Saturday, June 26, 2010

Why Pills Produce Cancer


Today I want to discuss the importance of theory not in an abstract way but in terms of what can help us humans.

There is an article in the New York Times today about a study of those with high blood pressure who took medicine for lowering it. Later, it seems there was a slight increase in the appearance of cancer. Why should that be? “Lowering” means ultimately repression. Basically, pushing down the symptom, keeping it on hold and putting pressure so it won’t rise again. In my view there is most often an imprinted force pushing blood pressure high to compensate for the unwanted intruder—an imprinted traumatic memory. So the blood pressure is high, let us say, because of a mother who was totally depressed while carrying, and had to be given heavy anesthesia during the birth process. The newborn suffers. The result may be a tendency toward a rise in blood pressure in the offspring. Let us not be simplistic. The pain goes to the areas of vulnerability. Perhaps there is an inherited tendency. But the high blood pressure will be permanent so long as the imprint remains engraved in the system and is not resolved. So the system is reacting normally due to an abnormal intrusion. The disease is not high blood pressure but what caused it to rise. Of course the blood pressure is pathologic and must be addressed. But we are attacking a normal response to an abnormal input.

Now for the theory. I have written many times over about how each of us will die. Some cancer, some strokes and heart disease. We have found that those with massive repression beginning in the womb and extending into infancy and childhood are more prone to cancer; the hypothesis here is repression without any outlets. It can lead to epilepsy and/or cancer. Those are by and large the withdrawn, introspective, depressive types whom I call parasympaths, those controlled by the parasympathetic nervous system. (see my Primal Healing). Others are the anxiety types, those whose carrying mother may have been highly anxious and tense. These are the externally driven types, the on-the-go individuals. It is when these individuals are forced to stop being on the go, running here and there, that they run the risk of a stroke or heart attack. If they fall ill and cannot act out they are in danger of a heart attack. The engine is racing but it has no place to go.

Cleary, in my scheme, anything that increases repression thereby increases the possibility of cancer. So sleeping pills, tranquilizers and blood pressure medication to lower the reactions to the imprint can induce cancer. Is that not obvious? Those who push down pain enhance repression. And that puts the system under great pressure. So all the efforts to change the symptoms come with a price. It is the symptom that is normal; it occurs for a specific reason; however, the reason is rather recondite and therefore not obvious. The underlying imprint forces the system to deviate; that is, to react abnormally, at least in the eyes of the treating doctor. And when the doctor focuses on the behavior or symptom he is treating the ostensible problem but not the real one. And that is why his treatment will ultimately fail. And if the doctor is predominantly left-brain the treatment is almost guaranteed to fail. For she, the professional, cannot see beyond what the patient says, cannot see the underlying feeling because she cannot see her own. She is forced to skim, both in her life and in her practice of therapy. And unfortunately, skimming won’t fix anything, which is fine for an actor but not scientists.

Primal Therapy addresses feelings, that is why a person who does not openly suffer, who has no access to feelings rarely chooses to come to us. She wants to go on skimming, going through the motions of cure without its content., She secretly wants to remain neurotic. In our patients there is usually too much access to feelings; there is active suffering. It is why we may be called the therapy of last resort.

I don’t think many of us would suffer high blood pressure if not for experience beginning in the womb. Of course I am not excluding genetics, at all. But I don’t’ think genetics accounts for the almost universal appearance of high blood pressure. Our research on high blood pressure in our patients resulted in an overall 24 point decrease in diastolic readings. And the appearance of cancer in our patients after a year of therapy is very low.

Let us not forget that repression is highest the earlier a trauma exists because the trauma is life-threatening, so womb events and birth trauma account for massive pain and therefore heavy repression. That is why I think first-line traumas that exist from womb life and infancy lead to life-threatening illness. That is, life threatening imprints result in life threatening illness later on.

So how do we know that the high blood pressure is normal given the trauma? Because when we address and resolve the trauma the blood pressure changes radically……it goes to real normal.
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6 comments:

  1. Jack WaddingtonJune 26, 2010 at 4:11 PM

    There is something very timely about this current blog of yours Art. The Health-care profession (Medical and Psychological) is getting deeper and deeper into a quagmire, which, in part, infuriate me. Primal Theory is so, so, so, so simple and even more elegant--yet these professionals seem 'all hell bent' on ignoring it for no better reason IMO than to allow them to go on and on with their futile pursuits--and maximize profit.

    It is, and has been, for many years now, obvious that 'health-care-wise' we have been on the wrong track. BUT how are we going to be able (for those of us that know from our gut feelings) to convince these professionals. I've wracked my brain to find that 'clue', that 'eureka', that 'WOW'. So! here goes, I'll make another bid--by way of an analogy that just might resonate:-

    The Afghan war (similarly the Vietnam war) was premised (ostensibly) on catching or assassinating Osama Bin Laden. This grew into an attempt at nation building, which lead to eliminating terrorist over there before they come over here, which lead to a 'war of necessity' (without defining that necessity), which has now become 'we cannot afford to fail'. All the while leading us down the wrong 'rabbit hole' seeking further and further answers (from the Mock Turtle). This is a tragic never ending dilemma (explained only by neurosis). We are now totally unable to 'back out' of this dilemma 'cos' our EGO is at stake.

    The health-care profession IMO is at a similar cross-road. We've progressed from 'demon spirits within', to 'magic potions', to 'blood letting', to 'cutting out the offending part', to 'pharmacology', to 'micro biology' and now 'DNA and genome manipulation'. We need to get back to basics and ask: "WHY?" do we get these discomforts (diseases) in the first place; then 90% of this other stuff is irrelevant.

    Primal Theory explains WHY so, so, so simply and elegantly.

    ReplyDelete
  2. S. W. AlexanderJune 27, 2010 at 7:54 AM

    Dr. Janov,
    high blood pressure is also due to artificially altered food. We should not overlook these facts.

    In my observation, it is a person who has a false or suppressed connection to their body sensations, who eats rather French fries and doughnuts, and pre-baked goods, pizza, cookies, crackers, and margarines instead of natural and fresh food.
    This kind of altered food has no nutritional benefit, but people stuff it down because it is convenient, prepared and relatively cheap.
    A repressed person doesn’t care what goes in their body, because (subconsciously) they reject their body.

    Especially in the US chemically altered food margarine, instead of butter was promoted by the industries as the non plus ultra, as the solution for people with high blood pressure. Today we know that partially hydrogenated vegetable oil (in almost all prepared and ready to go foods) is now banned in many countries because, even a small reduction in consumption leads to heart disease/high blood pressure.
    For years nobody asked if this artificial altered food is dangerous. Why?
    A person who has no self-awareness (repressed pain) questions nothing – they blindly follow the trend.
    Sieglinde

    ReplyDelete
  3. FrankJune 28, 2010 at 2:23 AM

    Art,
    In thoughts of how we behave towards our children and what evidence you present… it is about time the Primal Institute start a legal process of primal therapy’s eligibility. Art… you have to do something in the form of a legal process. I do not think anyone will give up with less then be proven wrong. To be a king… right or wrong... no one will ever give up with less than bee proven wrong.
    Can we admit that medication witch is suppose to help… is causeing cancer? No I do not think so... there are far to great economic interest for that. We kill others for own gain. We are talking about need of love that we never got… which represents in money and prestige. We are happily living in a time of court and low.

    What would such a process cost in the U.S?

    Frank

    ReplyDelete
  4. PbefJune 29, 2010 at 9:22 PM

    Here is my "bare Essentials Philosophical Take"
    on the causes of all kinds of cancers.

    I explain cancers (do so to my own tolerance principled standards and not completely silliness-based satisfaction) from the following two mutually compatible perspectives.

    Cancers are caused by:
    1. An intrinsic random or, more likely, environmentally forced *loss* of biochemical control of individual cells' relict potential tendency to reproduce.
    2. A primordially (or originally) evolutionarily advantageous (naturally selected) response of single cells when they have ended up in inescapable peril consisting of them being impinged on by any (relevant) kind of irritant.
    BTW, such primordial predicaments can be recreated, and such reproductive responses verified, using single-cell animals in laboratories, today.

    --
    P.S.
    A 'not inEPTly illustrative' description of such Predicaments Or Ordeals of the members of our ancestral populations of amoebic animals is, (IMO) 'irritating cloud type situations'.

    ReplyDelete
  5. S. W. AlexanderJune 30, 2010 at 5:59 PM

    Dr. Janov and all,
    Just in case anyone is interested.
    Here is the latest Mayo-Clinic study conclusion (abstract) to:
    “Sexual Abuse and Lifetime Diagnosis of Psychiatric Disorders: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis”
    http://www.mayoclinicproceedings.com/content/85/7/618.abstract?etoc
    Sieglinde

    ReplyDelete
  6. emanuelJuly 2, 2010 at 3:51 AM

    Dear Art, my experience with cancer victims and stroke : my aunt Waltraut ,who n e v e r ever suffered under depressions -not even during her years of breast cancer !- and who never ever was a sympath -for example -during her dying process she kept her palms very dry as in her lifetime .. cotrary to mine hloding her hand while her dying . And my father who suffered a stroke after may months of beeing bedridden after an operation because of kidney tumor development. And my hysterical mother-sorry Mum- died of a stroke after 3 months in bed . Frankly spoken I do see they a l l were well repressed without drugs -withe exception of my mother sleeping drugs and she was the only one without cancer ... My remarks show You my confusion!?.. Yours emanuel

    ReplyDelete

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Review of "Beyond Belief"

This thought-provoking and important book shows how people are drawn toward dangerous beliefs.
“Belief can manifest itself in world-changing ways—and did, in some of history’s ugliest moments, from the rise of Adolf Hitler to the Jonestown mass suicide in 1979. Arthur Janov, a renowned psychologist who penned The Primal Scream, fearlessly tackles the subject of why and how strong believers willingly embrace even the most deranged leaders.
Beyond Belief begins with a lucid explanation of belief systems that, writes Janov, “are maps, something to help us navigate through life more effectively.” While belief systems are not presented as inherently bad, the author concentrates not just on why people adopt belief systems, but why “alienated individuals” in particular seek out “belief systems on the fringes.” The result is a book that is both illuminating and sobering. It explores, for example, how a strongly-held belief can lead radical Islamist jihadists to murder others in suicide acts. Janov writes, “I believe if people had more love in this life, they would not be so anxious to end it in favor of some imaginary existence.”
One of the most compelling aspects of Beyond Belief is the author’s liberal use of case studies, most of which are related in the first person by individuals whose lives were dramatically affected by their involvement in cults. These stories offer an exceptional perspective on the manner in which belief systems can take hold and shape one’s experiences. Joan’s tale, for instance, both engaging and disturbing, describes what it was like to join the Hare Krishnas. Even though she left the sect, observing that participants “are stunted in spiritual awareness,” Joan considers returning someday because “there’s a certain protection there.”
Janov’s great insight into cultish leaders is particularly interesting; he believes such people have had childhoods in which they were “rejected and unloved,” because “only unloved people want to become the wise man or woman (although it is usually male) imparting words of wisdom to others.” This is just one reason why Beyond Belief is such a thought-provoking, important book.”
Barry Silverstein, Freelance Writer

Quotes for "Life Before Birth"

“Life Before Birth is a thrilling journey of discovery, a real joy to read. Janov writes like no one else on the human mind—engaging, brilliant, passionate, and honest.
He is the best writer today on what makes us human—he shows us how the mind works, how it goes wrong, and how to put it right . . . He presents a brand-new approach to dealing with depression, emotional pain, anxiety, and addiction.”
Paul Thompson, PhD, Professor of Neurology, UCLA School of Medicine

Art Janov, one of the pioneers of fetal and early infant experiences and future mental health issues, offers a robust vision of how the earliest traumas of life can percolate through the brains, minds and lives of individuals. He focuses on both the shifting tides of brain emotional systems and the life-long consequences that can result, as well as the novel interventions, and clinical understanding, that need to be implemented in order to bring about the brain-mind changes that can restore affective equanimity. The transitions from feelings of persistent affective turmoil to psychological wholeness, requires both an understanding of the brain changes and a therapist that can work with the affective mind at primary-process levels. Life Before Birth, is a manifesto that provides a robust argument for increasing attention to the neuro-mental lives of fetuses and infants, and the widespread ramifications on mental health if we do not. Without an accurate developmental history of troubled minds, coordinated with a recognition of the primal emotional powers of the lowest ancestral regions of the human brain, therapists will be lost in their attempt to restore psychological balance.
Jaak Panksepp, Ph.D.
Bailey Endowed Chair of Animal Well Being Science
Washington State University

Dr. Janov’s essential insight—that our earliest experiences strongly influence later well being—is no longer in doubt. Thanks to advances in neuroscience, immunology, and epigenetics, we can now see some of the mechanisms of action at the heart of these developmental processes. His long-held belief that the brain, human development, and psychological well being need to studied in the context of evolution—from the brainstem up—now lies at the heart of the integration of neuroscience and psychotherapy.
Grounded in these two principles, Dr. Janov continues to explore the lifelong impact of prenatal, birth, and early experiences on our brains and minds. Simultaneously “old school” and revolutionary, he synthesizes traditional psychodynamic theories with cutting-edge science while consistently highlighting the limitations of a strict, “top-down” talking cure. Whether or not you agree with his philosophical assumptions, therapeutic practices, or theoretical conclusions, I promise you an interesting and thought-provoking journey.
Lou Cozolino, PsyD, Professor of Psychology, Pepperdine University


In Life Before Birth Dr. Arthur Janov illuminates the sources of much that happens during life after birth. Lucidly, the pioneer of primal therapy provides the scientific rationale for treatments that take us through our original, non-verbal memories—to essential depths of experience that the superficial cognitive-behavioral modalities currently in fashion cannot possibly touch, let alone transform.
Gabor Maté MD, author of In The Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters With Addiction

An expansive analysis! This book attempts to explain the impact of critical developmental windows in the past, implores us to improve the lives of pregnant women in the present, and has implications for understanding our children, ourselves, and our collective future. I’m not sure whether primal therapy works or not, but it certainly deserves systematic testing in well-designed, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled clinical trials.
K.J.S. Anand, MBBS, D. Phil, FAACP, FCCM, FRCPCH, Professor of Pediatrics, Anesthesiology, Anatomy & Neurobiology, Senior Scholar, Center for Excellence in Faith and Health, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare System


A baby's brain grows more while in the womb than at any time in a child's life. Life Before Birth: The Hidden Script That Rules Our Lives is a valuable guide to creating healthier babies and offers insight into healing our early primal wounds. Dr. Janov integrates the most recent scientific research about prenatal development with the psychobiological reality that these early experiences do cast a long shadow over our entire lifespan. With a wealth of experience and a history of successful psychotherapeutic treatment, Dr. Janov is well positioned to speak with clarity and precision on a topic that remains critically important.
Paula Thomson, PsyD, Associate Professor, California State University, Northridge & Professor Emeritus, York University

"I am enthralled.
Dr. Janov has crafted a compelling and prophetic opus that could rightly dictate
PhD thesis topics for decades to come. Devoid of any "New Age" pseudoscience,
this work never strays from scientific orthodoxy and yet is perfectly accessible and
downright fascinating to any lay person interested in the mysteries of the human psyche."
Dr. Bernard Park, MD, MPH

His new book “Life Before Birth: The Hidden Script that Rules Our Lives” shows that primal therapy, the lower-brain therapeutic method popularized in the 1970’s international bestseller “Primal Scream” and his early work with John Lennon, may help alleviate depression and anxiety disorders, normalize blood pressure and serotonin levels, and improve the functioning of the immune system.
One of the book’s most intriguing theories is that fetal imprinting, an evolutionary strategy to prepare children to cope with life, establishes a permanent set-point in a child's physiology. Baby's born to mothers highly anxious during pregnancy, whether from war, natural disasters, failed marriages, or other stressful life conditions, may thus be prone to mental illness and brain dysfunction later in life. Early traumatic events such as low oxygen at birth, painkillers and antidepressants administered to the mother during pregnancy, poor maternal nutrition, and a lack of parental affection in the first years of life may compound the effect.
In making the case for a brand-new, unified field theory of psychotherapy, Dr. Janov weaves together the evolutionary theories of Jean Baptiste Larmarck, the fetal development studies of Vivette Glover and K.J.S. Anand, and fascinating new research by the psychiatrist Elissa Epel suggesting that telomeres—a region of repetitive DNA critical in predicting life expectancy—may be significantly altered during pregnancy.
After explaining how hormonal and neurologic processes in the womb provide a blueprint for later mental illness and disease, Dr. Janov charts a revolutionary new course for psychotherapy. He provides a sharp critique of cognitive behavioral therapy, psychoanalysis, and other popular “talk therapy” models for treating addiction and mental illness, which he argues do not reach the limbic system and brainstem, where the effects of early trauma are registered in the nervous system.
“Life Before Birth: The Hidden Script that Rules Our Lives” is scheduled to be published by NTI Upstream in October 2011, and has tremendous implications for the future of modern psychology, pediatrics, pregnancy, and women’s health.
Editor