12 replies to this topic

[helza]

Hi guys,

I've recently found out about Smart drugs after finding (and reading) the book Smart drugs and nutriciens 2..
The reason for looking for something like this is because i've had 2 occasions in my life what you could call an appifony.. (sorry for my lousy english).
It happened twice to me that all of a sudden it felt like a fog dissapeared in my head and i could grasp almost everything i alwyas had problems with understanding. Hoever these moments only appeared shortly (half hour or so). These experiences have made me understand that my mind is capable of soo much more, but frustrates the hell ouf of me because i can't seem to access it ...

I did some research on the internet and found a lot of articles and papers on different smart drugs.
I see alot of drugs being mentioned but often i can't find out exact what drugs should be taken for what and when (before breakfast, during bf etc), so i was hoping to get some suggestions from you guys.

Here are the points that i'm most interested in
1) Improved Memory absorption and retention & recall speed.
I'm lousy at remembering item facts (real bad i mean, names, facts, details i forget within 30 minutes). However i'm decent at overal remembering things, but because i forget the details its pretty much useless. This has been a mayor problem in my life, and is therefore my nr priority..

2) Improved Cognitive functions like analitical abilities, making connections faster and improving creativity (I guess general IQ improvement)

3) Motivation for "boring" stuff is non existent and it would be great if there is something to improve this. Overall concentration is excelent as long as i'm interested in the subject.

These 3 items are the most important to me, AAMI prevention/overal life extention would be nice, but it not my main goal..

Some information about me/my health which could help out..
Male, age 26, length 1.78 meters, weight 65kg, condition/exercise lousy..
Excelent health/resistence (overall i'm pretty much never sick), although occasional headaches because of bad position'in the neck..
Pretty stressfull job and slight depressions repeating every 2 years or so.
Overall pretty tired, but probably just because of lack of excersize and lack of sleep.
I might have a slight case of dislexia, however was never diagnosed as such.

I've currently got the following smart drugs (to check if supplier was reliable)

Vinpocetine (Covex) - 5mg (Intelectol)
Hydergine - 4.5mg (Novartis)
Piracetam 800mg (UCB Nootropil)
(and backorder of DMAE - 75mg)


I was hoping you guys could make some suggestions to what smart drags could best try out, dosages and when...

All suggestions/idea's/comments are welcome

[REGIMEN]

**Regular** schedule for:
Sleeping
Eating
Exercising

A stagnant physical life and stressful day job seem to be the things your body needs to overcome most and these 'braindrugs' aren't going to improve things as massively as a regulating timed schedule of sleep, food, and exercise. A good multivitamin, a cleaner diet, and increased water intake will help you work through these.
After that, consider fishoil, ALCAR, and anything else LifeMirage, scottl, and...of course, I, tell you...

I would reconsider your line of work which may be a cause of depression.

My course of study was a major source of depression which lead into health problems that seemed to be helped a great deal by those things I recommended. Don't let it blow up on you. You'll regret it. Making time to get grounded in your body again through exercise may give you the time and clearheaded insight you need to make sense of why your depressions come on. But I may be overstepping my bounds here.

The hydergine, vinpocetine, and piracetam all sound good; just add a choline source and consider getting the things above straightened out and solid before adding them.

Good luck.

Edited by liplex, 31 May 2005 - 09:09 PM.

[psychenaut]

Perhaps "epiphany" was the word you sought helza? [bl:)]

liplex is on target with fixing the basics of exercise and stress.

It is actually pretty easy to supplement effectively, if you let it be. Personally, I let the the pros determine my ingredients and dosages, as I am not qualified. Nor am I inclined to risk over/under dosing, or interested in daily weighing and administering a variety of powders. Advanced Orthomolecular Research (AOR) and GeroNova Research have proven credentials and integrity in that department. I trust my health to them.

KISS (Keep it Simple Stupid)

Ortho-Core or Essential Mix for the foundation. Add Ortho-Mind for cognition enhancement and neuroprotection. You do want to protect your neurons and not just fry them right? Top off with a helping of 'racetam. Life extension, and extending your time of peak vitality may not matter to you today, but it will soon [!] Energy, vitality and in my opinion, the elixir of life, is found in r-lipoic. Of that fact I am now convinced.

Oh yeah, your #3- That is natural, don't fight it, instead follow your passion. If you do not yet have a passion, explore until you discover it. That my friend will solve #3! Zest for life is an amazing nootropic...

Very Best to you-
Pete

[helza]

Hi guys, thanks for the reply's so far ..

Currently i'm already trying to execise more, at the moment its just 1x a week 30 min running/jogging (2x if the weather is good).. Not even close to being enough, but can't hold on to sports because i'll get bored after 3 month's...

I get between 7-8 hours sleep a night so that should be enough, even though after 3 days of study (of a 1 week training) i was extremely tired and had to go directly to sleep as soon as i got home and ate something and wasn't any better the next day (although friday i was feeling normal). This tiredness is causing me to be unable to do complicated calculations in the morning until lunch :(
I'm taking a blood test soon to see if it might be something like diabetes or some which could cause this. Any additional test you guys could recommend to monitor any problems area's that could be effected with smart drugs?

The depressions aren't related to work (nor the tiredness), i've also had them when i still went to school, but there aren't heavy, and not don't occur often..

Life extention, well like i said its not my first priority at the moment, but if its extented without costing too much i'm not complaining and willing to try it (although you can't see any real benefit in the short run).

Any other suggestions about which smartdrugs are recommended etc?

[LifeMirage]

Going on your main 3 points.

1. Huperzine A 200-400 mcg daily
2. Pyritinol 200-1,000 mg
3. Galantamine 8-24 mg or Deprenyl 5-10 mg weekly


Note: Nausea is a possible side effect with the galantamine but otherwise safe.

[helza]

Any suggestions for what i should watch out for in my blood test?

[dimjimm]

Any suggestions for what i should watch out for in my blood test?

The most important thing is not to feel bad if the tests don't find anything.

Of course, all the basic blood work is important, but for your symptoms look out for elevated Calcium levels. Also, consider NOT fasting before the test. In fact eat a high carbohydrates meal about 1-2 hours before the test. This will give you a chance to see if you have some type of hypo/hyperglycemia.

If you are getting a thyroid test, try to get "total t3" and TSH tests. The other thyroid test are less sensitive.

If you are getting a cortisol test, try to go as early as possible in the morning, because cortisol levels are highest when you wake up.

Still, don't expect the tests to find anything. Most "mild" hormonal problems require additional testing before they can be diagnosed.

[helza]

total t3, TSH testsm cortisol test, how many different tests are there?

I currently have a lousy doctor, and unable to switch (they don't accept any new clients while fighting the government against some new law).
So i'll have to make sure i get the right blood tests done, i can't assume she knows what she's doing and will give me the right tests :(..

She send me to the lab, without giving me a labform stating which test they should take. Without the lab form they won't test anything, so i had to get back to the doctor, which means making a new appointment, but ofcourse she's full and i'll have to wait a week.. GRRR

So what tests should i take?

[REGIMEN]

The following list of blood test items I saved in a Word document from a posting I *think* was made from LifeMirage (search on here for some of the following words).

Luteinizing Hormone
Follicular Stimulating Hormone
Cortisol
Fasting Insulin
Insulin Resistance
Testosterone
Androstenedione
LH/FSH ratio
TNF-alpha
DHEAS
C-Reactive Protein
Homocysteine
Prolactin
blood sugar
Triglycerides
Granulosa Cell VEGF
5 alpha-reductase activity
Estrone (E1)
Estrone/Estradiol (E1/E2) ratio
ACTH

And these here are from a post by Pinballwizard made May 9, 2005.

"Actually since I am looing at my blood/urine/fecal analyses that I will get:
Comp metabolic panel
Lipid Panel CBC (inc platelets, no diff)CRP,
cardio folic acid,
serum
The STD tests of course
microalbumin,
random urine
RPR/Rflx to Titer
T4 Free
TSH
Urinalysis w/micro, Rflx to Cult
Vitamin B12
Occult Blood stool X3
DHEA
Cortisol ."

I am pretty sure they were discussing blood test items for understanding personal stress levels.
If you show up with these lists next time you see your doctor you should be able to discuss which ones may be best for your situation and possibly fill in any others that aren't here.

[melange_deluxe]

Hey, I really like that Quote liplex,
It's the same idea i've been debating with my friends for the past few dinners.
That TRUTH isn't seperate from it's motivational qualities to USE that truth.

Most people know what to do, they just need to be motivated to do it.

[helza]

Is the Nausea side effect of Galantamine a transitional effect?

[LifeMirage]

Is the Nausea side effect of Galantamine a transitional effect?

Yes, although you do have to watch your daily dose. For many over 16 mg daily will cause it.

Its best to take it in low dose (4 or 8 mg) and build your dose up (12-16 mg... 24 mg max) until you see a positive effect, then you can reduce it to the lowest dose that still gives you results..

[jeromewilson]

Despite the rather scary aspects of the US healthcare system ("no job? get yourself some leeches and hope for the best buddy") it actually seems pretty cool in some ways compared to the NHS here in the UK.

For instance, if you took those lists of blood tests to a UK doctor he'd give you a funny look, write a prescription of aspirin (or 'Placebo 200mg') and tell you to pull yourself together. [!]

I guess you get what you pay for...