University of Maryland discovery may lead to 'smart pill'

articles.baltimoresun.com

12 points·jamesbritt··10 comments

I'm not optimistic about this ever being legal even if it ends up being safe and effective. The bottom line is that I can't see the FDA ever approving a mind-altering drug that isn't for a recognized disease.

Step 1: classify stupidity as a mental disease.

Stupidity often has victims other than the carrier.

Why wouldn't it be legal? It would treat schizophrenia and parkinson's as well and I've never heard of the FDA banning any current popular nootropics.

The article isn't well written but basically http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kynurenic_acid is bad and DECREASING it improves cognition by increasing activity at the alpha 7 nicotinic receptor. Alpha 7 nicotonic agonists are under HEAVY research at the moment as nootropics and treatment for schizophrenia\parkinson's. I'd say theres a good possibility there already is a safe\legal research chemical with alpha7 nicotinic stimulation out there or one already under trials.

In the USA. There are other countries. At some point one will decide it'd be a great idea to smarten up its citizens, and the rest will have to follow suit if they want to compete.

Schwarcz and other scientists have been studying the link for more than a decade

Ha, so another ten years before human testing? What if they used an experimental smart drug on themselves and speeded up research? :D

ARTIFICIALLY-INDUCED INTELLIGENCE DETERIORATES AT A RATE OF TIME DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL TO THE QUANTITY OF THE INCREASE.

Haven't you read Flowers for Algernon?

mice genetically engineered to produce 70 percent less kynurenic acid had markedly improved cognition... [and] were better able to... remember unpleasant experiences

Sadder but wiser?

go terps

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