Brief Summary
This video recounts Jerry Culp's experiences using high doses of vitamin C to treat heroin addiction, starting with his internship in Harlem. He details the positive effects he observed, the challenges he faced with the medical establishment, and a later validation of his work by an addiction expert, which was ultimately suppressed due to potential job losses in the rehabilitation industry.
- Vitamin C was found to alleviate heroin withdrawal symptoms.
- Initial success was met with resistance from medical authorities.
- A later study confirmed the findings but was suppressed due to economic concerns within the addiction treatment industry.
Early Experiences with Vitamin C and Addiction Treatment
Jerry Culp began his work with addiction during an internship in Harlem, where he was shocked by the harshness of cold turkey withdrawals experienced by heroin addicts. Driven by a desire to find a better way, he explored the potential of high-dose vitamin C, based on suggestions that it could occupy opioid receptor sites. He developed a protocol using up to 250 grams of vitamin C a day, administered orally, and found that it significantly reduced or eliminated withdrawal symptoms. Addicts reported needing more vitamin C as it alleviated their symptoms. Blood tests also showed a surprising disappearance of hepatitis A, suggesting antiviral properties.
Confrontation and Continuing the Work
Despite the positive results, the New York City medical director accused Jerry of practising medicine without a license. Jerry, undeterred, challenged the director to file charges, threatening to publicise the story. While the director backed down, Jerry eventually returned to the University of New Mexico but continued to help heroin addicts in Albuquerque. Years later, as the director of The Graduate Institute for biosocial research at City University in Seattle, he mentioned his vitamin C treatment at a medical conference.
Validation and Subsequent Suppression
Dr Janice Keller Phelps, an expert in alcohol and addiction treatment, initially criticised Jerry's methods. However, she decided to test the treatment herself with 32 hardcore heroin addicts. Astonishingly, she found the results to be as Jerry had described, calling it "like a cure to cancer". She invited officials from the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) to observe the treatment. NIDA officials were impressed and planned to implement the program nationwide. However, after eight months, it was revealed that NIDA had suppressed the findings because the program's success would lead to massive job losses within the addiction rehabilitation industry. This decision angered Jerry, who felt compelled to fight for the truth.
