Vasopressin - Caveat lector

                       

                       Vasopressin has memory-enhancing effects and
                       is widely known as the prescription drug
                       manufactured by Sandoz Pharmaceutical
                       Company under the trade name Diapid.
                       Vasopressin is a brain hormone produced in the
                       pituitary gland, and acts to imprint new
                       information into the brain's memory centers.
                       Without vasopressin you can't learn or acquire
                       new information. Similarly, it helps in memory
                       retrieval by drawing information into conscious
                       thought.

                       Earliest research was conducted in the
                       Netherlands in the mid-'60s by Dr. de Wied, who
                       found that vasopressin acts directly on brain cells
                       and the central nervous system to improve the
                       imprinting system by which electric impulses
                       with information became encoded into long-term
                       memories. During this process new proteins are
                       synthesized and deposited into the memory
                       centers of the brain. Research on humans using
                       vasopressin revealed similar memory enhancing
                       results. Patients with memory problems showed
                       improved attention span, concentration, recall,
                       and ability to learn.

                       Stimulants like LSD, cocaine, amphetamines,
                       Ritalin, and Cylert cause the pituitary to release
                       vasopressin. Frequent use of these drugs can
                       lead to sluggish mental performance and
                       depression resulting from vasopressin depletion.
                       On the other hand, marijuana and alcohol, which
                       are depressants, inhibit the release of
                       vasopressin This explains why regular users,
                       especially of marijuana, often complain of
                       memory loss. These problems can be reversed,
                       almost immediately, by inhaling Diapid, because
                       it is absorbed through the mucous membranes in
                       the nose and goes quickly to the brain results
                       are often evident in less than a minute.

                       Diapid, which is a nasal spray manufactured by
                       Sandoz, has been approved by the FDA only to
                       treat the frequent urination associated with
                       diabetes insipidus and bedwetting in children.
                       The FDA has not approved its use in healthy
                       people for memory and learning enhancement.
                       Diapid is considered to be very safe, with no
                       major side effects. However, some people
                       experience mild symptoms such as nose
                       irritation, headaches, abdominal cramps, and an
                       increased desire to move the bowels. Pregnant
                       women should avoid it, since safety during
                       pregnancy has not been established.

                       Vasopressin can be obtained in the United
                       States by prescription. It is available over the
                       counter in Mexico.


                       Copyright ©1993: Beverly Potter & Sebastian
                       Orfali. Excerpted from Brain Boosters: Foods &
                       Drugs That Make You Smarter. Permission given
                       by Ronin Publishing, Inc., Berkeley, CA to Smart
                       Basics Inc. to distribute on web site only. This
                       material may be downloaded by individuals for
                       personal use only, but it may not be reproduced
                       and distributed to others without specific written
                       permission of the publisher. All Rights Reserved.

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