3 replies to this topic

[Steven Hansen]

Let me start by saying I believe I am not very sensitive to supplements in general, I have taken caffeine, L-theanine, Picamilon, CDP choline, Aniracetam, Fish oil, B-complex, Bacop Monneiri, Ginkgo Biloba - Each testing them for weeks at a time, going from starting at half a dose, to doubling the average dosage - with little to no noticeable effect. The only effect I notice is drinking and energy drink, it's a good stimulant, but any mixes of these, or supplements alone, tested for weeks on end, at varying doses - Straight through, or with breaks, seems to not have a noticeable effect. Not while I'm studying and working, not while I'm just sitting around. Doesn't matter whether I am using my brain or not, nothing seems to boost it..

 

So I was wondering, would it be safe/worth it to order a rather large stack and just start throwing stuff into my body? For a better idea of what I mean -

750 mg Aniracetam

750 mg Oxiracetam

4.8g Piracetam

300 mg Centrophenoxine

300 mg ALCAR

I could take 500mg-1g CDP Choline instead of these two, they just seem to have individual effects and give the needed choline.

300 mg Lion's mane ( maybe, still not sure about this one )
100 mg Caffeine with 200 mg L-theaning ( Possibly double this )

 

I would take this once or twice a day, likely with a protein shake and 1800mg Fish oil

 

Would this just have bad effects on me, could I do damage that I could not repair or anything or is it more likely I'd just get a headache if one of the supplements didn't go with my chemistry well?

I realize this approach indicates a lack of patience, but with how many things I've tried ( which is more than what I've listed ) for mind, body, health - Nothing seems to make that much a difference, so I am considering going the extreme route, or taking something VERY noticeable, like Modafinil.

 

Let me know what you think.

[MadScientistX]

Honestly, I don't think that is a good decision.

Why just take supplements if you have no idea the effect they are having good or bad.

 

I understand you say you don't respond to supplements. The reality of the situation is that whether you externally/mentally notice it or not the pharmacological properties of the stack will impact your body internally. 

If you just start throwing things at your body, how do you know which parts of the stack are working or not working for you?

 

Nothing wrong with trialing new items but start slow.

Ideally, this is the best approach:

- Add one supplement (e.g. add one of your racetams). See how you feel, perhaps do some brain training, studying or get some exercise. Get a feel for it

- Add choline such as the CDP choline a couple days later (ideally a week or more but ok lets be realistic and say 1 day if you are really in a hurry). Now see how does this supplement feel

- Few days later add another item (e.g. another racetam or the ALCAR) and see how you feel

 

Also do a fair bit of research on what each supplement does internally so you can be aware of what you are taking.

 

You want to reach a point that you know what each supplement does or makes you feel. This way if you start feeling brain fog, down, tired, lethargic or any other negative side effects you can pinpoint it to the particular supplement in question. Conversely you will start to notice which items are having positive effects.

 

This way you can also minimise your stack to the items you think are benefiting you the most.

 

Modafinil can be good but I hardly ever use it. To me it works very well but it also feels very hard on my brain/body at the same time leaving me feeling quite exhausted at the end of a day. My normal stack I have come up with gives me a much "cleaner" form of awareness and concentration with more benefits and no exhausted feeling at the end of the day.

I still reserve Modafinil for those days which I sincerely have had a lack of sleep and really need it.

 

Hope this helps

 

Edited by MadScientistX, 19 May 2014 - 12:32 AM.

[ron45]

 My normal stack I have come up with gives me a much "cleaner" form of awareness and concentration with more benefits and no exhausted feeling at the end of the day.

I still reserve Modafinil for those days which I sincerely have had a lack of sleep and really need it.

 

Hope this helps

 

 

Hello, I'm curious, can you share your stack with us. If you like it better than modafinil for smooth alertness  I'd like to see what your are using. I haven't taken modafinil but thought I'd like to try it sometime. Focus and concentration are a problem for me during learning situations involving music instruction. It involves lots of motor memory as well as visual memory and I'm sure all the other kinds too.

 

For whatever it's worth I agree with adding things one at a time to see if there is any effect before moving on.

 

Ron

[MadScientistX]

Hi Ron

 

Happy to and intend on doing so.

I do ask however that you give me a bit of time to finish fine tuning the stack.

I am in the process of trailing the last few items to add to my stack for the 'finishing touches' so to speak.

The last few supplements I am testing for are working around increasing mitochondrial energy/support. 

Some of the last components work very well in one area but fail in my undesirable/side effects list.

Got some items on order which I wish to trial in the stack which should arrive next week.

 

Modafinil may not be a great choice for musical learning. It tends to make me very focused (well very awake anyway) at the expense of creativity and perhaps even decreased out of the box logical reasoning. I notice this decrease more however with continual use more than just a once off dose. My research indicates this is a fairly common experience by those who use it.

It does allow me to put my mind to a task at hand with increased focus. It doesn't necessarily mean I will achieve my goals for the day as I also seem to get distracted and spend far too much on other less important items on my to do list. As an example I spent one evening researching a single compound for 5 hours straight until I released how much time I wasted on this.

 

For musical learning (I am teaching myself guitar), I actually find Pramiracetam best or close behind Aniracetam for that creative/focused edge.

 

 

Ill post my stack in the stacks section when it's complete for any that are interested.