Do you have any idea how many pictures they take at crime scenes? A lot, and I mean a serious lot. Imagine as many pictures as you can and then multiply that by a lot more. I’m going to have to break this up into a series of posts because there are just that many pictures worth talking about.
It seems like everyone wants to know more about the drugs found in James Ray’s room at the death lodge retreat. I am happy to oblige. I’m kind of surprised that’s what y’all want to know about, because it’s just the tip of the iceberg, but you know, whatever makes you happy.
I requested the pictures along with the search warrant affidavit thingies and have been combing through them since. There are pictures of many different medications from many different doctors. I looked up the meds and will give you guys a brief description, but remember, I am totally not a doctor.
Anastrozole is most commonly prescribed after breast cancer surgery, so why was it prescribed to James Ray? My guess is because it’s also used by athletes and body builders as part of a steroid cycle to reduce and prevent symptoms of excess estrogens. Speaking of steroids, James Ray was also prescribed pregnenolone. I’m not really sure what that is used for medically, I think it’s probably a wide range of things though.
Another prescription was found for Diovan which is used to treat high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, or post-myocardial infarction (heart attack). Also found was Thyroid Armour which, according to Wiki, is pork and/or beef thyroid that has been dried and powdered. Yum.
Among the most interesting of the drugs found is genotropin, also known as Human-Growth Hormone along with quite a few syringes. Since James Ray is obviously not being treated for any short-stature type medical problems I think we can overlook those and skip right to the weird reasons people inject themselves with such things. The two non-short-people uses are for treatment of wasting due to AIDS or short bowel syndrome. If James Ray has either of those, then I’ll probably just shut up about his use of Growth Hormone.
But since he probably doesn’t, let’s talk about all the controversial and experimental uses of HGH, which is where I bet James Ray’s reasoning is firmly planted. Experimental uses include treatment for Multiple Sclerosis, fibromyalgia, heart failure, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. Again, not funny and I’ll leave well enough alone if that’s the case. The two most likely candidates for James Ray using HGH: anti-aging or body-building/athletic enhancement. If you combine that with all the anti-aging-make-my-body-sexy-again health food powders, pills, drinks, and snacks that James Ray surrounds himself with, you will probably come to the same conclusion I did - that he’s worrying the phrase “Who’s your Granddaddy?” will make him sound like the creeper he already looks like. It is worthy to note, though, that this is the second medication that could relate to heart trouble, however, I don’t see how James Ray could participate in his own activities if he had a serious heart condition.
Two other prescriptions appear to be administered via syringe, Methylcobalamin which is a form of B12 and a mix with several different B-complexes. These are used to treat deficiencies caused by various reasons. These are also the vitamins that are added to energy drinks and supplements, in addition to a metric crap-ton of caffeine and other various energy-giving things. The only reason I know of to take them via syringe is because of an inability to digest them the usual way.
I saved the most embarrassing two for last, because, well… just because. Also found in James Ray’s name was a prescription bottle of Propecia which is a medication used to treat male pattern baldness. I mean, it’s not that baldness itself is embarrassing, but let’s face it, James Ray just won’t be able to pull it off. He won’t be able rock the biker-bald like AF Grant or the Harvard-Symbologist-Robert-Langdon receding hairline. James Ray is probably just going to look a little goofy. Maybe if we all go ask Salty Droid he could Photoshop up a sneak peek?
Last, but not least, we come to the final prescription. Please take a moment to imagine a little drum roll right about now. James Ray takes Valtrex. For those of you that don’t have a television (or live in a country where they consider it bad taste to advertise drugs every five seconds) Valtrex is used to treat genital herpes. That’s right ladies; James Ray comes with a 2-3 week burning and itching sensation!
What would you lot like me to write about next? The schedules James Ray had for the death lodge retreat? They are very descriptive with lots of details. Or I could talk about the classification system James Ray gave to employees to help them manipulate people into buying packages? Let me know what you want in the comments, meanwhile, I’ll be sorting through more pictures.
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Comments
Interesting turn, thanks for taking the time to do this. What to write about next? Oh, definitely write about the classification system James Ray gave to employees to help them manipulate people into buying packages
I'm sure James Ray stopped all his prescription meds just as he advised the sweat lodge participants to do; that's probably why he left them in his room, huh? Joking aside, I can see you're not dissing on anyone who takes any of those meds for any reason, just the apparent hypocrisy of Ray who says "do as I say, not as I do." My spidey sense tells me the drugs will play a factor in his defense as in "the Anastrozole (a drug listed as appropriately used when using substantial amounts of aromatizing steroids)impaired him and rendered him mentally incapacitated." First time offender? It'll keep him outa the pokey and give him a chance to get the help he needs.
"search warrant affidavit thingies??? Did you skip school during English class?
@Thingy - three question marks??? Didja skip English class too? Her colloquialisms are kinda cute and make the reading go easier. Try looking for content over form when you read, and not just to pick apart what someone else does. You'll have a happier life, promise.
Andrea de Michaelis: your credibility went right down the drain since seeing you comments on this blog that is so warped and ignorant!
Oh, yes, what Beth says is totally true. The entire social system of credibility is actually *built* around commenting here. In fact every time you comment, some one actually goes out and kicks a puppy in your name. Not to mention how commenting here affects your mortgage and credit card rates. Because comments aren't just little words on a screen or something, they're *our whole lives*. Now if you'll excuse me, Andrea and I will be over in the corner sobbing uncontrollably.
SaltyDroid: I wonder if he brought The Herpes to his marriage or picked it up after. I bet his wife was just delighted to learn about that little bonus JR accessory.
Tiffany McMee: In regards to JR's "brain functions" it seems to me that he was perfectly capable of higher levels of thought and control. He spent the whole week purposefully and delibrately bringing people under his control so he could hurt them - that doesn't seem like something that could be done while mentally incapacitated from drugs. My understanding of steriod misuse is mostly from TV, so it's probably full of inaccuracies, but I didn't think Roid Rage left a lot of room for planning and execution. It always looks like users just go nuts and beat stuff up.
Andrea de Michaelis: It's not a very good defense, the injuries started too long ago with too consistant a pattern and way too much evidence of thorough planning. The police have all of his training manuals and what not.
Excuse me Cassandra, but I wasn't referring to
you at all! You never had any credibility to lose!
None whatsoever! Nada!
Cassandra re: Mental incapacitation due to the prescription drug use is not a good defense: LOL I didn't say it was a good defense just that will likely be one of their alternative defense scenarios. "He didn't do it, but if you find that he did do it, then this is why he did it. Not that he did it, ya know." I did 22 years as a criminal defense paralegal, so while we didn't always know what would fly, we always knew what to try.
Beth: Why would you spend a moment reading this blog if you think it is warped and ignorant? Sorry I failed to meet your expectations. If you hadn't placed me on that pedestal, I wouldn't have toppled.
I'm trying to get my hands around when James Ray left the premises and how? Did he leave without his suitcase and prescriptions? :) The idea that he would sneak out makes the whole thing even worse...leaving scene of crime?
That's funny , I use to be a BIG FAN of James a few years ago. I bought all his CDS,dvds,etc.. gave them to all my friends.
I went to one of his free talks in L.A. he was really nice to me. Then a few RED FLAGS started coming up , I saw him again in Florida 3 years ago and he was very weird I waited in a long line to see him and when I FINALLY got up there he was yelling at a employee for everyone taking too long and wanting to take pictures.he didn't even acknowledge me at all. Very disapointed !
Then I heard he had calf implants _ I thought that was strange that his calfs 'were that important to him.
And my boyfreind couldnt stand to listen to him , He said he sounded like a "Used car salesman ". So I was already turned off by him the past few years . So glad I never went to one of his weekends!
This is all Very Sad and VERY Interesting !
BTW - I love all your articles _ GREAT JOB !
Yes , I would also like to hear about how his employees were trained to sell the packages.THANKS!
Andrea de Michaelis: I haven't put you on any type of pedestal. I just believed--assumed you had integrity. Although, now that I think about it, I don't really even know where I got that preconceived notion. Sorry.
John re: "The idea that he would sneak out makes the whole thing even worse...leaving scene of crime?" It's likely the only way his attorney could later argue that at the time he left, he had no reason to believe it was a crime scene or even an accident scene. He could argue the medical people there seemed to have it under control, so why wouldn't he leave? We're talking the intricate language of the law here, folks, not what common sense or morality calls for. It's not like you see on tv.
@Andrea, sorry to disagree. IF he didn't think it was a crime or a crime scene, why FLEE and LEAVE all his bags behind. He fled quickly and leaving his bags behind leaves the scent of panic. If he had NO idea it wasn't a crime scene, why do so? He'd already been brought to the police station and questioned and refused to answer. He KNEW they were investigating this and by then he likely knew that 2 of his participants were dead on arrival at the hospital. (dead even before arrival). He fled, not wanting to risk going back to the resort, lest he get tied up there.
The prosecution has the upper hand here with his fleeing..
Thank you Cassandra for a well researched and presented post. You made heavy info palatable and easy which is always the sign of a wonderful writer.
Please do share about this classification system next. I think that may prove to be more shocking than James Ray having genital herpes. James was, after all a heavy womanizer for a good part of his li
Don't forget the HCG. HCG is a hormone found in pregnant women's urine, but it is also part of a controversial (and mostly discredited) weight-loss protocol originally developed by a British endocrinologist. HCG has become trendy again in recent years, thanks in large part to huckster Kevin Trudeau & others. True-Dough's book "The Weight-Loss Cure THEY Don't Want You To Know About" features HCG use as part of a very difficult (read: pretty much impossible for the average person) weight loss plan. See Whirled Musings April 11, 2009 (scroll down to "Another miracle in a bottle...and another 'permanent' weight-loss secret"). I'm sure JAR is far from the only New-Wage guru who's scarfing down supplements and injecting himself with all kinds of stuff. My sense is that a lot of them, especially the males "of a certain age," are avid consumers of anti-aging and body building potions. Many of these guys rag on "Big Pharma" (justifiably, IMO), & yet spend billions on questionable supplements.
I ran into the character-limitation issue in my last comment, but I too would be interested in reading more about that classification system. I think this would not only provide valuable insight into JAR's M.O., but also might shed some light on other New-Wage gurus who have similar enterprises and, like JAR, have made fortunes hosting pricey retreats. Carry on, Cassandra!
SaltShaker: Thanks for such lovely compliments!
I don't actually think Andrea is *disagreeing* so much as just pointing out what the legal defense might try - just because something is *true* doesn't mean lawyers won't try to wriggle out of it.
James Ray definitely knew he was under investigation, as they tend to only use handcuffs on people they suspect of criminal activity, and he was definitely cuffed, put in the police car, and escorted to the station. I don't know if he tried to reclaim his belongings or not, but he likely considers it all replaceable anyway.
Saltshaker: of course he knew what was going on - what I'm saying is that he knew the best thing to do was leave. And again, important point, what the layman calls fleeing does not necessarily meet the legal elements (the criteria) for what the law calls fleeing as a criminal charge.
Saltshaker - and I mean no disrespect, but "The prosecution has the upper hand here with his fleeing" - I can see you're not in the legal profession. It's really not like you see on tv
Cosmic Connie: HCG is human chorionic gonadotropin and the article talks about HGH, human growth hormone.
Ah, if he was cuffed and taken to the station, then when they later told him "you're free to go," he did.
I've been pretty certain since the beginning, that James A Ray wore a rug (aka weave, toupee, hair "system"), and on occasion (as in the Secret) cosmetic concealer.
The Propecia script just confirms my suspicions. The Propecia is to help keep what's left of his hair, because weaves are notorious for causing traction hair loss by pulling at the sides and back where it is attached and blended into existing hair.
Ah spiritual man, how vain of you to be so obsessed with stopping the inexorable march of time.
As a former employee, we used to wonder what those stryofoam boxes were that arrived at the office and had to be refrigerated until JAR's personal assistant could pick them up. I said they were most likely human growth hormone but the disciples would say aghast, "Oh now! James wouldn't do that!!
Andrea: I know that HCG is not the same thing as HGH. HCG was also listed in the letter from JAR's doctor. Please see Exhibit 20 of 26 in the slide show on the KPHO web site.
Connie re HCG thanks, my mistake, I had not looked at the photos. I did a weight loss system in 1984 for a year which included taking thyroid pills and injecting HCG daily into my thigh. It amped me out and made me a bit hyper. It was easy to keep 20 pounds off while I did that, but when I stopped, the weight came back. I knew the thyroid had something to do with it but didn't want to have to take a pill or a shot every day to just keep a few pounds at bay. Thanks for referring me to the KPHO site. I appreciate your comments.
Andrea, I believe many people have had the same complaints you did about that weight-loss protocol. It's just not doable for the average person.
BTW, I don't think there is anything intrinsically wrong with people taking supplements, even for anti-aging purposes that some might consider frivolous. And having an STD (if indeed that is the case with JAR) is nothing to be ashamed of, if one takes care not to spread it to others. I can't make that judgment about JAR and don't think the rest of can either at this point. But I do think that if he was indeed urging followers to lay off of supplements, meds, etc., it MIGHT have been hypocritical of him to continue with his own regimens -- but only if he was lying about doing so.
BTW, finasteride (e.g., Propecia) is not just an anti-baldness drug. Due to its anti-androgenic effects it is also prescribed for prostate issues (in lower doses for BPH, higher does for prostate cancer). Hormones can be a real bitch to manage.
Connie:
I JAR, at his relatively young age, is having BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) or Ca prostate issues, and I'm pretty sure he is reducing his DHT hormone levels using finasteride to combat androgenic alopecia (male pattern baldness).
Estrogen blockers are also used by bodybuilders who use testosterone or other anabolic steroids to prevent "gyno", or gynecomastia, aka manboobs.
JAR is one shallow SOB.
Sorry, that should read, "I doubt JAR...".
Also wanted to add, judging from his supplement list, Ray looks like one of the "Life-extension" enthusiasts who swallow fistfuls of pills and supplements and injectables with the belief that pharmacology will help them combat and reverse aging and degenerative disease. Better living through chemistry.
I'm sure you're right about JAR's reason for using finasteride, Anon, although at 51, he isn't really too young to have BPH, which is more common in men 50 and older. As I said, balancing hormones can be a real challenge. Again, I don't judge people for taking supplements, but if JAR was indeed preaching a "natural" chemistry-free lifestyle, then he *is* hypocritical. Supplements can be very beneficial, but scarfing down dozens or hundreds of pills a day, and injecting oneself with HGH and/or HCG, seems just plain obsessive. As I also noted earlier, though, JAR isn't the only New-Wage hustledork who apparently has this obsession.
It's funny: Despite their preaching about how easy it is to be rich & happy & healthy, the hustledorks work very, very hard behind the scenes to maintain the illusion that they are all of the above. This includes aggressive marketing in order to maintain the cash flow, and, in many cases, obsessive consumption of products to help them maintain their "edge.
Why was JAR taking Arimedix? It's a drug for treating breast cancer. Why would a man be taking that drug? It appears that he was on quite a cocktail of drugs and supplements. One has to wonder about how the interactions of all these substances might have affected his judgement. He must have spent a large part of each day swallowing pills and injecting himself. Very disturbing. It suggests some kind of unconscious desperation or a huge fear of ageing. Was he body dysmorphic perhaps? If so, he is ill and hardly in a position to be leading any kind of event. It's scary that people pay huge money to "follow" someone like this who may well be mentally ill. The next time you go to any "self-help" event, it might be a good idea to try to ascertain if the "guru" is juiced, drugged up, or obsessed with continually ingesting large amounts of subpplemnts--not healthy at all.
Sharon: Arimedix is used in the types of breast cancer that are dependent upon estrogen; it works by lowering estrogen levels in women. But it is also sometimes used to help increase testosterone in men, particularly those over 50 who, for whatever reason, have too much circulating estrogen in their system. OK, so JAR is taking testosterone (whether for bodybuilding or just to maintain virility I don't know). But testosterone can aggravate baldness issues, so he takes finasteride, which has anti-androgenic effects that will help battle that baldness (and again, I'm assuming it's for baldness, not prostate problems). But maybe that leaves him with too much estrogen in his system, so he takes Arimedix to counteract the estrogen... I'm no doctor (obviously), but might he be healthier if he just let well enough alone? It looks to me as if the pharmaceutical companies & supplement manufacturers are the main beneficiaries of his regimen.
Shortly after posting my last comment I went a-Googlin', and found a fascinating new blog post dated Jan. 5. This is from a pharmacology expert (he holds a Ph.D. in pharmacology and therapeutics and a B.S. in toxicology), who speculates about the items listed in JAR's letter from his doc. Since we can't give URLs here, look up Abel Pharmboy's "Terrasigillata" blog, which is part of the scienceblogs dotcom site. It's a very interesting post (our pal John Curtis has already commented on it).
Cosmic Connie and Andrea de Michaelis, thanks for all the excellent comments!
Cosmic Connie: Since James Ray demonstrates ultimate disregard for human life, it doesn't seem like he would object to spreading some non-curable diseases. In this particular scenario I think it's better that people be informed. I only point this out because I agree that nice, normal people who take care not to spread STD's have nothing to be ashamed of, however, I really don't think that is the case with James Ray.
Sharon: I'm not a doctor, but I do think Cosmic Connie's explanation seems the most likely. As for James Ray's mental capacity and state... James Ray isn't stupid and there is plenty of evidence to support that he knew and fully understood what he was doing when he was hurting and killing people. There is an obvious mental aspect implied when someone is that level of sickly disturbed psycho-killer, but it doesn't seem likely that his meds were affecting that. The combination he was on doesn't qualify, in my opinion, as particularly mind-altering or judgement-impairing.
I wonder why no one is bringing up the fact that James Ray trained, studied and proudly professed the use of methods like NLP to mentally influence his audience?
white pages:The fact, Mr. Ray tried to defend himself by claiming to be a preacher’s son in the white papers was extremely odd given even a preacher’s son can have an ego and make mistakes. Mr. Ray’s continued attempts to set himself up as above reproach is one of the problems with the entire situation. There has been a serious lack of accountability and Mr. Ray continues to be blinded to his own contribution to this tragedy.
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