Dr. David Healy, an international expert in psychopharmacology, estimated that 90 percent of school shootings, over more than a decade leading up to 2012, were linked to SSRI antidepressants (e.g., fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, etc.).[1] Dr. Healy further warned: "Violence and other potentially criminal behavior caused by prescription drugs are medicine's best-kept secret."[2].
- Quoted directly from an article written by: https://www.prnewswire.com
Is there any surprise after seeing countless medication commercials containing a litany of disturbing side effects almost always including ''call your doctor if you have suicidal thoughts or actions or UNUSUAL CHANGES IN MOOD OR BEHAVIOR''?
The Hidden Dangers of AntidepressantSSRIs: A Closer Look at Medication-Induced Violence
Violence and aggression, often associated with mass school shootings and other heinous acts, are rarely linked to depression itself. Depression, characterized by symptoms such as apathy, hopelessness, and lack of motivation, typically does not result in violent behavior. Rather, it is the medications prescribed to treat depression that have emerged as a common thread in these tragic events.
Common Side Effects of Antidepressants
Antidepressants, widely prescribed to manage depression, come with a host of potential side effects. Among these are aggression, unusual changes in mood or behavior, mania, violence, anxiety, mood swings, impaired judgment, and impaired impulse control. One particularly severe side effect is akathisia.
Understanding Akathisia
Akathisia is a state of severe restlessness and agitation that can be a side effect of various psychotropic medications, including antidepressants. Individuals experiencing akathisia often describe an overwhelming inner turmoil and an urgent need to move. This condition can significantly impair a person’s ability to function and has been linked to an increased risk of violent behavior.
In a testimony captured by the HealthWyze Report, one individual described akathisia as "a feeling of wanting to crawl out of my own skin." Another described it as "an intense inner restlessness that was unbearable." These testimonies highlight the profound impact of akathisia and how it can lead to extreme distress and unpredictable behavior.
The Connection to Mass Violence
The NCBI and PR Newswire have reported numerous instances where individuals on antidepressants have exhibited violent behaviors, including mass shootings and other criminal behavior. As we delve deeper it becomes evident that the justice system needs to consider the profound and sometimes dangerous effects of these medications. Such as the story of Corey Reynolds; a stark reminder of how medication-induced side effects can lead to life-altering consequences, necessitating a re-evaluation of our approach to mental health treatment and how justice, or the lack thereof was handed down in his case.
How Psychotropic Medications Affect Brain Chemistry: The Case of SSRIs
Psychotropic medications, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Cymbalta, are designed to alter brain chemistry to alleviate symptoms of depression and other mental health disorders. However, these alterations can have profound and sometimes adverse effects on brain function.
The Science Behind SSRIs and Chemical Lobotomy: A Pharmacological Perspective
Medications like Cymbalta (duloxetine) are part of the class known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medications primarily affect areas of the brain responsible for mood, judgment, and cognitive functioning by altering neurotransmitter levels. SSRIs work by increasing the levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter, in the brain. They achieve this by inhibiting the reabsorption (reuptake) of serotonin into neurons, making more serotonin available to improve mood and emotional state. While this mechanism can help alleviate depressive symptoms, it also disrupts the natural balance of neurotransmitters in the brain such as dopamine and norepinephrine, which are essential for motivation, reward, and arousal.
Pharmacologists have described the impact of SSRIs on brain function as a "chemical lobotomy." This term highlights the significant alterations these medications can induce, often dulling emotions and cognitive function. SSRIs can dampen emotional responses, where individuals may feel numb or disconnected from their emotions. This is akin to the effects seen in a physical lobotomy, where parts of the brain are surgically severed to reduce emotional and behavioral disturbances.
These changes in brain chemistry can also impair judgment and impulse control, contributing to unpredictable and sometimes violent behavior. The term "chemical lobotomy" underscores the profound and often irreversible impact that these medications can have on an individual’s brain function and overall mental state.
Areas of the Brain Affected
Prefrontal Cortex: This area is crucial for complex cognitive behavior, personality expression, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It plays a significant role in judgment and impulse control. SSRIs impact the prefrontal cortex by altering serotonin levels, which can impair judgment and reduce the ability to regulate emotions effectively .
Amygdala: The amygdala is involved in emotional processing and fear responses. SSRIs can dampen the activity of the amygdala, leading to reduced emotional responses and a blunting of affect. This can contribute to a feeling of emotional numbness or detachment, often described as a "chemical lobotomy" .
Hippocampus: This region is associated with memory formation and spatial navigation. SSRIs can affect neurogenesis (the formation of new neurons) in the hippocampus, which may influence memory and cognitive function. Over time, changes in the hippocampus can impact learning and recall abilities .
Basal Ganglia: This area is involved in controlling movement and procedural learning. SSRIs can affect the basal ganglia's functioning, leading to motor side effects such as akathisia, a condition characterized by severe restlessness and an inability to stay still .
Effects of Neurotransmitter Disruption
Serotonin: Increased serotonin levels can improve mood in some individuals but may also lead to serotonin syndrome in severe cases, characterized by confusion, agitation, rapid heart rate, and high blood pressure.
Dopamine: Reduced dopamine levels can lead to diminished motivation and pleasure, contributing to an overall sense of apathy and lack of drive.
Norepinephrine: This neurotransmitter is involved in the body's "fight or flight" response. Altered norepinephrine levels can affect arousal and alertness, leading to symptoms such as increased anxiety or, conversely, reduced responsiveness to stress.
The Need for Caution
Understanding how these medications affect specific brain regions and neurotransmitter systems underscores the profound impact they can have on an individual’s mental and emotional state. While they can be effective for some individuals, the potential for severe side effects necessitates a careful and considered approach to their prescription and use. As we delve deeper into Corey Reynolds' case, these scientific insights will help illuminate the complexities of his situation and the critical role that medication played in the tragic events leading to his life sentence.
The Dangers of Inconsistent Medication Use and Increased Dosages
Corey Reynolds' tragic journey to the criminal justice system began with the prescription of a 30 mg dose of Cymbalta, an SSRI antidepressant. Just three weeks into this treatment, Corey was Baker Acted following a suicide attempt directly linked to the medication's well known listed side effect: suicidal behavior. While hospitalized, Corey was not taking his prescribed medication. And then another week later put on a double dose! This on-and-off approach to psychotropic medications like Cymbalta is particularly dangerous due to the significant and abrupt changes it causes in brain chemistry. Consistency in medication is crucial for maintaining stable neurotransmitter levels, and any deviation can lead to severe mental instability. Every time a patient starts or even stops taking these medications, the brain is freshly ''rewired''; essentially shocked into a new and unstable state.
As described by Dr. Daniel Buffington in a court hearing held concerning Corey Reynolds' mental state on the medication ''...it takes the brain upwards of two to three months to acclimate it's own production levels and to stabilize.'' Dr. Buffington goes on to say ''...the prescribing for Mr Reynolds was 30 mg for a month and during that time he was actually having some of the very serious adverse side effects - changes in mood, behavior, aggression, sleeping. ...including a suicide attempt ...that we know are severe cymbalta-like adverse reactions ...these things are completely consistent with what this drug is known to do. ''
Withdrawal Effects: Discontinuing SSRIs abruptly can cause withdrawal symptoms, often referred to as "discontinuation syndrome." These symptoms can include dizziness, nausea, headaches, flu-like symptoms, irritability, and, importantly, a resurgence of depression and anxiety symptoms, sometimes more intense than before .
Neurochemical Imbalance: Stopping and starting SSRIs disrupts the delicate balance of neurotransmitters. When the brain adjusts to the presence of the drug, sudden withdrawal or inconsistent use can lead to a temporary deficit in serotonin levels, exacerbating mood swings, aggression, and impulsivity .
Increased Risk of Suicidality: The risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors increases significantly during the initial phase of starting an SSRI and during withdrawal phases. The abrupt cessation followed by a doubled dosage can create a roller-coaster effect on serotonin levels, which is dangerous for anyone, especially someone already struggling with severe depression .
Ramifications of Doubling the Dose
A week after his hospitalization, Corey’s doctor doubled his Cymbalta dose to 60 mg. This significant increase, following a period of non-adherence, can have severe consequences on mental stability and brain chemistry.
Heightened Side Effects: Doubling the dose of an SSRI can intensify its side effects, including agitation, anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia. These side effects can severely impair judgment and increase the likelihood of irrational behavior and impulsivity .
Risk of Serotonin Syndrome: A substantial increase in dosage can lead to a condition called serotonin syndrome, where excessive serotonin accumulates in the brain. This can cause symptoms ranging from agitation, confusion, rapid heart rate, and high blood pressure to severe outcomes like seizures or loss of consciousness .
Instability in Brain Chemistry: Rapid changes in SSRI dosages can cause significant fluctuations in neurotransmitter levels, leading to unpredictable mood swings and cognitive impairments. The brain needs time to adjust to new levels of medication, and abrupt increases can destabilize an individual’s mental state, making them more prone to extreme behaviors .
Insanity and Mental Instability
The erratic medication regimen—starting on a moderate dose, stopping abruptly, and then doubling the dose—can drastically destabilize a person's mental state. While not guaranteeing insanity, these conditions create a perfect storm for severe mental health crises. Corey’s erratic behavior leading up to the incident is a direct reflection of these medication-induced imbalances. His brain never had time to adjust to the first dosage of Cymbalta, before being altered again by the non-adherance during his hospitalization. The abrupt doubling of his dose within a week
Was a catastrophic mistake, altering his brain chemistry for a third time in all in a 4 week time span. Within 3 weeks again, he would be in the full throws of medication induced insanity, exhibiting severely dangerous behaviors that would ultimately lead to his incarceration.
The Impact of Medication: Corey's Experience
During the brief span of 7 weeks on Cymbalta, Corey Reynolds encountered a cascade of adverse effects. These included episodes of mania, heightened anxiety, exacerbated depression, erratic mood swings, cognitive confusion, heightened agitation, aggression, hostility, impaired impulse control, and severely compromised judgment. Most notably, Corey suffered from akathisia, a distressing condition characterized by intense inner restlessness and an inability to sit still. These negative and adverse symptoms of the medication have all been reported, documented and corroborated through numerous eyewitness accounts in signed and sworn affidavits, relayed testimonies in court, and discussions with legal and medical professionals, and finally, a full testimony and explanation proffered by Dr. Daniel Buffington in a courtroom hearing. All of which point to the unusual, out-of-character behavior and moods Corey was exhibiting as a result of his medication. These documents have been made publicly available.
Prominent and Concerning Episodes: Corey’s Altered Behavior
Some of the more prominent and concerning stories include episodes of sudden, seemingly out-of-nowhere anger and bouts of crying, sometimes accompanied by physical attacks. There was an event where Corey, without any apparent thought, stepped out of a vehicle moving at approximately 40 mph. In another alarming incident, he swam out into the dark ocean, estimated to be between 1/8 to 1/4 of a mile, in the middle of the night, only to become aware of his actions after the fact.
One particularly concerning episode was a suicide attempt, despite Corey not consciously aware of being suicidal at the time. Another near-disastrous event involved Corey nearly causing a T-bone collision by moving his vehicle into an intersection while waiting at a red light. These incidents, among many others, highlight a disturbing pattern. A common theme throughout all these accounts is the thoughtless, reckless spontaneity of Corey’s actions, coupled with his complete lack of awareness that something intensely wrong had just occurred. All highly out of character for someone consistently described as well thought out and peaceful.
It is sufficient to point out that the 7 weeks that define the bizarre and disturbing behaviors, moods and emotions Corey exhibited while on Cymbalta, is a stark contrast to dozens of testimonies of the nearly 28 years prior to, and the 13 years since that extremely brief time he was on those meds. Yet, those 7 weeks, and more specifically the very last night of his freedom, the very last day he took his prescription, is what has determined his entire future as a condemned man serving life in prison.
Involuntary Intoxication and Temporary Insanity as a Complete Defense in Florida
In the state of Florida, involuntary intoxication that leads to temporary insanity is recognized as a complete defense to criminal charges. This defense is rooted in the principle that an individual should not be held criminally responsible for actions committed while under the involuntary influence of intoxicants that render them incapable of distinguishing right from wrong.
Florida Statutes and Legal Precedents
Under Florida law, the defense of involuntary intoxication is well established. The relevant statutes and legal precedents provide a framework for understanding how this defense operates in practice:
1. **Florida Statutes Section 775.027**: This statute outlines the defense of involuntary intoxication, stating that a person is not criminally responsible if, due to involuntary intoxication, they were unable to understand the nature of their actions or distinguish right from wrong.
2. **Case Law**:
- **Cochran v. State, 547 So. 2d 928 (Fla. 1989)**: This case established that involuntary intoxication could serve as a defense if it resulted in a temporary mental condition that rendered the defendant incapable of understanding the criminal nature of their conduct.
- **Brancaccio v. State, 698 So. 2d 597 (Fla. 4th DCA 1997)**: In this case, the court held that involuntary intoxication due to prescribed medication could be a valid defense, provided that the defendant did not know or have reason to know of the intoxicating effects of the medication.
- **Pittman v. State, 879 So. 2d 1215 (Fla. 3d DCA 2004)**: This case reinforced the concept that involuntary intoxication can be used as a defense when the defendant unknowingly ingested a substance that caused a temporary mental incapacity.
Examples of Successful Defenses
The defense of involuntary intoxication has been successfully used in several cases to exonerate defendants:
- **State v. Gardner, 470 So. 2d 99 (Fla. 1st DCA 1985)**: The court accepted the defense of involuntary intoxication when the defendant unknowingly consumed a substance that caused temporary insanity, leading to the dismissal of charges.
- **People v. Turner, 680 So. 2d 512 (Fla. 5th DCA 1996)**: In this case, the court ruled in favor of the defendant who argued that the prescribed medication caused involuntary intoxication, resulting in temporary insanity at the time of the offense.
Corey's case involves compelling evidence of involuntary intoxication due to prescribed medication, leading to temporary insanity. This defense is firmly supported by Florida statutes and legal precedents, providing a strong foundation for challenging his conviction. With proper legal representation and expert testimony, Corey has a legitimate claim for exoneration based on the involuntary intoxication defense.
APlea for Support and Fair Justice for Corey Reynolds
The tragic story of Corey Reynolds is not merely an isolated incident but a glaring example of the potential miscarriage of justice that can occur when critical details are overlooked or dismissed. Corey's life took a drastic turn after being prescribed the medication Cymbalta, leading to severe side effects that significantly altered his mental state. His actions during this period were out of character, driven by the unpredictable and dangerous impacts of the medication.
Despite ample evidence and numerous testimonies documenting his erratic behavior and mental instability, Corey's plight has been overlooked by the justice system. The courts have failed to recognize the compelling defense of involuntary intoxication and temporary insanity, which is well-supported by Florida law. Corey was not in control of his actions; he was a victim of the medication's adverse effects, an unfortunate side effect that could happen to anyone.
Corey Reynolds deserves a fair chance at justice. His case is riddled with alarming discrepancies and procedural oversights that have conveniently slipped through the cracks. The overwhelming evidence, from his medical history to eyewitness accounts, paints a clear picture of a man suffering from severe medication-induced side effects. This is not the story of a violent criminal; it is the story of a man who fell victim to a system that failed to protect him.
We urge the legal community, the media, and the public to rally behind Corey Reynolds. He needs support to bring his case back to court, where the full extent of his ordeal can be heard and understood. We call on investigative journalists, legal experts, and advocates for justice to scrutinize the details of his case and help rectify this profound injustice.
Corey Reynolds is not seeking sympathy; he is seeking fairness. He is fighting for the second chance that any of us would hope for if placed in similar circumstances. Let us not allow another innocent life to be destroyed by a system that should uphold justice and protect the vulnerable. Corey’s story is a stark reminder that we must continuously strive for a justice system that is not only fair in its verdicts but also compassionate in understanding the complexities of human suffering and medical adversities.
Please join us in advocating for Corey Reynolds. Let his story be a catalyst for change and a testament to the importance of true justice. Together, we can help Corey reclaim his life and ensure that such an injustice does not befall others.
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https://www.drugs.com/comments/duloxetine/cymbalta.html?search=&sort_reviews=lowest_rating#reviews
- countless reviews and testimonies of just one of the many sites where people share their persona experiences with side effects of cymbalta.
https://rxisk.org/antidepressants-and-violence-the-numbers/
- an alarming statistical report
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1173337/
- jury finds drug 80% liable for killings
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1564177/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2860520/
-Volusia County Clerk of Court - Corey Reynolds' case files, including depositions, motions, affidavits, expert testimony, doctor reports etc. Zero thanks to the state for providing no helpful insight other then arguments against the truth.