6 replies to this topic

[jackpot777]

It would be cool to do a top 3 for a few effects and enhancers. This is what I've gathered from some of the research I've done. Feel free to do your own list or correct mine if you don't like it.

"Smart, mental clarity, enhanced focus"
1. Noopept - 1000x more potent than piracetam (meaning it's similar but you can take less)
2. Piracetam - Piracetam is the prototype for the Racetams family of 'cognitive enhancers', and has extensive usage as a pharmaceutical for treatment of cognitive impairment.
3. Huperzine A - Huperzine A is a naturally derived acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. Acetylcholinesterase (AchE) is responsible for the breakdown of Acetylcholine, and so by inhibiting AchE, more acetylcholine is available to the brain.

"Calming, relaxing, uplifting mood"
1. Aniracetam - is a lot of people’s favorite mood boosting nootropic. There have been a lot of studies done and a lot of reviews that can attest to the mood enhancing effects of aniracetam powder.
2. sulbutiamine - most likely stems from its ability to effect dopamine. Research has shown that sulbutiamine increases both dopamine receptor density in the prefrontal cortex and dopamine.
3. 5-HTP - The direct precursor and metabolic intermediate of serotonin, 5-HTP is the best nutrient to restore and enhance the body' natural supply of Serotonin

Nootropics or supplements to take with other top nootropics to enhance their effects
1. Alpha GPC - Counteracts Racetam headaches and brainfog. Boosts HGH levels.
2. CDP Choline - Probably only need one choline source. Not quite as good bioavailability, but faster acting than AlphaGPC
3. Oxiracetam - It is commonly used in a Piracetam, Aniracetam and Choline stack which is very powerful and cost effective.

Edited by jackpot777, 12 May 2013 - 04:41 AM.

[GetOutOfBox]

Aniracetam has great effects, but it's limited half life (1-2.5 hours max) makes it's use pretty limited. Multiple dosing would be difficult, since you'd either be waiting too long before re-dosing (and hence going for a period without it's effects until it kicked in again) or dosing too soon and getting a choline-headache.

In my experience Sulbutiamine had good long-term effects, but little short term effects, which makes sense due to it's upregulating nature rather than being an agonist. I assume people claiming immidiete powerful effects that only last a couple of days are simply experiencing the placebo effect brought on by their expectations. Upregulating significantly would take at least several weeks, and the positive effects should slowly grow. I wouldn't expect any kind of perceptible positive improvement, rather a gradual improvement in motivation over a period of weeks.

I wouldn't say that Oxiracetam "enhances" the effects of other racetams, rather it would simply stack on top of them. Most of the racetams act similarly with some variations (some being AMPA modulators additionally for example), primarily upon the ACh system. So taking Oxiracetam on top of Piracetam probably won't be a whole lot different than taking double the amount of Piracetam, perhaps with some minor additional effects.

Noopept definitely deserves the top of the list, both due to it's unique and powerful effects, and it's cost-effectiveness. You can grab 5 grams for $22 from Newstarnootropics, which at 20 mg doses twice daily should last you a while. Be careful with this one though, the side-effects can be very pronounced at higher doses, so stick with 20 mg twice daily, you shouldn't need much more. Most of the negative experiences with it are from users who megadosed it, taking 40-200 mg, which in my opinion is wayyy too high. A lot of people report very interesting immidiete effects, but I'm most interested in the long-term effects of elevated NGF/BDNF, which could conceivably enhance "brain flexibility", that is, the ability of the brain to adapt learned behaviors (perhaps having an application as a combined therapy with CBT for treating depression or social anxiety).

Alpha-GPC isn't really worth the high cost in my opinion. I didn't notice anything special about it considering how much more expensive it is. I'd stick with CDP-choline due to it being more cost-effective and better studied (in addition to being a choline source, studies have found it to upregulate dopamine receptors in the brain and increasing cerebral blood flow).

I'd also add Phenibut to the list for "Calming, relaxing, uplifting mood". This is far from a nootropic due to it's potent addictive potential, but when used properly, it can be very useful. I've found it very helpful with reducing stress in intense social situations (i.e going to a party where you know few if any people there), at doses ranging between 0.75 and 1.5 g (I've found 1 g to be best, but I'll use less depending on the situation). The pros for it are a long-half life and potent anxiolytic properties, the cons are the long period of onset (takes about 2-3 hours sometimes for the effects to become noticable, probably due to the requirement of cleaving the phenyl-ring from the GABA once the compound enters the brain) and it's high addictiveness. DO NOT use this more than once or twice in a row (seriously, try to avoid using it twice, I've often noticed rebound anxiety the next day after only 2 days of dosing), and give at least 1-2 weeks without it before taking it again. This stuff produces GABA downregulation extremely quickly, which manifests itself as an increased predisposal to anxiety, nervousness, insomnia, and if heavily abused, seizures. Also avoid stacking with other GABAergic substances (i.e alcohol), which can potentiate it and produce greater tolerance or possibly an OD. Serious stuff, but if you use it properly, it can really help. I've found it curbs anxiety in social situations for me, I feel more social as a result of a diminished anxiety response and end up having a better time.

[blueinfinity]

I am very interesting into diving into Racetams, so many experiences and opinions on where to start... I do like and appreciate your layout of the effects and categorization, very helpful

Edited by blueinfinity, 12 May 2013 - 07:54 PM.

[gamesguru]

1. Bacopa
2. Green tea
3. Choline

[prunk]

Coffee
Uridine
Nicotine ( inhalator )

[Godof Smallthings]

In my experience Sulbutiamine had good long-term effects, but little short term effects, which makes sense due to it's upregulating nature rather than being an agonist. I assume people claiming immidiete powerful effects that only last a couple of days are simply experiencing the placebo effect brought on by their expectations. Upregulating significantly would take at least several weeks, and the positive effects should slowly grow. I wouldn't expect any kind of perceptible positive improvement, rather a gradual improvement in motivation over a period of weeks.

I think that people are simply differently wired. The effects I get from sulbutiamine are too strong to be only placebo. It's actually the nootropic I feel the most pronounced effects of, except for coffee. That's why I don't take it regularly, I am not convinced it would be good for my neurochemistry.

The clearest and most consistent effect I get from sulbutiamine is that it eliminates the zonked-out, heavy feeling of tiredness after too little sleep for one night. This has been repeatable three times so far. Sulbutiamine also appears to raise my libido (I start to notice women in the same way that I did in my late teens) and make me more prone to shopping online.

[machete234]

I'd also add Phenibut to the list for "Calming, relaxing, uplifting mood". This is far from a nootropic due to it's potent addictive potential, but when used properly, it can be very useful. I've found it very helpful with reducing stress in intense social situations (i.e going to a party where you know few if any people there), at doses ranging between 0.75 and 1.5 g (I've found 1 g to be best, but I'll use less depending on the situation). T

I dont like phenibut even in low dosages, it often gives me headaches while coming up and the hangover is not so different from alcohol the next morning.