Posted by Matt on October 29, 1998, at 14:39:00
Dear Dr. Bob,
Well, if you can't ask your doctor, who can you ask? And, I'm surpised to see that
nobody has already asked: I have recently come across information on Smart Drugs and .
what are being called Nootropics. I'm curious about trying some of these. Please understand,
I feel great. I'm not unhappy or depressed, however, I am tempted by the thought of
improving my over all sense of happiness and well being. Also, I am tempted by claims
that I can enhance my cognitive abilities; memory, recall, cognition.
I have two reservations. First, I am frightened by any unknown revalations about
these substances that might occur as did during the Fen-Phen craze. Second, I'm also sceptical
of marketing. For example, GNC pushes amino acid supplements to weight lifters by telling them
that these compounds are necessary to build muscle. Well, as you and I both know, that's true.
What they don't say is that an excess of amino acids are presant, they are excreted through the
urine or even converted to and stored as fat!!
One claim suggests that Dimethylaminoethylene (or some such drug) encourages the production
of acytlcholine beyond the blood-brain barrier, and thus, somehow, improves your cognitive faculties.
I would expect, however, that just as many drugs have nasty side-effects, some would have very
beneficial side effects... even for a healthy person. As a doctor of Psycological medicine, I'm certain
that not only have you been able to avoid this subject, but that you might very well understand the
subjects myths and realities, and thus provide invaluable information and advice on the topic. I also
realise that a professional would be tempted to push aside the subject by advising people to stay away
from smart drugs all together; that is to say, "If it ain't broke, then don't fix it". On the other hand,
if the potential for cognitive enhancement by phamacological means exists, why ignore the possibilities??
I'd appreciate a reply.Sincerely, Matt.
poster:Matt
thread:985
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19981001/msgs/985.html