability to focus. These effects are real and not well advertised, along with psychiatric studies showing shrinking of rat brains after short-term use.
I apologize for my ranting, but it seems that a little less T.V., a little more quality family time, and maybe a Yoga class would be a better starting place than Ritalin after reading this report.
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