The brave men and women in police forces across America are faced with unprecedented dangers in the line of duty. We understand that these heroes risk their lives to protect the civilian population while on duty. The sad truth about police work is that the danger does not end when the uniform comes off, but rather the long-term health effects of exposure to lethal chemicals and viruses pose a continued threat to law enforcement officers.
What happens during the hours, weeks, months, and years while on duty certainly can be deadly, as well as risky for many reasons. What most people do not know is that police officers are exposed to illegal drugs that can devastate their health for a lifetime. Whether it is during undercover work, a police raid, or simply storing the substances, the reality is that exposure to drugs such as methamphetamine can lead to long term and terminal diseases, for example, ALS, Parkinson’s disease, and neuropathy.
A recent study examined the effects of low temperature sauna use as a detoxification method for police officers in Utah who had been exposed to a variety of toxic chemicals and viruses. The results from this study demonstrate that when sauna use is prescribed in a specific dosage and is combined with several other lifestyle changes the health of these police officers improved dramatically.
Society needs the bravery and courage of law enforcement officers, but these men and women do not need to carry the job in their body for a lifetime in the form of toxic substances. Even though certain traumatic aspects of the job are unavoidable, it does appear that with specific sauna protocol law officers are able to adequately detoxify from exposure to harmful substances.
Find out the details of the research on police officers exposed to illegal drugs, their sauna program, and the incredible data collected from this study. Additionally, find out how you can use a sauna if you know that you have recently come into contact with toxic materials, drugs, or even viruses to save your life.
Dangers of Long-term Secondary Exposure to Illegal Drugs: Parkinson’s Disease, Neuropathy, ALS
Law enforcement officers face peril situations every time they clock in. Unfortunately, the danger does not stop when they step out of their uniform. Some of the riskiest aspects of this job remain in the blood stream, organs, and soft tissues of the body for a lifetime if left untreated.
From undercover work to drug busts and simply storing illegal drugs, law enforcement officers are exposed to dangerous illegal drugs regularly. This exposure can lead to mild symptoms as well as very dangerous and terminal diseases.
The National Library of Medicine published a research paper entitled ‘Methamphetamine exposure and chronic illness in police officers’. (1) The data collected from this research is truly disturbing, and yet hopeful because there also appears to be a way of ridding the body of these toxic substances. The authors write this about exposure to methamphetamine products.
“Persons exposed to illegal methamphetamine production commonly experience headaches, respiratory and eye irritation, nausea, and vomiting . Prolonged methamphetamine exposure is also associated with neurotoxic effects, including neuropathy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson’s disease, suggesting possible neurotoxic effects.” (2)
The research focused on a group of law enforcement officers who had all been exposed to methamphetamine during portions of their time on duty. In addition to this many of the officers had contracted viral hepatitis (a common sequela of addiction). (1)
The goal of this study was to look at the effects of sauna protocol on police officers in Utah with long lasting effects from exposure to methamphetamine as well as other associated compounds. Here is what the authors of the study write as their mission.
“Most effects appear transitory, but some Utah police officers with employment-related methamphetamine exposures developed chronic symptoms, some leading to disability. This report is of an uncontrolled retrospective medical chart evaluation of symptomatic officers treated with a sauna detoxification protocol designed to reduce the chronic symptoms and improve the quality of life.” (1)
The research was conducted on 69 law enforcement officers based in Utah who were all involved with Utah Meth Cops Project. 66 of the officers were male and 3 were female, and the average age was 46.5 years. The subjects were evaluated before and after six weeks of sauna and nutritional protocol for specific biomarkers for positive or negative changes. The police officers had varied symptoms but all carried specific biomarkers indicative of exposure to methamphetamine. These officers all engaged in a comprehensive nutritional program, some exercise, as well as ‘physical sauna therapy’. (1)
All of the participants had ‘documented contact with methamphetamine and related chemicals through law enforcement activities’. (1)
Not all police officers are exposed to high levels of secondary methamphetamine so the aforementioned study focused on law enforcement that had previously worked in any of these fields.
“Patients included undercover, narcotics, and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) officers from many Utah urban and county jurisdictions, Utah Highway Patrol (UHP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), officers affiliated with the DEA, and officers exposed while performing chemical laboratory analyses.” (1)
The study revealed deeply positive results for law enforcement officers who completed the research (98.5%). The results after six weeks of sauna use demonstrated significantly lowered levels of toxicity within the blood and urine. Furthermore, there was significant symptom cessation in most of the participants, as well as improved sleep, and overall psychological improvements as relayed by the individual officers.
The authors of this trial conclude with these remarks.
“The vast majority completed the regimen with minimal discomfort or inconvenience, achieving significant reductions in their symptoms and measurably improved the health and quality of life. This suggests that this program could help similarly exposed police officers elsewhere.” (1)
With this as a final statement and suggestion for further use of saunas for detoxification in police work:
“This investigation strongly suggests that utilizing sauna and nutritional therapy may alleviate chronic symptoms appearing after chemical exposures associated with methamphetamine-related law enforcement activities.” (3)
These results suggest that for law enforcement officers as well as civilians who have been exposed to either illegal drugs or other toxic chemicals there is a possibility of releasing these toxins effectively via sauna use.
Find out what type of heat source was used in the saunas during this research as well as the specific sauna protocol so that if you choose to engage in a similar treatment you may do so safely.
What Did the Detoxification Protocol Look Like For these Police Officers and What Kind of Sauna was Used?
It is quite common for many individuals to follow a sauna protocol that involves its use 3-7 times per week for 20 minutes (depending on the type of sauna) each session. For the police officers looking for a robust detoxification protocol, their sauna use looked very different from the normal.
The Hubbard Sauna Detoxification Protocol (1) was used during this study and will be discussed in further detail below. For now, let’s look at what the officers in the study did each day to elicit such improvements in health. Here is what the authors of the study write about the daily program.
“Treatment components include 20–30 min of aerobic exercise, comprehensive nutritional supplementation including increasing doses of niacin (vitamin B3), and (3) moderate-temperature sauna therapy, with breaks every 30 min for fluid and electrolyte restoration, totaling about 4 h daily. Treatment is given each day until maximum gains are achieved (typically 4–6 weeks). Daily progress is monitored by trained staff and recorded using a structured report form.” (1)
This means that the officers were in the sauna for a total of 4 hours daily! This is far more sauna time than is normally recommended. It can be deduced that if an individual has been exposed to severe toxins that intense sauna use may be appropriate provided the individual is able to properly rehydrate, take in significant electrolytes, and re-mineralize adequately. (2) In this study the sauna temperature was set to no higher than 160 degrees Fahrenheit. (1)
The heaters emitted a full spectrum of infrared wavelengths in the study of the law enforcement officers in Utah. (1) This means that the police officers were exposed to both near, mid, and far infrared light in their sauna. This particular use of infrared light may be the reason for the profound results in detoxification.
The individuals used a sauna for 20-30 minutes, and rested for 30 minutes between sauna sessions. That indicates that for most of the entire working day they were involved in sauna treatments. The total number of hours spent in the sauna daily were 4 hours. (1) During breaks the officers were provided with plenty of fluids rich in electrolytes. (1)
If for some reason you have recently been exposed to high levels of toxins you may want to consider setting aside several weeks when you can perform a robust sauna routine. Be sure to stay well hydrated and continue to consume plenty of electrolyte rich fluids.
What is the Hubbard Sauna Detoxification Protocol?
The Hubbard detoxification protocol was the basis of the study performed on the officers from Utah. (1) This model of sauna use should not be used over an extended period of time as it causes severe dehydration. It is intended for those rehabilitating from drug use (2), or those who have been exposed to excessive amounts of toxic substances such as pesticides.
The National Library of Health published this article “Safety and tolerability of sauna detoxification for the protracted withdrawal symptoms of substance abuse” (2) and in this article the authors elaborate on the Hubbard detoxification protocol.
“The Hubbard detoxification protocol combines exercise, nutrient supplementation and low-temperature sauna to enhance chemical elimination and improve symptoms common to chemical exposures” (2)
It is important to remember that those engaged in rigorous sauna detoxification are also ingesting high levels of vitamin B as well as other necessary nutrients to replenish what is lost in the copious amounts of sweating that occurs. It is best to follow this protocol at a treatment center or under the surveillance of a professional chaperone who can assist in re-hydration, and in fulfilling any other needs.
Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of this detoxification protocol, and the authors of the aforementioned article write this.
“After the protocol’s release in 1979, Schnare described the regimen’s safety and ability to reduce symptoms and improve mental functioning among individuals with a variety of chemical or illicit drug exposures. In nearly 40 years of application of this regimen to occupational or environmental exposures, studies have shown statistically significant reductions in human chemical pollutants, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins,and subsequent improvements in health.” (2)
Whether you are a law enforcement officer, firefighter, recovered alcoholic or drug user, or perhaps recently leaving a home environment riddled with mold toxicity, you may want to consider the use of the Hubbard sauna detoxification method. The authors conclude their remarks from the study on sauna use during rehabilitation program here.
“A number of subsequent studies describe the safety of sauna-based regimens as well as their ability to reduce body stores of toxic pollutants and improve symptoms. Several studies using the Hubbard method showed significant reductions in human chemical pollutants and improvements in health, found improvements in long-term memory, cognitive dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy among the firefighters 6 months after PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl) exposures from burning transformers. The Hubbard detoxification procedure is used widely, including in substance abuse treatment, with evidence of its ability to eliminate chemical and drug residues.” (2)
Extreme caution must be exercised if you plan on using a sauna for several hours a day. This should be for a specific period of time, the temperature should be kept relatively low, and many extensive breaks from the sauna must be taken to replenish the body from lost fluid and electrolytes.
Sauna Use Provides Promising Results For Police Officers Exposed to Chemicals While on Duty, and Perhaps for Civilians as Well
It is easy to forget about the lingering dangers for police officers after their shift has ended and the uniform has come off. The sad truth is that the dangers of the job may linger on inside the body of officers. It is critical that law enforcement officers that have been exposed to methamphetamine actively detoxify the body in a highly active and intense way.
There is a correlation between the development of ALS and Parkinson’s disease from exposure to highly toxic substances found in methamphetamine. While many individuals will develop mild to moderate symptoms others may find themselves in the depths of a terminal illness.
The research examined in this article shows that it is possible to prevent or alter the course of an individual’s health span by actively detoxifying the body with the use of a sauna. It appears that a full spectrum infrared sauna is the most effective style of sauna, but it can be surmised that any sauna will help with detoxification.
If you plan to use the Hubbard detoxification protocol as outlined in this article please be sure to rehydrate with plenty of electrolytes and remineralize the body with a nutritious diet. The Hubbard detoxification protocol is not for everyone. If you are pregnant avoid this method altogether. It is best to use this method under the supervision of professionals such as those found in recovery programs. (2)
If you are unsure about using an infrared sauna for detoxification purposes, please consult with your medical professional.
We thank all of our first responders, and a special thank you to law enforcement officers handling such toxic and illegal substances such as methamphetamine so that our streets may be safer. We appreciate your sacrifice.
Sources Cited:
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3573677/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6259397/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7908414/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22089658/