When I stumbled across this book I was looking for some help for a sibling. My family and I had seen the detrimental tranquilizing affects of anti-psychotic meds first hand. Moreover, their side effects (even with the new generation of meds) can include tardive dyskinesia. This book provided some much needed hope that there might be something proposing an alternate. This is a well written book intended for comprehension by the general public. And while I am aware of the APA's 1973 criticisms of niacin therapy, I was disposed to try it anyway. Dr. Hoffer provided convincing anecdotal evidence that there was at least some efficacy in the use of his regimen. He does not claim that all schizophrenics will be entirely off anti-psyche meds with the use of his regimen. A nice side effect of niacin therapy (we use inositol hexanicotinate) at high dosages is a reduction of LDL cholesterol. At any rate, Hoffer's book ultimately convinced us to try the treatment. My sibling has now been off anti-depressants and anti-psyche meds for some time now. The tardive dyskinesia sx that had emerged are also gone. It is too early to state that my sibling is entirely free of previous sx and to be convinced that they may not return. However, even in the event they do return, my sibling will have had a reasonably lengthy "drug holiday". It has meant much to my sibling and to us to have allowed the personality, love of life, awareness, to have returned for a time. I highly recommend Abram Hoffer's book for those interested in learning about schizophrenia, its symptoms, causes, and potential alternative treatments. I might add that prayer and requests for divine intervention have been a big part of our treatment plan as well.