5 replies to this topic

[talaash]

Hi Guys,

 

I will start with a little history about myself because I think context is all important. I am sorry if this will be a little too much for a first post but I don't think you can help me if I don't give you the full picture.

 

Firstly, I am a person who has endured a rather challenging life. How much that has affected me psychologically I could not really tell you. What I do know about myself is that I have an incredible resolve. I was born in one of the most war torn countries in the world. I was a refugee and did not start proper schooling until I was a teenager. I had to learn a new language three times over that journey and all the while I had father who was an alcoholic and drug addict. The problems of the world around me aside, I endured some corporal punishment from my parents. Both my parents did not have an opportunity to be educated and so our socio-economic conditions were challenging to say the least. However none of this has been able to keep me down. I was unhappy and stressed at times but I used sports and school as the mechanism to escape most of these issues.

 

I have always been very disciplined and excelled in sports as well as my education. After a few false starts and having to work hard between the ages of 17-27 to support myself, my mother and 3 bothers and sister, I finally got my opportunity to go to university. In 2010 I graduated from Law with First Class Honours. Since then, I have also completed a Master of Laws.

 

Unfortunately in the last two years I have noticed that I feel burnt out. I don't have the focus that I previously had and I lose concentration often. I still work hard and push myself but I struggle, especially in the afternoons and after work. I used to workout six days a week but now I force myself to do 3 sessions. Worst of all, my memory is nothing like it used to be. I can remember the basic concepts pertaining to something but not the specifics. I used to read something and memorise it in no time or at least  a great portion of it. Over the last 5-6 years I have also noticed a change in my speech. One noticeable pronunciation that I sometimes have trouble with is 'F'. When I say the numbers associated with 'fifty' I become self conscious.

 

I am not sure what has caused all these changes. But I love learning and without blowing my own trumpet I think very differently to most people I know. People seek me out to get my unique point of view on issues. It's a very helpful ability and I have and want to help people with it but I am concerned that I may be losing it as a result of all the changes. I have plans to undertake studies in economics but feel I need to get myself right before I embark on any further education.

 

I read somewhere that stress generates cortisol which shrinks the hippo-campus. Perhaps the sustained stress that I have endured over the years has caught up with me. It is in this context that I decided to research and came across nootropics. I have been reading a great deal about the various nootropics and the stacks that people use to increase focus and memory and have come to a list that will form the basis of my stack. I need your assistance with finalising it and possible dosages.

 

The aim is to boost focus and memory and minimise any risks. For this reason I have excluded any nootropics that have a question mark on them; for example Vinpocetine and huperzine A.

 

My list:

 

Piracetam

Pramiracetam

Aniracetam

Alpha GPC

Acetyl-L-Carnitine

L-Tyrosine

L-Theanine

Lion's Mane

Fish Oil (Omega 3)

5-HTP

Ashwagandha

Multivitamin

 

For potentiation:

 

Foskolii

Artichoke extract

L-Phenylalanine

 

I am not sure how safe Noopept is but I have read mostly good things about it. But as yet I have not included it on the list.

 

I would appreciate your assistance with forming a stack.

 

Thank you in advance.

[talaash]

So I have decided that it would be best for my aim to increase focus to take modafinil/armodafinil. And for the memory Piracetam and Alpha GPC.

I think I will make my stack very simple to avoid complications an make a stack with the most tested nootropics.

Armodafinil - 75mg

(easy for me to get in Australia compared to modafinil)

Piracetam - 1.6g

(I tried 400mg and noticed vivid colours and a "soothing" feeling. 800mgx2 should be plenty for me. I will likely start with 800mg just to be safe.

Alpha GPC - 300-600mg

Multivitamins

L-Theanine -

(if I feel like I need it. I do drink tea but will avoid anything with caffeine.

Edited by talaash, 21 July 2014 - 09:44 AM.

[noos]

Did you have any blood test, especially thyroid, cortisol?

Phosphatidilserine lowers cortisol.

How about your sleep?

There are mixed opinions on modafinil and verbal fluency.

On your personal story, I'm surprised by your resilience. Maybe you have high intelligence?

why do you avoid caffeine?

Sulbutiamine can be good for memory or just tiamine at least at 50 mg has a good mild stimulant effect. There are some good B supplement s.
https://www.swansonv...ity-60-veg-caps

Also, have a look at www.foundmyfitness.com there is some good info on Mg, D3, etc.

Edited by noos, 21 July 2014 - 12:01 PM.

[talaash]

Thank you for your reply and guidance.

As part of my work we get regular health checks. Aside from that I do a health check every few months. My blood tests have never shown anything out of the normal expected range.

I dont have trouble sleeping, if anything over the last year I find myself getting a little tired as the day progresses. Multivitamins have helped a little but the focus has been off and I feel uncomfortable with with this state of mind. That's why I thought Modafinil might be of assistance. It helps with the tiredness and focus.

I love tea and drink it throughout the day. I have read that mixing coffee and Modafinil are not good, can make you a little tense and give you the shakes, so I will avoid it for that reason.

I will certainly look into your recommendations. I appreciate you taking the time to read my long post and stopping to assist.

As for my resilience, sometimes I am surprised by it too. But someone very wise once said "we are never burdened by more than we can endure", we sometimes forget due to overwhelming circumstances we might find ourselves in, I try to always remember that.

[ModaMinds]

I love tea and drink it throughout the day. I have read that mixing coffee and Modafinil are not good, can make you a little tense and give you the shakes, so I will avoid it for that reason.

Then again, some people have reported a calming focus when mixing caffeine and modafinil. Quite paradoxical and I expect most people would just experience shakes as you mentioned, but it seems to be a good combo for some.

[talaash]

Thats very interesting. It just shows that no two people react the same way. So many possible reactions, outcomes and enhancements. I hope that mine will be a positive experience.