use in reducing the side-effects of anesthetics ketamine and diazepam. in one study, a control group of patients were given ketamine and diazepam and underwent anesthesia and surgery. the experimental group was given ketamine, diazepam, and nivalin (of which the active ingredient is galantamine). the degree of drowsiness and disorientation of the two groups was then assessed 5, 10, 15, 30 and 60 minutes after surgery. the group that had taken nivalin were found to be more alert 5, 10, and 15 minutes after the surgery. lucid dreaming though not approved by the fda, there is interest in the recreational use of galantamine for its purported ability to induce lucid dreaming. one study has provided some limited evidence for this practice, although it is notable that its authors have financial ties to the lucidity institute.