Supplements To Optimise The Mind!

[heeeeeey]

Some stuff to add to your amazon shopping list, these synergise to optimise mental performance mood and energy. Hopefully you can use this as a map to go off and do further research if you think there is one that interests you, this is important because not all of these have instant action (esp. racetams). I didn't list any stimulant drugs, but some white market herbal stimulants are mentioned. If you can suggest any additions or have conflicting opinions/evidence/experiences against any in the list please do mention.

Split into 3 categories (some overlaps included):

For happiness & confidence:
5-HTP, St. Johns wort, Rhodiola rosea, L-tyrosine, Vitamin B complex (esp. B9)

For cognition and focus:
Acetyl-L-carnitine, Omega-3 oil, Phosphatidyl choline, Choline (via Alpha GPC, or chepaer Choline bitartrate), L-tyrosine (dopamine & neuropinephrine precursor), Vitamin B complex (esp. B12), Sulbutiamine (upgraded vitamin B12 I think), Racetams: Oxiracetam ("photographic memory" racetam nootropic), Noopept, Piracetam, Aniracetam, Phenylracetam, Pramiracetam (more racetams out there). Herbal stimulants: kanna, kratom, green tea extract.

For energy:
CoE1-NADH, CQ10, Vitamin B complex

For calmness & better sleep (take before sleeping):
L-theanine (non-drowsy so maybe can take during day-time), 5-HTP (drowsy if take too much), Magnesium taurate (better quality sleep)

 

[Puzzler]

Great post, @heeeeey.

It's always nice to know that alliterative supplements should be tried before resorting to prescription meds where possible (often) addiction may arise.

Thanks~~~

 

[heeeeeey]

Great post, @heeeeey.

It's always nice to know that alliterative supplements should be tried before resorting to prescription meds where possible (often) addiction may arise.

Thanks~~~

Thank you for the kind feedback. 

In fact some of these supplements go beyond their call of duty in terms of being "harmless", and may even reverse damage caused by abuse of certain drugs!

5-HTP for the "come-down": can be used in high doses to help recover from serotonin neurotransmitter depletion caused by abuse of SSRI/TSRI drugs like MDMA.. in essence it really helps recover from that horrible "come-down".

L-Tyrosine: helps recovery from depletion of neurotransmitters neuroepinephrine and dopamine, which can be caused by abuse of a whole range of stimulants including cocaine, r1t@l1n, amphetamines etc.. in essence this provides a softer landing from the "crash" from getting too high on stims.

Various racetams for reversing neruotoxicity: check for more details in some of the racetams. Some have neuroprotective properties and trialed as candidates for treating neurogdegenerative diseases and concussions. Very high doses of some stimulants are toxic to nerves and these racetams may help protect or recover form this damage.

Reversing tolerance: I think sulbutiamine has some tolerance reversal properties to some drugs but check this out for yourself.

 

[Acecard]

Two good posts, just to add it helps to do your homework before you break the bank on supps, you have to find what works for you

 

[Puzzler]

Great thread... I'm gonna add some info to it later.

 

[99 Luftballons]

Two good posts, just to add it helps to do your homework before you break the bank on supps, you have to find what works for you

excellent point Ace!

 

[Acecard]

Phenibut works great for mood and sleep at larger doses. Just dont use it everyday it has bad wd symptoms.

Phenibut is best at only 2x a week is the generally recommended dosage, I've personally never exceeded it because I've read the withdrawals are brutal

 

[The Shattered Soldier]

Some stuff to add to your amazon shopping list, these synergise to optimise mental performance mood and energy. Hopefully you can use this as a map to go off and do further research if you think there is one that interests you, this is important because not all of these have instant action (esp. racetams). I didn't list any stimulant drugs, but some white market herbal stimulants are mentioned. If you can suggest any additions or have conflicting opinions/evidence/experiences against any in the list please do mention.

Split into 3 categories (some overlaps included):

For happiness & confidence:

5-HTP, St. Johns wort, Rhodiola rosea, L-tyrosine, Vitamin B complex (esp. B9)

For cognition and focus:

Acetyl-L-carnitine, Omega-3 oil, Phosphatidyl choline, Choline (via Alpha GPC, or chepaer Choline bitartrate), L-tyrosine (dopamine & neuropinephrine precursor), Vitamin B complex (esp. B12), Sulbutiamine (upgraded vitamin B12 I think), Racetams: Oxiracetam ("photographic memory" racetam nootropic), Noopept, Piracetam, Aniracetam, Phenylracetam, Pramiracetam (more racetams out there). Herbal stimulants: kanna, kratom, green tea extract.

For energy:

CoE1-NADH, CQ10, Vitamin B complex

For calmness & better sleep (take before sleeping):

L-theanine (non-drowsy so maybe can take during day-time), 5-HTP (drowsy if take too much), Magnesium taurate (better quality sleep)

There are so many herbal supplements out there and I've spent hundreds of dollars trying to find the ones that actually worked.  Your list is very comprehensive but left out a few of my favorites.  For benzo withdrawal I used to use Kava Kava tincture (the pills don't seem to work), it can be moderately calming.  I personally take L-Tryptophan, which is a precursor to 5-HTP, to boost my serotonin levels.  Already on your list, L-Tyrosine, is great for stimulant users in order to boost dopamine levels.  Although I don't use stims, I still take the supplement when I need a kick.  It requires vitamin B6 in order to work so I have a nice, potent bottle of B-Complex  that I take a little beforehand. 

I think the most important thing to remember with the amino acids, the ones that begin with L-, is to take them on an empty stomach.  There are hoards of amino acids in foods that will compete with the supplement you are taking in order to cross the blood brain barrier.  The less competition, the better.

 

[Puzzler]

Some people claim Ginseng is good for the mind and boosting energy. Though it doesn't seem to do much for me other than make my face go red.

But one thing to keep in mind, the older the root, the better and more expensive it is. Generally speaking, though, the 6 year old Ginseng root is supposedly the best bang for the buck.

 

[JustChiilin]

http://www.foxnews.c...intcmp=features

good article in case if you have not read this

 

[lailasoso]

I am really interested in the wholle nootropics thing. its quite complicated and so many factors are relevant for it to work. I've read into it a little and am currently putting together a few components to try over a period of 6-8 weeks. because i am dependent on r1t@l1n and hate it, i want to find something that is healthy and good for the long term.

i am already taking 5htp for a while and feel it really helps my mood. i quit smoking and started excercising more, also a factor not to be underestimated. here is what i have ordered so far: piracetam, CDPcholine, sulbutiamine, aniracetam and with that obviously a good vit B-Complex and i take fish oil and l-tyrosine. 

anyone an opinion?

 

[BillTheButcher]

Nootropic regimes can certainly be costly. Hence, it is very critical to research research research on people's stacks and their opinions. You will find that a good handful of nootropics are now almost universally incorporated into experienced users regime. Once thing I will add is that since nootropics are digested and the nutrients & proteins are carried through the blood stream (to get maximum absorption and results) it is probably important to ensure your blood's Ph levels are not too acidic. While I am not saying you need to test your levels merely to be aware that an alkaline focused diet will lower Ph levels and prevent cellular breakdown and the early breakdown of the valuable nutrients and proteins in the blood stream. Drinking a lot water, having a greens-shake supplement drinking the morning etc might be a start. I'm nooo health nut, but i'm sure there is lots of info on the net of which foods/drinks/behaviours are acidic & which are alkaline.  I'd be happy to hear anybody else's opinion on this. Peace.

 

[heeeeeey]

There are so many herbal supplements out there and I've spent hundreds of dollars trying to find the ones that actually worked.  Your list is very comprehensive but left out a few of my favorites.  For benzo withdrawal I used to use Kava Kava tincture (the pills don't seem to work), it can be moderately calming.  I personally take L-Tryptophan, which is a precursor to 5-HTP, to boost my serotonin levels.  Already on your list, L-Tyrosine, is great for stimulant users in order to boost dopamine levels.  Although I don't use stims, I still take the supplement when I need a kick.  It requires vitamin B6 in order to work so I have a nice, potent bottle of B-Complex  that I take a little beforehand. 

I think the most important thing to remember with the amino acids, the ones that begin with L-, is to take them on an empty stomach.  There are hoards of amino acids in foods that will compete with the supplement you are taking in order to cross the blood brain barrier.  The less competition, the better.

Just read your reply, and wanted to thank you for the advice regarding L-tyrosine and the general L's. Especially interesting regarding the competition to BBB aspect. It might sound a tad silly but I wonder how much the person-to-person BBB surface area variation affects recommended dosage - i.e. the size of their head ^^

Also why don't you just take 5-HTP directly as opposed to taking the precursor - L-tryptophan? 

If you have any other "deeper insights" related to each of the supplements in the main topic, would be great to hear about them in case I am taking them all wrong! 

Cheers!

 

[dvz]

I highly recommend B-12 (methylcobalamin, NOT cyanocobalamin). It gives a gentle boost of energy and really helps clear out the cobwebs, yet it's calming at the same time. I take 5000mcg in the morning. My favorite is Solgar's sublingual nuggets.

 

[Poppyseed123]

don't forget the all important liver/lung protector NAC N-Acelyl-L-Cysteine ..... just sayin'

peace y'all

 

[Gengar]

Uridine is a pretty beneficial nootropic that has reports and reviews regarding overall brain health. I've been looking into Tianeptine and sunifiram recently and have already ordered some Tianeptine to try and am waiting on the vendor I order through to begin carrying sunifiram.

 

[dave2002]

Eat fish! /default_biggrin.png

 

[Xegh]

Eat fish! /default_biggrin.png

A mackerel a day keeps the Einstein in stay.

Xegh

 

[yellowbelly]

Cooking up some fish tacos as we speak! /default_biggrin.png