Here are some leads. I call them leads because the complexity of human brain coupled with how little I know. I am trying to find out these answers myself.
How about modafanil, aka adrafanil, aka provigil? It's not quite an amphetamine like ephedra, so you don't get the unpleasant side-effects. Do some advanced searches. Nootropi likes this prescription.
I used to take ephedra too as a self-medication for lack of motivation. I read on a google search that someone took ephedra for ADD. What I found with ephedra was adaptation to the drug, addiction and then burnout. So, while it was great for a while, it hurt me in the end. Ephedra is still available in chinese herbal shops
and is not illegal, you just cannot buy it for weight loss anymore for weightloss. I have a huge bag somewhere. Another problem with stimulants is that caffeine and nicotine and I bet epehdra is not easily combined with some of the nootropics... it is just too much on the brain chemistry. Some noots intensify the stimulants way too much for example. My advice is not to use them or be carefule. I drink tea instead of coffee for example.
http://www.latimes.c...1502sleep.storyhttp://www.modafinil.../off-label.htmlSeems like no one knows how this drug works. Gosh we are pretty ignorant.
Some other drugs (actually herbs) I consider are from the adaptogens. In the Book, "Natural Highs" by Hyla Cass, which (a book which I specifically recommend to you), Cass says the adaptogens actually don't throw your body out of wack like the stimulants (feeling good, downregulation, addiction, burnout) , they help your body find homeostasis.
Adaptogens include the ginsengs (Siberian, Asian, American), ashwaganda, licorice (I dont take cuz it increases cortisol), reishi mushroom, rhodiola.
Other things you might want to consider is green tea.
From Cass's book, the doctor recommends D,L-phenylalanine (its in chocolate), tyrosine and vitamin B5.
The neurotransimitters it seems you need work on is the dopamine and adrenalines.
I am not sure why your doctor had you on Paxal... that increases serotonin, the feel-happy neurotransmitter, when you need the "get off your butt" dopamines and adrenalines.
I am experimenting with the adaptogens right now. I am noticing subtle differences.
consider reducing cortisol and increasing DHEAIn other books I am reading, the authors say people get burned out because their cortisol levels are too high and that is caused by increase stress from lifestyle and things like caffeine, nicotine and stimulants. Cortisol makes you binge on food, it shrinks the hypocampus that is needed for memory imprinting. Some authors suggest testing cortisol levels and DHEA levels. They suggest boosting DHEA who have low levels who are usually older. you see, Cortisol reduces DHEA which is precursor to steroids/hormones. Careful taking DHEA, being related steroids, it can have steroidlike effects. In order to figure out how much DHEA you need, you should get tested for your levels (according to the authors).
What do I know works now?1. Exercise... it increases energy more than anything else...cardio everything. Do it in the morning.
2. Here is one thing my family takes including myself everyday. My mother swears by it. It is very low glycemic--your insulin levels might be messed up.
http://www.energyfirst.com/ <--on that website take 2 scoops of whey protein from the proenergy whey protein (it gets you off the insulin rollercoaster), a table spoon of the omega oil blend (it increases neuro reception of all neuros), one scoop of the greenergy(it has green tea extract, ginseng Coq10, algae and all sorts of other stuff) and mix it with a cup of frozen fruit. My mother swears by this. You will need a blender. I take at least one everyday. The omega oils might probably can convert some of its stuff to EPA or DHA which should improve your neurol reception...I am thinking about omega-3
fish oils as opposed to flaxseed because it already contains EPA and DHA.)
3. Take a strong multi-vitamin.
4. Sunlight...winter blues even effects me if I am the freaking equator.
5. Adaptogens, but I am still experimenting.
6. Protein heavy diets--Get off the carbs, get in the zone
7. Coffee.
8. My nootropic stack--however, if I change the dosage too much or add alcohol, nicotine or too much caffeine I get some unsettling mood.
Get the book Natural Highs... cross check that book with some of the experts in here which might be able to debunk some of the stuff.
Pinball
