10 replies to this topic

[jack black]

i did a search on this here and elsewhere and i'm still confused what creates problems with impulse control. i understand a few diseases are associated with impulse control, most notable ADHD, and ADHD treatment (boosts dopamine) should improve it. on the other hand, parkinson disease treatment (boosts dopamine) makes it worse. WTF?

 

i personally noticed my own impulse control starts strong in AM and rapidly goes down as the day progresses. none of my (many) supplements are making much dent in it.

 

if anyone has any insights, i'm all ears.

 

[Galaxyshock]

Gotu Kola was always my number one nootropic for this. Prevents you from making impulsive bad decision but doesn't blunt you or anything. It's herbal and nothing exceptionally strong so take it for what its worth.

[jack black]

Thanks, I need to try it. Is it known to produce tolerance if I took it every PM?

[Sleepdealer]

tDCS over the DLPFC might do some good too.

[Galaxyshock]

Thanks, I need to try it. Is it known to produce tolerance if I took it every PM?

 

Tolerance builds very slowly, takes many months. Some reported that the therapeutic effects were still there after over a year of continous use.

[jack black]

Ordered that last night, regular capsules and extract. Will experiment and report back.

[jack black]

Ordered that last night, regular capsules and extract. Will experiment and report back.

 

Here is the update:

day 1 I took 100mg extract + 400mg herb (in one capsule) in AM and PM. Felt stimulation with some warmth in the face (this is how I react to stimulants). Handled stressful work day better, maybe more motivation, but no improvement in night time impulse control.

day 2 I took extract+herb in PM only and immediately got a headache that only partially responded to tylenol. I was noticeably tired and depressed the entire day and no improvement in night time impulse control.

day 3 I took 400mg herb capsule in AM (no extract thus presumably weaker) and immediately got a headache too. Improved functioning at work though despite the headache (took Alive for that and it's a bit duller). Who knows what will happen tonight, but I'm not very hopeful.

 

looks like headache is a pretty common side effect:

 

Taken internally, side effects could include headache, upset stomach, nausea, dizziness and drowsiness.

https://nootropicsex....com/gotu-kola/

 

To be fair, i'm taking this on top of my usual stack and i respond to some other stimulants with headache too (adrafinil).

 

Anyone with any better solutions?
 

[jack black]

i found this additional info here and i'm doing it all wrong: https://www.ayurtime...a-mandukaparni/

 

 

Gotu Kola Powder Dosage

Starts with 250 mg Gotu Kola Powder once a day and gradually increase the dosage up to 3000 mg over a period of a month. Then gradually reduce the dosage by 125 mg per day to stop it.

 

Gotu Kola Extract Dosage

Starts with 125 mg Gotu Kola Powder once a day and gradually increase the dosage up to 500 mg over a period of a month.

 

Gotu Kola Side Effects

• Headache
• Vertigo
• Sleepiness

Generally, headache occurs with a high dosage of Gotu Kola. To avoid this, one should start it with a low dosage and then its dosage can be increased gradually over a period of several days or weeks.

 

Edited by jack black, 06 December 2017 - 11:27 PM.

[Keizo]

I'm not sure of the exact differences between Parkinson drug treatment and ADHD drug treatment, but I can certainly tell you that high doses of ADHD drugs can make you impulsive as well. And "high" dose is a very relative thing, it depends on tolerance. I remember when I first tried d-amphetamine at 20-30mg per day, it totally made me sexually compulsive for a while, I was sitting collecting porn for hours (not watching it so much as just downloading) which was a totally new behavior for me. But I'd say that would not have happened if I increased the dosage up to that over the course of months. 

Methylphenidate and d-amphetamine can certainly increase sex drive, and sexual thoughts, and IME even low doses used long-term. In my experience using 20-50mg methylphenidate per day for months now it both makes me able to focus on boring and difficult stuff and helps my ability to switch attention according to my will and plans, but at the same time it can make it more enjoyable doing everything else as well. No obvious compulsion present however, but I don't doubt that would happen if I tripled the dose immediately. 

 

 

[jack black]

Who knows what will happen tonight, but I'm not very hopeful.

 

 

turned out i was wrong. eventually, the headache went away and i was able to say no to being the usual coach potato in PM and I did a few productive things. I went to bad early and woke up early today and did a few productive things before going to work. I'm very hopeful now.

 

not sure how it works, feels like a stimulant but shouln't be based on what I read about it.

[jack black]

Update: I used gotu kola for almost a week and it was hit and miss, but generally not helpful.

Now, I started taking high doses of methylfolate (4.8mg) in PM and while the low doses (400-800ug) didn't do much, i'm seeing increased motivation and impulse control and less fatigue in PM. I'll keep you posted in case anyone cares.