Drugs are a necessary evil to cure health disorders that the modern life has bestowed upon us. They are evil as while some medications and treatments work well forpatients, some others turn out to be controversial because of their side effects. Here is an insight into some of the most controversial drugs and treatments in history.
Electroshock therapy
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This electroshock therapy is a method of passing electric current in the brain with the help of electrodes to induce seizure that lasts for about 30 to 60 seconds. The treatment became controversial as high electricity was used to deliver the current and the patient had to bear it without anesthesia. However, the electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) cannot be used as an immediate therapy. Only people who get no effective relief from any othertreatment are seen to have improved symptoms through the electroshock therapy.
Fenfluramine/phentermine (Fen-Phen)
Fen-Phen has been used by more than 6.5 million people as a remedy to lose weight.However, the drug instead of merely fighting obesity caused heart diseases and pulmonary disorders in numerous patients. According to the ‘American Lawyer’, around 50,000 victims have filed suits against the same.
Craniosacral therapy
Often termed as cranial osteopathy, this therapy includes skull massage on infants or children in order to reduce cerebral palsy. The technique has however, remained in controversy and no effective results have been reported so far.
Kratom
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Kratom is one of the most controversial drugs legally sold in Pennsylvania. The drug contains the same chemical contents as present in oxycodone and heroin.Reports suggest that Kratom is being used as a supplement to help people stay away from other drugs such as heroin but the drug is found to deliver more harm than good. Moreover, doctors believe that the drug deliversseveral side effects including seizures. The Federal Drug Administration has ordered confiscation of Kratom at numerous times but until now, there are no reportsto ban the drug.
Psychosurgery
Psychosurgery refers to the brain surgery to cure mental disorders. A recent study on this surgery termed as bilateral capsulotomy stated that it causes damage to the tissues especially to the part of the brain referred to as the internal capsule. Only few people have shown any improvementswhatsoever and around 10% have reported serious side effects such as paralysis.
Not all drugs and treatments can work miracles. Different disorders are treated using specific drugs and medications but when these fail, they can have serious repercussions that may be more harmful than the original ailment that these drugs were supposed to cure.
