From: cs166saq@sdcc5.ucsd.edu (Matthew Dimeo)
Newsgroups: alt.drugs
Subject: Re: Choline and smart drugs
Date: 17 Apr 92 03:13:30 GMT
Article-I.D.: sdcc12.31735
Organization: University of California, San Diego

someone asked about Choline, etc., so I thought I'd pass on my (somewhat meager)
knowledge on smart drugs, and also a good book reference.  Choline is a
precursor to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (sp?), which is primarily
concerned with memory and learning.  Things in the brain being seriously
connected and all, it also has some effect on muscle control.  There are lots
of over-the-counter products with choline (many with somewhat silly names like
"brain booster," etc.).  I've read in a couple of places that it's kinda hard
to increase your acetylcholine levels by taking choline - it tends to break
down in the stomach.  The "solution:"  DMAE, or 2-dimethylaminoethanol, which
is a precursor to choline (not directly to acetylcholine).  Apparently DMAE
works its way into the brain and forms choline there, losing less of the
effect.  DMAE can be purchased in any vitamin store.

Now, the book reference is _Smart Drugs and Nutrients_, by ???  (I'll try to
get the author and post it tomorrow along with ordering info).  I just flipped
through it, but it looked pretty good.  It includes several pages each on many
purported smart drugs, with ordering information, suggested dosages, and a
list of related medical journal articles on each drug.  As far as DMAE, the
book says that users have reported the following effects, among others:

- you need less sleep
- it's easier to fall asleep
- your energy level increases
- your ability to concentrate (i.e. fiter out "noise" stimuli) is improved.
- it can take as much as 3 weeks before you notice the effects.

The recommended dosage was to gradually build up to 500-1000mg/day.  There was
also mention that DMAE can upset your stomach if taken in large amounts.  NO
other adverse effects were listed in the three or four pages devoted to this
chemical.

I have personally been taking 700mg/day (two 350mg tablets) for about a week
and a half, along with gingko bilboa extract (gingko is a tree containing some
chemicals that are known to increase blood flow to the brain and skin), just
on the off chance it'll get the ol' neurotransmitters flowing.  I can't say
that I feel any _smarter_, though overall I've been feeling quite good lately -
just an all around good mood, and three weeks isn't up yet.  This is obviously
not proof, or even real evidence.  The book was right about the upset stomach,
though - don't take two tablets at once.  

The DMAE I bought was $7.99US for 50 350mg tablets, and the ginko was $7.99
for 40 tablets (they claim 300mg "gingko bilboa extract," but since it's a
plant extract and not a pure chemical, that's probably pretty meaningless.

In short, I've had no really bad experience with it, I've felt pretty good,
but no guarantees.  Caveat emptor...

Now, a quick list (from lousy wetware memory) of other smart drugs:

piracetam - acts on cholinergic receptors in the brain.  I*ncreases memory in
rats, alzheimer's patients.  Believed to facilitate comminication through the
Corpus Collosum (sp?) (the SCSI between the brain hemispheres).  Lots of
clinical use in Europe.  Available by prescription in the US, over the counter
in Mexico, and through some mail order houses.  Also some piracetam analogues,
including oxyrecetam.

tacrine - I don't know much about this except that it has some proven utility
but the FDA is sitting on it.

vasopressin, deprenyl, and a few others.  Memory fails me as to what these are
supposed to do.  read _Smart Drugs and Nutrients_ for references.

Inderal - a heart drug.  Supresses the production of adrenalyn, thereby
decreasing the body's natural "fight-or-flight" response (which is useful when
threatened in a dark alley, but a real pain when giving a presentation to 30 
VIP's).  Dosage information in _SDaN_, take 1 1/2 hour before an expected fear
response.

Hope this is useful, and I hope some physicians will start doing some useful
research in the USA, and I further hope that the FDA will completely change
its rules - it approves drugs only for people with medical problems, ignoring
the possible benefits of a few minor modifications to the biochemistry of
healthy individuals.

Disclaimer - I am not recommending that anyone actually try these things.  It
is dangerous, crazy, and immoral, and nobody but a raving lunatic should do
this stuff, unless they really want to.  Don't sue me, I haven't got any money
anyway.

I'd love to hear from anyone else who has tried any of these smart drugs.
Post or mail.


Matt DiMeo
mdimeo@ucsd (please use this address, not the one this message came from).


P.S.  Doctors are allowed lots of leeway in prescribing anything to a patient
that that doctor thinks might be beneficial, so start tracking down liberal
MD's.
Newsgroups: alt.drugs,misc.legal,talk.politics.misc