We live in a world where markets are driven by convenience. People want easy solutions and fixes to self-inflicted problems. For example, we don’t like to eat healthy. Over the years, as processed foods continue to plague humanity, we have become a very unhealthy society. The foods are so addicting because they are full of sugar and ingredients that provide no nutritional value. Our bodies are begging for food that provides necessary nutrients. 

Over time, our bodies get worn down, causing us to seek medical attention.  By the end of the appointment, you discover you now have high blood pressure.  As we age, our body produces less collagen, causing our vessels to stiffen and making it harder for the heart to pump blood through the body.  However, this is an issue for our youth.  We don’t exercise, we can’t handle stress, we eat poorly, and we don’t sleep enough.  How do you expect your body to function at its best?   Well, this is where pharmaceuticals come into play.

Thanks to the lovely commercials we see on TV, we, as consumers, believe pharmaceuticals are the answer.  If I ask for it, chances are I can get the prescription.  Typically, you don’t see any preventive measures discussed between the practitioner and the patient.  I see it all the time.  I’ve seen people in this exact equation receive a Semaglutide for their weight/poor eating habits/inactivity, a beta-blocker for their blood pressure because they won’t be compliant with self-care, Ambien to sleep, and Ativan for daily stress as needed.  Believe it or not, I’ve seen this cocktail of meds often.  YIKES!!!

We have no idea about the long-term use of Semaglutide. For one, using it for weight loss is an off-the-shelf use, so it wasn’t developed for long-term weight loss use. There is no data to understand the risk. Multiple people have said that they started regaining weight at a rapid pace once they discontinued use, making it seem impossible to stop using it. The demand has been so high that those it was originally intended for can’t get access – the diabetic population.

Beta-blockers are a great drug for blood pressure issues, but they’re not the complete answer. When you continue to neglect yourself, the problems only compound. The drugs only mask what you are doing to your body, which is not taking care of it. Physicians are plagued with having the prevention conservation with patients because they don’t want to hear that they created the problem. It doesn’t make for a very good patient experience, does it?  It’s fair to say a good portion of our society could come off these meds if they realize they can take control and put things into motion to correct this.  More than likely, this approach will add years to one’s life. 

Ambien is a powerful sedative prescribed to people suffering from insomnia.  It is less likely to be habit-forming, but it has other concerning side effects, such as performing daily tasks in which one is still tired and not fully awake.  This drug is only a short-term solution.  Getting to the underlying reason why one is not sleeping is key. Physical dependence on Ambien can form in as little as two weeks, even if you are following the prescription prescribed.  I just don’t understand why anyone would take this drug knowing its actual consequences.  

Then we have the psych meds that people use daily because they see no other option.  It’s the easy way out, as they should be used as a last resort.  Big Pharma loves to know that they can solve your unpleasant feelings.  It’s how they are marketed, after all.  The misuse of these prescribed meds is on the rise.  I remember sitting for an interview for a pharmaceutical rep job to sell psych medications.  The regional director asked me why they couldn’t penetrate the market in the area and are looking for ways to expand the use of some of their newer psych medications.  I don’t know about you, but this instantly offended me.  What the heck? I’m all about making a difference in someone’s life, but this is not how you do that.  Individuals who physically have a chemical imbalance should be the only ones who meet the criteria for use.  Everyone is going to have periods in their lives that seem insurmountable.  That doesn’t mean you should take a pill so that you can feel numb.  Is that a fulfilling life?  I think, in turn, this would make anyone feel depressed.  Most often in life, I find that people are depressed because they feel like they have no value.  They don’t understand how they can obtain that.  Everyone wants to feel needed.  God gave us all gifts; it may just take some digging and hard work to see our value.  It’s never an overnight transformation, but well worth it if you seek it out.

I’m not saying all prescriptions are bad, as a good portion of them have validity. We just have to understand their appropriate use. We can’t blame Big Pharma or physicians for that matter; we must look within ourselves to be willing, patient, and strong enough to put in the effort to take care of ourselves.