The Purification Rundown is a program of exercise (usually running), many hours of heat exposure in a sauna, and high doses of vitamins, especially niacin. Scientology claims it purifies and detoxifies the body by removing drug residues from fatty tissues.
As reported in the Toronto Star, a nearly identical program is used at Narconon facilities (Narconon is a Scientology-based drug treatment program) and a Toronto health clinic:
A controversial "purification" regime used by the Church of Scientology to advance members' spiritual enlightenment is also being used by Narconon, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre, and is being offered at a Toronto health clinic.
The "Purification Rundown" used by Narconon and the Lafayette Health Centre uses large vitamin dosages, exercise and long hours in the sauna to "cleanse" the body of accumulated impurities, according to Narconon officials and the health centre's director.
Costs of the treatment offered at Narconon can range up $6,000, and the way in which it is used has come under the scrutiny of the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons.
A leading Toronto nutritionist told The Star there is "no evidence in scientific literature" that the program can actually rid tissues of residual chemicals or toxins.
- Lindsay Scotton, "Scientology 'purification' rite used by anti-addiction centres", The Toronto Star, June 14, 1986
The Purification Rundown is an introductory service, recommended to beginning Scientologists and heavily promoted in magazines from Scientology organizations. It is a required prerequisite to some other Scientology services, such as NOTS.
the Purification Rundown is a carefully designed combination of exercise, vitamins, nutrition and sauna use which dislodges drug residues and other toxins from the fatty tissues so that these substances can then be eliminated from the body.
The copyright page of What Is Scientology? includes a disclaimer:
However, as the Los Angeles Times reported in 1990,
- Robert W. Welkos and Joel Sappell, Church Seeks Influence in Schools, Business, Science, Los Angeles Times, June 27, 1990