It happened subtly, over the course of a decade or two. Household cleaners went from being largely soap-based to primarily chemical-based.
Cosmetics such as lipstick and blush went from being made from bees wax, plant-based extracts, and strawberries to being pumped full of lead, parabens, and synthetic dyes. A loaf of bread went from being nothing more than flour, yeast, sugar, and salt to a confusing concoction of additives and artificial flavorings.
These cosmetics and foods didn’t change the way they looked or functioned on the surface. It’s why so many people didn’t notice. They still looked the same, tasted the same, and had the same function but they were different. Like the 1950s movie, “Invasion of the Body Snatchers”, familiar, everyday products were changed from natural to synthetic and Americans never realized the difference.
These changes have had a profound effect on not only the intelligence level of the American population but also it’s ability to learn, process, reason, and think for itself. Are Americans really getting dumber? Statistics say yes. In 2011, the average American IQ was measured at 88.54.
(Average intelligence is estimated to be 89-100.) This means that a large percentage of the American population is now considered below average intelligence!
Even for those with an IQ considered to be of average or even above-average intelligence, learning and comprehension can still be affected. Recent studies have revealed that 1 in every 6 children has a developmental disability. 1 in 6! This is unthinkable. It means that for every six children in a classroom, one of them will have some sort of difficulty processing, comprehending, and assimilating new information.
What’s caused this sudden rise in developmental disorders? Why are Americans, by and large, becoming dumber than ever before? Could this dumbing down of America be a purposeful, calculated act?
The truth may shock you.
The Chemical Dumbing Down of America
If statistical information is correct, there are a high percentage of people in America with a lowered IQ and/or a developmental or sensory processing disorder as compared to the overall population. When a large percentage of the population is mediocre or confused in their thinking, it makes controlling them so much easier.
This is especially true for those on the autistic spectrum. People with Asperger’s syndrome, for example, tend to have a high moral standard and believe everyone around them is on that same level. They have difficulty telling when they are being lied to or fooled. An entire society of people with this or a similar condition would be incredibly easy to manipulate.
A confused mind also tends to look to others for leadership. It has been proven that individuals who lack education and/or who have a lowered IQ often follow along with the ideals and beliefs of the majority. When critical thinking is affected, Americans who have been dumbed down will look to their televisions and politicians for answers that might not have their best interests at heart.
Chemicals in Food and Environment Make Americans Dumb
The environmental toxins and food additives you come into contact with and eat every single day are altering the way your brain functions. Neurotoxic chemicals and additives are all around us and difficult to avoid, but it’s not impossible. The first step to healing your brain from neurotoxicity and breaking away from the growing accepted norm is to understand what’s dumbing us down in the first place.
Environmental Toxins
- Mercury
As a rule, the larger the fish, the higher the concentration of mercury. Tuna, for example, has a higher average amount of mercury than much smaller fish.
- Fluoride
Studies have shown that fluoride easily crosses the blood-brain barrier and alters the function of neural tissue at the cellular level. This can result in ADHD-like symptoms, behavioral problems, poor impulse control, movement disorders, and even manifestations of psychosis.
- Mental Health Drugs
Mental health drugs such as Prozac, Paxil, Effexor, and Pristiq have all been linked to suicidal and homicidal tendencies. It has even been suggested that there is a strong connection between the use of these drugs and the rash of school shootings that have happened in the past 15 years.
Artificially altering brain chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine can have a profound and lasting effect on the brain. Not only can they contribute to the development of irrational behavior, they can cause memory, learning, and cognitive impairment.
Over time, the effect of these drugs wear off and more of them need to be taken to ensure the same effect. If a patient tries to get off of these drugs, the withdrawal symptoms are often much worse than the mental health problem itself.
For some, these medicines can be of great benefit. I am not against their use. My concern is that they are often over-prescribed and the patient is not monitored closely enough for negative changes in behavior.
- Cadmium
- Cosmetics
Additives such as: Aluminum, amyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, calcium fluoride, dibutyl phthalate, synthetic dyes, formaldehyde, lead acetate, manganese sulfate, methyl methacrylate, p-phenylenediamine, and triphenyl phosphate have all been linked to the development of neurological malfunction and premature brain cell death.
- Triclosan
- Air Fresheners
The acetaldehyde, ethyl acetate, and formaldehyde commonly found in commercial air fresheners have all been shown to have a neurotoxic effect on the brain when inhaled or absorbed through the skin.
- Cleaning Products
Food Additives
As if all the environmental toxins weren’t enough to ensure the chemical dumbing down of America, dozens of neurotoxins also lurk in the food we eat every day. In the past 50-100 years, what Americans consider food has changed dramatically. Now, food-like-products are being put on tables across the nation more often than nourishing whole food.
The Standard American Diet consists of refined flours, synthetic sugars, food additives, and preservatives that do little-to-nothing to nourish the body and contribute to the development of chronic physical and mental disease.
Let’s take a look at these additives a little more closely:
- Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
The hearty, meaty flavor of MSG temporarily fools the brain into thinking the body is receiving the meat and fat it needs to thrive. It is only once this additive has been partially digested that the body realizes it’s been tricked and causes hunger pangs once again. The body, starving for real nourishment, is fooled again and again by this addictive chemical.
- Aspartame
To make matters worse, aspartame is a highly-addictive chemical that causes withdrawal symptoms when consumption is interrupted. The unfortunate aspect of aspartame is that it can take years or even decades for the cumulative effects to be noticed and by the time they are, it’s simply too late to reverse the damage.
Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are on the rise and, despite contrary claims, are not a natural part of aging. Numerous studies have concluded that these conditions are largely induced by environmental factors, including the consumption of neurotoxic chemicals.
- Sucralose
- Food Dyes
- Pesticides
Now that you have a clearer visual of the incredible array of neurotoxins Americans are exposed to on a daily basis, it’s easy to see why IQ levels are declining and developmental disorders are on the rise. Since we can’t stop eating and breathing, we have to do what we can to avoid as many neurotoxins as possible, heal ourselves from the effects of them, and find creative ways to increase our intelligence.
Here’s what I recommend for my patients:
Eliminate Neurotoxins
- Clean Up Your Environment
You can use a combination of castile soap, vinegar, and baking soda to clean your home. Castile soap also works well as a soap, shampoo, shaving liquid, and laundry detergent. Organic coconut oil can be used as both a hair conditioner and skin lotion. There are plenty of organic cosmetics on the market made from pure ingredients that won’t harm your health.
Replace chemical air fresheners with natural incense, beeswax candles, and/or essential oils.
- Make Dietary Changes
Oftentimes, it is easier to replace favorite junk foods with more natural alternatives to start. For example, if you really enjoy a chocolate candy bar or a certain type of snack chip, visit a health food store and try to find a similar treat without all the added chemicals.
I also recommend eating as much organic food as possible. Especially produce, meat, poultry, and fish. Read food labels very carefully. Remember, neurotoxic additives such as MSG can hide behind more than a dozen different names. The general rule is if the food you’re thinking of buying has more than 5 ingredients, it’s worth carefully investigating to be sure none of those ingredients can be harmful to your heath.
Test for Heavy Metals
The symptoms of neurotoxicity can be difficult to pin down since they mimic so many different health conditions. If you’ve been tested for heavy metal neurotoxicity before but came up negative, it might be because you received a blood test. Heavy metal toxicity doesn’t often show up on blood tests.
This is why I recommend The Hair Toxic Element Exposure Test from Direct Labs. When you order, Direct Labs will send you a test kit in a prepaid envelope. Just collect and send several small clips of hair and a report will then be sent directly to you and any doctor you authorize.
Clear Mercury Toxicity with N-Acetyl Cysteine
N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) is an antioxidant amino acid that is very beneficial. It helps our bodies produce glutathione. One of the many things NAC does is to reduce oxidative stress on the brain and calm the over-stimulation caused by excitotoxin consumption.
Rebuild Your Brain
In addition to the chemical onslaught that has rewired the brains of Americans, I also believe the dumbing down of America extends to modern media consumption. There’s just isn’t enough challenge anymore. Using your brain in different and creative ways can help improve your neurological function naturally.
Here’s what I recommend:
- Play Brain-Training Video Games
- Read Challenging Books
- Spend Time in Nature
- Exercise Regularly
- Get Plenty of Sleep
Americans are being dumbed down. Now that you know what’s causing Americans to become dumber than ever before, you can take steps to eliminate neurotoxins from your life and heal your brain. Start today. In one month, you won’t believe the difference in how you feel.
www.askdrmaxwell.com/2013/11/the-real-reason-americans-are-getting-dumber/
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