Meg Patterson

Meg Patterson

Name	Meg Patterson
Birth name
Birth date	1922
Birth place	Scotland
Death date	2002
Death place	England
Alma mater
Occupation	Surgeon, Medical Innovator
Years active
Organization
Known for
Notable works
Spouse(s)
Website

Meg Patterson (1922–2002) was a pioneering Scottish surgeon known for her development of the NeuroElectric Therapy (NET), a treatment method for drug addiction. Her work in the field of addiction therapy has been both influential and controversial.

Early Life and Education

Meg Patterson was born in 1922 in Scotland. She pursued her medical education at the University of Edinburgh, where she graduated with a degree in medicine. Her early career was marked by a strong interest in surgery and innovative medical treatments.

Career

Patterson began her medical career as a surgeon, but her interest soon shifted towards addiction therapy. In the 1970s, while working in Hong Kong, she observed the use of acupuncture in treating opium addiction. This experience inspired her to develop a new method of treatment that combined traditional acupuncture with modern technology.

NeuroElectric Therapy (NET)

NeuroElectric Therapy (NET) is a treatment method developed by Meg Patterson that uses electrical stimulation to alleviate withdrawal symptoms in patients with drug addiction. The therapy involves placing electrodes on the patient's head to deliver small electrical currents, which are believed to stimulate the brain's production of endorphins and other neurotransmitters.

Development and Implementation

Patterson's development of NET was influenced by her observations of acupuncture's effects on addiction. She hypothesized that electrical stimulation could mimic the effects of acupuncture, leading to the development of a portable device that could be used in clinical settings.

Controversy and Criticism

While NET gained some popularity and was used by several high-profile individuals, it also faced criticism from the medical community. Critics argued that there was insufficient scientific evidence to support the efficacy of NET, and some viewed it as a pseudoscientific approach to addiction treatment.

Legacy

Despite the controversy, Meg Patterson's work in addiction therapy has left a lasting impact. Her innovative approach to treatment has inspired further research into the use of electrical stimulation in medicine. Patterson continued to advocate for NET until her death in 2002.

Also see

• Acupuncture
• Addiction medicine
• Endorphins
• Electrotherapy