2 replies to this topic

[confusion]

hello everyone.
i ran across this site while searching google for info on nootropics, and it seemed like a really good site full of knowledgable folks so i thought i'd sign up.

anyways...the reason i'm posting is because i'm trying to get healthy after 5 years of constant recreational drug use and virtually no excercise. i played sports and ate relatively healthily all through-out highschool. but at the age of about 18 i really started getting into partying and drugs and that's pretty much all i have done for the last 5 years.

now i'm really out of shape and underwieght. i have always been thin, but without much excercise and a good diet it has only become worse.
my diet sucks. i eat alot of processed and fast foods
my brain doesn't seem to be functioning real well. i have a hard time focusing, i have quite a bit of anxiety in social situations, i lack motivation, and my memory isn't what it used to be.
and i have some pretty bad acne.

i'm doing what i can to try and improve my conditions. i have quit doing drugs, i'm eating less processed foods, i'm starting to excercise again...just jogging and doing stretches, and doing push-ups.


i have read that choline can be good for helping repair a stressed brain. and that piracetam can be good for improving focus and mental clarity, and for boosting motivation. is this true? would these be of any help to me? i don't have much money i can afford to spend on this stuff, so i'm looking for things that are relatively inexpensive and effective.

and are there certain excercises and such that i should be doing instead of just running and push-ups?
and what about diety supplements and vitamins? should i look into any of those aswell? i'm currently just taking mens OneSource multivitamin and multimineral formula.

i'm really lost here, and that's why i'm posting.
i need advice on what i could to to improve my situation and get my mind and body healthy again. i've been to doctors but that has just lead to alot of wasted money and doctors trying to push anti-depressants and such on me.

so if anyone has any suggestions i'd be very appreciative.

[Pablo M]

What drugs? I only ask because weed will mess you up a lot less than, say, crystal meth.

As for health, I think you name your biggest area for improvement when you say "my diet sucks." Change it. The best thing (other than diet) I have done is to take a high-quality multivitamin and additional antioxidants, like C, E, grape seed extract, green tea etc. I currently alternate between the Greens+ Multi+ and Progressive Nutritional Therapies for Active Men. I don't know about OneSource, but I'm sure most of the people on this board would recommend a good quality multivitamin. AOR is highly recommended by many. I have taken some of their products and plan to purchase OrthoCore as soon as finances allow.

Since you're pretty young you probably don't have to get a doctor's permission to start exercising, so go for it. When I was out of shape I ran and biked for 20-30 minutes every few days, increasing in intensity gradually. Maca and siberian ginseng will make it a lot easier to get through workouts (at least they did for me). To bulk up you can weight train or do what I do, the "combat conditioning" program by Matt Furey (excluding the neck bridge). It adds muscle on faster than weight training ever did for me, plus I don't feel I'm killing my joints like with weights.

There's a thread called "lifelong stress hurt me" or something like that which you may wish to check out. I personally take piracatem, centrophenoxine, vinpocetine, bacopa and ashwagandha as nootropics. I would recommend you get your other lifestyle factors together before you pursue nootropics. Read up on B5 for acne.

If you have any questions feel free to email me.



Just be glad your realized at 23 that your party lifestyle was hurting you, and not at 40 or 50 like some people.

[Matt]

I guess you are going for optimal weight right? If so you should try Protein powder (I used Whey protein powder) and do weights. Since muscle is heavier than fat you will see some good gains soon.

Like Dantecubit said, take some vitamins and antioxidants, you also want your DHA & EPA from Omega 3 fish oil. I take Extra High strength SevenSeas Cod Liver Oil and it has 2800mg of DHA and EPA and 100% RDA of Vitamin A, D and E. Also get Vitaman B's.. Here is some info http://www.wholeheal...525,962,00.html

Omeag 3 helps depression, anxiety etc.. It will help you concerntrate better and improved memory making learning easier. Omega 3 has been found to do just as good as anti depressents. You need DHA and EPA for your brain to function properly. There are many studies now going on that are looking into the incrasing levels of omega 6 and lack of omega3 being 1 of the biggest causes of depression and health issues.

Green Tea is also great because it has a lot of antioxidants. Can help you avoid illnesses, protect against damage from free radicals. It generally improves and protects your health. heres a list of health benifits http://greentea.life...ealth-benefits/

You may not notice an immediate difference but it will come. After starting a healthy life style I feel great and my education/learning has improved sooo much that I want to learn everything I possibly can ! lol. Also I am much more resistant to common viruses that come my way

Edited by Matt, 04 June 2005 - 04:51 AM.