5 replies to this topic

[quarter]

Hi,

I am having trouble staying on task when writing up my PhD thesis. I want to spend the next few months writing it so that I can get it done, get out, and put the world of academic research (for which I am not cut out) behind me. I am thinking about trying a nootropic stack looking like this to help me focus on the task:

Piracetam (4000mg/day)
Hydergine (4.5mg/day)
Centrophenoxine (250mg/day)

Would anybody have any opinion on whether this would be any good? Optimal dosages? Waste of money?

Do these need to be taken continuously for effect or can I skip taking them on the rare days when I won't be working?

Thanks,

Quarter.

Edited by quarter, 29 April 2008 - 02:38 PM.

[VampIyer]

'racetams are best used with choline.

I'd say a sensible, complete stack would then be (choose dosages):

- 'racetam (not always compatible. Aniracetam makes me feel dopey. Piracetam...works to some extent. I should try Oxira' next).
- choline source
- huperzine A
- vinpocetine
- ginkgo
- Acetyl L-carnitine
- ALA (choose a form)

I've never tried hydergine, though I've wanted to.

I've had some positive results from sulbutiamine (on demand).

I'm going to assume you're getting sufficient epa/dha, b-vitamins, multi-vitamin contents

[quarter]

Thanks for the response VampIyer,

Yeah I have a healthy diet, I stretch and exercise regularly, I meditate daily and I get plenty of high quality fish oil, a decent multi (plus extra vit D3), I also take a number of other things depending on a number of factors. I keep meaning to put a regime up when I settle on one, but I have been evaluating a number of different supps gradually to see what I feel works. Up until now my supps have been targeted towards joint health/injury prevention, athletic performance and general health. Hadn't wanted to venture too much into nootropics but I'm really struggling to finish a thesis in which I've lost interest but would love a helping hand over the finish line if it can be done safely.

I had thought the Centrophenoxine would be sufficient as a choline source but perhaps I'm wrong?

'huperzine A' doesn't seem to be available from the nootropic retailer that I have been looking at (I'm in the UK), also, I think I remember reading some negatives about it somewhere on the forum, something along the lines of: causing too much suppression of acetylcholinesterase and leading too an acetylcholine overload. I'll not pretend that I understand the consequences of that, but it didn't sound good.

I have tried vinpocetine in the past but never noticed anything from it. Similar story for ginkgo and ALCAR. I'm 26 (and I was younger when I tried them) maybe I was too young to feel an effect.

I do currently take ALA, not sure that I can attribute anything to it, but I take mainly for the anti-oxidant benefits.

I love sulbutiamine (it could be the supp I have felt the biggest positive effect from) but only use very infrequently, for some reason it doesn't feel like something I should use on a regular basis, perhaps this has something to do with its pronounced effect on me. I like to keep it in reserve for a big performance day as an athlete or for a big presentation or last minute study day before an exam type thing.

[quarter]

Okay. Still haven't taken the plunge and ordered any nootropics yet. These are what I'm considering and a short why:

UCB Nootropil (Piracetam): To help with thinking ability.

Aniracetam Powder: As above. But I have read mixed reports ranging from it being much better than piracetam to it being much worse.

I have seen recommendations for combining the above 2 racetams in a ratio around 5:1 (Pira to Ani). Do any members have any advice on whether I should stick to just one (if so which one?) or combine them?

Lucidril (Centrophenoxine): To help with focus. Synergy with the racetams.

Hydergine (Ergoloid Mesylates): To help with memory. Synergy with the racetams.

Jumex (Deprenyl): To help with focus.

CDP Choline 250 mg: Possible Choline source for the racetams.

Huperzine-A 50 mcg: to help with memory.

Pyritinol 100 mg: for focus.

Choline Citrate: Possible choline source.

Idebenone: To help with thinking ability.

Bacopa Monnieri: Stress reduction, memory improvement.


I produced this list as much for me to sort out my thoughts as for any responses but I would greatly appreciate any advice. I would rather keep things as simple and efficient as possible and while I would like to have the time to give a personal trial to each substance I don't. I suppose my priority is focus and concentration rather than thinking ability. So any advice on what users think might work best would be great.

[calengineering]

Okay. Still haven't taken the plunge and ordered any nootropics yet. These are what I'm considering and a short why:

UCB Nootropil (Piracetam): To help with thinking ability.

Aniracetam Powder: As above. But I have read mixed reports ranging from it being much better than piracetam to it being much worse.

I have seen recommendations for combining the above 2 racetams in a ratio around 5:1 (Pira to Ani). Do any members have any advice on whether I should stick to just one (if so which one?) or combine them?

Lucidril (Centrophenoxine): To help with focus. Synergy with the racetams.

Hydergine (Ergoloid Mesylates): To help with memory. Synergy with the racetams.

Jumex (Deprenyl): To help with focus.

CDP Choline 250 mg: Possible Choline source for the racetams.

Huperzine-A 50 mcg: to help with memory.

Pyritinol 100 mg: for focus.

Choline Citrate: Possible choline source.

Idebenone: To help with thinking ability.

Bacopa Monnieri: Stress reduction, memory improvement.


I produced this list as much for me to sort out my thoughts as for any responses but I would greatly appreciate any advice. I would rather keep things as simple and efficient as possible and while I would like to have the time to give a personal trial to each substance I don't. I suppose my priority is focus and concentration rather than thinking ability. So any advice on what users think might work best would be great.

Buy half of those items. You don't want to overload yourself. I know it's near the end of the semester but if you take them all at once you have a risk of having one supplement giving you headaches or some other issue and you won't be able to figure out what. I'd suggest first going for those that probably produce an immediate benefit. Piracetam/CDP Choline, Huperzine A, and Pyritinol all have an immediate effect and are the ones on your list that are mentioned more often on this forum. If they don't work after a few tries, get adrafinil as plan B.

EDIT: Opps. I realize you actually have a few months. I'll still recommend going slowly. Try them out individually.

Edited by calengineering, 05 May 2008 - 06:26 PM.

[quarter]

Thanks calengineering,

I didn't want to take them all (couldn't afford them all anyway) but didn't know which ones to prioritise. So I think I will start with your suggestions of Piracetam/CDP Choline, Huperzine A, and Pyritinol and see how they each pan out for me.

Thanks.