Good afternoon Madam Chair and committee members, my name is Jeremy Murphree, I'm a Lyme disease patient in Greenville, my doctor practices in Virginia, and I work with Jill Swing at the South Carolina Compassionate Care Alliance.

My doctors treatment has helped bring me close to complete remission from the disfiguring skin condition, Morgellons, which causes slow healing skin lesions to form all across the body. These ulcerations are not self inflicted, but because of the lack of education about Lyme disease, doctors often wrongly attribute the dermopathy to mental illness.

Lyme disease is shown to be associated with several medical conditions including cardiovascular disease, mental health conditions including treatment resistant depression, anxiety, and psychosis, cancer, autism, aggressive behavior, ischemic stroke, and chronic pain at any age. The standard tests for Lyme disease are reportedly between 40-60% accurate, meaning a patient can test negative but still harbor the infection. Our CDC states the incidence of Lyme disease is approaching half a million cases every year, yet Lyme disease is rarely considered by even our best doctors. My doctor as stated, is well out of state.

Medical marijuana has several reported applications for Lyme patients, of whom it is demonstrated that 20% on average do not respond to conventional treatment.

Concerning S423;

First, Marijuana is produced into hundreds of strains, each capable of addressing specific conditions. Because people develop a tolerance, a variety of strains are typically available in dispensaries, allowing patients to change to a different phenotype that produces similar medical effects. This legislation prevents patients from knowing what strain is in their medicine, and from changing to a different strain when they inevitably develop tolerance.

Second, science has shown that smoking whole flower marijuana is the most effective administration for chronic pain. Studies have also demonstrated th..

Bb "Drilling" Into Skin Cell Nucleus (football shaped dark area)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdhk_-o8_n8

I Didn't Hack Steve Beddingfield https://www.facebook.com/groups/morgellonslyme/permalink/10162579439402323/

"A recently recognized dermopathy associated with tickborne illness known as Morgellons disease is characterized by brightly-colored filamentous inclusions and projections detected in ulcerative lesions and under unbroken skin." (https://digitalcommons.newhaven.edu/biology-facpubs/60/)

"Morgellons disease is an emerging skin disease characterized by formation of dermal filaments associated with multisystemic symptoms and tick-borne illness." (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3544355/)

"Morgellons disease (MD) is a contested dermopathy that is associated with Borrelia spirochetal infection." (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7012249/)

"Morgellons disease (MD) is a dermatological condition characterized by aberrant production of keratin and collagen fibers in skin." [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29774138/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29774138/)

"Borrelia species from both groups have been linked to an emerging, controversial, globally occurring dermopathy commonly referred to as Morgellons disease (MD).4–9 The key diagnostic criterion of this skin condition is the presence of unusual and often colorful filaments that lie under, are embedded in, or project from skin." (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8110212/)

"Morgellons disease (MD) is a skin condition associated with Lyme disease (LD) and tick-borne illness." (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30519067/)

"Morgellons disease (MD) is a complex skin disorder characterized by ulcerating lesions that have protruding or embedded filaments." (https://bmcdermatol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12895-015-0023-0)

"Morgellons disease is an emerging human dermopathy characterized by the presence of filamentous fibers of undetermined composition, both in les..

Justin Begaye Interviews Jeremy Murphree for Upcoming #MorgellonsBook #LymeDisease #Marijuana

Prof Eva Sapi: The Potential Connection of Borrelia Infection and Breast Cancer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csUtZ9plgVs

A chemical imbalance doesn’t explain depression. So what does? https://www.sciencenews.org/article/chemical-imbalance-explain-depression

Depression is likely not caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, study says https://thehill.com/changing-america/well-being/mental-health/3569506-depression-is-likely-not-caused-by-a-chemical-imbalance-in-the-brain-study-says/

Study finds depression is not likely caused by a chemical imbalance or low serotonin levels https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/study-finds-depression-is-not-likely-caused-by-a-chemical-imbalance-or-low-serotonin-levels

Microbes and Mental Illness: Past, Present, and Future https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/12/1/83

Lyme Disease Increases Risk for Mental Illness https://psychnews.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.pn.2021.10.7

https://www.morgellons.io/

https://www.morgellonssurvey.org/

Quality of Life and Morgellons, Treatment Considerations with Dr. Steven Feldman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFHT5InHuGQ

Interview with Skin Deep Star, Dr. Steve Feldman MD, PHD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mkqnzRz1Ko

How to Have a Better Experience at Your Doctor Visit: Steven R. Feldman, MD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsiS2hxOW2k&list=PL3nII97JiwYtI5_rhr3BXL2eg7O6E2nOH&index=6

The Grass Might Be Greener: Medical Marijuana Patients Exhibit Altered Brain Activity and Improved Executive Function after 3 Months of Treatment https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2017.00983/full

Is CBD the future of antipsychotic drugs? A new global study investigates https://wellcome.org/news/cbd-future-antipsychotic-drugs-new-global-study-investigates

Cannabidiol versus placebo as adjunctive treatment in early psychosis: study protocol for randomized cont..

Dr. Courtney Day is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor and Microbiologist with expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme Disease, Morgellons, Parasites and other illnesses caused by environmental exposures. Her naturopathic treatment approach to complex chronic illness, parasites and vector-borne infections has earned her recognition at international conferences on the topic of Lyme and Morgellons Disease. https://www.daylywellness.com/courtneyday

Can you tell us about the history of your interest in medicine and what led you to specialize in Lyme Disease and Morgellons?

How do you approach the diagnosis and treatment of these complex conditions? Can you walk us through your methodology?

What are some of the key environmental factors that contribute to the development of Lyme Disease, Morgellons, and other similar illnesses?

To what extent do you believe stressful and emotionally toxic environments contribute to the progression and persistence of diseases?

In your experience, what holistic, natural, or alternative therapies have shown promising results in treating bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic infections associated with these illnesses?

Does medical marijuana have a place in treating Morgellons?

Are there any therapies which Morgellons patients should avoid?

How does diet factor into a patient's treatment and what considerations do you feel help in this regard?

Is genetic testing beneficial towards treatment?

What challenges do patients with Lyme Disease or Morgellons typically face during their treatment journey, and how do you support them through these challenges?

Have you ever encountered a patient who believed they had Morgellons, but upon examination, it became evident that they did not? How did you explain the absence of symptoms to them?

What are some of the most fascinating symptoms of Morgellons that have particularly piqued your interest?

What is your experience with parasites and what can you tell us about leishmaniasis? Is it..

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Dear Team Rise Above Lyme, my recent banning from your group was a result of your lack of communication. I reached out to both Jessican and Christina - neither of whom responded causing me anxiety and to feel bullied. It is so easy to just say, "Jeremy, we temporarily removed this post until we research your guest" but that was not accomplished. That is what caused the drama and anxiety.

Your claim that I was causing drama in your group is false, it's a lie. I was looking to see if my post was removed because it was an interview. That was not the case. I know the rules. The rule you used to ban me from your group, and to justify blocking me DOES NOT EXIST. I asked where it was, and you blocked me.

Your group caused drama and anxiety and caused me to feel bullied because you simply failed to reply to my direct messages. The fact is, you caused drama today and should accept responsibility for the pain you caused me by enforcing a rule that does not exist, and failing to communicate with me what was occurring so I didn't have to guess.

Best Regards,
Jeremy Murphree

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Who is Dr. Morales and what it is that you do?

What can you tell us about the beginning of your interests in Lyme disease?

Can you share more about your experience in treating tropical diseases, what kinds of diseases were those?

What can you tell us about your revolutionary therapy for Babesia and other co-infections?

What challenges did you face while implementing the red cell exchange treatment method for eradicating Babesia? How did you overcome them?

What is ILADS and what is your role with that organization?

What is Morgellons, what is it really?

What is Morgellons not, what do you hear the most about it which contradicts the science?

How can someone help if they have a loved-one who is dealing with Morgellons?

How do you approach treating Morgellons and what is your success rate? Is remission even possible?

What is the Lyme clinic in Mexico like and where is it located, what are some of the local landmarks?

Can anyone see you or do they need a referral? How does pricing work?

Is there anything you can recommend someone to do to help ease the symptoms of Morgellons before they can come to see you?

Is financial aid available, to both residents of Mexico and those of the United States?

What are some of your treatments for other afflictions? How does, for example, Lyme treatment differ from treating Bartonella?

What other common infections do you see in your practice?

Why do infections so often go undiagnosed, sometimes before it’s too late?

Can you discuss any ongoing research or projects that you're currently involved in related to Morgellons, tropical diseases or tick-borne illnesses?

What does Dr. Morales like to do in his downtime?

For information about the top clinic, Lyme Mexico, and alternative treatment options, contact The Lyme Mexico Clinic today! https://lymemexico.com/

Dr. Omar Morales was featured in the ILADS Pulse Newsletter "After witnessing numerous neurological complications and sequelae arising from tick-borne illnesses a..

Real Morgellons Substack https://realmorgellons.substack.com/

"In these scenarios it becomes important to the patient to find evidence of filament disease, if they have not already done so, by magnification of itchy skin or evident dermopathy. Examination with a high power magnification of at least 60x is essential in the search for the presence of filaments under unbroken skin1–3. It is important not to fall into the trap of mistaking cotton and synthetic filaments for Morgellons filaments (the latter are typically smaller) and anyone familiar with a dermoscope knows all too well that the former are frequently seen loose on the skin or adhered to a damaged or ulcerated surface." https://f1000research.com/articles/2-118

Morgellons Photographic Criteria
1. 60x or greater magnification
2. Clearly embedded in skin tissue

Amazon 4K Microscope https://amzn.to/3NLOzLg

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Hey there! In this video, I dive deep into a topic that often gets brushed aside - the emotional toll of discussing Morgellons and syphilis. I explore why people shy away from these discussions and provide insights on how to be supportive of yourself during these challenging conversations. Join me as we navigate through the complexities and learn how to approach these sensitive subjects with empathy and understanding. Let's create a safe space together!

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When this information was presented to a moderator of r/medical their only response was "I have no desire to continue discourse with you. Go away." They said this because they can't handle the truth, they can't admit they are wrong and are promoting false medical information which will likely result in delayed diagnosis, mistrust of the medical field - or worse.

People who hide facts on medically based subreddits are not qualified to moderate them.

"A physician is required to perform fiber analysis to identify the nature of fibers. If fibers are present and biofilaments of human origin, then they are a true observation. It is also possible that patients might observe fibers and mistake them for worms in which case the idea of infestation could be an overvalued idea. Real infestation with arthropods such as mites can also occur. Additionally, some patients could have lesions with adhering textile fibers that are accidental contaminants and could mistakenly believe that they have MD, in which case they do not have a delusional belief, but a mistaken belief. In summary, if a physician cannot differentiate between true observations, delusions, and overvalued ideas, they should not immediately make a diagnosis of delusional mental illness." https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6171510/

r/AskDocs as well as r/medical are especially anti-science subreddits where abusive moderators censor real science and promote their own alternative beliefs.

Look at the horrible advice they are giving this young woman about her mother. Anything having to do with Lyme disease the moderators take down: My Mom Says She Has Morgellons, How Can I Help? Can I Help? : AskDocs (reddit.com)

Here is a list of scientific papers censored from r/AskDocs and r/medical about the topic of Morgellons disease. You have to wonder WHY these terrible people moderating these pseudoscientific groups would want to promote dangerous lies to Morgellons patients about this rare skin condition.

http..

Are you tired of the mystery behind Morgellons disease? In this eye-opening video, I delve into the fascinating world of white keratinized projections found under scabs in Morgellons patients. Discover the truth about these often overlooked artifacts and how they are responsible for the stinging sensations and pain experienced by those affected. Join me as we unravel the secrets of Morgellons and gain a deeper understanding of this perplexing condition. Don't miss out on this enlightening journey!

"I think my grandmother has Morgellons... the mental kind." https://www.reddit.com/r/mentalhealth/comments/17sbu46/i_think_my_grandmother_has_morgellons_the_mental/

Why This Disease Causes Strange Fibers to Grow From Skin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=5IlG68C7qA4

Association of spirochetal infection with Morgellons disease https://f1000research.com/articles/2-25/v1
Canine Filamentous Dermatitis Associated with Borrelia Infection https://www.scitechnol.com/peer-review/canine-filamentous-dermatitisassociated-with-borrelia-infection-1Qxf.php?article_id=5548
Characterization and evolution of dermal filaments from patients with Morgellons disease https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3544355/
Classification and Staging of Morgellons Disease: Lessons from Syphilis https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7012249/
Clinical determinants of Lyme borreliosis, babesiosis, bartonellosis, anaplasmosis, and ehrlichiosis in an Australian cohort https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4278782/
Clinical evaluation of Morgellons disease in a cohort of North American patients https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29774138/
Dermatological and Genital Manifestations of Lyme Disease Including Morgellons Disease https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8110212/
Detection of tick-borne infection in Morgellons disease patients by serological and molecular techniques https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30519067/
Differentiating Psychosomatic, Somatopsychic, Multisys..

Find A Morgellons Doctor https://www.morgellonssurvey.org/morgellons-doctor/

Why Am I Still Sick? The Silent Role of Biofilms in Chronic Disease (Full Movie) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjHqMZszHTA

Bacteria and Chronic Infections https://www.coursera.org/learn/bacterial-infections

Financial Assistance Resources https://www.globallymealliance.org/lyme-patient-support/financial-assistance/

Organizations That Help You Pay for Lyme Treatment & Testing https://rawlsmd.com/health-articles/organizations-that-help-you-pay-for-lyme-treatment-testing

IFM is the only organization providing functional medicine certification along with educational programs directly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME). https://www.ifm.org/find-a-practitioner/

Find a Healthcare Provider Program https://www.globallymealliance.org/lymedoc

Provider Search https://www.ilads.org/patient-care/provider-search/

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In this video I describe how online Morgellons groups foster a mistrust for the medical community, how that mistrust can result in refusing health services and information which could prevent death, how Morgellons is not the only disease patients are dealing with, and how online groups in many cases are what patients regard as an acceptable replacement for seeing a doctor.

To learn about Morgellons, visit https://morgellons.io/learn

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What is Morgellons?

Learn the basic scientific knowledge of Morgellons disease including:
How to identify Morgellons in pictures
Why there is a controversy surrounding Morgellons
Which pathogens are associated with Morgellons
How to advocate for patients
What best treatment options are available
Introduction to Morgellons, free online course: https://www.morgellons.io/learn/course/1/about

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Reframing delusional infestation: perspectives on unresolved puzzles https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6171510/
"The first step needs to determine whether delusion exists or not. A delusion is defined as a firmly, but false belief held with strong conviction and contrary to the superior evidence. It is distinct from beliefs based on an unusual perception, such as formication. The beliefs that patients hold could be delusion, true observations, or overvalued ideas. This must be determined on a case-by-case basis. The presentation of a specimen is not a delusional behavior. Patients with DI/MD with animate or inanimate objects can exist, but the belief of cutaneous fibers may or may not be delusional. A physician is required to perform fiber analysis to identify the nature of fibers. If fibers are present and biofilaments of human origin, then they are a true observation. It is also possible that patients might observe fibers and mistake them for worms in which case the idea of infestation could be an overvalued idea. Real infestation with arthropods such as mites can also occur. Additionally, some patients could have lesions with adhering textile fibers that are accidental contaminants and could mistakenly believe that they have MD, in which case they do not have a delusional belief, but a mistaken belief. In summary, if a physician cannot differentiate between true observations, delusions, and overvalued ideas, they should not immediately make a diagnosis of delusional mental illness.

The next procedure would be screening the causes of the symptoms. If a delusional belief is present, then various medical conditions need to be ruled out, including psychiatric disorders (eg, schizophrenia and depression), neurological illnesses (eg, dementia), metabolic illnesses (eg, diabetes), vitamin deficiencies, substance intoxication, tumor, dermatological illnesses (eg, pruritus senilis), and infection. History taking, physical examination, laboratory tests, and e..

In this video I discuss the negativity in Morgellons groups, and the need for a positive outlook on life to be able to progress beyond Morgellons.

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Detection of tick-borne infection in Morgellons disease patients by serological and molecular techniques
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6233863/

B. henselae PCR testing
Blood specimens from all 30 patients and skin specimens from 10 patients with MD were submitted for PCR amplification of B. henselae PCR gene targets. Amplicons from blood and/or skin specimens were obtained for samples from 6/30 (20%) of the patients. B. henselae PCR results are summarized in Table 5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6233863/table/t5-ccid-11-561/

Video makes false claims about Morgellons disease and COVID-19 tests
https://apnews.com/article/fact-checking-afs:Content:9960958416

Interview with Skin Deep Star, Dr. Steve Feldman MD, PHD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mkqnzRz1Ko

What is Morgellons?
https://www.morgellonssurvey.org

Inaugural episode of Ahhh Chute, Morgellons!
https://www.morgellonssurvey.org