Neurotoxin Removal and Detox | Alternative to Meds Center

Alternative to Meds Editorial Team
Written by Lyle Murphy
Medically Reviewed by Dr Samuel Lee MD

When someone reaches out to us for help, one of the first key protocols is neurotoxin removal and detox. Caregivers routinely overlook toxic exposure and accumulations before a person is put on psychiatric medications or when they self-medicate with recreational drugs. Yet it has been well-documented as far back as the 1850s that neurotoxicity leads to psychiatric symptoms.¹

Prescribing psychiatric meds is the extent of medical treatment that prescribers are trained to provide. Rarely will a physician investigate whether a less toxic alternative is appropriate. Yet we are finding more and more that people have accumulated toxins—neurotoxins—from their environment, as well as from the drugs they were prescribed or medicated themselves with, and those toxins are interfering with the chemical processes necessary for mental health.

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Neurotoxins: Where Do They Come From?

Some of these toxins are heavy metals and include mercury, arsenic, lead, aluminum, cadmium, and other toxic metals.^2,4 Most toxins are organic. We have been born into a toxic world, and in fact, very little of our world is not toxic. Our air, the food we have most available to us, additives to that food, pesticides, household cleaners, flame retardants in our beds, furniture, clothes, our hygiene products, parasites, bacteria, and molds, all have a toxic chemical burden that the body has to deal with. Those with poor detoxification genetics are impacted first, brain chemistry being the most sensitive to chemical toxicity. Children, in particular, are at great risk of being medicated instead of being checked for toxic exposures.³

Toxic load interferes with the way neurotransmitters are synthesized. Neurotransmitters are our chemical expressions of emotion and other facets of life. Disrupting the internal chemistry causes a wide array of mental health issues. These can include depression, psychosis, anxiety, addictive behaviors, and chronic pain. Each toxin leaves a signature problem in place and needs to be treated in a specific way. We facilitate chemical and heavy metal toxin removal based upon toxicity testing and treatment via customized chelation and targeted neurotoxin detox protocols. Chelation agents are proteins that can bind heavy metals, and using safe methods of elimination these can be purged from the body to the great relief of the client.

Toxic Load Interferes with the Way Neurotransmitters are Synthesized

This program was designed for persons who have accumulated toxins and to specifically remove those toxins. It was taken into consideration that many persons participating in this program will be on medications for the symptoms they have been having. In most cases, the need for the medications will be reduced as a person progresses.

Neurotoxic burden creates the symptoms that people then get medicated to treat.

Before the program begins, the participant visits our medical professionals to have the following …

Health Exam

The participant will be given a physical to determine health and appropriate level of participation.

Lab Tests

The participant will have labs drawn. The labs include a CBC with Differential, Comprehensive Metabolic, a Urine Toxic Elements profile, and a Urine Essential Mineral Test. Persons with low minerals will not release heavy metal toxins, and most persons who have accumulated heavy metals are low in minerals. Mineralizing a person will facilitate toxin removal and a large part of this program is mineralization. The test we are performing is a “challenged” test, which means we are provoking more toxins and more minerals to come out of you than if it were not challenged. We expect your mineral levels to be fully at the right-hand side in the red, well above the reference range. If the minerals are not in the red area, you are relatively deficient and need more minerals.

During the program: the program lasts approximately two hours and will involve some, or all of the following …

Exercise

The participant will begin the program with an up to 20-minute cardiovascular workout. At the capillary level, the cellular level, where much of this detoxing is to occur, an increase in blood pressure is needed to force new blood and oxygenation into these areas as well as to force out the toxins. It is estimated that at a minimum, 12 minutes of doubled heart rate is necessary to process the toxins of a NORMAL day metabolism. With the added burden of removing a lifetime of accumulated toxins, the minimum cardiovascular and doubling of the heart rate time is 20 minutes. This may of course need to be adjusted based upon the relative health of the participant.

Water

This process will liberate stored toxins, and water consumption is important to flush the toxins out of the system. Without proper water intake, the toxins will sit in the system where they can do damage, particularly to the glomerulus capillary network areas of the kidney which are the urinary filtration areas.

Toxins liberated from fat storage areas and made water-soluble must have increased fluid intake to push them out of the body with the sweating.

The Kangen unit makes the water more alkaline. We also use the Nikken water filtration system that not only filters the water but mineralizes and ionizes it as well. The minimum requirement is 64 ounces for even the smallest adult.

Since many of the detoxification substances provided in the program are increasing the rate at which toxins leave the body, sauna therapy can help use the skin as an organ of detoxification, thereby unburdening the liver and kidneys from having to perform all of the work to clear these toxins. We have two saunas at the treatment center that are used daily. The sauna time is up to two hours with breaks about every 20-30 minutes.

Religious adherence to the sauna program will greatly impact your success and you are encouraged to participate fully. Five days a week, with a total duration of 20-40 actual days is standard. If it cannot be tolerated for physical reasons, there are other methods that can achieve the same effect and will be discussed further on.

Sauna therapy includes taking a combination of the following:

Chelators are proteins to remove heavy metals.
Conjugators which are various nutrients convert fat-soluble toxins to water-soluble so they can be sweated out or excreted through natural elimination channels.
Remineralization. Most persons who are heavy metal toxic are also found to be mineral deficient, specifically trace minerals. Persons who are low on minerals will not be able to push out heavy metal toxins, therefore mineralization is highly necessary.

Adjunctive Therapies

These therapies aid in an overall detox and wellness program and include ionic footbaths, massage, acupuncture, nebulized glutathione, exercise, colon hydrotherapy, and other treatments.

Nebulized Glutathione

Glutathione has been called the master antioxidant. It is an intracellular antioxidant essential for maximum antioxidant activity from all other antioxidants, including vitamin C, vitamin E, and CoQ10. It removes toxins from cells and protects against radiation. Glutathione must be delivered directly to the bloodstream. We nebulize (vaporize) the glutathione so as to get it directly into the bloodstream without having to use IVs, thereby eliminating the need to use needles.

Colon Hydrotherapy

When toxins are being pulled from the system, they often deposit themselves in the colon. These are the same toxins that destroy brain chemistry and that altered brain chemistry then results in cravings and drug addictions. We are using these colon purging techniques to ensure that the toxins are not reabsorbed while hanging around in the gut. Colonics also remove mucous that blocks absorption of vital nutrition. When a person is not getting adequate nutrition, the first thing that is usually sacrificed is neurochemistry, and therefore anxiety, depression, lack of passion, opiate, or other drug use can result as these states are all heavily influenced by neurotransmitters. So even before tissue changes and organ dysfunction, lack of proper nutrients most often results in mood disturbances. Colonics help the person absorb what they need in order to create balance. There have been many documented cases at our center where the gut was the primary cause of mental issues.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is one of the multiple therapies that comprise traditional Chinese medicine. The traditional view maintains that the foundation of proper health is the harmonious balance of vital energy in the body called qi. According to this model, this energy flows through the body along 14 main pathways, called meridians. If the flow along the meridians is obstructed, the result may be disease or injury.

Massage

Massage therapy is not just a session for relaxation; it can also aid your body in detoxifying. Detoxification massage helps your body get rid of circulating toxins, and can greatly support any cleansing program you are in. The key behind detoxification massage is movement. Some people also attest that massage therapy can help them in keeping their mental status at a normal level. If your muscles are relaxed, then your body is likely to detoxify much better. Massage normalizes oxygen levels and improves the function of your colon drainage and other organs involved in the detoxification process.

Ionic Footbaths

The largest sweat glands are the pores in the feet. Most toxins are positively charged (cations), and the negatively charged water will pull these toxins out, and it is the safest of all techniques and is useful for even the most fragile of participants.

Removal Process

To remove these toxins, specific techniques need to be employed. Heavy metal toxins and many environmental toxins are neurotoxic and lipophilic. Neurotoxic means that they have a high affinity for and are destructive to nerve tissue. Lipophilic means love of fat, and therefore aggregates in fatty tissue such as endocrine glands, brain tissue, and adipose tissue. These toxins are termed fat-soluble. In order to remove them, they must be addressed in specific ways:

Chelation

Chelation means “claw-like.” This, put simply, is a protein that has a higher affinity for the heavy metal than does the fatty tissue, and as a molecule, will grab the toxin like a claw. A protein chelate, such as DMPS, binds the heavy metal toxin and allows it to be escorted out of the body via the elimination pathways.

Chelators are specific for metals only, and other methods must be employed in conjunction to address organic toxins.

Conjugation

Conjugation means “with joining.” For non-metal organic toxins, this is the method of elimination. In order for these fat-soluble toxins to be eliminated via sweat and natural elimination routes, they must be converted to a water-soluble form. This is done by adding something to the toxin such as a sulfur group, methyl group, acetyl group, and others. This adding is chemically termed “conjoining.” The specific elements in our detoxification process take full advantage of this process so that the toxins can be liberated from the fatty tissue, and safely eliminated.

Specific Elements of the Neurotoxin Removal Process

Rice Bran Fiber

This is monumentally important. Most toxins are fat-soluble and therefore highly attracted to fat. The sauna, heating, exercise, and other things we are giving you are breaking down this fat, and therefore helpfully releasing these toxins so they can be removed from your body. However, the body will reuptake any fat trying to leave the body, which is what makes fat loss so difficult. The energy-producing parts of a cell, called the mitochondria, will recycle fats leaving the body AND the fat-soluble toxins! They cannot tell the difference between fats and a fat-soluble toxin! Rice bran fiber is an undigestable fat. It will act as a sinking point for fat and fat-soluble toxins so they can leave the body.

Chelators

DMSA:
This is a chelating protein that will bind most metals and is particularly effective at binding mercury. It will cross the gut lining as well as fatty tissues, and will therefore pull mercury from individual cells as well. DMSA is specific for metals and is not known to clear organic toxins.
NAC ( N-Acetyl-Cysteine ):
NAC can be produced in humans from the amino acid cysteine. NAC is a chelator of heavy metals. In other words, NAC binds to toxic heavy metals such as mercury and lead and removes them from the body.
CaEDTA:
CaEDTA is used as a chelating agent in the treatment of lead poisoning. CaEDTA also binds cadmium, barium, and uranium. It also chelates zinc, and its use requires re-supplementation with zinc several hours after administration.
Glycine
Supports the activity of EDTA. Glycine is also the main inhibitory neurotransmitter of the brain stem and spinal cord.
Malic Acid
Malic acid is helpful in protecting against the toxic effects of aluminum. Malic acid is one of the most potent chelators of aluminum and was the most effective of several chelators tested at reducing aluminum levels in the brain. Also, it is useful in treating chronic fatigue as it improves energy metabolism by freeing up the phosphates to be used in ATP production.
BioPure Cilantro Tincture
“This kitchen herb is capable of mobilizing lead, aluminum, nickel, mercury, and cadmium is the central nervous system and in the bones.” ~Dietrich Klinghardt Eliminating Neurotoxins Townsend Letter Oct 2009

Conjugators

Freeze Dried Garlic
Garlic protects white and red blood cells from the oxidative damage caused by metals traveling in the blood. Garlic also contains numerous Sulfur compounds that will oxidize Mercury, Cadmium, and Lead making them water-soluble. Garlic also contains bioactive Selenium, which is the most important mineral for protection against Mercury Toxicity. Garlic also contains allicin which is nature’s most powerful anti-microbial.
Vitamin C: Primary Water-Soluble Antioxidant
Vitamin C is the most important water-soluble antioxidant nutrient and is involved in a wide variety of biochemical reactions throughout the body. Because of its molecular structure, vitamin C is able to neutralize free radicals. The body uses vitamin C during detoxification and anti-inflammatory processes. It should be given “to tolerance” which is the point just below diarrhea.
Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA)
ALA is a potent antioxidant, increasing the effectiveness of Vitamin C and E. ALA supplementation also stimulates glutathione synthesis, which is a major facet of detoxification- (see nebulized glutathione).
Sam-E
S-Adenosyl methionine is a common co-substrate converting a reactive toxin into a harmless water-soluble substance that the body can then easily eliminate. Sam-E is restricted from persons suffering from anxiety or psychosis. Since it can donate a methyl group (CH3) to dopamine to create norepinephrine and adrenaline, it can result in over-stimulation in these individuals. The picture is a three-dimensional picture of Methyl Transfer performed by Sam-E
Methylfolate and Methyl B12
These forms of B12 and folate are the most absorbable forms of each, as some persons lack intrinsic factors to use the other forms. Folate and B12 drive the main gears of detoxification, and without them, detoxification is seriously impaired. The B12 is offered by injection as well.
Niacin
Niacin does essential functions, particularly in the area of energy metabolism. It also causes dilation of the blood vessels at the capillary level so that nutrients can be delivered to the tissue, and toxins can be removed.

Salts and Oils

Salt and Potassium
Salts are given so as to replace salts lost during sweating. They are given in a 1 salt to 2 potassium ration so as to preserve the electrolyte balance.
Cell Salts
Cell salts are also called Bioplasma. They are made up of the following groups of salts.
- Calcium groups
- Sodium groups
- Potassium groups
- Magnesium groups
- Silica groups
- Iron groups
- Silica groups
Cod Liver Oil
One of the single most important ingredients for mental health as it is what makes nerve tissue and brain cells. This product also contains Vitamin A…which is a major anti-inflammatory and allergy fighter. Vegetarian options are available however are considered much less effective.
Lecithin
Lecithin contains phosphatidylcholine. The main function of PC in lecithin granules is to break down fat deposits in the body and allows cell membranes to remain supple, and permeable so that they can transport nutrients in, and waste out.
Evening Primrose Oil
A natural, and the richest, source of Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA), an essential fatty acid. Evening primrose oil is highly valuable to those who cannot otherwise form enough GLA. This would include those who do not get enough essential fatty acids in their diet, drink or have drunk excessive amounts of alcohol, have low thyroid function, or have received radiation treatment, or who have been on certain psychiatric medications.

Remineralization

As chelators such as EDTA and DMPS can remove good minerals, the good minerals need to be replaced, and the remineralization needs to occur after the active period for the chelators. Adding minerals at the same time as the chelating agents would dilute the effectiveness of the chelators, hence, they are given 2 hours after the primary chelators

Selenomethionine
Good minerals will compete with toxic ones, and the good minerals can replace toxic ones at the sites where there are bound within the neurology. Selenium is one of the good minerals, and the most important mineral to protect against Mercury toxicity. ^1,5
Zinc
Zinc is lost when a person is metal toxic, and when the body is under any form of stress, especially infections. Infections are common with toxicity. Zinc is also pulled out by the EDTA, and need to be replaced.
Thorne Basic Detox Nutrients
Basic Detox Nutrients is designed for individuals with environmental toxicity. It can be used within a cleansing program or as a stand-alone product for preventive use. Basic Detox Nutrients is a complete multivitamin-mineral formulation with higher levels of nutrients commonly found to be deficient in those with chemical overload, as well as those nutrients and botanicals that help the body handle the toxic load.
Thorne Trace minerals
Thorne Trace minerals are cofactors for most enzymes in the body and are essential for proper hormone and neurotransmitter function. Many dietary trace minerals are found in fruits and vegetables; however, mineral depletion of the soil has rendered much of what we buy deficient in these essential nutrients. Trace minerals combine citrate-bound minerals in a well-balanced trace mineral formula. Citrate-bound trace minerals are well absorbed and utilized by the body.
Calm Powder
Calm is powdered Magnesium. Magnesium is used in hundreds of biochemical processes and also exerts a calming effect on neurology.

Detoxification

Detoxification is a process of neutralizing toxins in our system particularly in the lymph nodes and liver and then eliminating them through our lungs, colon, skin, and kidneys. This process is as vital to our system as is our nutrient intake. The body engages in both processes as consistently as our heartbeat or breathing. Without these work-horse systems in play, the toxins would then embed themselves in our tissues and trigger a host of degenerative diseases and inflammatory conditions. Such could include mental symptomatology like anxiety and psychosis. When overloaded and if the body cannot neutralize and eliminate a toxin, it will sequester it away in fatty tissues including glandular, nerve, and brain tissue. In an effort to protect us from dangerous poisons; the body can accumulate mucous and fat, into which it deposits these harmful toxins. It’s very much like an internal land-fill that needs to be addressed.

The scale of toxins we are currently exposed to put an unreasonable demand on our detoxification physiology. Industrial chemicals and the water treatment process pollutes the water we bathe in and often drink. Pesticides designed to poison insects are accumulating in our bodies, the concentration of mercury permeates the food chain along with other heavy metals, your household cleaners, solvents, the declination of our air quality, your hygiene products, and our environmental hormones all put an undue burden on our system, inevitably resulting in the breakdown of our natural body systems. Energy metabolism, neurotransmitter synthesis, addictive biochemistry, the disruption of normal hormonal production, interference of DNA and tissue repair, and other delicate biochemical systems are additionally adversely affected.

The World Health Organization research has implicated environmental chemicals in 60-80% of all cancers today. We have seen this toxic load as correlatively and directly responsible for mental issues including psychosis, anxiety, hormonal disruption, addictive disorders, and underlying allergic and chemical sensitivities.

Signs of toxicity

Psychiatric symptoms*
Frequent unexplained headaches
Chronic respiratory problems, sinus problems, or asthma
Abnormal body odor, bad breath, or coated tongue
Environmental sensitivities, sensitivity to odors
Food allergies, poor digestion, constipation, intestinal bloating, and gas
Unusually poor memory, chronic insomnia, depression, chronic fatigue
Brittle hair and nails, psoriasis, adult acne, unexplained weight gain

*Dr. James S. Brown is an expert on toxic exposures leading to psychiatric symptoms.

Additional signs of Heavy Metal and Pollution Toxicity

Sensitivity to perfumes and cleaning product
Low tolerance to alcohol
Sensitivity to medications
Sensitivity to certain supplements
Usually bad breath and body odor
Slow reaction time for your age
Infertility, Impotency
Memory failure, psychotic behavior, unexplained seizures

Find Out More About Neurotoxin Removal at Alternative to Meds Center

We have specialized in tapering and withdrawal treatment, helping thousands of people successfully over more than 15 years. Neurotoxin removal and detox, done properly, is key to helping people find their way back to health.

1. Brown RS, “Introduction: An Update on Psychiatric Effects of Toxic Exposures.” Psychiatric Times Volume 30, Issue 9 [Internet] 2016 Sep 30 [cited 2020 Oct 20]
2. Nigg JT, “Understanding the Link Between lead Toxicity and ADHD.” Psychiatric Times Volume 33, Issue 9 [Internet] Sept 30, 2016 [cited 2020 Oct 20]
3. Kim S, et al., “Lead, mercury and cadmium exposure and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children.” Environ Res [Internet] 2013, PubMed ID 24034783 [cited 2020 Oct 20]
4. Chen A, Kim SS, Chung E, Dietrich KN, “Thyroid hormones in relation to lead, mercury, and cadmium exposure in the National Health and Nutrition Survey, 2007-2008.” Environ Health Perspect 2013 Feb [Internet] PubMed ID 23164649 [cited 2020 Oct 20]
5. Bernhoft RA, “Mercury toxicity and treatment: a review of the literature.” Environ Public Health [Internet] PubMed ID 22235210 [cited 2020 Oct 20]

This content has been reviewed and approved by a licensed physician.

Dr. Samuel Lee

Dr. Samuel Lee is a board-certified psychiatrist, specializing in a spiritually-based mental health discipline and integrative approaches. He graduated with an MD at Loma Linda University School of Medicine and did a residency in psychiatry at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. He has also been an inpatient adult psychiatrist at Kaweah Delta Mental Health Hospital and the primary attending geriatric psychiatrist at the Auerbach Inpatient Psychiatric Jewish Home Hospital. In addition, he served as the general adult outpatient psychiatrist at Kaiser Permanente. He is board-certified in psychiatry and neurology and has a B.A. Magna Cum Laude in Religion from Pacific Union College. His specialty is in natural healing techniques that promote the body’s innate ability to heal itself.

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Medical Disclaimer:
Nothing on this Website is intended to be taken as medical advice. The information provided on the website is intended to encourage, not replace, direct patient-health professional relationships. Always consult with your doctor before altering your medications. Adding nutritional supplements may alter the effect of medication. Any medication changes should be done only after proper evaluation and under medical supervision.