14 replies to this topic

[rhakshasa]

[huh] Don't bash me for asking that. Street drugs pretty much consist of bringning some kind of pleasurable effect to the user. I'm curious if any nootropic/non-harmfull drug produce similar effect. It's not for regular use but for "filling the blank" when I feel I have absolutely nothing to do.

Thanks [lol]

[Athanasios]

When safe substances can fill in for another drug's effects it is very useful for kicking addictions.

In fact, you can use this information to find what you are looking for.

[aikikai]

Is there anything that doesn't include smoking?

[zoolander]

The addiction is not to the substance but rather to the sensation that the substance brings.

It's not for regular use but for "filling the blank" when I feel I have absolutely nothing to do.

That comment scares me. You have to be careful because everything with time gets boring and you can't keep trying to fill in the blanks. Life, by nature, is mundane.

[krazyj]

And I thought the thrill associated with these drugs are literally from your brain cells exploding

[basho]

How about a euphoric high without the drugs? Consider this excerpt from a recent NewScientist article on humans as infovores:

They claim that the neural pathways through which we learn about the world tap into the same pleasure networks in the brain as are activated by drugs like heroin. They say that, for humans, only the basic urges of hunger, harm avoidance and the need to find a mate can distract us from this info-craving (American Scientist, vol 94, p 247).

How does information give people a high? The key is a type of chemical receptor known as a mu-opioid receptor, which is found on the surface of some brain cells. Like other opioid receptors, it is activated by heroin, morphine or naturally produced substances called endorphins, and is found in areas of the brain that mediate pain and pleasure. Mu-opioid receptors are also found in areas that process sensory information and memories.

These are the areas that become active when the brain is trying to interpret the information it is receiving, whether that is an image of an object, or words on a page, or the song of a bird. Biederman and Vessel suggest that when this happens, the endorphins that stimulate mu-opioid receptors are released, causing a feeling of pleasure. What's more, because the number of mu-opioid receptors increases further along the neural processing pathway, information that triggers the most memories and conveys the most meaning to a person causes the greatest pleasure response. It is this bonus that compels people to browse for new information.

Does the effect ever wear thin? Yes, with repetition. Reading a book for the second time is less stimulating than reading it for the first time. That is, unless you didn't understand it first time round. Biederman and Vessel say that endorphins are released at the "click" of comprehension, and that until the penny drops people are happy to return to a subject. Children take longer to "click" than adults - which explains their enthusiasm for hearing the same bedtime story night after night.

Maybe that explains the pleasure I get from reading a good escapist SciFi novel?

[Centurion]

One word: Asimov

[Ghostrider]

One word: Asimov

I don't care for any type of recreational substance because I feel that I have better things to do that "get high". However, I do enjoy really good quality sleep. So substances which promote a very deep and refreshing sleep can be enjoyable and productive (considering the productive benefits obtained from a deep nap or good night's sleep). So taking substances to promote good sleep can be enjoyable as well as refreshing. Magnesium supplements have seemed to improve the quality of my sleep. Maybe that is a place to start.

[superpooper]

No one has really answered his question yet. [lol]

Anyways, a nootropic with euphoric effects would be Gotu Kola. It produces euphoric effects with only a slight intoxication. It's kinda picky so here is how you get the good effects:

1. Get a quality brand. One brand I tried didn't produce any effects at all. Eclectic Institute sell good quality stuff, that's my recommendation.

2. You have to use it on an empty stomach. I've found this to be true countless times. Try to wait atleast 3 hours sinse your last meal.

[xanadu]

Isn't the main ingredient in gotu kola caffeine? That is hardly a euphoriant in my book but the speed heads all seem to like it. No one seems to have found a better euphoriant than marijuana so far. Opium has it's advocates as does cocaine but those have their drawbacks. Doing something active that you enjoy is the best way to go.

[superpooper]

Isn't the main ingredient in gotu kola caffeine? That is hardly a euphoriant in my book but the speed heads all seem to like it. No one seems to have found a better euphoriant than marijuana so far. Opium has it's advocates as does cocaine but those have their drawbacks. Doing something active that you enjoy is the best way to go.

No, people confuse Gotu Kola and Kola Nut all the time.

Gotu kola is often confused with kola nut. Due to this confusion, some people assume the rejuvenating properties of Gotu kola are due to the stimulating effects of caffeine contained in kola nut. In fact, Gotu kola is not related to kola nut and contains no caffeine. There are three main chemical constituents in Gotu kola. The first is asiaticoside, which is a triterpene glycoside and classified as an antibiotic. It aids in wound healing and has been used in the treatment of leprosy and tuberculosis in the Far East. The second constituent is a pair of chemicals, brahmoside and brahminoside, which are saponin glycosides. These are diuretic in nature and have a slightly sedative action in large doses.

[rhakshasa]

The addiction is not to the substance but rather to the sensation that the substance brings.

That comment scares me. You have to be careful because everything with time gets boring and you can't keep trying to fill in the blanks. Life, by nature, is mundane.

Don't worry, I have a lot of things to do. I won't do it everytime I'm bored either, I have things to do, I have friends, etc.

And I smoked marijuana during quite long but I have quited buying it (Still smoke at friend home), it's fun and not really harmfull but it cost a lot and last quite short.

superpooper : I will try to use Gotu Kola if I get my hand on it. Btw thanks on the info guy! Keep posting if you have more. Which one should I buy from Eclectic Institute, does the regular plant produce pleasurable effect or it's very minimal? [thumb]

Here the list (and I don't think I need vitamien C [tung] :
• Gotu Kola w/Vitamin C, Orange, 1 oz. More... $10.80
• Gotu Kola w/Vitamin C, Orange, 2 oz. More... $20.40
• Gotu Kola, 1 oz. More... $9.90
• Gotu Kola, 2 oz. More... $19.10
• Gotu Kola, 45 gel caps More... $9.50
• Gotu Kola, 50 Vegi caps More... $10.50
• Gotu Kola, 90 Vegi caps More... $18.00

Edited by rhakshasa, 12 August 2006 - 11:01 PM.

[superpooper]

600 mg of the regular plant is usually plenty to get the effects. I think the veggie caps are 200 mg each.

[bacopacabana]

You might try the Biotest "Spike" product.
I.E. sulbutiamine with or without caffeine. It's pretty decent stuff, despite the hype:

http://www.t-nation....geNo=1&s=splash

How would like to have the energy of ephedrine, without the jitters?

How would you like the mental clarity and mood elevation of amphetamine, without using a controlled substance?

How would you like all of this, without negative side effects: no addiction and no down-regulation of receptors requiring ever-increasing doses?