http://www.confusionroad.com/article.php?article_id=169Experts Undecided On How To Help The 'Drug-Impoverished' Minority
February 6th, 2012 - Nearly one-fifth of all Americans have not yet been sedated, aroused, tranquilized, cheered up or energized by psychoactive medications, a new study by the National Life-Enhancing Drug Association (NLDA) shows.
Experts say they have no idea how this unmedicated minority is able to relax, sleep, have sex, work or experience happiness without the help of mood-enriching drugs. "We believe that most of these people must simply be trapped in their homes in a state of mental and physical paralysis," says NLDA spokesman David Moss.
Many other experts agreed. One day after the release of the NLDA study, the Institute for Productivity through Prescription Stimulants (IPPS) released an 18,000-page statement concurring with the NLDA's conclusions. The Institute's eight members are rumored to have worked well into the late afternoon hours completing the statement, which includes a compilation of 7,000 clinical studies on stimulants such as Ritalin and Provigil, an accompanying musical score, and a holographic video presentation.
The Center for Drug-Assisted Relaxation, which is only open on Wednesdays from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., could not be reached for comment.
Some professionals, however, claim that the unmedicated Americans are not as unfortunate as it would seem. "It's a common myth that you cannot get by without pharmaceuticals," says Dr. Jerry Graff. "In fact, it's possible to get many of the same effects with over-the-counter herbal medication, such as yohimbine for enhanced sexual desire and valerian root for stress reduction. I wouldn't do it myself, mind you, but I think it's possible."
But Graff is in the minority. The NLDA's Moss stresses that this approach is not recommended by most doctors. "It's unwise to trust your mind and body to untested 'natural' supplements," he warns. "Instead, you should trust your mind and body to giant pharmaceutical corporations who care about nothing but your health and well-being."
Some experts say that mind-altering pills may one day be a thing of the past. "We're currently working on an electronic device that can administer drugs directly into the bloodstream," says the IPPS's John Williamson. "Instead of taking a pill, and potentially losing precious minutes while you wait for the drug to take effect, you'll be able to simply 'dial a mood' on your device and feel the effects instantly."
Still, Williamson stressed that 'dial-a-mood' technology won't be available right away. "Unfortunately, such a device is much more complex than any medical device yet created," he says. "We probably won't finish it until the middle of next week."
