5 replies to this topic

[funkmasterG]

Was wanting to know what are some of the best pre-made stacks out there that would be worth trying. for example "Noocube" and "Qualia" just to name a couple. Of the various ones I have come across, the only one I have tried so far is Noocube and it is ok. Below is a list of different nootropics that I may be more interested than others, they would be some that I would like to see in a pre-made stack but only because I have come across many of them consistently as I have started my Nootropic journey many years ago (on and off) and some of them on the list I have personally seen on some of the pre-made stacks. However, I have not tried all of these I will list and some of them I am not even sure I can buy, so I am not limiting myself to just these nootropics. I am not against taking just individual nootropics (so not pre-made stacks) but I do want try some more pre-made stacks for the moment cuz I feel you get more bang for your buck so to speak.

 

L-tyrosine, L-dopa, Rhodiola Rosea, Alpha-GPC, Huperzine A, Lemon Balm, L-theanine, Bacopa Monnieri, Vinpocetine, Inositol, SAM-e, DHEA, DMAE, Phenibut, Panax Ginseng, Sulbutiamine, Noopept (sublingual) (have only had in pill form)

 

Below I will just add a quick list of certain “criteria” to keep in mind for those who wish to help with any opinions or recommendations for any pre-made stacks (or some individuals ones possibly)

 

• Keep in mind that I live in the U.S. so things that may be legal in your country, may not be in mine for purchase (a good example is Modafinil, have had to make due with Adrafinil)
• Maybe keep in mind any kind of nootropic that works better in tandem while taking another ( a good example is how most racetams work better when taken with some source of choline, since I haven’t re-started taking nootropics until very recently, I forgot about that “rule” when I started trying phenylpiracetam and started getting headaches, then I remember I needed some source of choline)
• Whether a particular nootropic is water or fat soluble
• Just naming a better alternative to a pre-made stack or a specific nootropic (for ex. It might not be worth taking piracetam if there are “better” or “stronger” alternatives worth mentioning such as phenylpiracetam or noopept)
• And then finally for pre-made stacks specifically, I prefer to stay under the $40 price range (although I already know that’s not possible esp with the higher quality ones like Qualia) but that does not mean I won’t be willing to go over, I just prefer to stay under if possible. And, I also preferably want bottles that come in at least a 60 pill count, 30 goes by too fast.

 

I appreciate any and all help, I know it’s a lot of info so I really do appreciate all the help. I am looking forward to your guys’ opinions and recommendations. And just out of curiosity for any of u who are interested to know what my current stack is (not much of a stack, nor am I consistent with any of them), this is what I am taking.

 

Multi vitamins, Ginkgo biloba, Noocube, Fish Oil, Phenylpiracetam, Adrafinil (occasionally) and Noopept (but not at the same time wit phenylpiracetam and I ran out a while ago).

 

And quickly off the top of my head things I have taken in the past individually (so not as part of a bought pre-made stack) a long time ago was piracetam and choline bitartrate (both powder form, both nasty as hell, I really prefer pills), Huperzine A, Vinpocetine, Inositol, Alpha-GPC

 

Thank You

 

[Oakman]

Not a nootropic stack as you mention, but... wortha look. I'm not generally a fan of commercial pre-made stacks of any type - most are too weird, have things I take in larger or different quantities in it, or have so little of most things that they are effectively useless. So I make my own, basically I'm a private compounding supplement maker to get what I think is good.

 

That being said, I recently ran across one new pre-made stack that at least is trying not to skimp on ingredients or quantities, rather they give creditable amounts of a multitude of things. It looks to be part multi-V and part longevity related. It still needs more or some things, also additional things, but still - I applaud their effort and gumption in offering something with over 7 GRAMS of ingredients in each dose.

 

Full disclosure, I haven't bought or tried it, I do trust and buy from them, but that's it. For a 'Starting-Stack-to-Get-You-Going' it's pretty hard to fault. Add your own to make what you need. For the 7 grams/dose, they recommend 14 veggie caps (7-AM / 7-PM) and better - their 2-bottle offer is 420 caps big for a not unreasonable price.

 

https://www.swansonv...al-420-veg-caps

 

If you try it, I'd be interested in your opinion

Edited by Oakman, 14 December 2018 - 03:40 PM.

[pamojja]

I'd be interested in your opinion

 

Looks exactly like a cheap version of LifeExtension Mix multivitamin/mineral. Swanson just exchanged the more expensive versions of nutrients with folic acid, cyanocobalamin and pyridoxine, for example. These 3 are enough reasons for me not to take.

 

Note, despite containing almost the same doses, Swansons costs $29.99 for 15 days. While LEF's is $49.95 for 30 days. Swansons version turns out even more expensive.

 

As multi I prefer LEF's inexpensive Two-per-day, which comes with the same better versions of B-vitamins.
 

Also I don't think there can be a 'best' pre-made stack, as well as there can't be a 'best' multi. Individual needs in nutrients are just too different. As also outlined in this stack post.

Edited by pamojja, 14 December 2018 - 07:47 PM.

[Oakman]

Looks exactly like a cheap version of LifeExtension Mix multivitamin/mineral. Swanson just exchanged the more expensive versions of nutrients with folic acid, cyanocobalamin and pyridoxine, for example. These 3 are enough reasons for me not to take.

 

Note, despite containing almost the same doses, Swansons costs $29.99 for 15 days. While LEF's is $49.95 for 30 days. Swansons version turns out even more expensive.

 

As multi I prefer LEF's inexpensive Two-per-day, which comes with the same better versions of B-vitamins.
 

Also I don't think there can be a 'best' pre-made stack, as well as there can't be a 'best' multi. Individual needs in nutrients are just too different. As also outlined in this stack post.

 

Cost is $29.99 for 420 capsules, so divide by 14 = 30 days. Swanson's is $10 cheaper than LEF's, not more expensive. Those 3 ingredients don't matter to most, so are they worth $10 just for that?

[pamojja]

Cost is $29.99 for 420 capsules, so divide by 14 = 30 days. Swanson's is $10 cheaper than LEF's, not more expensive. Those 3 ingredients don't matter to most, so are they worth $10 just for that?

 

Ok, they obviously sell 2 bottles for that price, got fooled be their supplement facts:

 

Supplement Facts

Serving Size 14 Veggie Capsules (7 capsules morning/7 capsules evening)

Servings Per Container 15

For me who takes a highly individualized comprehensive supplement regime against multiple chronic disease and which no multi ever can provide, I do already have much, much higher monthly costs. Therefore I do have to economize wherever I can. Additionally from Europe anything ordered from the states comes with about 20-30% tax/custom fees. And with my condition no multi provides the amounts of methylfolate, methylcobalamin and P-5-P anyway, to keep homocysteine down. Therefore the 3 of course do count. Folic acid at that dose might block receptors, not letting any methylfolate in.

 

Therefore I prefer the inexpensive 2-per-day lef multi, also because it has no copper, which I have too high. And get 200 times the resveratrol, 40 times the inositol, 30 times the Bromelain, 20 times the olive leaf ext, 16 times the TMG, 14 times of lysine, 10 times the phosphatidylcholine - to mention a few of what's in this Swanson multi for me at completely insufficient doses - elsewhere mostly in bulk.

 

But you're right, in perfectly good health without homocysteine high, this might be a good option.

[funkmasterG]

I agree with you "pamoja" that there is no "best" pre-made stack, and I agree with you "oakman" that it normally is better to create your own stacks esp since you can experiment more so with the quantity of the various individual supplements, altho I've always hated powders and don't always have confidence in myself that I am properly measuring how much I am taking be it milligrams, grams, etc just cuz i'm horrible at math lol. Besides, if your going to experiment with quantities you have to always make sure you do ur research online first so that you def don't end up going over in quantity and making yourself sick. Like i said, I wish could experiment more like that, but I'm on a more tight budget at the moment so that that Is why I am trying to find the best Pre-made stack(s) out there to experiment with. I couldn't find that many reviews on the Swansons stack you suggested "oakman" so I might keep trying to look for more reviews if possible. But I appreciate the input both of you have given and if I do decide to try that stack, I will let you know.

 

Thnx