The Purification Rundown

Written by Eevey and Petete

*Something to consider, if you or your loved one are on any medication, you or your loved one  will be told to stop taking it to continue in Scientology. For some, this is nothing but for others it’s a matter of life and death.

The Purification Rundown

One of the first steps in the cult is the Purification Rundown which is expected of all Scientologist as part of their “spiritual progress”, however it is also used in “secular” groups such as Narconon and Criminon. The cult behind closed doors will tell its members and potential new members that this rundown could avert the need for cardiac bypass surgery, treat kidney failure, alleviate eye problems as well as many other medical claims. The rundown consist of long hours of sitting in a hot sauna along with mega doses of vitamins (far beyond what is considered safe), as well as exercise and consumption of vegetable oils. The cult claims it’s the only way to rid the body from the harmful effects of drugs, toxins and other chemicals and go on to say that these stay in our fat cells waiting to give us a temporary high. However, medical doctors say otherwise stating that not only is this rundown not medically sound, and ridiculous but it’s also deadly. The long hours in the sauna and the mega doses of Vitamin B3 (also known as Niacin) are dangerous by themselves but together they make a deadly combination.

Hot Sauna

The recommended time to spend in a sauna is 20 to 30 minutes a day, whereas the Purification Rundown would require up to 5 hours a day. That’s 10 times the daily recommended amount. For healthy individuals this can cause severe dehydration but for those with pre-existing heart conditions it can cause more harm.

Exactly how much is too much?

Founder L. Ron Hubbard

So how much Niacin is too much? The medically recommended serving of Niacin is 15 mg per day, however, in one of the books written by L. Ron Hubbard (founder of Dianetics and Scientology) called Clear Body Clear Mind, recommends more than triple that recommending  an initial dose of 100 mg increasing to 5,000 mg a day.  Some of the side effects of Niacin are dizziness, itching,  tingling, or feelings of warmth along with skin irritation. However the cult will tell its members that the side effects are just proof that drugs or toxins are leaving their bodies and as such they are told to continue taking the overdoses of Niacin.

Health Problems

The Church of Scientology itself admits to its members that the side effects include Dehydration, electrolyte disturbances such as Hyponatremia and Hypokalemia as well as heat related illness such as Hyperthermia as being common side effects however this is only partially true. There are other illnesses that have been brought to light such as liver failure.

The Human Cost of Purification 

        Unfortunately, many people have suffered and died because of this; Christopher Arbuckle, Jocelyne Dorfmann, and Paride Ella are just a few of the names on the list of those who have died. However, the worse thing is that it’ll continue until brave individuals from around the world  speak out and show the world the facts and names Scientology doesn't want them to see.