Many alternative medicine practitioners promote various types of detoxification such as detoxification diets. Scientists have described these as a “waste of time and money”. Alcohol detoxification is a process by which a heavy drinker’s system is brought back to normal after detox meals habituated to having alcohol in the body continuously for an extended period of substance abuse. Serious alcohol addiction results in a downregulation of GABA neurotransmitter receptors.

Detoxification may be achieved drug-free or may use medications as an aspect of treatment. Drug detoxification varies depending on the location of treatment, but most detox centers provide treatment to avoid the symptoms of physical withdrawal from alcohol and from other drugs. Most also incorporate counseling and therapy during detox to help with the consequences of withdrawal. Certain approaches in alternative medicine claim to remove “toxins” from the body through herbal, electrical or electromagnetic treatments. These toxins are undefined and have no scientific basis, making the validity of such techniques questionable. Is the liver a purifying organ?

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By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. How is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. This article was co-authored by Marjan Mahallati, RHN, AADP. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.

How marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article has been viewed 1,907,214 times. Detoxification, or detox, is the process of removing toxic substances from the body. Diets that claim to achieve a full detox in a matter of days have been around for decades, and several methods exist. While not scientifically proven to remove any toxins from the human body, many people claim feeling more focused and energetic during and after detox diets, most likely because of avoiding processed foods.

Note: This article does not contain information on how to detoxify someone undergoing treatment for alcoholism or substance abuse. Detoxing from alcohol or other hard substances, particularly benzodiazepines, should always be conducted under the supervision of a medical professional. Fruit detoxes are a great way to fast without starving yourself. Getting enough fruit can increase your energy levels, help manage your weight, and even reduce the likelihood of stroke.