Читать книгу Orthomolecular Medicine for Everyone - Abram Hoffer M.D. Ph.D. - Страница 52

In 1952, Dr. Humphry Osmond and I (A. H.) started a double-blind experiment comparing niacin, niacinamide, and placebo on a group of thirty acute schizophrenic patients. The sickest patients from each group (more depressed or more violent) also received a short series of electroconvulsive therapy. One year after discharge, each patient was reevaluated. From the placebo group, three patients were well (the usual spontaneous recovery rate is considered to be about 35 percent). The other two groups fared better: from each, about 75 percent were well, doubling the one-year natural recovery rate. Three more double-blind experiments confirmed these conclusions. Since then, the use of vitamin B₃ has become standard practice for orthomolecular therapists, but it is important to note that vitamin B₃ alone is seldom used for treating schizophrenia. It is usually combined with orthomolecular nutrition, with other vitamins and minerals, and for a while with standard neuroleptic drugs when they are required. This comprehensive program has been used on over 100,000 schizophrenics in North America with excellent results. When tranquilizers are used, smaller quantities are needed, and eventually, recovered patients do not need to use any tranquilizers.⁹