I have a theory, as now outlined in this (http://www.imminst.o...rce-t37972.html) thread, that once acetylcholine receptors are up-regulated a much lower dosage of a choline precursor is necessary.
specifically, I quote myself:
.......So, according to this theory, when both piracetam and a acetylcholine precursor are taken together, acetylcholine receptors up-regulate and choline-producing pathways down-regulate - due to direct replacement of natural choline pathways with the precursor. When piracetam is taken without a choline source, acetylcholine receptors up-regulate and the choline producing pathway likely also down-regulates, in an attempt to compensate. This may eventually lead to a state equivalent to baseline, i.e, creating no effect. Due to the the fixed nature of the piracetam-induced acetylcholine up-regulation, and therefore the impossibility fir the brain to balance itself out in response to an external choline precursor, a much smaller dose of a choline source might be necessary after receptors have been up-regulated - which is why i've noticed high dose alpha-gpc works best initially and low-dose alpha-gpc works best weeks later.
in sum:
once receptors are up-regulated:
piracetam + full-dose choline source = too much choline. rough estimate at dose range is 100 mg and above of alpha-gpc or equivalent.
piracetam + no choline = choline pathway down-regulation, no effect, potentially starving receptors.
piracetam + low dose exogenous choline = perfect.
it may have to be alpha-gpc or cdp-choline, not regular choline, which would utilize a down-regulated pathway.
rough estimate at effective dose range once receptors are up-regulated = 20 - 80 mg alpha-gpc.
So, now I ask: for those of you taking piracetam with cdp-choline or alpha-gpc, and have for at least a month, try reducing the dose of your choline precursor and post what happens here. All I ask is that for one day, you cut your alpha-gpc or cdp-choline to 1/3 of its usual dose. If you do notice any positive effect, try continuing at this dose over a course of days or trying lower/higher dosages. Post your results here.
Edited by brain, 05 February 2010 - 12:18 PM.
