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Abram Hoffer (b. 1917) is a Canadian psychiatrist known for his use of nutritional and vitamin therapies in the treatment of schizophrenia and other diseases. This approach is known as orthomolecular medicine and includes megavitamins. *
He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Great Distinction) from the University of Saskatchewan in 1938, followed by a Masters Degree in Agriculture (agricultural chemistry) in 1940. He received a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Minnesota in 1944 with research into vitamin content in cereals. Gaining an interest in human nutrition, Hoffer entered medical school, graduating with an MD from the University of Toronto in 1949 * .
Hoffer served as the Director of Psychiatric Research for the Saskatchewan Department of Public Health in Regina from 1950-57. He noted that half the patients housed were schizophrenics. He looked for better answers to treat the mentally ill. He used biochemistry and human physiology as an emergent psychiatric research paradigm, and was critical of psychosomatic psychoanalysis and the lack of adequate definition and measurement in psychiatric methodology. *
Working with Humphry Osmond, MD and their scientific teams, they developed the oxidized adrenalin - adrenochrome model of schizophrenia, the Hoffer-Osmond Diagnostic Test (HOD), niacin therapy for schizophrenia, and tests for hallucinogenic indole metabolites. Hoffer and Osmond also did pioneering studies with an indole, LSD, to simulate delirium tremens to treat over 2000 alcoholics with a 45-50% success rate. Incidental to Hoffer's psychiatric work with niacin, he discovered the first successful anticholesterol treatment. This niacin treatment remains the cholesterol treatment best proven to actually extend life with highly beneficial improvements to HDL, Lp(a) and triglycerides as well as lowering LDL *
Taking note of biochemical abnormalities and serendipitous cancer recoveries among his psychiatric patients, Hoffer worked for several years on the anticancer effects of vitamins particularly the B vitamins and ascorbate. This work includes treating many hundreds of cancer patients with nutrients with reported success. Hoffer collaborated with Linus Pauling on several aspects of orthomolecular medicine but especially the anticancer actions of vitamin C. Hoffer continues editor of the Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine. *
References
Bibliography
This short list includes some of Hoffer's publications, many co-authored with Humphry Osmond. It clearly excludes the majority of over 500 scientific articles and over 35 books written by Hoffer [http://www.doctoryourself.com/biblio_hoffer.html in a long and continuing career.
Further reading
Resources
- The Carl Pfeiffer Treatment Center ''- Continues the research in orthomolecular psychiatry and treatment protocols that Abram Hoffer helped begin.
External links
"Abram Hoffer"