9 replies to this topic

[Evolutionary]

I was wondering... without access to nootropics, what are the next best things one can get? I'm talking about things besides the usual caffeine, sleep, aerobic cardiovascular exercise, no stress,healthy diet etc. I'm sure lots of people here do not have access to nootropics and would want to know what the next best things are.

So, do you have any 'next bests'? Share them here. Are there any 'next bests' that can be found in your kitchen, shops, etc.? Things that work- but are easily accessible. Some examples as to what I'm thinking of are:

1.Sugar(may not work for some though, instead making them hyperactive)
2.Ginkgo biloba(can be found in most shops),
3.Vitamin C and the other b-vitamins that are sold in shops
4.Adaptogens(ginseng)
5.Creatine(not sure how worth it it is though)
6.Fish Oil(omega-3 fatty acids)
7.Not Masturbating for males(increases testosterone)
8.Cold Shower(increases adrenaline/cortisol?)

*EDIT: I realize a more grammatically correct title should be 'what're the next best things to nootropics'. Sry abt that.

Edited by chrono, 26 October 2010 - 01:20 PM.
fixed topic title

[Rags847]

1. Motivation/Inspiration Tapes (You can do it, dude!).
2. Creative Visualization (Dream it so vividly until you can almost taste it, see it, hear it, feel it).
3. Speed Reading (gets the mind moving and processing faster - which is a measure of intelligence - and the effect of Piracetam and many Nootropics).
4. Brainwave Entrainment/ Neuro-Feedback http://www.transpare...om/products/np/ and
http://www.amazon.co...m...9150&sr=8-1
5. Meditation.
6. Remembering That This Is Your One And Only Youth And Life To Live And Later You'll Be Dead Forever (unless Life Extension and Immortalism truly takes off). So, DO IT NOW!!!
7. Honey. http://www.imminst.o...o...67&hl=honey

Edited by Rags847, 13 February 2008 - 03:59 PM.

[Ghostrider]

I was wondering... without access to nootropics, what are the next best things one can get? I'm talking about things besides the usual caffeine, sleep, aerobic cardiovascular exercise, no stress,healthy diet etc. I'm sure lots of people here do not have access to nootropics and would want to know what the next best things are.

So, do you have any 'next bests'? Share them here. Are there any 'next bests' that can be found in your kitchen, shops, etc.? Things that work- but are easily accessible. Some examples as to what I'm thinking of are:

1.Sugar(may not work for some though, instead making them hyperactive)
2.Ginkgo biloba(can be found in most shops),
3.Vitamin C and the other b-vitamins that are sold in shops
4.Adaptogens(ginseng)
5.Creatine(not sure how worth it it is though)
6.Fish Oil(omega-3 fatty acids)
7.Not Masturbating for males(increases testosterone)
8.Cold Shower(increases adrenaline/cortisol?)

*EDIT: I realize a more grammatically correct title should be 'what're the next best things to nootropics'. Sry abt that.

I think I have mostly given up on nootropics -- not permanently, but the good stuff is not here yet, at least for me anyway. Regarding your list, I think you are better off avoiding caffeine. Although I say this after consuming one 16 oz highly-caffeinated sugary energy drink yesterday before an exam. I think it gave me a mental boost and allowed me to focus intently for the entire two hours, but on a daily basis, I avoid caffeine and sugar. If you rely on it too much, you eventually depend on it for normal functionality and your baseline drops. Also, if you do rely on caffeine for a mental boost, only use it when you need it. You'll get more of a kick that way in the case where you body has not already adjusted to it. Ginko never did anything for me as far as I could tell. Maybe I did not give it long enough.

[outsider]

Herbs.

If chosen correctly they give great results after a couple of weeks, they work deeply into your system. For exemple bacopa taken for a while will give lasting results for still a month even if you stopped taking it. That's why you don't notice it clearly, it builds up and fade away slowly.

Detoxification with herbs gives energy boost.

[Ghostrider]

Herbs.

If chosen correctly they give great results after a couple of weeks, they work deeply into your system. For exemple bacopa taken for a while will give lasting results for still a month even if you stopped taking it. That's why you don't notice it clearly, it builds up and fade away slowly.

Detoxification with herbs gives energy boost.

I like the recommendation on herbs, however, I have not done much in that area. I tried a bottle of bacopa, could not discern an effect after taking it for 2-3 months continuously. However, based on the logic that the results slowly build up when taking and slowly go away after one has stopped taking -- then how can one tell if it is actually doing anything at all?

[mystery]

I've tried lots and lots of things. I don't care much for nootropics, but that's not to say they don't appear to be beneficial for lots of people.

Sleep is very important, and anything that helps get adequate sleep can really give a significant cognitive boost.

Herbs that I really like:

Kava: I build a tolerance to it, so I like to use it occasionally, but it works much better than caffeine to give me more motivation, focus, and mild alertness when I'm tired. I don't get any side effects, unless I take too much, than I can get overstimulated and it can interfere with sleep.

Chamomile: This stuff is awesome for sleep for me. This is because I don't get any negative side effects, and it doesn't impare cognitive function until I fall asleep. Also, I don't feel drowsy except for a short while after getting out of bed the next day. The benefit is that it helps me get to sleep sooner, and I get more sleep. I build a slight tolerance so I use it occasionally.

Tea: just any kind without caffeine. Maybe the heat helps me to relax, and I feel more at ease.

Drugs:

Alcohol: Ocasionally to relax. It helps a lot to unwind. It can help to boost cognitive function in certain circumstances in LOW doses.

I very occasionally use sleeping pills. When I do, I like to use 1/4 to 1/2 of a Tylenol PM. I build a big tolerance quickly.

Other/Misc:

Nothing: I just like to relax in a quet place and do nothing, and think about nothing. It's a great mental recharge. There's definitely nothing else that beats this for me in boosting cognition, but I don't always have the luxury.

Ear plugs: use soft kind to help get to sleep when noise would not permit.

Food: Pretty basic, but it helps cognitive function a lot for me. I need to eat enough good food each meal, to get full benefit (e.g., just drinking some juice won't do much). Eating late also helps to make me sleepy and get to bed. I like to eat an extra meal between lunch and dinner, so at least 4 meals a day.

Heavy weight lifting: Helps make me tired when I really need to get sleep. Also temporarly boosts cognitive function and focus for me.

Juggling: Helps reduce stress when I've had a really stressful day and am too stressed to relax or do nothing (see above).

Sunlight and not-so-fresh air: Helps with mood and well being. I really need to just walk outside every now and then.

TV: helps me relax, and offers somewhat of a mental recharge while reducing stress.

Induce placebo effect: Kinda weird, but I imagine that my mind is processing information at an amazing rate and how well it is working, and I get a mild cognitive boost. Doesn't work when I'm stressed or heavily involved with a task, but works great when I'm relaxed.

Music: Helps relieve stress.

Edited by mystery, 16 February 2008 - 09:33 AM.

[Ghostrider]

I agree on the music comment as well. I do think I can experience a cognitive boost, or at least a mood boost, after listening to the right kind of music. Some people like to study while listening to classical music.

[Evolutionary]

For me, bacopa/ginkgo biloba (vasolidator) has no discernible effects too after taking it for around 1 month.

About juggling, I can't seem to juggle very well due to my sluggish demeanor haha. Can't control the balls very well...

Concerning music, I'm actually thinking of buying a music player of some sort and use it like some kind of mood regulator. Not sure what kind to buy though. Any suggestions? Thinking of cheap,value-for-money kinds. Classical music,especially Mozart's and Bach's, help temporarily help with visuo-spatial tasks(the Mozart effect). It has been conjectured that the repetitive/cyclic parts cause this.

I've read about the alcohol in low doses boosting cognitive functions, but does it really? I don't know for sure.

I'm thinking-most nootropics, have a very small/placebo effect, but there are some there really help, like for eg. modafinil(though technically not 1), pramiracetam...etc. Those shld really have some kind of effect. I agree the good stuff, for the most part, isn't here yet, especially those that permanently boost cognitive function.

Btw, where can you get Kava, and in what form?

[wootwoot]

Eating well and a good night of sleep go a long way.

[treonsverdery]

Newsweek 12/10/07 says
brain fitness 2.0 from Posit software showed improvements n a variety of unrelated memory [activities]
"the gains were equivalent to turning back the clock 10 years"

try or rather view a nondownload version at http://www.positscie...ograms/tour.php

Edited by treonsverdery, 20 February 2008 - 10:34 PM.