5 replies to this topic

[the_apollo]

Is there any herbs, chemicals or nootropics that actually increase prefrontal activity?
Now i don't just mean the tiny change of activity that most herbs got, but an actual, possibly noticeable increase in prefrontal activity,
increased cognition, an increase in mood or improved executive functions is what I'm talking about.

Not what herbs most talked about do - a very small effect that most people doesn't even notice,
now i know that some if not most herbs have impressive activity based upon scientific studies, but due to some less than ideal problem,
lose their effectiveness before reaching the brain.
Take for example the herb 'berberine', it increases activity of all three monoamines, and interestingly, it increases activity of serotonin in the
prefrontal cortex and hippocampus by 29%, which is impressive, until you get to know that the herb has extremely low bioavailability at only 5%, and it reported to be even lower in mice (0,68%)..

So with other herbs having similar problems in one way or another, may it be bioavailability, blood-brain-barrier or other, it's not so many herbs and such that actually have a good effect..

So what I'm asking; Is there any herbs, chemicals and/or nootropics that actually increase activity in the prefrontal cortex?

 

[Gerrans]

In my opinion, most herbs are adaptogenic--in other words, normalising. So if your pre-frontal cortex is working well already, they might not have any effect. On the other hand, if there is a problem, perhaps they will have a beneficial effect in returning the brain towards optimal. I may be mistaken, but I feel that bacopa has helped me be better at arithmetic--and I always had a problem with arithmetic. But it takes a couple of months to kick in (I have done three cycles of it so far). It also may be connected with my improvement in foreign language learning. I believe arithmetic and foreign languages require pre-frontal brain executive skills.

Edited by Gerrans, 10 July 2015 - 01:24 PM.

[the_apollo]

In my opinion, most herbs are adaptogenic--in other words, normalising. So if your pre-frontal cortex is working well already, they might not have any effect. On the other hand, if there is a problem, perhaps they will have a beneficial effect in returning the brain towards optimal. I may be mistaken, but I feel that bacopa has helped me be better at arithmetic--and I always had a problem with arithmetic. But it takes a couple of months to kick in (I have done three cycles of it so far). It also may be connected with my improvement in foreign language learning. I believe arithmetic and foreign languages require pre-frontal brain executive skills.

 

I dont beliave in 'adaptogenics', since there are currently limited research suggesting an "adaptogenic" effect of some herbs, usually they refer to cellular response to stress that "adaptogens" act upon, but regarding "adaptogens" effect on the brain, i don't recall ever reading about any adaptogenic effect upon the neurotransmitters activity in the brain. 

[Gerrans]

 

In my opinion, most herbs are adaptogenic--in other words, normalising. So if your pre-frontal cortex is working well already, they might not have any effect. On the other hand, if there is a problem, perhaps they will have a beneficial effect in returning the brain towards optimal. I may be mistaken, but I feel that bacopa has helped me be better at arithmetic--and I always had a problem with arithmetic. But it takes a couple of months to kick in (I have done three cycles of it so far). It also may be connected with my improvement in foreign language learning. I believe arithmetic and foreign languages require pre-frontal brain executive skills.

 

I dont beliave in 'adaptogenics', since there are currently limited research suggesting an "adaptogenic" effect of some herbs, usually they refer to cellular response to stress that "adaptogens" act upon, but regarding "adaptogens" effect on the brain, i don't recall ever reading about any adaptogenic effect upon the neurotransmitters activity in the brain. 

 

 

Lets forget the word adaptogenic, then, and use the simple term normalising. I believe that the reason it is often hard to chart an effect on neurotransmitter activity is that by and large neurotransmitters are acting normally, through a balancing of stimulation and inhibition. But where there is an imbalance, particularly in extreme cases--as in disorders such as autism, epilepsy, Parkinson's, and schizophrenia--then a normalising effect of certain compounds has been observed. For example, bacopa was found to manage epilepsy in rats.
 

[Gerrans]

 

 

In my opinion, most herbs are adaptogenic--in other words, normalising. So if your pre-frontal cortex is working well already, they might not have any effect. On the other hand, if there is a problem, perhaps they will have a beneficial effect in returning the brain towards optimal. I may be mistaken, but I feel that bacopa has helped me be better at arithmetic--and I always had a problem with arithmetic. But it takes a couple of months to kick in (I have done three cycles of it so far). It also may be connected with my improvement in foreign language learning. I believe arithmetic and foreign languages require pre-frontal brain executive skills.

 

I dont beliave in 'adaptogenics', since there are currently limited research suggesting an "adaptogenic" effect of some herbs, usually they refer to cellular response to stress that "adaptogens" act upon, but regarding "adaptogens" effect on the brain, i don't recall ever reading about any adaptogenic effect upon the neurotransmitters activity in the brain. 

 

 

Lets forget the word adaptogenic, then, and use the simple term normalising. I believe that the reason it is often hard to chart an effect on neurotransmitter activity is that by and large neurotransmitters are acting normally, through a balancing of stimulation and inhibition. But where there is an imbalance, particularly in extreme cases--as in disorders such as autism, epilepsy, Parkinson's, and schizophrenia--then a normalising effect of certain compounds has been observed. For example, bacopa was found to manage epilepsy in rats.
 

If you want to find something that improves your cognition, you will have to experiment at length with various foods and supplements. When you find something that has an effect, it can be made part of your regime. The reason it works is that it might normalise a pre-existing imbalance in your brain. For example, certain substances can help wake you up if you are tired but might not have much effect if you are already alert.

 

If we are talking about what we don't believe in, then I do not believe that something we consume can make a marked change to our cognition--given our brain is healthy in the first place. I do not believe that heightened states are normal, sustainable, or desirable in the long term. In my opinion, the way to improve our brain is not by ingesting substances but by mental exercise and activity. Nonetheless, we need to be in a good mental state before we can use our brain optimally, so I think herbs and supplements are worth looking into insofar as they can help free us to think and learn.  Unless I am mistaken, I have had some small effects from bacopa, ashwagandha, turmeric, and cocoa.

 

 

Edited by Gerrans, 13 July 2015 - 11:19 PM.

[PeaceAndProsperity]

I am also very interested in this for the very same reason.
Out of ignorance, could a strong full dopamine agonist not produce this effect? I have tried several stimulants with no experiential change.