16 replies to this topic

[Patanjali]

Hi all,

I've been searching the web for hours over the past few days on my quest to find an alternative to caffeine. With absolutely zero results.
Since I'm an economist and not a chemist, my thinking might come across as a little naive. But I have a real hard time believing that
there is no substance that could even approximately match the risk-benefit-ratio of caffeine.
My problem with caffeine is the very fast developing tolerance. If I had a decent alternative, I could cycle it with the caffeine and therefore
decrease the tolerance building. I could do one week on caffeine, the next week on the alternative, one week off, repeat... or something
along those lines...

I tried Ephedrine which I can only use maybe once a week for an extra boost in a workout session, since it takes quite a toll on my body.
Besides making me horny like a 16 year old for the next three days...
With Ritalin it is the same as with Ephedrine, but not as heavy on the body and less hornyness... Quite good to get some work done too,
but no solution to my problem, since I'm burned out within a few days.
Ritalin and Ephedrine are just too harsh, too strong...
I also tested Modafinil, which doesn't "stimulate" me at all. I don't get motivation to do work or work out like I do on Caffeine, Ritalin or Ephedrin.
I'm noticing a slight imrovement in my ability to focus and do boring stuff. But I feel like a robot and I argue a lot with people about semantics.
It also takes it's toll on the body after a few days, almost as much as Ritalin and Ephedrin, but in return doesn't really help to "stimulate" me...

I would really appreciate it, if someone could point me in the right direction or give me some feedback.

Regards
Patanjali

PS.
Please don't say Guarana or Green Tea...

Edited by Patanjali, 27 May 2012 - 06:46 PM.

[Godot]

You might try forskolin to increase your sensitivity to the caffeine. There's a bunch of info on this in the Long Term Potentiation thread.

[hamishm00]

Theobromine is a pretty good caffeine substitute.

[Cephalon]

I'm still waiting on a reply on a thread I once started asking for experiences with Propentofyllin,

It's supposed to be pretty similar to caffeine - but I don't know if there is a cross tolerances.

Most likely there is, but if not you could cycle Caffeine and Propentofyllin alternating.

As caffeine it's working through adenosine.

http://en.m.wikipedi...Propentofylline

Edited by Cephalon, 28 May 2012 - 10:38 PM.

[Smith]

Try Clenbuterol or Albuterol.

[Cephalon]

Try Clenbuterol or Albuterol.

Sorry, but just don't follow this recommendation. Without medical indication using Clenbuterol as a Caffeine substitute is absolutely reckless - I once used it for weight loss and while it helped I still regret this decision taking all the possible sideeffects into account.

If the OP wants to go the pharmaceutical route I would recommend Modafinil, as it appears to be the only serious alternative with a similar risk profile (except the rare SJS cases - but those can occur with a bunch of other meds people here are using)

Edited by Cephalon, 01 June 2012 - 01:02 PM.

[Patanjali]

I wasn't sure if Smith was just making a bad joke. It's absolutely irresponsible to recommend clenbuterol as a caffeine alternative.
Even though it’s highly unlikely that someone relies only on some comment he read online, you always have those people…

So for the record:
Before you even consider taking clenbuterol for whatever reason, you better know your shit. Taking “clen” involves risks, which are hard to underestimate.
Totally different ballpark than caffeine.

I’m going to start testing this product which relies on “Hoodia” and “Theobromine”.
http://www.biotheka....rchparam=hoodia
If you’re interested in my feedback, post in this thread as I might otherwise forget to report back.

Regards & Tanks for your answers so far
Patanjali

PS
I’m still looking for caffeine alternatives. So if someone comes across a substance that qualifies, please report back here ;-)

[panhedonic]

I'm really interested as well. I'd also add 'caffeine boosters' like forksolin. Caffeine actually makes me more creative, opening up new thought paths (I think this is because the dopamine makes certain trains of thought more rewarding, thus keeping the attention on them, seeking for more, but this might be total bollocks)

I'd like something that makes me as motivated and creative as caffeine, but without the jitters and mild anxiety that I get sometimes.

Pack that to go, please.

[Delafuente]

You might try forskolin to increase your sensitivity to the caffeine. There's a bunch of info on this in the Long Term Potentiation thread.

Could you provide a link to this thread please?

[Hebbeh]

Could you provide a link to this thread please?

http://www.longecity...ly-induced-ltp/

[skp14]

Try Dandelion Root tea. I just ordered it today for a health issue but people say it tastes like coffee and is healthy to drink.

[GuyK]

L-Tyrosine. A 500-mg capsule on an empty stomach, or pour half the capsule under your tongue and let it absorb there (quicker pick-me-up).


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[jadamgo]

If 500mg of tyrosine fails to work, try 1000mg. It's a pretty good supplement for temporary stimulation. But daily use leads to tolerance.

Your best bet for preventing tolerance is to cycle stimulants with as much variety as possible. Some other stimulating compounds to consider include pramiracetam, oxiracetam, phenylpiracetam, sulbutiamine, DopaBean (brand of Mucuna pruriens), pseudoephedrine, and phenylephrine.

[panhedonic]

Thanks for all the replies. For a more specific question now: is there any stimulant that would be closer lived than caffeine? I mean, something that would be enough for a 1h workout, but not stay in my system for 5h+ like caffeine does.
It's got to be legal, btw. Is tyrosine good this way?

[Galaxyshock]

Cayenne pepper is quite short acting but potent stimulant. The active ingredient capsaicin gives an actual adrenaline release, strong increase in heat and very potent vasodilation then followed by release of endorphins. It depletes substance P and therefore reduces feeling of pain. It alone has somewhat "excercise mimicing" action and can be used as metabolism and digestion aid. Tolerance does develope over time but one can increase the dosage. I started with 500mg capsule and gradually increased up to 3000mg. Currently I'm taking a break from it but will definitely use it in the future.

It doesn't have any kind of crash in my experience. Only side effect may be some stomach irritation first times or if one takes too much without tolerance.

[Raza]

Is tyrosine good this way?

Not in my experience. It's not a drug that you come down from, it just plain increases dopamine levels. I take it in the morning and it still affects my ability to sleep at night, albeit indecisively.

[panhedonic]

I like the cayenne pepper suggestion. I do have some here (i eat a lot of spicy sauce in my food), I'll pill it up and swallow. If I can use it for working out in the evenings without it bothering my sleep, it's a great finding.