they seem to suggest. The evidence shows that it will reduce certain types of memory (the studies involves recalling lists of words), and reduces efficiency at processing confusing or ambiguous data. However, it might improve reaction time, and clearly improves alertness (unless overused) and so may be valuable for cognitive tasks not significantly involving verbal recall or ambiguity.

It is the fault of many books on nutrition, health matters, and life extension that the design of supporting studies is rarely or never cited, leaving the reader unable to know if the claims are merely hype. Happily Dean and Morgenthaler are much more responsible: They regularly mention the design of the studies, which are almost all well-designed double-blind, controlled, cross-over studies.

Smart Drugs supplies information on FDA regulations (which now allow Americans to import drugs approved abroad but not here for personal use) and lists suppliers. I can recommend Interlab whose service has been good and who carry a variety of nootropics and other useful drugs such as Propanolol and Deprenyl: Write for a price list to: Interlab, BCM, Box 5890, London WC1N 3XX, England. Fortunately the ability to import drugs allows us to reduce the difficulties imposed by the authoritarian and entropic FDA. The Life Extension Foundation has recently produced a new list of “life extension doctors” who are likely to prescribe you nootropic and life-extending drugs. Free to members, the list costs non-members $10 from The Life Extension Foundation, PO Box 229120, Hollywood, Florida 33022.

I highly recommend this book, and hope the authors go ahead with a regular newsletter on the subject. EXTROPY will continue to report on advances in cognition enhancement.

FUTIQUE MAGAZINES

MONDO 2000: A colorful, slick, large-circulation magazine covering virtual reality, computer hacking and cracking, life extension and intelligence drugs, various other high-tech topics, plus fashion and music with a techno tinge. Frequently entertaining, sometimes informative, but not analytical. Recommended. $24 for 5 issues ($5.95 at newsstands). Officially quarterly, they have yet to come close. MONDO 2000, PO Box 10171, Berkeley, CA 94709.

Boing Boing: Editor Mark Frauenfelder always puts together an entertaining read for neophiles. Light-hearted short writings on high-tech and future-tech topics. BB will bounce you into a fun-filled future. $10 ($15 overseas) subscription; single issue: $3 ($5 overseas): Boing Boing, PO Box 12311, Boulder, CO 80303.

Singularity: Number 3 discusses the institutional treatment of the mentally ill, has a memetics piece by Keith Henson, a list of neologisms complementing the list in EXTROPY, a helpful overview of virtual reality, and a hilarious futique advice column. Wild, funny, serious, and addictive, Singularity belongs on the shelves of Extropians. $3/issue, 4-issue sub for $10 from Singularity, 89 Massachusetts Ave., Suite 199, Boston, MA 02115.

Cryonics: The high-quality magazine of the largest cryonics organization. Apart from plenty of cryonics science, philosophy, and movement news, there health and life extension news, uploading debates, and plenty more. Excellent value. 12 issue sub: $25 ($35 in Canada and Mexico, $40 others), from ALCOR, 12327 Doherty St., Riverside, CA 92503.

Life Extension Report: Monthly very current reports on life extension research. Provides excellent summaries with references. Comes from a pro-individual liberty, pro-immortalist direction. The best source of information on life extension. $27 ($33 outside USA) for a year; included with %50 membership of the The Life Extension Foundation, PO Box, 229120, Hollywood, Florida 33022.

EXTROPY #7

50

WINTER/SPRING 1991