Hello to everyone, I'm needing a little advice from the experts about where to start with my nootropic exploration. I've lurked around the forums for a few months now and even used a noop regimen for the last month. As my supply runs out, I'd like to reflect on my experience and perhaps see if there's a different avenue I should take for future supplementation.
First of all, I'm a 27 (almost 28) year old male that works a heavy weekend job (physical labor 3/12 hour shifts). During this time I've started taking online classes to gain a BSBA through an accelerated learning program (basically taking a normal 16 week course of 2 classes and turning it into 5.5 weeks of stress and sleeplessness). I've just finished my first two classes and did extremely well considering I haven't been in school or really challenged my intellect for some time (A in both classes). At the time I was taking Essential Mix (multi-vit) from www.relentlessimprovement.com along with Ortho-mind and Aniracetam.
During the first week of taking the supplements, I also was quitting my caffeine intake and inevitably started into withdrawal (head-numbing / throbbing headaches). In the past when I went through this, it usually subsided by the second day, but I noticed the numbing / sensitive sensation in my brain into the second week. I figured my brain was simply adjusting to its new supply of resources so continued to try various combinations of the Ortho-mind and Aniracetam. I'm not sure if I finally hit the mark or if I simply began getting true results after a couple weeks, but I did begin to notice an ability to present information from knowledge that I didn't really know I'd possessed. All of my assignments are writing-based (discussion board, word docs, powerpoint) reflecting the current issue at hand. I read through my text books, listened to the chat presentations, etc... but wasn't really sure that I was storing all the information. When I had to write up my assignments, however, I was able to recall on alot of the knowledge obtained and put it into a sensible structure that left me impressed with what I'd developed.
This was the good stuff I noticed from my time on the stack. Now here's some negatives I observed:
During the days (I frequently have to begin studies from the time I wake up until late evening), shortly after taking 2 pills of Ortho-mind (on an empty stomach as recommended), my brain would fall into a dizzy haze. It was very hard to comprehend anything that I was reading or really do any kind of enhanced cognitive function. I would usually try to switch up my focus from, say my text book, to some internet sources, in hopes of stimulating my mind elsewhere. But all I could really think about was closing my eyes and sitting there. For the most part I would always obtain anywhere between 7-9 hours of sleep so deprivation never seemed applicable. A few hours later (lunch time) I would take 2 pills (1500mg) of Aniracetam and the Essential MIx. Whether it was the Ani, Mix or simply eating, I would begin to feel much better. Finally I would take 2 more pills of Ortho about mid-afternoon to complete my daily stack (this was after adjusting my intake a few different ways and settling on this). Shortly after dinner time (early evening) I would hit this zoned state of mind. Almost like a switch had been flipped. This was usually the time I would start writing up my assignments. If I wasn't doing the homework, I'd find myself pouring over my textbook with a strong comprehension, which always surprised me as learning from text is VERY difficult for me and always has been since grade school. I would also feel a strong desire for creativity, which unfortunately I don't have the time for such diversions, however it did help immensely with my assignments.
Finally, this is what I still feel needs to be improved:
As I stated, learning from text has always been difficult for me and has been the subject of much frustration in past years, but now I am able to understand that its my inability to keep my mind focused on what I'm reading that makes it so hard. I find that this focus also wavers during conversation, where I'll be listening to a person talk but won't be able to process the words they're saying. I can tell when it starts to happen but am unable to refocus. This can create some very embarrasing situations. Even during the times I felt I was in a mental zone, I had to really concentrate on what I was reading in order to comprehend it. It was the comprension that seemed to occur so easily, but it still took effort to remain focused.
What I need from you:
I would like to start from scratch and simplify my regimen a bit. There's a lot in the ortho-mind (Huperzine A, Vinpocetine, Acetyl, etc...) that I may not want to take all at once. Essentially I'd like to continue taking a multivitamin (Life-extensioning standards) along with a racetam (what do you think is best to start with) and add noops from there, adjusting dosages until a peak is found before adding another. I REALLY need something to help with my focus and preferrably something motivational, a way to awaken my mind in the morning and keep me going strong most of the day. There are some days that I don't need to do this and would be nice if the supplement I took was on an as-needed basis.
Thank you so very much for reading my long post and for any feedback you can provide.
