Stimulation Effects

2. Stimulation Effects

2.1 Alcohol

Alcohol is absorbed into the blood, principally from the small intestine. It accumulates in the blood because absorption is more rapid than oxidation and elimination. Depression of the central nervous system is a principle effect of alcohol. The CNS is at first stimulated. This is a defensive response by the body to begin action to eliminate this harmful poison. Due to the enervation that invariably follows, exhaustion and depression follow.

People who drink large amounts of alcohol repetitively become somewhat “tolerant” to its effects; later doses seem not to have the same intoxicating effect as earlier ones. This tolerance is not based primarily on changes in drug dispositions or metabolism but is caused by destructive changes in central nervous system cells. Those said to be tolerant to alcohol may have incredibly high blood alcohol concentrations. In this case, the body has become so enervated that it has lost its capacity to react to this drug and eliminate its poisons from the system. The so-called “physical dependence” accompanying tolerance is profound, and withdrawal produces a series of pronounced physical and mental effects. While these symptoms may be severe, the acute period usually only lasts about two days if the alcoholic fasts, but may last as long as ten days under orthodox treatment. Delirium tremens, experienced by many alcoholics, usually ceases after two days on the fast. Since alcohol results in central nervous system stimulation I and its eventual depression, it invariably has similar effects on all bodily parts connected with the CNS and this includes everything. Especially effected is the brain and this is demonstrated in the alcoholic’s lack of memory, disorientation, slurred speech, etc.

Also, there is a marked prevalence of vitamin B deficiency, especially thiamine, due partly to the poor diet of the alcoholic and partly due to malabsorption of this vitamin by the impaired gastrointestinal tract of such individuals. Many so-called vitamin deficiencies have been corrected during the fast while no food was being ingested. The body normalizes while on the fast and certain food stored vitamins are utilized. On the Hygienic diet of raw fruits, vegetables and nuts, no thiamine deficiency could be possible because all of these foods contain this vitamin in abundance. Thus, the alcoholic is very greatly benefited by this raw diet since his body will be provided the most ideal conditions for normalcy of function to return. Not only will all nutrients be available for utilization but the proper conditions will be provided for healing.

Usual orthodox treatment includes large doses of vitamin C and B-complex vitamins, particularly thiamine. These inorganic vitamins will not provide any benefit to the alcoholic since the body cannot utilize nutrients in this form. The result will be added toxins and additional problems for the body to deal with. In addition, alcoholics are often given fluids if they are thought to be dehydrated. The usual therapy is 1,000 ml of 5% dextrose in a saline solution followed by 1,000 ml of 10% dextrose in distilled water. This practice is totally anti-life and will result in more stimulation if the body is able to respond defensively. In any case, it is harmful practice.

Drugs are used frequently to treat the alcohol withdrawal symptoms. But trading one drug for another never results in health. It only results in additional sickness and destruction of tissues and cells.

Another treatment given to alcoholics is the administration of Disulfiram. This is a drug that interferes with metabolism of acetaldehyde (an intermediary product in the oxidation of alcohol) so that acetaldehyde accumulates, producing toxic symptoms and great discomfort. Drinking alcohol within twelve hours after taking Disulfiram results in facial flushing in five to fifteen minutes, then intense vasodilation of the face and neck with suffusion of the conjunctivae, throbbing headache, tachycardia, hyperpnea, and swelling. Nausea and vomiting follow in 30 to 60 minutes and may be so intense as to lead to hypotension, dizziness, and sometimes fainting and collapse. The reaction lasts one to three hours. Discomfort is so intense that few patients will risk taking alcohol as long as they are taking Disulfiram. This is obvious an extremely dangerous practice.

We take a more rational approach. It is so much more pleasant (and beneficial) to fast in an atmosphere with fresh air, peace and quiet, and then to enjoy the wonderful raw foods that nature has prepared for us. Following amore natural lifestyle, the alcoholic will never crave this poison again.

2.2 Addictions to Opiate-Type Drugs

Use of opiate-type drugs, such as heroin, results in stimulation of the central nervous system and one of the first noticeable signs is a strong psychic dependence on an overpowering compulsion to continue taking the drug. This dependence may be evident as soon as two to three days after beginning use. Thus, so-called “therapeutic” use of narcotics that are given by some physicians often creates some tolerance and dependence and the user may show symptoms of withdrawal when the drug is discontinued.

The effects of this drug are so damaging and enervating to the nervous system and all systems of the body that a situation is soon created where the body is too enervated to react defensively. In this case, the addict resorts to increased dosages and more frequent dosages until he again achieves the stimulation that he is seeking.

Acute intoxication with opiates is characterized by euphoria, flushing, itching of the skin, abnormal contraction of the pupils, drowsiness, decreased respiratory rate and depth, hypotension, slow heart rate, and decreased body temperature.

The entire body is in an extremely debilitated condition and the only remedy for this situation is rest. That is, total rest until the body can once again begin to function normally. So the addict must fast. Following the fast, the raw foods diet of fruits, vegetables, and nuts will provide the body with the optimum materials to make those desperately needed repairs of the damages that occurred while taking this deadly drug.

Withdrawal symptoms are the opposite of the drug effects (central nervous system hyperactivity). In other words, depression of the CNS occurs. The symptoms may be severe and occur rapidly but are self-limited and the length of their occurrence and their severity will be less while fasting than while eating.

Orthodox treatment often-involves administration of methadone but this results in another type of addiction, so nothing worthwhile has been accomplished. The withdrawal symptoms of methadone are similar to those of heroin.

2.3 Caffeine Addictions

People become addicted to caffeine because of its stimulating effects. Caffeine is a powerful central nervous system stimulator affecting the cortex first, then the medulla, and finally the spinal cord as the dose is increased. Large doses of caffeine may result in impaired motor function. Adverse effects may occur after 150 to 250 mg of caffeine, equivalent to one or two cups of coffee.

Persons who drink large amounts of coffee (fifteen to twenty cups a day) may develop “caffeinism.” The symptoms of this illness are insomnia, a slight fever, and irritability.

Children are particularly affected, probably due to their lower body weight.

Caffeine results in stimulation of the heart with tachycardia and arrhythmias. Caffeine also stimulates release of catecholamines from the adrenal medulla, and norepinephrine is released from nerve endings in the heart. Catecholamines have a marked effect on the central nervous system, metabolic rate, temperature, and smooth muscle.

2.4 Cigarette Smoking

Nicotine, in the tobacco, has been found to result in increased heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac output, stroke volume, and velocity of myocardial contraction. An entire lesson was devoted to this pernicious habit so I will not enlarge upon it here, but again, it is a habit endorced for its stimulating effects.