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Purification Rundown

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The Purification Rundown is a controversial detoxification program developed by Scientology's founder L. Ron Hubbard and used by the Church of Scientology as an introductory service.[1] It forms the basis for drug rehabilitation and detoxification programs operated by church-affiliated groups such as Narconon, Second Chance, and the International Academy of Detoxification Specialists. The program is condemned by the majority of the medical profession, but supported by one person.[2][3]

The most controversial elements of the program are its heavy use of vitamin B3 (Niacin), which can cause liver damage[4], and extensive use of saunas beyond what is considered a safe level.[5] Saunas in particular are unsafe for asthma sufferers.[6]

According to the Church's website, the program is a "combination of exercise, vitamins, nutrition and sauna use," which "dislodges drug residues and other toxins from the fatty tissues so that these substances can then be eliminated from the body."[7]

The full procedure is available in the book Clear Body, Clear Mind.

Procedure

The program usually takes several weeks. As well as spending time in saunas, Scientologists are required to do light exercise including calisthenics, treadmills, and other similar activities.

The program is not a weight loss program, and a medical doctor's permission is required in advance to start the program. Daily reports monitor the person's condition and progress through the program. The program consists of a course of doses of vitamins (niacin in particular), long periods in a sauna, exercise, and consumption of a blend of vegetable oils. A normal, healthy menu is maintained throughout the procedure. Doses of vitamins are monitored, and are adjusted during the course of the rundown.

The theory is that toxins, drugs, and radioactive particles are stored in body fat, which are released through the exchange of fats (thus the oil consumption) and exercise, and then finally released via perspiration and other normal mechanisms such as body waste. Independent scientific evaluations report that the concentration of toxins or drugs in the sweat is negligible, as they are primarily removed from the body through the liver, the kidneys and the lungs.[8][9][10]

Scientific study has shown that niacin assists the body in ridding itself of toxic and harmful chemicals in some situations.[11][clarification needed] In the Purification Rundown Hubbard went further, claiming that large niacin doses (up to 5000 mg) could restimulate and "run out" all manner of past phenomena, including radiation exposure, sunburn, allergies, cancer, gastroenteritis, and anxiety. He noted, "If it is there to be turned on by niacin it will be turned on by niacin."[12] The dosages Hubbard described are within the range known to cause harmful side effects, such as liver damage and stomach ulcers.[11]

The Purification Rundown requires its participants to ingest the following at regular intervals:

  • Niacin, in doses large enough to cause skin irritation or flushing.[5] Scientologists believe this skin reaction is caused by "reappearing" past sunburns or radiation leaving the body.[13]
  • Oils, to replace the oils that are sweated out in the sauna.
  • "CalMag" a drink consisting of calcium, magnesium water and cider vinegar.
  • Multi-vitamins, Vitamins A, B1, Bcomplex, C, D, E, and multi-minerals
  • Plenty of water, salt and potassium, used to replace the fluids and minerals lost in the sauna.

Scientologists are strongly encouraged to take part in the Purification Rundown, and this controversial physical purification program is seen as a step towards purifying the spirit as well as the body (as Hubbard outlined in his book Clear Body, Clear Mind).

The Church of Scientology says that the rundown can improve personality and increase IQ by up to 15-30 points.[14]

History

The predecessor of the Purification Rundown was known as the 'Sweat Program.' It also featured exercise and sauna use. The prevalence of drug use, pollution, pesticides, and other similar environmental factors has turned the Purification Rundown into a routine part of a pre-clear's auditing program. The process is not publicly claimed by the church as a cure for any specific disease or condition. Scientologists believe that unhandled (untreated) side effects of drugs slow or even stop a person's progress, ability to learn, and spiritual growth.

Today, Scientology promotes the Purification Rundown to the public as a "detoxification" program, while it also works with allegedly non-religious but Scientology-affiliated groups such as Narconon to offer this program as a treatment for addiction and high levels of stress.

Tom Cruise co-founded a fund-raising initiative at Downtown Medical, which collected charitable donations in order to pay for Purification Rundowns for public-sector employees who had been exposed to toxic chemicals during the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York. PR photographs include persons holding up towels soaked through with oddly colored sweat to demonstrate that something good was happening during the program. Some of the fire fighters who have gone through the program now speak in favor of it[15]. However, others disagree, including Deputy Fire Commissioner Frank Gribbon.[16]

Support for the program

The Scientology based Detox program has been endorsed by a few medical doctors affiliated with Scientology's Narconon, International Academy of Detoxification Specialists and Second Chance programs.[17][18] However, Dr. Alfonso Paredes, a retired psychiatrist and addiction expert, who is commonly referred in Scientology-linked publications as a supporter of the detoxification procedure, commented in a newspaper article, "I've tried to persuade them not to use it," referring to the sauna detox used in the Second Chance program.[19]

Lisa Gengo a doctor of naturopathy and vice chairman of the department of integrative medicine at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine, is doing an independent review of the program. She says: "I've been there enough to see that people are getting better. I've seen many things that just floor me, people from week to week who look vastly different and are improving in amazing ways." "It's easy to criticize, but people are getting better there and that's what's important. We don't know why aspirin works. We don't know the mechanics of it, but we do know that it works."[20] However, this statement is misleading with respect to the fact that there is a well-established mechanistic profile with regard to the administration of aspirin. Any claim that the mechanism of the drug's action is unknown is verifiably false.

In Albuquerque, New Mexico judges are sending substance abuse offenders to a Narconon based rehabilitation center called “Second Chance.”[21][22] Second Chance is partially federal funded and only treats patients from judicial referrals.[23][21]

In Salt Lake city the police department is using the Scientology based program to treat police officers that suffer from exposure to meth lab toxins at taxpayer expense.[24][25]

In New York over 800 9/11 rescue workers have completed the detox program through “New York Rescue Workers Detoxification Project.”[26] The program has been endorsed by some politicians.[27] According to a paper from the International Academy of Detoxification Specialists, the non-profit Scientology project promoting the program, all rescue workers that have completed the detox program reported improved health with 63% reporting to have resolved breathing difficulties.[28]

Criticisms of the program

The program also involves putting the subjects into saunas, and administering niacin and other vitamins, along with large quantities of various types of vegetable oil, in the belief that the subject will sweat out the toxins and replace the oils in the body's fatty tissues with the vegetable oil. Dr. James J. Kenney, Ph.D., R.D., a member of the National Council Against Health Fraud claims that this technique does the opposite of what it claims [29]. Medical professionals have stated that the ingesting of large amounts of niacin and other vitamins can cause liver and kidney damage. In particular, niacin is both associated with liver damage at high amounts and is prescribed by Hubbard's program at an amount almost three times what the Institute of Medicine's Food and Nutrition Board deems the daily upper limit for an adult. [5]

The notion that radioactive particles can be stored in fat as claimed by Hubbard is considered discredited in modern science.[30] The effects of such high doses of vitamins on the body are also known to pose serious health risks; former members have suffered liver damage from the treatment.[5][31]

In a 1988 report, Dr. Ronald E. Gots, a toxicology expert from Bethesda, Md., called the regimen "quackery," and noted that "no recognized body of toxicologists, no department of occupational medicine, nor any governmental agencies endorse or recommend such treatment."[15]

A Scientology disclaimer warns that the procedure is not intended for diagnosis or treatment of physical condition:

The Purification Rundown is a Spiritual activity based on and administered according to the doctrine and practices of the religion of Scientology as set forth in the writings of L. Ron Hubbard and adopted by the Church. No part of the Rundown is intended as the diagnosis, prescription for, or treatment of any bodily or physical condition or ill.

— The boards of directors of the Churches of Scientology, HCO Bulletin of 21 May 1980, "Purification Rundown Case Data"

See also

Notes and references

  1. ^ Church of Scientology International. "Classification, Gradation and Awareness Chart". Retrieved 2008-03-22.
  2. ^ Scientology does detox, David E. Root, M.D
  3. ^ Gittrich, Greg (2003-12-13). "Bravest taking the Cruise cure". Daily News. Retrieved 2008-01-24.
  4. ^ Vitamin B3 (Niacin), University of Maryland
  5. ^ a b c d Touretzky, David. "Is Narconon Safe? Dangerous Detoxification". Narconon Exposed. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
  6. ^ ["http://search.ca.gov/search?q=cache:qSRHi4q0svUJ:www.dir.ca.gov/imc/ASTHMA.html" ""Treatment guidelines occupational asthma""]. Retrieved 2007-10-25. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  7. ^ "What is the Purification Program?". Basic Facts About the Scientology Religion. Retrieved 2006-06-21.
  8. ^ Board of Mental Health, State of Oklahoma (13 December 1991). "Findings of Fact regarding the Narconon-Chilocco Application For Certification". State of Oklahoma. Retrieved 2006-06-14. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  9. ^ Prof. Folke Sjoqvist (26 November 1996). "Expert advice on Narconon given to the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare". Retrieved 2006-06-14. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  10. ^ Joseph Mallia (March 3, 1998). "Inside the Church of Scientology: Scientology reaches into schools through Narconon". The Boston Herald.
  11. ^ a b "Vitamin B3 (Niacin)". {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  12. ^ Hubbard, L. Ron. "The Purification Rundown Replaces the Sweat Program" HCOB 6 February 1978, revised 4 December 1979.
  13. ^ Narconon Exposed: What is the Narconon programme? - The New Life Detoxification Program Picture Book
  14. ^ Clear Body Clear Mind - Purification and Life By L. Ron Hubbard
  15. ^ a b O'Donnell, Michelle (2003-10-04). "Scientologist's Treatments Lure Firefighters". New York Times. Retrieved 2006-09-17. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  16. ^ "Cruise Blasted by 9/11 Firefighters". World Entertainment News Network. 2005-12-14. Retrieved 2007-10-25. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  17. ^ Scientology does detox, David E. Root, M.D
  18. ^ Professor of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences Emeritus UCL
  19. ^ Garcia, David Alire (2007-03-28). "Taking Chances". Santa Fe Reporter. Retrieved 2007-10-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  20. ^ Carey, Art (2007-10-05). "A skeptic, she's willing to give it a try". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2007-11-23. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  21. ^ a b Etter, Lauren (2007-01-19). "Program for prisoners draws fire over Scientology". Wall Street Journal. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2007-11-23. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  22. ^ Judge Wants Tapia To Remain in Rehab
  23. ^ website: second chance program
  24. ^ Carlisle, Nate (2007-11-08). "Meth cops swear they can sweat off toxins". Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 2007-11-24. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ Bonisteel, Sara (2007-11-21). "Utah Foots the Bill for Ailing Cops' Controversial Scientology-Based Detox Treatment". FOX News. Retrieved 2007-11-24. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  26. ^ Dunleavy, Steve (2007-06-12). "CRUISES'S CLINIC OK". New York Post. Retrieved 2007-09-08. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  27. ^ "Monserrate Defends Detox Program". The Politicker. New York Observer. 2007-04-20. Retrieved 2007-10-06. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  28. ^ SUMMARY OF RESULTS July, 2004
  29. ^ The Defeat of Street Smarts, Social Control in Scientology, Bob Penny.
  30. ^ "Radioactivity in the Body". A Monograph Study of the Health Effects of Radiation and Information Concerning Radioactive Releases from the Hanford Site: 1944-1972. Retrieved 2006-06-21.
  31. ^ Dougherty, Geoff (1999-03-28). "Store selling Scientology vitamin regimen raises concerns". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved 2007-10-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

In the media

External links

Scientology sites

Critical sites

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