[Dialogue] Prescription Drugs

[Jack Gilles]

Karl,

I appreciate your thoughtful replies.  I do agree that certainly we  
can see dramatic changes with the use of chemicals.  But I do feel the  
profession is too quick to prescribe and perhaps there are non- 
ingestive alternatives that will work but take more time to discover  
than most doctors seem to have to give to patients.  Plus I still  
think we haven't seen all the effects of the chemicals we are putting  
in our bodies.  I think the medical profession needs to spend much  
more time observing the results of alternative medicines.  I'm just  
glad there are doctors like you who have a more holistic perspective.

Jack
On Jan 10, 2009, at 4:42 PM, Karl Hess wrote:

> Searches for root causes tend to end in infinite regression -  for  
> Christians back to the Garden and the apple. So I don't find that a  
> very useful question.  I do think it is worth distinguishing three  
> elements, although it is mostly theoretical and real cases are  
> mixed.   I think it is pretty likely that for the first million  
> years or so, hyperactive children were likely more successful at  
> avoiding dangerous animals.  Pondering a rustling in the grass could  
> easily be fatal.   So genes for hyperactivity would possibly have  
> been of survival value.  Clearly they are not of value in a  
> contemporary school.
>
> Then there is the question of psychodynamic aspects and the  
> communities the kids live in. And then there is also the element of  
> chemical pollution of the environment which fetal or child brains  
> can be extremely susceptible to.  The commonest known of these is  
> lead which is poisonous in doses far lower than the government is  
> willing to admit.
>
> Karl