6 replies to this topic

[gus]

Hey, so I've been getting into nootropics since about Sept. 08 and am pretty sure all I've done is waste a bunch of money. Nothing seems to work on me, kinda sucks. I'd say Bacopa is the only thing I think works on me, not even sure... Anyways, as I try more racetams, I'm getting more and more curious as to why they work on some and not on others. I can accept that they don't work on me, but I still wanna know why. I've read just about every post on here reguarding pir, ani, oxi, etc., and the longest amount of time I've seen one to work for someone was one month, and that was with piracetam, and that was from a review on bulk nutrition. But my question is this:

How many days did it take for Piracetam to work for you? (If it didn't, say so)
Aniracetam?
Oxiracetam?
anyother-ractam?

Feel free to add dosing schedules/amounts.

My answer: None have worked for me, although I will say that at times I've gotten a headache from Piracetam, which makes me think it's doing something, and after I read that it took the one guy a month before it did anything, it gave me a little hope. I took it for two weeks at high doses (5-9g divided into 3 doses/day), went on vacation so I went off all supps for one week, then came back and started dosing with 800mg a couple times a days. Still nothing. I've used it in combination with alpha-gpc, Jarrow CDP Citicoline, lecithin, as well as by itself. I have gotten some neck pain which seems evidence of the choline doing something as well, but no nootropic/beneficial effects. As for the Oxi and Ani, I don't think anything happened at all, Oxi maybe made me tired, but that could've just been me. I have 1Fast400 Ani, Oxi, and Piracetam as well as Primaforce Piracetam if that makes a difference, (I'm aware 1Fast400 is probably not the best source). I'll probably end up using them until they're gone, since they don't seem to be doing harm, and could still potentially 'kick in'.

Personal background: (feel free to skip) I will also mention that I read Braverman's Edge Effect recently and am Serotonin dominant, Gaba opposite, with a severe Gaba deficiency, moderate dopamine, acetylcholine deficiencies, and a slightly less moderate serotonin deficiency. Also that I smoked marijuana daily for about 4 years, quitting around the end of Nov 08. Alcoholism also runs in my family and I'd definitely say that I have the genes to continue passing that along, but that I have been in pretty good control for the past few years, which is my way of saying that I rarely black out anymore (in stark contrast to 4 years ago), and that I drink 2-3 nights per week, usually quite heavily (12+ beers). This may seem irrelevant but I have a feeling that it may be connected. I should also mention I'm 24, 5' 11", 150lbs, and since I quit smoking, have been running about 3 miles 3 times a week (most weeks). But you can disregard all this and just answer my original question, thanks!

[Ben]

I've taken a lot these agents as well. The effect, for me, is imperceptible unless I am actually engaged in something that is mentally difficult. It has to be really difficult too, like engaging in a fast paced and intellectual conversation, or trying to understand new concepts in economics.

None, to date, have given me any sort of buzz or high or up or whatever you want to call it.


"and that I drink 2-3 nights per week, usually quite heavily (12+ beers)"

Have you ever tried experimenting where you stopped the binge drinking and took a nootrope? Do you think that it's possible your alcohol abuse could be the reason behind you not noticing a difference when on these subtle cognitive enhancers?

Edited by Ben - Aus, 30 March 2009 - 06:18 AM.

[gus]

Hey Ben, thanks for the reply. Ya it's occurred to me that the alcohol is hurting my brain and thus preventing the nootrops from doing their thing, and the most I've taken off was a weekend (so it would be about 12 days sober) but still zero effects from the nootrops. I also don't think that a couple nights of going out every week would negate 100% of the effects of everything I take, but I could also be completely wrong. And, just for the sake of having one thread with everybody's 'activation time', could you say how long it took for those racetams to work for you?? (And just to clarify, I'm not looking for a high from any of these nootropics either, just a little boost upstairs, as I'm in my senior studio at the Uni.)

[luv2increase]

People need to realize that nootropics are to cognition as anabolic/androgenic steroids are to strength and muscle mass. You can't just take "the majority" of them and expect some miracle breakthrough such as you'll turn into the lawnmower man lol (some of you may not remember that movie). You have to engage your brain where you can actually notice a difference like learning a computer/foreign language, advanced mathematics, brain-storming, sudoku, any brain exercises etc... You should do the aforementioned as well whilst taking nootropics for synergy. You also have to give it time.

Nootropics are not temporary fixes like stimulant drugs where a noticeable, perceivable affect is rapid and clearly evident. The older one is, and the more damage one's brain has incurred, the more beneficial the nootropics will be for the said individual. If you are in great shape mentally & physically, nootropics will be more so a buffer against the effects of aging. If you start young, your brain "may" stay youthful as you age. This has a lot to do with many nootropics having a positive affect on the antioxidant systems of the brain.

For me and my prior substance abuse history, even though I am only 25 years young, I am lucky in that I get superb results from many nootropics. I believe it has to do with genetics as well regarding if one will have positive results with a given nootropic.


If you don't get a positive result, I suggest stacking your nootropics to that of a better stack and engaging in mind stimulating endeavors concurrently. Do this for an extended period of time while doing all the other essentials such as exercising, rest and diet. Also, it is good to test yourself so you have a baseline to work from. mybraintrainer.com is good as well as many others nowadays. One that worked well with me was digit span. I started at 8-9 I believe both visual and audible and worked up to 14. My memory is great along with my mood.


Currently, I am taking the following nootropics. I suggest you all to try the same. I am also taking other supplements, but they will not be listed because they are irrelevant.


-Nicotine (will be ceasing shortly)
-Caffeine (may be ceasing shortly)
-Selegiline (1mg daily off and on)
-Tianeptine (12.5mg 3x daily)
-Hydergine (1.125mg 3x daily)
-Oxiracetam (200mg 3x daily)
-Piracetam (200mg 3x daily)
-Alpha GPC 50% (200mx 3x daily)
-MethylB12 (5mg EOD)

[Mista_Bob]

I've only been using piracetam for a little over a week, but I definitely noticed a difference the first couple days, however subtle, which was 2g with 2g choline citrate. After that, I upped my dosage to 4g/4g which created a much more substantial change in my alertness and mental clarity. Every day I have been taking them with my usual 2 cups of morning coffee--- seems to enhance the mental effects of the caffeine in a synergistic way without making me feel jittery and anxious like drinking 4 cups of coffee would.

And, fyi I drink one dark beer or whiskey on the rocks a day, any more than that and the dehydration alcohol causes really negatively effects my physical and mental well-being. Moderation is key.

[vovin]

45 mins to a hour before piracetam first worked for me took about a month to get the formula down right for dosage of piracetam and choline. For me it was a immediate result there was no build up time or need tot take it daily.

[tunt01]

If anyone wants to give me feedback on this routine, that's cool.

i try to have at least one mega-brain meal per day, which includes:

- beets (uridine 5'monophosphate), eggs/lecithin (choline), and fish/fish oil (DHA)
- other healthy stuff in the meal, but I make sure I have those 3 things in it.

in addition to the meal I will have a shake that will include:
1000 mg of piracetam
1000 mg of fish oil (epa/dha)
alpha gpc (can't remember dose)
50 mg of pregnenolone
Phosphatidylserine (can't remember dose)
Other healthy stuff like blueberries, cranberries, grapes, etc.

I also try to exercise just before or be going to sleep just before I eat this pro-brain meal, cuz that's when my hormones get revved up the most and that's when BDNF can be stimulated the best.

I feel like whatever I'm doing is improving my brain and I'm more productive and reading better. I've only been doing this week or so and my health was shit before, so it may be other factors that make me feel like it is working.

My piracetam probably should be 3+ grams and it's only 1 gram, cuz I don't have time to make multiple shakes/packets of crap throughout the day. So I'm clearly skimping on it for now, but I hope to try to pick up the pace on the piracetam later in April.