4 replies to this topic

[halfashed]

Greetings from China, ya'll. First post.

 

I'm working in China and some ADD and depression symptoms (brain fog, anxiety, awful memory, low motivation/concentration, sleepy) have been ripping the color and productivity out of life for a few years.

Vyvanse and vitamins helped me for the short few weeks I tried them in the states, but in China receiving ADD meds besides Concerta is difficult.

 

I found a few promising supplements online and am planning a stack (based on some basic internet research) for brain fog, productivity, concentration, memory, mood, motivation etc.

 

I am planning on buying these asap, but you could safely call me a nootropic noobie.

Are any of these an awful idea? Am I missing anything obvious? Dosage?

 

Current

 

Concerta (18 mg-36mg/day)

L-Tyrosine (3g-5g/day)

 

 

Planned

 

Concerta (18mg-36mg x1)

L-Tyrosine (3g x1)

 

L-Glutamine (.5g-3g x1)

L-Theanine (150-450mg x1)

Fish Oil (3g-4g x1)

GABA (100mg-250mg x3)

Vitamin B-complex. (At least B3 and B6)

5HTP (50mg-100mg x3)

Glycine (1g-1.5g x3)

DMAE (100mg-450mg x2)

 

 

What can be improved?

 

I also heard Rhodiola rosea can work wonders for these symptoms, but to keep it away from 5HTP. Thoughts?

Edited by halfashed, 24 April 2014 - 06:27 PM.

[Ritchie]

There has been some concerns about 5htp causing heart valve damage. L-tryptophan in the precursor to 5htp and seems to be safer. If you can't find any tryptophan supplements, remember that bananas are high in tryptophan, too!
If your planning on taking GABA, take a look at Phenibut. It's a GABA precursor that crosses the BBB more effectively than GABA itself, but it does have some abuse potential and some people report withdrawal symptoms.
On a side note what does your diet, sleep and exercise schedule look like?

[halfashed]

My sleep schedule is the best it's been in my life so far (but I've never been a good sleeper. Apnea, night sweats, night-owl, etc.)

Usually about 12-7:30, give or take thirty minutes.

 

I play basketball/badminton consistently, but work out inconsistently (probably once per week averaged out).

 

How does Rhodiola Rosea interact with the others?

As a side note, said sleep schedule certainly hasn't made me feel more rested or aided cognition in any noticeable ways; I'm always a little sleepy, a little foggy, very little motivation.

[AmpleBeingdotcom]

Welcome Halfashed,

 

You should look into an LTP supplement. If you are looking for improvements in "brain fog, productivity, concentration, memory, mood, motivation etc." it could definitely help you with all of these.

 

I have used our supplement for quite a while and used to feel the same way you do. 

[Duchykins]

Rhodiola is a mild SNRI and if I recall correctly also has mild MAO inhibitory properties. I have tried it a few times with alright effect but I had to put it aside until I finished the current cycle I'm on because of the norepinephrine effects badly syngergizing with other things I take. I'm sure that it will be better once I get this other stuff out.

You shouldn't add anything else exotic before calcium, magnesium, zinc, D3.

Replace the GABA with lysine and taurine. You can take those daily without worrying that you are messing up your GABA (as with taking GABA, phenibut or picamilon)

I would also hold off on jumping in with a mix of 5htp, DMAE and glycine. 5 htp probably shouldn't be taken daily, not just because of this potential heart issue but because regular use will downregulate your serotonin. For serotonin support, inositol or aniracetam (lysine too) are better choices, though they also have their own side effects. Glycine can act as an upper or downer depending on what's already going on in your body when you take it, so you've been warned, take baby steps with it. If you are already having anxiety then adding glutamine may make you a miserable wreck... I'm just saying start low with that one if you want to keep it in your stack.