Chapter 3
“Nutritionals” Used
On The Road Back Program
In 1999,
we were assisting
individuals off their medication without using nutritional
supplements by having people gradually reduce the dosage. We
came up with a slow tapering process, wherein the drug was
only tapered further when a person felt they could handle
the withdrawal side effects caused by the previous taper of
the medication. Roughly 50% of the people could taper off
their medication using a gradual taper, but the 50% that
successfully got off of their medication still suffered
extreme withdrawal side effects. The F.D.A. and the drug
companies now recommend what we were doing in 1999, with a
gradual reduction.
However,
we were not satisfied with a 50% success rate or with the
suffering that still took place during the taper process for
the lucky half that could get off their medication. We began
experimenting with a
few nutritional supplements in 2001 to see if they
would help with the side effects, and the success rate
increased enough for further investigation.
In 2004 I
started a DNA testing company and we conducted hundreds of
DNA test on individuals who were either currently taking
medication, off their medication already or had never used a
psychoactive
medication.
We looked
at how our individual DNA altered the metabolism of drugs as
well as how we were able to metabolize food groups and
specific nutrients. This information made it very clear why
some people experienced adverse reactions to their drug
immediately and why some were able to take the drug for an
extended period of time before having a negative reaction.
However, the DNA Drug Reaction Test did not give evidence or
become useful with how to get a person off a drug. The DNA
testing of food groups and nutrients did show promise. With
this information, we began to create nutritional
formulations in the hope it would help eliminate withdrawal
side effects or at the least reduce them to a livable
amount.
Although
the steps above were complicated to a degree,
the real work was to create formulations of
supplements that would not interact with drugs and would
reduce or eliminate side effects associated with tapering
off psychoactive medication. At the time, this was
unchartered territory in the scientific community, but with
our research and success we now see our discoveries and
breakthroughs used by many physicians and drug
detoxification programs throughout the world.
The
nutritional supplements used with
The Road Back
Program have changed over the past decade as new
discoveries have become known. The spring of 2013, has
brought the next generation of research to application. Over
the past decade, I have spent thousands of hours researching
the correct and most basic nutrient system for this program.
This edition of the book makes the program even more
effective, easier to follow and dramatically reduces the
time it takes to get off psychoactive medications. Our goal
is and always will be to get a person feeling better faster
and allow an individual to safely reduce their medication in
less time.
The
breakthrough this spring 2013, deals with the time release
medications, benzodiazepines and antipsychotic medications.
Most new antidepressants are only available as a time
release and antipsychotic medications are quickly following
suit. The time release drug could not be reduced slow enough
to reduce the risk of withdrawal side effects. Often, the
individual would need to go back up on the dosage and would
never attempt to taper the drug again, even with
encouragement from the prescribing physician to reduce the
medication.
When the body’s chemistry or systems are altered, the body
will fight back to balance out the attack. Bringing back
that balance is critical if a person is taking a
psychoactive medication or if they are suffering from the
feeling of anxiety, stress or depression without ever having
taken a psychoactive drug.
This
program is based on clinical studies conducted by major
universities and scientific bodies kept in high regard by
the medical community. Here are a few of the results of
clinical studies used while developing this program.
Antidepressants cause insulin resistance, and if you are
predisposed to diabetes and take an antidepressant, you have
a four-fold increased chance of becoming a diabetic.
Prolonged use of benzodiazepines depletes the body of the B
vitamin biotin and can cause problems with receptors used by
a benzodiazepine. These two examples give an indication of
how one might treat medication side effects and why a few
supplements are part of this program.
In other
words, if you have taken a benzodiazepine for an extended
period of time and have depression and/or tingling or
numbness of the extremities,
you are probably
deficient in biotin. Thus, adding biotin to your daily
routine will usually handle the symptom if the biotin
deficiency is, in fact, the
cause.
The list
of symptoms associated with insulin resistance is quite
long. Diabetes and obesity are two of several conditions
resulting from insulin resistance, but there are other
symptoms a person will begin experiencing before
the onset of such conditions. Antidepressants cause
these body conditions and consequently create physical
symptoms that can be confused with actual drug withdrawal
symptoms, making the withdrawal from any drug more
confusing
for the individual and their
physician.
How the Program Works
Your body
naturally triggers a self-protective inflammatory process
when a psychoactive medication is started. This natural
function also responds to normal activities, such as
exercise, fighting off toxins, allergies, illness, incorrect
foods, weight gain, medications, you name it.
For
example, let’s take a sore throat or an infected cut. The
area becomes red and inflamed as the body rushes microscopic
“fire fighters” to the area to contain and put out the fire
and start the healing process.
However,
if your body gets overloaded and can no longer control the
inflammation or lacks enough “fire fighters” to douse the
flames, then an internal switch flips, and your systems will
start going awry, ultimately resulting in an overall
imbalance. At this point, but probably earlier in the
process, a gene called JNK that is found in all of our cells
becomes over activated. If you are taking a drug, there is
no doubt the JNK gene is now over activated. This over
activation of the JNK gene is the underlying cause of side
effects and bodily and mental symptoms associated with all
psychoactive drugs.
If you
have a physical condition, including menopause, weight gain,
diabetes or so many others, and then throw psychoactive
medications on top, you can be adding fuel to an already
burning fire. In essence, you flip the switch that overloads
your body so it can no longer function as
intended.
However,
and a big however, using supplements (specifically
antioxidants) incorrectly, in the wrong amount, combinations
or time of day can cause more harm than help.
Reducing
the over activation of the JNK gene and cleaning up the
cause/effect phenomena is what gives you relief from the
drug side effects, allowing the body to heal itself.
The body
will produce and release substances called cytokines when
the immune system is activated. When the JNK gene becomes
over activated, the immune system will begin to have
difficulty handling the body and a protein called
Interleukin-2 will either plummet or shoot sky high. High
Interleukin-2 levels will create a mania in an individual. A
chronic high Interleukin-2 will also cause a different
substance called Interleukin-6 to become high, and a high
level of Interleukin-6 is associated with depression. It is
now known, high Interleukin-6 precedes depressions. Here you
have the bipolar individual who cycles between mania and
depression.
Depending
on your body and what you were exposed to, these cytokines
may have been overly active before you started taking
medication, or they may have become inhibited once the
medication was started. We all react differently when
medication is taken. One thing is common with all of us—the
need to maintain or get back to
a natural body
balance.
Oxidative stress will be higher in the body of anyone
diagnosed with anxiety, depression, bipolar, schizophrenia,
ADHD and OCD. The brain is most susceptible to oxidative
stress, and a multitude of clinical trials have shown
significantly higher
oxidative stress in
the brain of bipolar and schizophrenic patients.
The supplements called Neuro Day and JNK Formula will help
stop
the
oxidative stress before it even starts or stop the continued
progress if it is already underway.
The area
of nutrition is littered with confusing words and
information so technical it can seem overwhelming. I have
tried to simplify and distill what you need to know so you
can proceed with the program while understanding the basic
premise of how your body works to counteract the imbalances
created by the medication.
If you
wish to read more of the technical information please read
the Science chapter, Chapter
23.
Thousands
of people worldwide have stood where
you now stand-ready to take their lives back and free
themselves from psychoactive medication and the resulting
side effects. While every person is unique and life offers
no guarantees, if you follow this program precisely,
you should begin to feel better soon after you
start.
Supplements Used in the Program
During
the past 18 years, the supplements used with this program
have changed considerably. I have continued to research and
to look for more effective ways of combating withdrawal side
effects. When a more effective way was found to reduce side
effects this program was changed. I have been asked
frequently; why do I keep changing the program if it is
successful? A simple answer really. Why wouldn’t you change
a program if you found a more effective way? It creates
quite a bit more work for me to make these changes,
especially as often as I have over the years, but I’m not
doing this for me. This program is for you and I owe you the
best possible solution I know of.
The names
of the supplements used in The Road Back Program are: JNK
Formula, Neuro Day, Neuro Night and Omega 3 Supreme TG.
To this
book in a manner so I do not need to keep coming back and
editing the ingredients of a supplement and changing names
of a supplement to in the book to match what is currently
suggested for your use, I will be keeping the names of each
supplement the same from here on.
No matter
the medication you are taking, you will use the JNK Formula,
Neuro Day and Neuro Night.
If you
are taking an antidepressant you will include the Omega 3
Supreme TG. It is not a bad idea to include the Omega 3
Supreme TG if you are taking an antipsychotic medication for
general health but the Omega 3 Supreme TG will not really
have any effect on reducing withdrawal side effects for you.
With an
antidepressant the Omega 3 Supreme TG is essential to take.
Negative head symptoms are very common when reducing an
antidepressant. A withdrawal symptom called “brain zaps”
stops most people from ever coming off an antidepressant.
The brain zap is described by most as an electrical jolt
that runs from the base of the neck up and into the lower
base of the skull.
You may
also have dizziness and/or a whirling type of feel when
reducing an antidepressant. The Omega 3 Supreme TG is the
only solution I know of for these symptoms.
I first tested omega 3 for these head symptoms around 2002,
and the relief was immediate for most people.
The
amount of omega 3 people had to take in those days was
rather high. This was due to the type of omega 3 available
in those days and the low concentration of EPA found in most
omega 3.
Over the
next several years I kept refining the type of omega 3 that
worked best and even researched what type of fish would give
the fastest results.
There is no longer a need to take 15 softgels of an omega 3,
two times a day for relief. With the Omega 3 Supreme TG,
usually 2 softgels in the morning and 2 softgels around noon
will keep the head symptoms very slight or nonexistent.
JNK Formula Ingredients
JNK
Formula
– The JNK
Formula has been reformulated several times since 2010. Each
new formula has been more effective than the previous
formula. As new clinical studies are published new formulas
will continue to be created.
The
ingredients in the JNK Formula are subject to change still.
This dynamic supplement has been the building block of this
program since 2010 and I do not see that changing.
In 2010,
when I formulated the first JNK supplement there was enough
science to back my claims for what it should do. As I
rewrite this portion of the book in 2017, the numbers of
clinical studies are now in the thousands. This current
formula may change again but the overall effect of the JNK
Formula will only be enhanced if I do that.
All
medications, drugs, toxins, stress, make the JNK gene become
overly active. This over activity of the JNK gene is where
many of the side effects of medications come from. Opioids
(pain medications) cause the JNK gene to be over activated
each time the dosage of the drug is changed. My guess is;
each time any psychotropic medication is increased or
reduced in the dosage they also cause the JNK gene to become
overly activated as well. Keeping this JNK gene chilled out
is needed for good health as well as reducing withdrawal
side effects.
Over the
past few years new studies have revealed proteins and other
substances that are upstream from the JNK gene are the
ultimate cause of the JNK gene being activated from the
medications. These new findings are why the JNK Formula was
changed. Silencing these proteins before they can affect the
JNK gene helps reduce withdrawal symptoms further.
If you
are taking or have taken an antidepressant, and have gained
weight, there is a chance you may lose weight while taking
the JNK Formula. The JNK gene being overly activated is
directly related to antidepressant induced weight gain.
Reducing the JNK gene activation helps with weight loss but
there can be many other factors causing the weight gain that
need to be addressed as well. Ultimately, reducing the JNK
gene activation will eventually lead to weight loss but it
may take an extended amount of time if that is all that is
being addressed.
Neuro Day
-
The Neuro
Day is formulated to help with daytime anxiety, daytime
stress and to help give you a calm feeling during the
daytime hours. The formula should not make you tired or
drowsy. Taken as directed in this program you would take 2
capsules each day but spread each capsule apart by 4 to 5
hours.
The idea
is to keep you chilled and calm throughout the day so when
it comes time to sleep you are already in a very relaxed
state of mind. With the JNK Formula and Neuro Day being used
during the daytime, do not be surprised if your mental focus
improves as well.
You may
have other negative symptoms happening during the day that
go beyond the feeling of anxiety, stress or hyper type
feelings. This formula has been made to address the vast
amount of potential side effects a psychotropic medication
might cause as well as other underlying conditions.
Watch for
an improvement of mood as well during the daytime as stress
and anxiety are reduced.
The picture above shows the Neuro Day ingredients.
Neuro Night
The Neuro Night is used before bedtime to promote a full and
restful night of sleep. Over the past 17 years, countless
people that have contacted The Road Back have not slept well
for years. Their side effect profile was quite long and
diverse. Once these people were able to get a restful and
full night of sleep for about 1 week the vast majority of
side effects they were experiencing vanished.
Any person that does not sleep well for an extended period
of time will begin to have mood issues be irritable or any
number of negative conditions begin. Get some restful sleep
and these other symptoms simply go away. Not rocket science
as some people like to make this sound. It really is that
easy to get rid of many side effects.
Neuro Night Supplement Facts
Beta 1,
3-D Glucan –
This
supplement is made by Transfer Point and I want to include a
little about it in the book. The human immune system
includes a substance called IL-2. Individuals with low
levels of IL-2 will normally have anxiety and problems with
sleep. This does not mean if you have anxiety and cannot
sleep you have low IL-2 levels. I am just stating if you do
have low IL-2 levels, you likely have anxiety and difficulty
having a deep restful night of sleep. If you use the Neuro
Night and still do not sleep well after one week using it,
try the Beta 1, 3-D Glucan.
If
you
have been taking the JNK Formula, Neuro Day and Neuro Night
for 2 full weeks and you still cannot get a nice deep
restful sleep, adding this Beta 1, 3-D Glucan is advisable.
Tip:
The Beta
1, 3-D Glucan must be taken apart from food or water and not
within a half hour of consuming food or liquid. Only use
enough liquid to get the Beta 1, 3-D Glucan down the throat
and no more than that. The Beta 1, 3-D Glucan needs to
absorb, and taking it in any other fashion will not allow
assimilation.
The time of day or evening you take these supplements can
make all the difference in the world. I will give you some
tips in the rest of this chapter.
Before I begin though let’s address the medication you are
taking and how and when it fits into this program.
DO NOT CHANGE THE TIME OF DAY OR EVENING YOU ARE TAKING THE
MEDICATION WHEN DOING THIS PROGRAM. Adjust these supplements
around the medication. There can be an exception to this
rule but it is so rare I have used the DO NOT.
Omega 3 Supreme TG
is taken in the
morning and at noon. Omega 3 fish oil of this type is
excellent to take daily for general health but in the case
of this material we are only referring to helping with
antidepressant head symptoms.
The amount of softgels you would need can go up and down.
Begin the program with 1 softgel in the morning and 1
softgel at noon. If you currently have head symptoms and are
taking an antidepressant you may want to start with 2
softgels in the morning and 2 at noon. If head symptoms
subside after one day of this try reducing back to 1 softgel
in the morning and 1 more at noon. If head symptoms return
then go back up to the 2 in the morning and 2 more at noon
and stay at that amount.
Some people that are in the middle of heavy withdrawal from
an antidepressant when they find this program have required
4 softgels in the morning and 4 additional softgels at noon
and had to remain taking that amount for the duration of the
program to keep the head symptoms diminished.
The main point here is we are all different. Adjust the
omega as needed.
The JNK Formula, Neuro Day and the Neuro Night are used in
this program with any medication type you may be taking.
JNK Formula
You will be taking 1 capsule of the JNK Formula two times
each day. Take the first capsule in the morning. As soon as
you can take it in the morning is ideal.
Many of you take your medication in the morning the first
thing after you awake. Continue taking the medication at
that time. Wait 1 hour after taking the morning medication
and then take the 1 capsule of JNK Formula.
Take the second JNK Formula capsule roughly 4 to 5 hours
later.
You will most likely know when it is time for the second JNK
Formula capsule. You might begin to feel a little letdown
but with you also using the Neuro Day, you most likely will
not have a letdown.
Neuro Day
The best way to start the program is by taking the Neuro Day
a couple hours after the morning JNK Formula. If work or
school prevents you from taking the Neuro Day a few hours
later, then go ahead and take the Neuro Day at the same time
as the JNK Formula.
We are going for a steady and smooth entry of these
nutrients into your body and it is always ideal to space
them out but if your time does not allow that, then take to
JNK Formula and Neuro Day together.
Feel free to adjust the JNK Formula and Neuro Day around to
fit you, how you are responding to each as well as your
schedule.
Neuro Night
Take 1 capsule about 15 minutes before bedtime.
Give this timing approach 3 full nights before adjusting
this supplement.
Some of you may need to take the Neuro Night 30 minutes
before bedtime to give the supplement time to begin working.
The goal here with the Neuro Night is a full night of sleep.
If you awake in the middle of the night, you can easily go
back to sleep.
Rating your sleep on a 1-10 scale can be quite valuable with
this. If you are seeing an improvement, do not change
anything you are doing during the daytime supplement portion
of this program or with the Neuro Night. Just give this more
time and keep a graph going that shows your rating on a
1-10.
I am going for a perfect sleep but let’s face it, if you
have constantly tossed and turned all night, wake up and
can’t get back to sleep and those sleep disturbances go
away; you have had a massive improvement. That just might be
the time to be happy with the improvement and stay the
course throughout the rest of this program.
Combination of the JNK Formula, Neuro Day and Neuro Night
These 3 supplements have been formulated to work together.
For the best results with this program you will be taking
all 3 of these supplements spread out during the day and the
Neuro Night at bedtime. Again, we are going for a nice
balance, reduced anxiety, relief from the feeling of stress,
a sound sleep and the other medication side effects you may
be experiencing reduced or completely eliminated.
The supplements are available at:
www.neurogeneticsolutions.com
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