The Purification Rundown , also known as the Purif or the Hubbard Method , is a controversial detoxification program developed by Scientology's founder L. Ron Hubbard and used by the Church of Scientology as an introductory service. Scientologists consider it the only effective way to deal with the long-term effects of drug abuse or toxic exposure. It forms the basis for drug rehabilitation and detoxification programs operated by church-affiliated groups such as Narconon, Criminon, Second Chance, and the International Academy of Detoxification Specialists. The program combines exercise, dietary supplements and long stays in a sauna (up to five hours a day for five weeks). It is promoted variously as religious or secular, medical or purely spiritual, depending on context.
Although supported by numerous testimonials, the rundown has been criticized by many doctors for being unproven and potentially dangerous. Scientology's own literature reports dehydration, electrolyte disturbances including hyponatremia (low sodium level) and hypokalemia (low potassium level), and heat-related illnesses as being frequent side-effects of the program. The program uses large doses of vitamin B3 (Niacin) and hot saunas, both beyond what is considered a safe level. Participants are encouraged to take the side-effects as evidence that toxins are being flushed out. The combination of pills and high temperature has been described as potentially fatal. Some families have sued the Church of Scientology claiming that the Purif was responsible for the death of a relative.
Background
Hubbard put forward his ideas about niacin in a book called All About Radiation . He claimed to have discovered that large doses of vitamins could both alleviate and prevent radiation sickness. He marketed this anti-radiation mixture in the form of a tablet, calling it "Dianazene". 21,000 such tablets were seized and destroyed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1958.
The 1979 predecessor of the Purification Rundown was known as the 'Sweat Program' and was similarly designed to remove traces of LSD which, according to Hubbard, remained for long periods in the body. The participant had a restricted diet, including large doses of vitamins and a teaspoon of salt, and spent at least an hour a day jogging in a rubberised suit. For some, this regimen lasted for months.
The Purification Rundown was developed for use in Narconon, and was published in Hubbard's Technical Bulletins of Dianetics and Scientology as well as the book Clear Body, Clear Mind . Two other books describe the procedure, Purification: An Illustrated Answer To Drugs and Narconon New Life Detoxification Program: the effective purification program by L. Ron Hubbard. The term "Purification Rundown" is a trademark of the Religious Technology Center (the governing body of the Church of Scientology), though an RTC spokesman has denied any licensing arrangement with Narconon.
Process
The program usually takes several weeks. As well as spending time in saunas, people are required to do light exercise including calisthenics, treadmills, and other similar activities.
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, 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. Clear Body, Clear Mind recommends that participants maintain their normal diet throughout the procedure, supplemented with fresh vegetables.
The Purification Rundown requires its participants to ingest the following at regular intervals:
- A multi-vitamin cocktail, the main ingredient of which is Niacin. Clear Body, Clear Mind recommends initial doses of 100 mg, increasing to 5,000 mg over the course of the program. This contrasts with the medically recommended level of about 15 mg: larger doses can have severe, even potentially fatal side effects. The participant is told to expect toxic symptoms due to the release of poisons or radiation from their body fat. Thus the effects of Niacin overdose, which include skin irritation, flushing, dizziness and headache, are interpreted as a positive effect of the rundown.
- Mineral supplements, including calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese, copper, iodine and potassium.
- Up to half a cupful of pure oils per day, to replace the oils that are sweated out in the sauna.
- "CalMag", a drink which Clear Body, Clear Mind describes as a solution of calcium gluconate, magnesium carbonate and vinegar in water, in such proportions that the mix has twice as much elemental calcium as magnesium. This is taken up to three times per day.
- Enough liquids to replace the fluids lost in the sauna.
Hubbard specified that each participant must complete a daily report form, listing the amounts of vitamins, minerals, Cal-Mag and other fluids taken, which is reviewed to make sure they are complying with every aspect of the program.
The cost of the Purification Rundown was reported as about US$2,000 in 1990 $1,790 "with discounts" in 1996 (though another 1996 source claims around $4,000 for a four-week programme), $1,200 in 1998 and $5,200 in 2009.
The book Clear Body, Clear Mind contains a disclaimer which states that the Purification Rundown is not a medical treatment. A similar disclaimer appears in the Hubbard Communication Office Bulletins noting that the treatment is not a medical process but a purely spiritual activity. Hubbard recommends that the participant should sign a waiver noting that Purification is not medical treatment.
Promotion
The Purification Rundown is promoted as having physical and mental benefits such as lowering cholesterol, relieving pain, and improving memory. Scientology's promotional materials claim it can boost IQ by up to 15 points. Scientologists are strongly encouraged to take part in the program as a necessary step in their spiritual progress. Scientology promotes the 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. Conditions that are said by Scientologists to respond to Purification include cancer, AIDS, heart problems, kidney failure, liver disease and obesity.
In a January 1980 announcement, Hubbard told his followers that a nuclear war was imminent and that the Rundown would enable them to deal with heavy fallout. He warned that only those who completed the Purification Rundown would survive.
The Church of Scientology unsuccessfully tried to have the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Hubbard for his invention of the Purification Rundown.
In California, two organizations have been set up by Scientologists to try to give scientific legitimacy to the program. These were Foundation for Advancements in Science and Education and the HealthMed Clinic. The Executive Director of the Church of Scientology was involved in creating the Foundation and later described it as a "front group". The Foundation funded research and published articles by Scientologists hailing the effectiveness of Hubbard's procedures. HealthMed, an ostensibly independent organization, used this material to promote the Rundown to public agencies all over the state. Both bodies were strongly criticized by a group of physicians from the California Department of Health Services.
The Purif, as delivered by HealthMed, is heavily promoted in the book Diet for a Poisoned Planet by journalist David Steinman, who denies any connection with the Church of Scientology. The book was the subject of a paper from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration which accused Steinman of distorting facts. C. Everett Koop, the former Surgeon General of the United States, also criticized the book, recommending that the public stay away from Hubbard's "detoxification" procedure.
Reception
Theoretical basis
The theory behind the Purification Rundown 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. The notion that toxins from fatty tissue can be sweated out is categorically denied by toxicology experts. Evidence offered for the rundown has not demonstrated that detoxification is actually taking place.
A 1995 review at a medical conference described the mega-doses of niacin as inappropriate, especially since they cause the release of histamine, which is counter-productive when dealing with chemical sensitivity. Psychologist Herman Staudenmayer describes the Purif as part of a trend for diagnosing and treating a "Multiple Chemical Sensitivity" disorder which does not correspond to any known disease and is likely to be psychophysiological. He adds, "The position statements of medical societies are unambiguous about the lack of scientific evidence for these practices."
A group including five doctors and nine health education experts reviewed Narconon and its materials on behalf of the California Department of Education. The report, published January 2005, described the key assumptions
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