Anything that increases dopamine is going to further his downregulation worsening his problem. That modafinil study you posted just shows being on it corrects the cognitive deficits of dependence, which is really like saying it's a less harmful replacement, nothing about repair. Modafinil increases dopamine, again, just going to worsen downregulation.
Your suggestion of exercise is a good one, and I will agree with diet/exercise. Stress management as well, but also oxidative stress is something to keep in mind.
Piracetam has unpleasant long term affects for many people. Acetylcholine does have a relationship to dopamine, but if you're going to even pursue this route, Coluracetam is the best regulator of this system, and it's effects may be permanent modulation, seeming to be a gentler and more effective alteration than others in it's class. However, some people are also sensitive to acetylcholine increases, so it may not be for you and many people get insomnia from such things, although Coluracetam is reputed to have less side effects compared to the others.
Good sleep is critically important. Include magnesium in your diet on an empty stomach, as well as fish oil with meals. I would recommend Nordic naturals as it's the cleanest fish oil I can find.
Look up Mr Happy's Uridine stack.
Possibly a low amount of Zinc monomethionine.
I suggest seeing an Endocrinologist, and getting your testosterone, DHEA, Vitamin D levels checked. These all have relations to dopamine. Exercise and gaining muscle mass will help with these things, except the D.
If you're going to take a vitamin D supplement, make sure it's D3, and liquid form absorbs the best.
Since having the normal reward release system disrupted from a drug's constant ON all the time, I think it's important to get it used to a semblance of normalcy at some point.
Consider things a child might find pleasant. Baths, pleasant socialization, roller coasters, exploration in nature, creative expression. Consider setting up little projects and crafts ahead of time and completing them in succession every day. This will teach your brain normal dopamine release again.
Consider not having sex/masturbating as often, perhaps limiting yourself to once every other day, or every third day if possible. This will also temporarily increase your testosterone.
Make sure you're getting enough B vitamins as well, although don't over do it, some B vitamins can be pretty harmful if you have too much. Try to get the most bioavailable forms of each.
Plenty of protein in your diet, and some monounsatured fats in particular. Try not to eat more than 20 grams of protein in a sitting though, because around 25+ grams some begins to be wastefully oxidized, which isn't good for you.
EGCG(Green Tea Extract) Life Extension seems to have the best I've seen that isn't outrageously overpriced, they're even running a sale until february I believe, where you get the member price if you're not a member, and an additional 10% off on top of it.
Look into 9 Methyl Beta Carboline (THT sells it, look around on the boards here for more info)
As far as your habits, what has really helped me is learning things you need to conquer. I cut down on tv and pointless reading on my computer, less video games, and setting myself rules for such things, that I adamantly nag myself about and have a lot of trouble breaking. I now read before bed which helps get me ready, and make sure to brush my teeth etc. before, so the moment I hit the time when I need to be sleeping, I can do it right then so I don't drag myself into some other BS that keeps me up for hours with "just one more w.e" which seems to be a real issue in people with our problem, since we have intense cravings due to our dopamine dysfunction.
Area 1255 seems to have some good info in relation to this topic. He just made me aware of some histamine related info you might want to ask about, or perhaps he could grace us with his wisdom here. I myself have been struggling with this and related issues for years. I have gotten a lot better, but have yet to implement the supplemental treatments, since I want to have a good basic foundation of health, before I start taking my limited 4 month supply of materials, since I want everything to be as effective as possible and done continuously until I run out. Still working on eating habits and sleeping properly, about ready to start my exercise program, then all my supplements will begin, among others, but those I've mentioned here are many of the most relevant.
Edited by HappyShoe, 24 December 2014 - 04:38 AM.
