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Dear Mr. Morgenthaler,

Thank you for the “Health & Wellness Update.” I look forward to each issue, and the solid information it provides.

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Smart Drugs & Nutrients:

How to Improve Your Memory and Increase Your Intelligence Using the Latest Discoveries In Neuroscience

VOLUME 1 in the Smart Drugs Series

by Ward Dean, M.D. & John Morgenthaler
$12.95 - 224 pages, softcover (Out of Stock)

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Sec 5: Other Cognitive Enhancers

Acetyl­L-Carnitine (ALC) | Caffeine | Centrophenoxine (Lucidril) | Choline & Lecithin | AL721 (Egg Lecithin) | DHEA | DMAE | Gerovital (GH­3) | Ginkgo Biloba: A Nootropic Herb? | Ginseng | Hydergine | Idebenone | Phenytoin (Dilantin) | Propranolol Hydrochloride (Inderal) | Thyroid Hormone | Vasopressin (Diapid) | Vincamine | Vitamins | Xanthinol Nicotinate

Vasopressin (Diapid)

Vasopressin (anti-diuretic hormone) is a hormone secreted by the posterior portion of the pituitary gland. It is approved for treatment of diabetes insipidus because it prevents the frequent urination that occurs in this disease. Vasopressin has also been used to treat memory deficits due to aging, senile dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Korsaoff's Syndrome and amnesia. It improves attention, concentration, memory retention, and recall (both short‑term and long‑term). Vaso­pressin is necessary for imprinting new information in your memory.

Cocaine, LSD, amphetamines, Ritalin, and Cylert (pemoline) cause your pituitary gland to release natural vasopressin at a faster rate. Frequent use of these drugs can cause depleted levels of vasopressin with resultant slowness and dopiness. A whiff of vasopressin can transform stimulant burnout experience in about 10 seconds, because it is rapidly absorbed by the nasal mucosa, and immediately replaces the vasopressin that has been depleted.

Conversely, marijuana and alcohol suppress the release of vasopressin. A whiff of vasopressin when using these drugs will compensate for much of the dopiness caused by them.

Vasopressin is very useful when learning large amounts of new information. It can increase your ability to memorize and recall.

Many people have very strong and positive reactions to vasopressin. We include a number of testimonials in Appendix D (see page 179).

Precautions: Vasopressin occasionally produces the following side effects: nasal congestion, runny nose, itch or irritation of the nasal passages, abdominal cramps, headache, and increased bowel movements. Vasopressin has not been proven to be safe for use during pregnancy. It should also be used cautiously in cases of hypertension or epilepsy.

Dosage: Vasopressin usually comes in a nasal spray bottle. Most studies showing memory improvement have been done with a dose of 12 to 16 USP units per day, or about two whiffs three or four times per day. Vasopressin produces a notice­able effect within seconds.

Sources: Vasopressin is available in the U.S.A. You can buy it with a doctor's prescription. Again, keep in mind that most physicians may not be familiar with the uses we discuss here. It can also be purchased over the counter in Mexico or by mail order from the sources listed in Appendix A (see page 165).

Vasopressin comes in three forms: lysine‑vasopressin (Diapid, LVP, Lypressin, Postacton, Syntopressin), l‑desamino‑8‑D‑arginine (Adiuretin SD, DAV Ritter, DDAVP, Desmopressin, Desmospray, Minirin), and arginine‑vasopressin (argipressin, AVP, rinder‑vasopressin). All forms have very similar or identical effects.

References:

de Wied, D., van Wimersma Greidanus, T.B., Bohus, B., Urban, I., Gispen, W.H. "Vasopressin and Memory Consolidation." Perspectives in Brain Research. New York: Elsevier Scientific Publish­ing, 1975.

Gold, P.W., Weingartner, H., Ballenger, J.C., Goodwin, F.K., Post, R.M. "Effects of l‑Desamo‑8‑Arginine Vasopressin on Behavior and Cognition in Primary Affective Disorders." The Lancet. November 10, 1979, pp. 992‑94.

Laczi, F., Valkusz, Z., Laszlo, F.A., Wagner, A., Jardanhazy, T., Szasz, A., Szilard, J., Telegdy, G. "Effects of Lysine‑Vasopressin and l‑Deamino‑8‑D‑Arginine‑Vasopressin on Memory in Healthy Individuals and Diabetes Insipidus Patients." Psychoneuroendocrinology. 1982, Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 185‑92.

Legros, J.J., Gilot, P., Seron, X., Claessens, J., Adam, A., Moeglen, J.M., Audibert, A., Berchier, P. "Influence of Vasopressin on Learning and Memory." The Lancet. January 7, 1978, pp. 41‑42.

Oliveros, J.C., Jandali, M.K., Timsit‑Berthier, M., Remy, R., Benghezal, A., Audibert, A., Moeglen, J.M. "Vasopressin in Amnesia." The Lancet. January 7, 1978, p. 42.

Pearson, D., Shaw, S. Life Extension: A Practical Scientific Approach. New York: Warner Books, 1982.

Pelton, R., Pelton, T.C. Mind Food & Smart Pills. New York: Double­day, 1989.