LONGECITY

Hello,
I'm a Physics student and would like to try some nootropics in an attempt to maximize my potential and improve my ability to completely understand and remember the material.

After a bit of research on the net, I recently ordered these two supplements:
1. Source Naturals Alpha-GPC - 300mg
2. Source Naturals Acetyl L-Carnitine + Alpha-Lipoic Acid - 650mg

I would like to try them one at a time (say, a week or two each) and then decide what to do next: try to take them both together, perhaps try other supplements, etc.
I have a few questions before I begin:
1. Which should I try first?
2. What dosage should I start with? Everywhere I look on the internet, I see different dosage recommendations. The label on the Acetyl L-Carnitine says "1 tablet, 1 to 4 times daily", which is pretty vague. The one on the Alpha-GPC says "2 capsules twice daily for the first 4 weeks, thereafter 1 capsule twice daily" which I guess is somewhat equivalent to the Piracetam "attack dose", but is it really necessary? (And BTW, what is the reason for the attack dose anyway?)
3. Should they really be taken together?
4. Are there any more supplements that you can recommend? (Note that I do not intend to take any prescription medication such as Piracetam, I would like to limit myself to nutritional supplements for the time being)

I would of course be happy to share my experience with these supplements with you.
Thanks in advance,
Muon

PS: Prehaps It should be noted that I'm 22 and suffer from a few diseases, Chron's Disease being the most severe, and also mild OCD and Tourette's Syndrome.
Also, I currently take these supplements:
* Twinlab Mega Twin EPA Fish oil (3 capsules/day)
* Twinlab & Country Life Pycnogenol (200mg/day)
* Twinlab "Daily One" (a multi vitamin)
* Twinlab Calcium Citrate w/ Magnesium (I do not consume dairy products because of Crohn's Disease)
* Country Life Vitamin C (1000mg/day)
* Kyolic Kyo-Dophilus (1 capsule/day)
Edited by muon, 13 October 2007 - 11:33 PM.

For ALCAR and alpha-GPC, I would start with the lower end of the dose range. Start small and work your way up over several days. You see different dosage recommendations because the optimal dose varies widely among individuals. The only way to find the right dose for you is through personal experimentation.

Piracetam is sold as a nutritional supplement in the US, not as a prescription medication. I'm not sure how it would be in a different category from ALCAR and alpha-GPC. It's cheap, it's safe, and it's worth trying in my opinion. If you're looking for supplements other than nootropics, fish oil and a multivitamin are recommended as part of a healthy diet.

Thanks for your reply!
Unfortunately, I live in Israel, and haven't seen Piracetam being sold off-counter in any pharmacy here. Thus I deduce that either it's a prescription medication here, or that it's not available at all.
Can you recommend a good, reliable online site in the US or Europe that will send Piracetam to Israel?

Anyway, I think I will start with Alpha-GPC, 1 capsule a day for a few days, and see what happens.
When is it best to take it? Morning/noon/evening? before/after a meal, or on an empty stomach? Does it matter?

I'd also appreciate answers to my other questions

Thanks again,
Muon

I took 1 Alpha-GPC capsules yesterday and will take two today.
Right now I do not feel any change (I have been studying at my usual speed). I'm waiting to see what happens when I get to 4 capsules a day.
Can anyone answer my other questions? Thanks!

I am hesitating to give any advice because the syndromes you've mentioned above might effect your brains chemistry.
So what works for me - might not work for you in the same way.

I take :

300-500mg of alpha-GPC (usually split in 3 doses over the day)
3*800mg Piracetam
and up to 2g ALCAR.

(plus Fish Oil, plus some other things...)

I am not sure if alpha-GPC will do the trick on its own - or if you need Piracetam get the synergistic effect.

On special occasions I am adding 300mg Sulbutiamine to my stack!

Cheers

Alex

I took 1 Alpha-GPC capsules yesterday and will take two today.
Right now I do not feel any change (I have been studying at my usual speed). I'm waiting to see what happens when I get to 4 capsules a day.
Can anyone answer my other questions? Thanks!

Thanks. So are you saying that there's no point in taking Alpha-GPC alone? What about ALCAR alone? or Alpha-GPC and ALCAR together?

Also, what effect does Piracetam have on you? Do you feel that you can learn more material and understand it better? Has your memory improved? These are the things I seek the most.