Philip K. Dick's vitamin recipe?

[unknown]

I've been reading a lot of stuff written by and about PKD recently, and
in my travels I came across this interesting paragraph:

Behind the Pink Door.
Regarding some information concerning the use of massive doses of
water-soluble vitamins that were suggested to improve the neural firing
and the communication between the two hemispheres of the brain, Phil
discovered an article in the April 1974 issue of Psychology Today that
told about a case where a doctor had treated a schizophrenic patient
with a combination of water-soluble vitamins. Phil copied down the
"recipe" and began his own treatment, experimenting further with dosage
and vitamin ratios. Phil states in his notes that, "both hemispheres [of
the brain] came together, for the first time in my life."
[ http://www.alphane.com/moon/PalmTree/2-3-74.htm ]

Firstly, I thought I'd bring it to the attention of PKD fans who
might'nt have been aware of this previously (to me it seems pretty
central to the question of what exactly happened to Phil's
brain/reducing valve/crown chakra/whatever which caused what happened to
happen...).

But secondly what I wanted to know was if anyone knew or could find out
what this recipe of water soluable vitamins was. I've googled till I
can't google no more, and I've checked out the online periodical
archives my University u/p allows me to access and I can't find anything
specific or even generally about it.

I await comments or concoctions ;)

-starbirther-

[s***@no_email.com]

About the two hemispheres of the brain coming together....
sounds like some nootropic I read about once (I'll try to remember
to look for it sometime). But this particular nootropic supposedly
facilitated communication between the two hemispheres.

I've sort of done my own experiments with legal supplements aimed
at increasing memory/motivation/etc... not to go OT but I like tyrosine
(amino acid precursor to dopamine). I have mixed feelings about 5htp
(pretty funny now that i think about it lol)..I don't think ginko did much
for me.
I've been meaning to invest in some fancy expensive nootropics but I dont
want to be too disappointed. Anyone have any personal experiences with
them? Hydergine, SAMe, and modafinil seem the most interesting to me
at the moment.
I wonder if old bob bartends himself a daily cocktail or two of some of
these..

-elric-

[Cosmic Bandito]

Firstly, I thought I'd bring it to the attention of PKD fans who might'nt
have been aware of this previously (to me it seems pretty central to the
question of what exactly happened to Phil's brain/reducing valve/crown
chakra/whatever which caused what happened to happen...).

I think the amphetamines might have also contributed to the situation.

But secondly what I wanted to know was if anyone knew or could find out
what this recipe of water soluable vitamins was. I've googled till I can't
google no more, and I've checked out the online periodical archives my
University u/p allows me to access and I can't find anything specific or
even generally about it.

"Water soluable vitamins" seems to narrow the list down to Vitamin C and the
Vitamin B family. Mega-doses of vitamin C come to mind with regard to PKD,
but I can't recall any specific reference...

I wonder if old bob bartends himself a daily cocktail or two of some of
these..

see:
http://www.rawilsonfans.com/articles/foods.htm
http://www.deepleafproductions.com/wilsonlibrary/texts/raw-medicine.html

[Dan Clore]

Post by unknown
But secondly what I wanted to know was if anyone knew or could find out
what this recipe of water soluable vitamins was. I've googled till I
can't google no more, and I've checked out the online periodical
archives my University u/p allows me to access and I can't find anything
specific or even generally about it.

The usual "orthomolecular" (aka "megavitamin") therapy for
schizophrenia consisted of 3-30 grams (as much as it took)
of vitamin B-3 plus an equal amount of vitamin C, divided in
three or four doses over the day. To this was usually added
some vitamin B-6, up to a few hundred milligrams, and
sometimes other vitamins and minerals.

This did well in clinical trials, but then more "mainstream"
(i.e., massive doses of major tranquilizers--patients who
can't do anything show a remarkable reduction in symptoms)
psychiatrists did a trial of *only* 3 grams of vitamin B-3
per day. This didn't do well at all, and the theory
rationalizing the treatment wasn't very good, so the whole
idea was discounted.

The vitamins have recently, however, undergone a small
revival in psychiatric use, as it turns out they can reduce
the side effects and damage done by psychiatric drugs.

If you try it, be aware that the niacin form of vitamin B-3
can cause hot flushing, and with such large amounts that can
get pretty unpleasant. Tolerance builds up over time, or you
can use the niacinamide form instead. Now there is also a
no-flush form of niacin on the market. It combines the
niacin with inositol, another B vitamin, which isn't a bad
thing to add anyway. And also, of course, be aware that
vitamin B-3 will prevent LSD from working.
--
Dan Clore

My collected fiction, _The Unspeakable and Others_:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1587154838/thedanclorenecro
Lord Weÿrdgliffe & Necronomicon Page:
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/9879/
News & Views for Anarchists & Activists:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/smygo

Strange pleasures are known to him who flaunts the
immarcescible purple of poetry before the color-blind.
-- Clark Ashton Smith, "Epigrams and Apothegms"

[Another p0seur]

Post by unknown
But secondly what I wanted to know was if anyone knew or could find out
what this recipe of water soluable vitamins was. I've googled till I
can't google no more, and I've checked out the online periodical
archives my University u/p allows me to access and I can't find anything
specific or even generally about it.
I await comments or concoctions ;)
-starbirther-

ahhhhh, i have wondered the same thing. in fact, when i started takking regular
vitamin supplements, i got into a pseudo-PKD mindset and toyed with the idea of
just randomly mixing different ones in outrageous doses.

but that, of course, would be irresponsible, and could very well pose a threat
to my well-being. so i haven't. aren't you proud, mummy?