orthomolecularadj.
/ˌɔːθə(ʊ)məˈlɛkjᵿlə/, U.S. /ˈˌɔrθoʊməˈlɛkjələr/ Designating or relating to a form of treatment, esp. of mental disorders, that seeks to achieve optimal biochemical balance in the body, typically by the use of large doses of vitamins.
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the world > health and disease > healing > psychiatry > [adjective] > types of psychiatric treatment
medicative1968
orthomolecular1968
1968 L. Pauling in Science 19 Apr. 265/1 I have reached the conclusion..that another general method of treatment, which may be called orthomolecular therapy, may be found to be of great value... Orthomolecular psychiatric therapy is the treatment of mental disease by the provision of the optimum molecular environment for the mind, especially the optimum concentrations of substances normally present in the human body.
1972 Daily Colonist (Victoria, Brit. Columbia) 16 July 25/3 Heavy doses of certain vitamins..correct biochemical imbalances. It's called the orthomolecular approach.
1977 National Observer (U.S.) 22 Jan. 11/5 Megavitamin, or orthomolecular therapy, is sometimes used to treat mental retardation, psychoses, hyperactivity, autism, dyslexia, and other learning disorders.
1985 Marketing Mag. (N.Z.) July 13/3 Vitaglow..produces higher dosed, orthomolecular vitamin and mineral supplements.
1995 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 13 May d6/1 Dr. Hoffer was a Saskatoon psychiatrist and biochemist making a name for himself in the field of ‘orthomolecular psychology’—in other words, you behave what you eat.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2004; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1968