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.
The data on Smart Drugs is provided for informational
purposes only. These are prescription items and/or are
not available for sale in the United States. Please note
that Smartbasics does NOT sell these products. We are
not associated with any other company nor do we
recommend the purchase of Smart Drugs through any
offshore company. If you are interested in using these
products, we recommend you contact your health care
provider.
