Animal Quote by Peter Breggin
![“I was asked by the National Institute of Health to be their scientific discussant on the effects of these drug [Ritalin] at a big conference they held. Beforehand, I reviewed all of the important literature on the issue. Even with experiments on animals. When they're given these drugs they stop…” quote by Peter Breggin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/09b/peter-breggin-22000_animal_i-was-asked-by-the-national-institute-of_2488763.jpg)
“I was asked by the National Institute of Health to be their scientific discussant on the effects of these drug [Ritalin] at a big conference they held. Beforehand, I reviewed all of the important literature on the issue. Even with experiments on animals. When they're given these drugs they stop playing; they stop being curious; they stop socializing; they stop trying to escape. We make good caged animals with these drugs. And we make good caged kids by knocking their spontaneity out of them. And, Michael, the other thing is that these drugs enforce obsessive behavior.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: National Institute of Health conference, 2000s
The quote warns that stimulant drugs like Ritalin suppress curiosity, social interaction, and spontaneity, turning individuals into overly controlled, obsessive beings.
In simple terms: Stimulants can dampen natural curiosity and social behavior.
Key Takeaway
Beware of over‑medicating to control behavior.
Themes
psychopharmacology
behavior
education
child development
ethics
Mood
concerned
critical
Type
cautionary
analytical
When to use this quote
- school classrooms
- parenting
- clinical trials
- policy discussions
- mental health treatment
Key Concepts
Neurochemistry
dopamine regulation
behavioral control
obsessive tendencies
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance therapeutic use with preserving spontaneity?
- What alternatives support natural curiosity?
A Different Perspective
The benefits of medication for genuine disorders may be overlooked when focusing on negative side effects.
![“[Hillary Clinton] is giving money to N.I.M.H. [National Institute for Mental Health] ultimately to conduct more experiments on two- to four-year-olds. What they're going to do is conduct a lot of clinical studies which actually drug two- to four-year-olds.” quote by Peter Breggin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ddc/peter-breggin-22000_clinicals_hillary-clinton-is-giving-money-to-n-i-m_57008.jpg)
![“In part I'm just mystified. Here's a woman, Hillary [Clinton], who wrote a book about it takes a "village" to raise children. It wasn't about a book about "it takes a pill." There's a "double think" that the modern person often has. Anything that's called "science" is accepted as an absolute and…” quote by Peter Breggin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8ad/peter-breggin-22000_absolutes_in-part-i-m-just-mystified-here-s-a-woma_640718.jpg)
![“The man Hillary [Clinton] introduced at the meeting goes so far as to say that no amount of trauma to children - or poor parenting or anything in their lives - causes them mental disorders. He says it's all biological and genetic and should be treated by drugs.” quote by Peter Breggin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/093/peter-breggin-22000_amount_the-man-hillary-clinton-introduced-at-th_697679.jpg)
![“What a pleasure to hear Michael Savage backtalk to Hillary [Clinton]. You know, there is such hypocrisy with her. I didn't start out as a Clinton basher; I started out hopeful years ago. What she's doing here is merely damage control because her drugs have come under criticism.” quote by Peter Breggin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f31/peter-breggin-22000_bashers_what-a-pleasure-to-hear-michael-savage-b_1591306.jpg)
![“Hillary [Clinton] even said that, whether or not teenagers want treatment, they have to get it. So it's involuntary treatment.” quote by Peter Breggin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bbd/peter-breggin-22000_clinton_hillary-clinton-even-said-that-whether-o_1722939.jpg)
