Abram Hoffer
1977402
225173267
2008-07-12T07:51:28Z
67.160.13.132
/* Bio */
'''Abram Hoffer''' (born 1917) is a [[Canada|Canadian]] [[psychiatrist]] known for his work in the development of biochemically based therapies based on the use of [[nutrition]] and [[vitamins]] in the treatment of [[schizophrenia]] — known as [[orthomolecular psychiatry]]. This general approach, known as [[orthomolecular medicine]], includes the use of [[Megavitamin therapy|megavitamins]].
==Bio==
Hoffer 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 and completing his psychiatric training in 1954.<ref name="CV">{{cite web
| last = Hoffer
| first = Abram
| title = Curriculum Vitae
| publisher = Health WorldOnline
| url = http://www.healthy.net/bios/hoffer/CV.htm
}}</ref>
Hoffer was a faculty member of the College of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan from 1955–67. Hoffer also served as the Director of Psychiatric Research for the [[Saskatchewan]] Department of Public Health in [[Regina, Saskatchewan|Regina]] from 1950–67.<ref name="CV"/> He noted that half the patients housed in the mental hospital were diagnosed as suffering from schizophrenia and that the conditions in the mental hospital and the treatment of these patients were poor, and looked for better answers to treat the mentally ill.<ref name="Focus">
{{cite news
| author = Rob Wipond
| title = An interview with Dr. Abram Hoffer
| work = Focus
|date=August 2006
| url = http://robwipond.com/?p=21}}</ref>
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. Hoffer's theory is known as the '''adrenochrome hypothesis''', which states that persons suffering from schizophrenia lack the proper ability to remove the hallucinogenic metabolite [[adrenochrome]] from their brains. He speculated that by using [[vitamin C]] to reduce adrenochrome back into adrenaline and using [[niacin]] as a methyl acceptor to prevent the conversion of noradrenaline into adrenaline that this would lead to a decrease in the concentration of hallucinogenic adrenochrome in the brain..<ref name="adrenochrome hypothesis">{{cite web
| last = Hoffer
| first = Abram
| title = Vitamins and Minerals Help Fight Off Diseases of The Mind and The Body
| publisher = Life extension magazine
| url = http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2003/jan2003_report_hoffer_01.html
}}</ref>
By the mid-1960s the psychiatric establishment, moving heavily towards neuroleptic drugs, began to snub Hoffer’s orthomolecular theories and treatments, and refused to publish works favorable to orthomolecular medicine.<ref name "JOM">{{cite web
| last = Hoffer
| first = Abram
| title = Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine History
| url = http://www.orthomed.org/jom/jomhist.htm}}</ref> Subsequently, in 1967 Hoffer resigned his academic and Director positions, entered into private psychiatric practice in [[Saskatoon, Saskatchewan]] and created the ''Journal of Schizophrenia'' as a means of publishing articles related to orthomolecular psychiatry. After a few name changes over a number of years, this journal eventually became the ''[[Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine]]'' in 1986.<ref name "JOM"/> In 1976, Hoffer relocated to [[Victoria, British Columbia]] and continued with his private psychiatric practice until his retirement in 2005. Hoffer continues to provide nutritional consultations and also continues as the editor of the ''Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine''.<ref name="Focus"/> He is also President of the Orthomolecular Vitamin Information Centre in Victoria, BC, an organization which aims to provide accurate information to the public on the properties and uses of vitamins. <ref name="orthoinfocentre">{{ cite web
| title = Orthomolecular Vitamin Information Centre Inc.
| url = http://www.orthomolecularvitamincentre.com/}}</ref>
==Research==
Working with [[Humphry Osmond]], MD and their scientific teams, Hoffer and Osmond developed the oxidized adrenaline - adrenochrome model of schizophrenia, the Hoffer-Osmond Diagnostic Test (HOD), [[niacin]] therapy for schizophrenia, and tests for [[hallucinogen]]ic [[indole]] metabolites.<ref name="Osmond">{{cite web
| last = Eisner
| first = Bruce
| title = Humphrey Osmond Inventor of the Word "Psychedelic" Dies
| url = http://www.bruceeisner.com/new_culture/2004/02/humphrey_osmond.html
| date = [[February 11]] [[2004]]}}</ref>
In attempting to devise a treatment for [[alcoholism]], Hoffer and Osmond did studies with [[LSD]]. Theorizing that alcoholics needed to hit bottom before they were willing to stop drinking, Hoffer and Osmond attempted to use LSD to simulate [[delirium tremens]] (i.e.: hitting bottom) in alcoholics. Hoffer claimed a 50% success rate with 2000 alcoholics, although he noted that it was more likely the psychedelic experience of LSD rather than simulated delirium tremens that convinced the alcoholics to stop drinking.<ref name=”LSD”>{{cite web
| last = Hoffer
| first = Abram
| title = Treatment of Alcoholism with Psychedelic Therapy
| url = http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/lsd/hoffer.htm
| date = 1970}}</ref>
Incidental to Hoffer's psychiatric work with immediate release (pure) niacin, he discovered the first successful "anticholesterol" treatment for dyslipidemias.<ref name="Biochem">
{{cite journal
| author = Altschul R; Hoffer A; Stephen JD.
| title = Influence of Nicotinic Acid on Serum Cholesterol in Man.
| journal = Arch Biochem Biophys
| year = 1955
| volume = 54
| pages = 558–559
| doi = 10.1016/0003-9861(55)90070-9}}</ref>
Immediate release niacin treatment remains the cholesterol treatment best proven to actually extend life with highly beneficial improvements to [[High density lipoprotein|HDL]], [[Lipoprotein(a)|Lp(a)]], [[Apolipoprotein B]], [[triglyceride]]s and lipoprotein particle size as well as lowering the general [[LDL]] value for several major types of [[hyperlipidemia]],<ref name="JAMA">
{{cite journal
| author = The Coronary Drug Project Research Group.
| title = Clofibrate and niacin in coronary heart disease.
| journal = J Amer Med Assoc.
| year = 1975
| pages = 231:360–381.
| doi = 10.3354/meps316215
| volume = 316 }}</ref>
although the time release forms, particularly some of the slower pre-1994 formulations over 2 grams per day, can have potentially serious side effects.<ref name="CCWD">
{{cite book
| last = Parsons
| first = William
| title = Cholesterol Control Without Diet, Revised Edition
| date = 2003
| pages = 181-211}}
</ref><ref name="Lifespan">
{{cite web
| title = Lifespan's A - Z Health Information Library - Cholesterol
| url = http://www.lifespan.org/adam/indepthreports/10/000023.html
| date = 2006
}}
</ref>
Taking note of biochemical abnormalities and serendipitous cancer recoveries among his psychiatric patients, Hoffer worked for several years on the anticancer effects of nutrients particularly the [[B vitamins]], [[selenium]], and [[ascorbate]]. He says this includes treating many hundreds of cancer patients with nutrients with reported success.<ref name="HofferCancer">
{{cite web
| title = Hoffer's Home Page - Orthomolecular Treatment of Cancer.
| url = http://www.islandnet.com/~hoffer/
| date = [[December 26]] [[1999]]
}}
</ref> Hoffer collaborated with [[Linus Pauling]] on several aspects of orthomolecular medicine,<ref>[http://osulibrary.oregonstate.edu/specialcollections/coll/pauling/catalogue/pauling01_152-162.html Correspondence, Abram Hoffer], Ava Helen and Linus Pauling Papers, Oregon State University Libraries Special Collections, accessed 28 Feb 2008</ref> especially on inexpensive [[complementary]] treatment of cancer with [[vitamin C]] and other nutrients.<ref>Pauling L, Chowka PB, [http://members.aol.com/realmedia/pauling.html Linus Pauling, PhD: The Last Interview], ''Nutrition Science News'', April 1996. accessed online 28 Feb 2008.</ref> Co-authoring several books with Pauling's contribution,<ref>{{cite book | author = Hoffer A; Pauling L | title = Healing Cancer: Complementary Vitamin & Drug Treatments | edition = | publisher = CCNM Press | year = 2004 | id = ISBN 1-897025-11-4 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book | author = Hoffer A; Pauling L | title = Vitamin C and Cancer: Discovery, Recovery, Controversy | edition = | publisher = Quarry Press, Kingston, ON | year = 1999 | id = ISBN 1-55082-078-8 }}</ref> Hoffer's treatment protocols received Pauling's final recommendation on the complementary treatment and amelioration of cancer.<ref>Chowka PB. [http://members.aol.com/realmedia/pauling.html "Linus Pauling, PhD: The Last Interview"], ''Nutrition Science News'', April 1996.</ref>
==Controversy==
Hoffer's treatment for schizophrenia and theories of orthomolecular medicine remain controversial as they have not been generally accepted by the mainstream medical community as of 2006.<ref name=”qwatch”>
{{cite web
| last = Bartlett
| first = Stephen
| title = Orthomolecular Therapy
| url = http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/ortho.html
| date = 2000-07-12
}}
</ref>
An [[American Psychiatric Association]] Task Force Report of July 1973
on using niacin in treating schizophrenia claimed both methodological flaws in Hoffer’s early work and other studies which failed to show clear benefit of this therapy.<ref name=”APA”>
{{cite paper
| author = Lipton M and others
| title = Task Force Report on Megavitamin and Orthomolecular Therapy in Psychiatry
| publisher = American Psychiatric Association
| date = 1973
}}
</ref>
Hoffer and Osmond wrote a lengthy rebuttal to this report, citing many errors, misrepresentations, and biases.<ref name=”rebuttal”>
{{cite paper
| author = Hoffer A., Osmond H.
| title = Megavitamin Therapy in reply to The American Psychiatric Association Task Force Report on Megavitamin and Orthomolecular Therapy in Psychiatry
| version =
| publisher = Canadian Schizophrenia Foundation
|date=August 1976
| url = http://www.iahf.com/orthomolecular/reply_to_apa_tfr_7.pdf
| format = [[PDF]]
}}
</ref> However niacin, B<SUB>6</SUB>, and ascorbates are still not widely used or recommended in the conventional treatments of schizophrenia.<ref name=”schizo”>
{{cite web
| title = Complementary Schizophrenia Treatments
| url = http://www.schizophrenia.com/treatments.htm#niacin
| date = 2004
}}
</ref>
Some other limited studies that did not meet Hoffer's original conditions have also failed to find benefits in use of megavitamin therapy to treat schizophrenia.<ref name=”ANZJP”>
{{cite journal
| author = Vaughan K.; McConaghy N.
| title = Megavitamin and dietary treatment in schizophrenia: a randomised, controlled trial
| journal = Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry
| year = 1999
| volume = 33
| issue = 1
| pages = 84
| url= http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1046/j.1440-1614.1999.00527.x
| doi = 10.1046/j.1440-1614.1999.00527.x
| format = abstract
}}
</ref>
As of 2005, orthomolecular psychiatry remains to be adequately tested and independently verified by conventional authoritative bodies. "Controlled studies using the orthomolecular approach have been few. Those that were done were performed in chronic schizophrenia or in populations that included bipolar and schizoaffective patients. Both of these diagnostic groups are not today considered to benefit from the orthomolecular approach. Moreover, some negative studies of high-dose niacin were done in patients who were not otherwise given general counseling for good diet..."<ref name=”newtrial”>
{{cite journal
| title = The Treatment of Acute Schizophrenia With High Dose Niacinmide Plus Ascorbate Plus Pyridoxine Plus Centrum Forte Vs. Centrum Forte Only as an Add-On to Risperidone and Dietary Counseling (2005-2009 trial)
| journal = Beersheva Mental Health Center
| year = 2005
| url= http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00140166;jsessionid=B752ABAB3127A0E34C6EEFF5F0D3ABCE?order=46
}}
</ref>
Hoffer stated in the 1950s that such controversy would exist regarding his treatments and that he felt that it would take at least forty years for his methods to become accepted. In a 2006 interview, Hoffer stated that while he felt that current mainstream psychiatric care was “terrible”, he felt that his theories and treatments were starting to become more accepted. “[W]e’re at a transition point. If I live another four or five years, I’ll see it.”<ref name="Focus"/>
==References==
{{reflist|3}}
==Bibliography==
Hoffer has authored over 500 scientific articles<ref>Saul A, Hoffer A. [http://www.roccomanzi.it/IMP-VITAMINERALI/SCIENZIATI/scienziati-docu/hoffer/BibliographyHoffer-DY_file/BibliographyHoffer-DY.htm "Bibliography of the Nutrition-Related Publications of Abram Hoffer, M.D."]</ref> and over 35 books.<ref>Saul A, Hoffer A. [http://www.doctoryourself.com/biblio_hoffer.html Bibliography of the Nutrition-Related Publications of Abram Hoffer, M.D.]. (More complete book list). webite accessed online, 22 Dec 2007</ref>
* {{cite book | author = Hoffer A | title = Chemical Basis of Clinical Psychiatry | edition = | publisher = Thomas, Springfield, IL. | year = 1960 | id = }}
* {{cite book | author = Hoffer A | title = Niacin therapy in psychiatry (American lecture series) | edition = | publisher = Thomas | year = 1962 | id = }}
* {{cite book | author = Hoffer A | title = How to Live With Schizophrenia | edition = 2nd ed., revised | publisher = Citadel Press | year = 1992 (''1966, 1978'') | id = ISBN 0-8065-1382-9 }}
* {{cite book | author = Hoffer A | title = New Hope for Alcoholics | edition = | publisher = University Books | year = 1966 | id = }}
* {{cite book | author = Hoffer A | title = The Hallucinogens | edition = | publisher = Academic Press | year = 1967 | id = ISBN 0-12-351850-4}}
* {{cite book | author = Hoffer A; Osmond H; Kelm H | title = Hoffer-Osmond Diagnostic Test | edition = | publisher = Behavior Science Press, Tuscaloosa, AL. | year = 1975 | id = }}
* {{cite book | author = Hoffer A; Pauling L | title = Healing Cancer: Complementary Vitamin & Drug Treatments | edition = | publisher = CCNM Press | year = 2004 | id = ISBN 1-897025-11-4 }}
* {{cite book | author = Hoffer A | title = Adventures in psychiatry, the scientific memoirs of dr. Abram Hoffer | edition = | publisher = KOS Publishing Inc. | year = 2005 | id = ISBN 0-9731945-6-1 }}
==External links==
*[http://www.healthy.net/bios/hoffer/ Abram Hoffer - Biography - HealthWorld Online]
*[http://www.islandnet.com/~hoffer/ Hoffer's Home Page - Orthomolecular Treatment of Cancer]
*[http://www.islandnet.com/~hoffer/hofferhp.htm Hoffer's Home Page -The Schizophrenias]
*[http://www.orthomolecularvitamincentre.com/ Orthomolecular Vitamin Information Centre]
*[http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2003/jan2003_report_hoffer_01.html Vitamins and Minerals Help Fight Off Diseases of The Mind and The Body - Interview with Abram Hoffer, M.D., Ph.D.]
*[http://robwipond.com/?p=21 Rob Wipond interviews Abram Hoffer]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hoffer, Abram}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1917 births]]
[[Category:Canadian psychiatrists]]
[[Category:Orthomolecular medicine]]
[[Category:University of Minnesota alumni]]
[[Category:University of Toronto alumni]]
[[Category:University of Saskatchewan faculty]]
[[Category:People from Victoria, British Columbia]]
[[pt:Abram Hoffer]]