Detox
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This article is about detox as in detoxification. For Treble Charger's 2003 album, visit Detox. For Dr Dre's unreleased album expected in 2005, visit Detox.
Detox, short for detoxification, in general is the removal of toxic substances from the body. It is one of the functions of the liver and kidneys, but can also be achieved artificially by techniques such as dialysis and (in a very limited number of cases) chelation therapy.
Specific meanings of detox:
- A form of drug rehabilitation, used to treat alcoholism or other drug addiction. The process involves abstinence to clear the drug from the body, accompanied by social and environmental support during the associated physiological and psychological changes.
- A class of diets whose underlying assumption is that the body accumulates toxins that must be purged, especially after unhealthy periods such as over-eating during festivals. Toxins, in this case, refer to toxic substances - often of undefined nature - from foods, the environment and the body's own wastes. "Detox diet" is a common phrase, as is "I'm on a detox". See, for instance, 'Detox Your World', by Shazzie (ISBN 0954397703) or Carol Vorderman's 28 Day Detox Diet (ISBN B0000558PK).
- Forms of complementary medicine and quackery that claim to remove such toxins from the body: for instance, by herbal, electrical or electromagnetic treatments. As the definition of toxins in this and the previous context has little scientific basis, the validity of such techniques is questionable. There is no evidence for such accumulation; the liver and kidneys automatically detoxify and excrete many toxic materials, including metabolic wastes.
- A figurative term for a spiritual, psychological or organisational cleansing, as in detoxing your mind, your life, or even your desk [1] (http://www.thinkindustries.com/articles/top_ten/detox.html).
External links
- Drug Detoxification (http://www.daretorecover.org/detoxification.html)