Nootropics

Even 50mg of Modafinil first thing in the morning is giving me issues to fall asleep. That the reason I just leave in the drawer for in case. But I am pretty sensitive to many substances, even a cup of strong tea can put me on cloud 9 for a few hours.

Still have many racetams to play with, only common one I don't have is nefiracetam. Also have some Unifiram and PRL-8-53. Not actively trailing any of it atm, for now I'm more interested in extreme longevity. I'm also not sure how effective any of the racetams are long term. Some peptides look far more promising, especially betaNGF and Cortagen.

I still take Gingko Biloba, Fish oil and Himalaya Mentat daily, they definitely have a positive effect on memory. All of it is long term though, nothing like NZT.
 
HavocXphere said:
Purchased some Theanine but still en-route.

Gonna try all of the lower end ones first.
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Cool. You trying it as a combo with caffeine or just as is? Anything else you've tried and enjoyed, anything you're keen to try?
Nuke said:
Even 50mg of Modafinil first thing in the morning is giving me issues to fall asleep. That the reason I just leave in the drawer for in case. But I am pretty sensitive to many substances, even a cup of strong tea can put me on cloud 9 for a few hours.
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I found I had the best results taking it with fruit, at around midday (after having eaten breakfast earlier that morning). Can't imagine taking more than that on an empty stomach :). Did it affect your appetite at all?
 
Nuke said:
Even 50mg of Modafinil first thing in the morning is giving me issues to fall asleep. That the reason I just leave in the drawer for in case. But I am pretty sensitive to many substances, even a cup of strong tea can put me on cloud 9 for a few hours.

Still have many racetams to play with, only common one I don't have is nefiracetam. Also have some Unifiram and PRL-8-53. Not actively trailing any of it atm, for now I'm more interested in extreme longevity. I'm also not sure how effective any of the racetams are long term. Some peptides look far more promising, especially betaNGF and Cortagen.

I still take Gingko Biloba, Fish oil and Himalaya Mentat daily, they definitely have a positive effect on memory. All of it is long term though, nothing like NZT.
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Frankly I'm somewhat disappointed with Modafinil for this reason. 50mg on its own is not enough - need to add some caffeine (tea) but then my sleep quality is greatly reduced. No insomnia but wake up feeling like I had too little sleep and memory is greatly affected by day 2.

At 100mg no caffeine is needed but sleep quality is completely destroyed anyway.

At 25mg I can sleep but the effect is greatly reduced. Better than nothing at least. Sadly this would not be the methylphenidate replacement I am looking for. No unless I can found a way to restore sleep quality.
 
saor said:
Cool. You trying it as a combo with caffeine or just as is?
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Usually near the edge of my caffeine tolerance from coffee anyway anyway so just as is. ;)

Anything else you've tried and enjoyed, anything you're keen to try?
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Planning on trying them 1 by 1 as the run out (@reddit's nootropics guide). Unless I feel an obvious benefit then I'll keep that one.

Though reddit's beginner's wiki point about sleep exercise being the low hanging fruit made sense to me so thats probably next on the list. Plus hydration - I recall reading some studies reporting that even mild dehydration has a powerful negative effect.
 
DrGonzo said:
Hey guys

In attempt to alleviate some pretty strong ADD symptoms, general anxiety and just general brain hacking, my interest in nootropics has peaked the last few months!
Glad to see their are some fellow nootroponauts here in SA.

Are any of the -racetams available in South Africa? I know they probably controlled - but i reckon i could get a script quite easily - given that i am diagnosed with ADD and i can recommend it as an alternative to ritalin/concerta to try out.
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Hey DrGonzo

Pretty late reply to your post but I've been trying to do exactly that for over a decade.

So far the only things I have found that actually helps focus other than the stimulants is deprenyl (also helps with motivation) and ironically St Johns Wort (but I seem to be and exception in that regard - mostly its considered useless for ADHD)

Racetams are unfortunately not that effective for most cases of ADHD as they tends to work on the Glutamate pathways which are already overactive in many of us. I found it reduced focus and made me more hyper (Piracetam/Oxiracetam/Aniracetam). Your brain may be different though so no harm in trying.

For brain fog / low brain energy Modafinil is very effective but does not help with focus/motivation at all.

Some things that have a subtle but definitely positive effect on me:

- Acetyl-l-Carnitine : Better memory, slightly better focus
- American Ginseng, Ashwaganda : balances energy, greatly reduced anxiety
- Fish oil : subtle increase in focus
- Caffeine : low dose better focus / motivation - higher doses completely destroy focus for me.

Do let me know if you find something that works for you. I'm convinced theres a better solution than stimulants out there.
 
Theanine - appears to give me a headache. Results inconclusive/too early to tell thus far. Esp in light of recent sleep issues.

Valerian root (sleep aid). Backstory: Wanted melatonin to see if it helps with mild sleep issues during high stress times. Need a script for that so grabbed this instead. Seems to help. Getting more vivid dreams & waking up at 5AM randomly though.

Next up Ashwaganda - hasn't arrived yet.

Will probably wait a bit after that...need to figure out these first before grabbing more stuff. Except the melatonin...thats BS...going to get a doc to write me a script.
 
lestoran said:
Thanks for the heads-up on that! Been meaning to try Noopept for over a year so will be ordering soon...
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I've got a 10% off referral link if you or anyone else wants to use it on upgradedself...
http://upgradedself.refr.cc/C3CMZ7C

HavocXphere said:
Valerian root (sleep aid). Backstory: Wanted melatonin to see if it helps with mild sleep issues during high stress times. Need a script for that so grabbed this instead. Seems to help. Getting more vivid dreams & waking up at 5AM randomly though.
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Passionflower seems to help people with anxiety and restless sleep. It's a mild effect tho, but if you combine it with rubbing some relaxing oils (lavender, rosemary, chamomile) on your temples / wrists and do just a couple minutes progressive relaxation & breathing exercises it all adds up.
 
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lestoran said:
Hey DrGonzo

Do let me know if you find something that works for you. I'm convinced theres a better solution than stimulants out there.
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Hey man, also late reply here, i dont have email notifications for this thread so i forget about it!

Cool id like to update y'all, its been an interesting few months of experimentation... I have thrown a number of different things at my body, in the interest of clearheadedness, energy and balanced mood/anxiety.
These being, (not all at once obviously)--
Stims: Ritalin/concerta, Modafinil, CAffeine (obvously!) Racetams: Oxiracetam, Aniracetam, Piracetam...
herbs: Rhodiola, Ashwagandha, Reishi mushroom, Bacopa..
vits/supps: ALCAR, Alpha lipoic acid, CDP Choline, Tyrosine, Fish oil, Vitamin B

and then also been doing meditation and have drastically changed my diet, cutting out Gluten and Dairy (almost) 100%. (for other reasons as well, digestive etc)

W/regards to Stims: Ritalin i thought would be a godsend, but honestly did not find it that affective.. which was leading me to beleive that maybe i dont have actual ADD and its more something else which causes pretty severe add symptoms, some or most of the time.
Only thing i find it really great for is Energy - a booster, a kick your ass in to gear and do some tasks... however, i quickly found myself relying on it for that purpose. (waking up and feeling super tired, ok just pop a ritalin and u good to go) Also - getting headaches from it.

so Ritalin is Out... Modafinil is interesting, still dont find it to be that effective, and similar thing with ritalin, i can feel the energy and stimulation, but i dont feel grounded... i guess they are increasing anxiety. oh and 100mg is def too much.. yesterday i took 50mg and it was actually quite awesome.

Rhodiola is best for me but its a tricky bitch and doesnt work all the time. sometimes it gives me next level energy boost and mood, others its like a sugar pill ... I have yet to try a proper dose of quality American Ginseng...

So to try cut a long story short... things that have definately had a noticable positve effect for me is

1) Diet change - No1 on the list.. i feel Way more clear headed than before... i think wheat and dairy was really sluggin my brain down... i will only know for sure once i reintroduce them (from next week - it has been 5 weeks of elimination)
2) Supplements - ALCAR - great! (esp. with ALA),
CDP Choline - a bit $$ but really effective (in a sublte way)
Theanine, low dose Caffeine.
Fish Oil and Vit B - never really "noticed" this but will continue to take it as i think its generally a good thing to supplement

The Racetams are quite cool, its not something that i find a daily benefit especially for my brain type... i also worry slightly about immune system compromising, as the week i was taking aniracetam every day i got cold sores and an eye infection... there is also way to many variables to make such a claim tho.. i was also stressed out at work.

I am waiting on some test results about my gut flora, certain vitamin and amino levels and methylation status, which i will get next week which i cant wait for.

it will be so much better for my wallet if someone tells me, ok listen you undermethylate and have a vitamin D defficiency, so all u need to do is take this and this per month to balance urself out, less of a guessing game!

Sorry for essay long post :) happy nooting
 
saor said:
Also - in the interests of having continued access to a local supplier of nootropics, I'd like again to recommend upgradedself.co.za.

Now to get them to stock Modafinil :p.
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I reiterate that Recommendation! Louis is doing a great Job and seems like a super nice guy.. his products are quality as well and priced well

I actually ordered some Aniracetam off Peaknootropics in the interestt of saving some money only to realise i got Major TAxxed at customs so it worked out to be the same or a bit more. not worth it especially since it took 4 weeks to deliver!

I just found out he plans to add Adrafinil!! epic. (not for me tho since i can get Modafinil from pharmacy heheh)
 
saor said:
Also - finally managed to get some Coluracetam:
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and? how is it? is it very strong? are u using in racetams daily? intersted to know which ones have stuck and you found effective..

at this stage the only one that is SUPER attractive to me is Phenylpiracetam... but a bit of a mission and expense to get ahold of.


Also - do u find that 50mg twice a day screws up your sleep pattterns?
 
DrGonzo said:
and? how is it? is it very strong? are u using in racetams daily? intersted to know which ones have stuck and you found effective..
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It's a very subtle thing. On days when I've had 1200mg Piracetam mid-morning and about 10mg Coluracetam in the afternoon I've had a noticeable decrease in thought-loops and thinking about anxiety inducing past/future events. I don't have an issue with anxiety, but I think like many people I'll often dwell on certain events - an action which serves no real purpose other than being this default thing my brain does. With 'racetams that tendency is mitigated and I find myself with less worries on my mind and more clearheaded, and even somewhat cheerful. It's a state of mind that allows me to be more proactive with what I'm thinking about and what I spend my time on.

It's a subtle thing though, and I suspect that meditating plays a part in being able to observe those subtle changes. Kinda like how athletes and health-nuts are more perceptive of the changes to their body, the same seems to apply with meditation and nootropics.

Am I going to continue with it after my supply is done? I don't know. I'm at the place now where it's quite a sporadic thing, and the more I read about nootropics I find the less inclined I am to want to do them on a daily basis. They're drugs which have had very limited human trials (especially the more exotic & new 'racetams), and most of all a complete lack of human trials testing their interactions with each other. I'm amazed that people who claim to be interested in improving their brains will take a daily stack of 6 or 7 drugs who's interactions in the human body are completely untested.

I'm going to give Piracetam another month, after which I'll probably stop taking it should I experience no perceptible benefit from it.
Oxiracetam I quite like - I can stay focused on something for a long time and it's interesting in social settings. It's nice a few times a month.
Coluracetam - also not sure if I'll continue with it. The subtle effects are nice, but I'd really like to see more data (as I would for all these drugs).

at this stage the only one that is SUPER attractive to me is Phenylpiracetam... but a bit of a mission and expense to get ahold of.
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Have you tried it yet?
Also - do u find that 50mg twice a day screws up your sleep pattterns?
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No, but I've only ever used it whilst traveling which means I'm super busy during the day so by the time I hit my pillow I'm quite ready for sleep. Most days I managed just fine with 50mg at around 12:00 noon with some fruit. I ate very well at all my meals. Eating fruit seems to slow down metabolism of the drug so it's more drawn out rather than a sudden hit like if I took it isolated with water. But yeah - busy day with food and I sleep just fine. Very useful drug, but keep it to a minimum :).
 
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I've actually just recently got hold of some Phenypiracetam and I must say - it's a very strange Nootropic!
Has a very clean crisp focus with that "pre-workout like energy" (without the crash and crazy stimulation)
*Awesome for studying (I'm a varsity student) and great for days when time constraints are straddling the horizon.

Great nootropic and most certainly a personal favorite.
 
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Cool, nice one on the Phenylpiracetam.

I just had a chat to Louis at Upgradedself and he says that he get things like Phenylpiracetam and Fasoracetam etc on order, its a little pricey at the moment, but the more interest in it, and we can do bulk orders to cut costs.

Im definately keen to try phenylpiracetam.. it sounds perfect.. All im looking for is a short lasting energy and focus boost to get me out of either a morning zombie state or an afternoon slump.. From now on that is my only goal with nootropics...

Just got a couple of samples of Sulbutiamine, Ciltep and a few others.. keen to see whats going on there!

Also has anyone here tried Phenibut?? just got some and excited to try, but am a little weary (as one should be) of GABA comppounds and addiction/withdrawal.
 
saor said:
Am I going to continue with it after my supply is done? I don't know. I'm at the place now where it's quite a sporadic thing, and the more I read about nootropics I find the less inclined I am to want to do them on a daily basis. They're drugs which have had very limited human trials (especially the more exotic & new 'racetams), and most of all a complete lack of human trials testing their interactions with each other. I'm amazed that people who claim to be interested in improving their brains will take a daily stack of 6 or 7 drugs who's interactions in the human body are completely untested.

Very useful drug, but keep it to a minimum :).
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Agreed man, i dont think anyone should rely on designer compounds and smart drugs for daily functioning... i think most of them are best kept as sporadic tools to help u to be more producive when you are struggling.

i think a general nutrient/vitamin/omegas and some great ancient herbal nootropics are great for daily use tho... as they have thousands of years of documented history with very few side effects.
 
DrGonzo said:
Also has anyone here tried Phenibut?? just got some and excited to try, but am a little weary (as one should be) of GABA comppounds and addiction/withdrawal.
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Take one 400mg cap about 5 hours before bed. It can take up to two hours for noticeable effects to kick in, but it's some seriously good sleep. Wake up feeling like you've melted into the mattress :). Don't take with alcohol or any other drugs. I've never done it more than once in a 2 week window.
 
DrGonzo said:
Im definately keen to try phenylpiracetam.. it sounds perfect.. All im looking for is a short lasting energy and focus boost to get me out of either a morning zombie state or an afternoon slump.. From now on that is my only goal with nootropics...
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Do you do anything in the morning to elevate your heart-rate....a few minutes skipping / run or something? I find the 'racetams work best when I'm feeling my best, so if I can get through the morning feeling good from exercise, food, smiling etc. then (imo) something like Oxiracetam is much more useful & noticeable.
 
saor said:
Take one 400mg cap about 5 hours before bed. It can take up to two hours for noticeable effects to kick in, but it's some seriously good sleep. Wake up feeling like you've melted into the mattress :). Don't take with alcohol or any other drugs. I've never done it more than once in a 2 week window.
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I've also used Phenibut occasionally at a dosage of 1 gram - like Saor said - takes afew hours to kick in but has very comparable effects to the benzo family.
Great for occasions of high stress and tension but its one of those "goodies" you keep in (what i like to call) an emergency box :D.
-Its actually a component of the Russian astronauts emergency or crisis kit as it allows a calm focused state without decreased cognitive functioning that is apparent similar drugs.
*Lots of notes of negative experiences with continuous use.
 
Any reviews or opinions (positive/negative) with regards to Lions Mane?

*** Good to see some sort of interaction within the Nootropic community here in SA but most certainly lacking for my liking :(
Surely it's not due to complete lack of interest since products are starting to pop up here and there?
 
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