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Nootropics and Other Productivity Enhancers
Nootropics and Other Productivity Enhancers
Common Positives
Common Negatives
5-HTP
Adrafinil
Mood elevator, Sleep enhancer, Replenishes Stomach pain, Seretonin Serotonin Syndrome 100mg Large doses require supplementation with an antioxidant (usually Alpha Lipoic Acid) to counteract pro-oxidant effects. Some reports Enhances alertness of depression and and mental energy. sleepyness. 500mg More bioavailable Often comes with than L-Tyrosine folate Memory enhancing activity Not controlled, Slow onset of action, precursor to Modafinil. consistent use can Decreased lead to an increase in sleepiness, increased liver enzymes mood, focus and (monitoring highly attention recommended) 200mg Sunless tanning, skin cancer prevention, antioxidant Tanning Anxiolytic Counteracts Racetam headaches and brainfog. Boosts HGH levels. Reduces oxidative damage caused by ALCAR, recycles vitamin C Reduces fatigue, helps fight influenza (new flu is fairly resistant), antiparkinsonian, prevents L-DOPA caused dyskinesia Unknown
200mg
Comments ROA/Interactions nausea can be alleviated with serotonin-antagonist antiemetics; smaller dose spaced out helps alleviate problems.
Comments - Other
Link/Info
Cheap. Beneficial following use of drugs with serotonergic Older paper: http: effects. //www.thorne. Tolerance/dependency com/altmedrev/. over time fulltext/3/4/271.pdf
3000mg
increases aldosterone?
L-Arginine precursor
600mg
Must take on empty stomach, effects start Metabolized to after 2 hrs modafinil Requires subcutaneous injection Alpha melanocyte stimulating hormone analog
Not controlled in US Watch out for counterfeits, Melanotan II is different Shipped from Russia only?
Alpha GPC
300mg
Expensive
100mg
300mg
NMDA blocker, anticholinergic, DA and NE effects Bitter taste, stronger than Piracetam, shorter duration
Aniracetam
Headaches, Brain-fog
Fat soluble.
Also an Ampakine
Name
Common Positives Common Negatives Alertness and antifatigue. Is considered more effective than its racemic predecessor, Modafinil, as it contains only the active R-enantiomer. Also has a longer halfArmodafinil life than Modafinil. same as Modafinil Muscle growth, Sleep, Ashwagandha Confidence, Alertness Increases clotting time, slightly worsened Antipyretic, analgesic, hemorrhagic stroke improved risk, large doses can cardiovascular and cause gastrointestinal Aspirin (acetylsalicylic ischemic stroke risk, upset and gastric acid) food preservative ulcers Atomoxetine (Strattera) Avena Sativa Long-term benefits to Memory (increase noticed quicker when using daily high doses), Sleep/dream enhancer, anxiolytic. Some have reported immediate and subtle gains to clarity of Bacopa thought. Residual drowsiness Benfotiamine Promotes alertness, enhances response time, improvement in short-term memory Cognitive impairment. Nausea
Comments ROA/Interactions
Comments - Other
Link/Info
25-50mg 500mg
150mg
same as Modafinil
100mg
700mg
Effects and quality may vary from brand to brand. Higher percentage of Active chemicals are bacosides don't Bacosides. Extracts of necessarily indicate a 45% (Bacognize) and better product; other 50% available active molecules have commercially been identified. Thiamine (B1) derivative
Boron Bromocriptine
< 3 mg.
> 3 mg.
Caffeine Carnosine
Focus, attention and stimulation, possible euphoria (at high doses) Anti-oxidant, neuroprotective.
Jitteriness, anxiety, tolerance, withdrawal headaches, heartrate 300mg however increase, increased doses up to 1.5g BP 50mg (cup of tea) aren't uncommon 100mg 600mg Probably only need one choline source. Not quite as good bioavailability, but faster acting than AlphaGPC
Complete tolerance after 2 days to 2 weeks depending on dosage and frequency. Headaches/fatigue upon cessation.
CDP Choline
Low Daily Dose Common Positives Common Negatives [1] Improvement in learning and memory attributed to its Celastrus paniculatus antioxidant effects Counteracts Racetam headaches and brainfog. Also Centrophenoxine improves mood Cerebrolysin Necessary for cell membranes, major Accumulation of LDL component of bile, carrier protein can HDL can reduce lead to plaque buildup Cholesterol atherosclerotic plaque in arteries Counteracts Racetam headaches and Choline Bitartate brainfog Name Counteracts Racetam headaches and brainfog 500mg Vasodilator, Arousal, Sleep enhancer? Arousal Loss of creativity, inability to rapidly switch track between concepts, sometimes slow memory retrieval, elevated blood pressure, tolerance, tunnel vision, motor tics, hypomania, insomnia - in rare cases may cause excitotoxicity long-term, stimulantFocus, attention induced psychosis 5mg Hypotension, Enhances recall increased urination
Comments ROA/Interactions
Comments - Other
Link/Info
LDL/HDL ratio is the Stabilizes cell best risk predictor for membranes, source of long term most sex hormones, cardiovascular health Probably only need one choline source. Low bioavailablity. Water soluable, probably only need one choline source. Low bioavailablity. (Best absorbed on an empty stomach)
Cheap.
3000mg 10g
60mg
IR lasts 4-5 hrs; XR equivalent to two doses 4 hrs apart. Arousal effects last longer than cognitive effects
inhibits re-uptake of NE/DA, and requires stimuli to release DA/NE into synaptic cleft.
Dimethylamylamine/ Methylhexaneamine
Easy to exceed effective dose hyperactivity/jitteryness in some users. DPA (D-Phenylalanine) is supposed to be better for those users.
25mg
60mg (per dose) Converts into PEA more than LPhenylalanine alone; more sustained but subtler effect than PEA alone
short acting, similar feel to (and popular substitute of) ephedrine, but can be taken late in the day. Vasoconstrictor,
Name
DMAE
Common Positives Reduce and/or prevent DNA damage. Enhance brain activity.Enhance ability to fight stressors.Improve learning, memory, creativity, and verbal fluency.Reduce and/or remove lipofuscin - age spots.
Common Negatives
Comments ROA/Interactions
Comments - Other
Link/Info
There are no known negative drug or nutrient interactions. It is thought that DMAE can make epilepsy and bipolar depression worse 100mg
the benefits of therapy are seen only after long term use. Studies lasting only four weeks showed no improvement.. Generally a choline source is preferred to an ACHeI for people under 50. Too much acetylcholine can cause major depression.
Donepezil (Aricept) Risk of salmonella (low) and slimy if eaten raw. Yolk is high in cholesterol. Cheap, lots of protein Common allergy and in whites and choline intolerance to egg in yolk whites. Increases L-DOPA delivery to brain when used with Carbidopa Drink from a glass, poach, boil, whatever really. Raw are most effective. Overdose of raw egg whites can cause skin and hair damage due to avidin interaction with biotin.
Eggs
Entacapone
Good bronchodilator, burns fat, Difficult to sleep if vasoconstrictor (good taken late in day, for common cold) hurts sleep quality. Enhances long-term memory.
90mg
Everyone loves Eggs!! (except vegans and people not liking chicken batteries) Does nothing by itself, and very little without L-DOPA and Carbidopa Controlled in most countries (still available in US in combination with Available in US OTC expectorants). See as Bronchaid and http://en.wikipedia. Primatene (and store org/wiki/Ephedrine#Legality brands)
5000mg
Picamilon is a derivative designed to cross BBB better. There are other derivatives?
Diarrhea vivid dreams Euphoria, relaxation, anxiolytic, boosts HGH levels, latent dopamine release (anti-hangover!) Increases REM sleep Strong sedative unconcsiousness and breathing difficulties in high doses 16mg Reversible ACh-ase inhibitor Available w/o Rx in US
GHB
Name Gilatide
Common Negatives
Comments ROA/Interactions
Comments - Other
Link/Info
Gingko Biloba
Ginseng
Takes a long time to show effects. Some Enhances cerebral users report swollen blood flow, vasodilator testicles. 40mg There are some reports of nosebleeds Increased Energy and vaginal bleeding.
240mg
Neuroplasticity, Sleep enhancer Energy Level boost Enhances angiogenesis and retention of spatial information. Contains L-Theanine an antianxiolytic. Antioxidant. Obstipation, see Anticancer in large caffeine for high doses (ECGC). doses
Huperzine A
Hydergine
Idebenone
Memory, Vivid dreams Enhances cognition, promotes dendrite growth & is neuroprotective considered a good "all-rounder" nootropic. Prevents lipid peroxidation (cell membrane degeneration), reported cognitive benefits
Headaches
50mcg
1000mcg
Polyphenols, ECGC, caffeine. ECGC may be weak MAO-B inhibitor Acetylcholinesterase inhibition and NMDA receptor antagonism
4.5mg
30mg
200mg
Percent bioavailability decreases with larger Bioavailable form of dose. Fat soluble. CoQ10 At lower dosages, acts like a stimulant. At higher dosages, acts as a sedating agent, which feels similar to many opiates.
L-Theanine
feels great! Vasodilator, Arousal, Sleep enhancer Stress reduction, mood elevator. Memory, recall Anti-anxiety. Increases dopamine. Promotes relaxation
rapid tolerance and addiction potential Arousal 500mg 500mg 3000mg 3000mg Precursor to THB/BH4
100mg
Name
L-Thyroxine (T4)
Common Negatives Overdose: Increased BP and heart rate, sweating, stress-like symptoms
Comments ROA/Interactions
Comments - Other Vitamin D deficiency can cause thyroid deficiency Cheap, known cases of bacterial contamination
Link/Info
25ug
200ug
Thyroid hormone
L-Tryptophan
L-Tyrosine Levetiracetam
Alertness, replenishes Downregulation of NTs. Increases dopamine receptors. dopamine Sleepyness, brain fog. 500mg
4g
5-HTP precursor Precursor to dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, thyroid hormones Carbidopa inhibits peripheral AADC
Dyskinesia
depends on a lot
Lion's Mane
NGF promotion Neuroprotection, Lithium mood stabilization Dopamine Level Maca enhancement Magnesium is a strong muscle relaxant and thus is also helpful to counteract jawclenching or muscle tension from Magnesium Aspartate other supplements. High bioavailability. Magnesium is a strong muscle relaxant and thus is also helpful to counteract jawclenching or muscle tension from other supplements. Also contains glycine, which can help Magnesium Glycinate neuroplasticity Counteracts Racetam headaches and Mega BC5 brainfog Sunless tanning, skin cancer prevention, antioxidant, counters erectile dysfunction, Melanotan II, increases sexual Bremelanotide arousal
Expensive, can induce fatigue in some users. 500mg Sedation, apathy, Can affect Kidney Function
Antiparkinsonian drug Not from a lion, not an herb, actually a mushroom. Takes months of daily use for effects to be noticeable
400mg
Magnesium competes with calcium for absorption; do not take together with Blocks NMDAR at calcium sources specific binding site Probably only need one choline source
Name
Common Positives
Melatonin
MEM 1414
Memantine
Common Negatives Changes in sex Promotes sleep (helps hormone levels and reset circadian prolactin in large rhythm), antioxidant, doses, headaches, promotes immune depression, delayed function gut transit Memory enhancement by acting on a gene called CREB May improve memory (proven in moderateto-advanced Possible drowsiness alzheimer's) Slows and temporary amphetamine worsening of shorttolerance term memory physical anxiety (symptom your body is saturated?)
Comments ROA/Interactions
Comments - Other
Link/Info
.3 mg
60mg
Take at night after turning off the light for maximum effect
10mg
30mg
Methylcobalamin (methyl-B12)
1mg
10mg
Sublingual
Modafinil
Irritability, tunnel vision, panic, adverse skin reactions (rare), Large increase in talking to yourself, focus, alertness, circular thoughts, motivation and agility. emotional dulling. 25-100mg Growth hormone release, Libido, Relaxation and focus Peripheral dopamine 50mg L-DOPA (for some) side effects content Brain repair, addiction reduction, prevents liver damage from alcohol and paracetamol, antioxidant (recycles glutathione), mucolitic, Vasoconstrictor/Heart protects hearing, issues?, too much helps fight influenza, mucolysis, in very chelates heavy metals high doses - nausea 500mg A milder Hydergine 10mg
Short-term memory deficits are rectified by upregulation in nAChR7 receptors. It's identical to normal vitamin B12 in mode of action, only slightly better retained Prescription only in most countries (Ok to import into UK). Can cause short term paralysis ( 50mg personal experience), so take in a low dose if first time to find out if you are http://en.wikipedia. hypersensitive/allergic org/wiki/Modafinil
Source of L-DOPA
2000mg
Fairly low More stable analog of bioavailability, sour cysteine smell and taste Alpha-1 adrenergic antagonist Smoking=bad in a lot of ways. Transdermal, buccal (gum), and electronic cigarettes (e-cigs safety still not properly evaluated, may be even more dangerous) safest ROA. Multiple small doses needed
Nicotine Noopept
1 mg (one Addiction, tolerance, cigarette or half a vasoconstrictor Acute: piece of regularlightheadedness, strength gum: see Stimulation, anxiolytic vertigo links) Chainsmoking 10mg? 50mg?
New research shows that nicotine is *not* addictive unless administered with an MAOI. (MAOIs are http://www.ftc. found in tobacco) gov/foia/frequentrequests/foia200 Available only in/from Russia
Name
Common Positives Promotes muscle growth and general Omega 3 Fatty Acids health, (EPA, DHA) (Fish Oil, neuroprotective, antiFlaxseed Oil) inflammatory Omega 6 Fatty Acids (GLA) (Borage Oil, Evening Primrose Oil) Oxiracetam Memory, Recall
Common Negatives
Comments ROA/Interactions
Comments - Other Good sources are canola and olive oil, certain fatty fish (e.g. cod family)
Link/Info
Pro-inflammatory 300mg 1200mg Water soluble. Almost tasteless. More Expensive. best when 500 mg PEA taken on empty stomach along with 1 cap of Rhodiola 6 extract (GAIA herbs)
PEA (Phenylethylamine)
Phenibut
10-minute half-life without MAO-B inhibitor 250 mg Addictive - severe withdrawal syndrome for about a week, insomnia, panic attacks, unrelieved by benzos 500mg (Don't know if it belongs on this list; there are lots of other amphetamine-like compounds)
2.5 gr
3000mg
Cheap short acting, similar feel to (and popular substitute of) ephedrine, but can be taken late in the day. Vasoconstrictor, Available only in/from Russia. Expensive.
Picamilon
Lower cortisol levels, reduced stress, improved mood Improves cerebral blood flow and relieves stress/anxiety, facilitates the transport of GABA through the BBB
GABA source that crosses BBB Headaches, Brain-fog, Hyperactivity, paradoxical sleepiness 1000mg 50mg Water soluble. Leads to hyperactivity when taken with caffeine.
Also provides niacin Can cause vivid dreams. May also prevent sleep. Tastes bitter. D2, D3 agonist
Piracetam Piribedil
Pramiracetam Pregnenolone
Clarity, Memory, Verbal Fluidity, antivertigo Increased attention and focus Memory, focus, verbal fluidity, stimulating goal-oriented Expensive; Stomach behaviour pain
6000mg
100mg 5-10mg
1200mg 100mg
Name
Common Positives Good decongestant, increased BMR (weight loss), Focus improvement (for those with ADHD), Increased energy levels Neuroprotective? faster reaction time, studies suggest great hangover tool (higher doses) Reduces oxidative damage caused by ALCAR, recycles vitamin C
Common Negatives
Comments ROA/Interactions
Pseudoephedrine Purslane
High blood pressure, Sweating, cannot buy in bulk (precursor to methamphetamine and regulated) 30mg
Comments - Other Link/Info Controlled in most countries (Available OTC in US). Tolerance builds over about 2 weeks. Cycle 1 week on 1 week off to avoid adrenal fatigue
Pyritinol
possible diarrhea
150mg
1200mg
Active enantiomer of ALA Excellent MAO-B specificity Quick tolerance. Purchase standardized. Acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitor agonist at D3 (strong) D2, D4 (weaker)
Expensive (until 2012 No methamphetamine when it becomes metabolites generic) Mental Energy, Mood, Relaxation
Rhodiola Rosea
500mg
Memory
mild relaxation, slight sedation Mood elevation, antidepressant Boosts PEA action, probably neuroprotective
cataractogenesis, interacts with drugs Use only enteric coated, take on empty stomach
Sibutramine
Soy Lecithin
Appetite suppresant Counteracts Racetam headaches and brainfog. Suitable for Vegitarians Improved cardiovascular risk, reduces LDL cholesterol, slightly increases HDL cholesterol Focus, stimulation, high/relentless energy
Hypertensive crysis, suicidal ideation Low bioavilability, common allergy and intolerance to soy
MAO-B specific (loses Liquid, tablet, specificity in high transdermal available doses) Mode of action unknown Russian nootropic Withdrawn from US, UK market (Meridia, Do not confuse with Reductil) Sulbutiamine Probably only need one choline source. Weak source.
10mg 100mg
80mg 400mg
Counterindicated in pregnancy (fetotoxic), metabolized by HMG-CoA reductase CYP3A4 inhibitor Fat soluble - take with food
Lovastatin is a component of oyster mushrooms and red yeast rice Tastes awful
Name
Common Positives
Common Negatives
Comments ROA/Interactions
Sulpiride
D2, D3 antagonist
Synephrine
Linked to heart failure Demonstrated serotonin reuptake enhancer, but effects likely due to noradrenergic and dopaminergic actions as well
Comments - Other Presynaptic antagonism leads to increased dopamine response in some areas Found in weight loss supps but available alone Not approved in US or UK (this actually makes it less of a legal problem to import); few foreign sources on Internet
Link/Info
Short half-life; must take multiple times per day. Do not use with SSRIs.
Tramadol Tribulus
Contains an antidepressant with similar structure to Effexor, a significant % of users develop high tolerance & extremely disabling withdrawal syndrome. 50mg
400mg
SNRI usually taken every 4 to 6 hours or as needed Inhibits CYP3A4 and CYP2D6, very low bioavailabilty unless taken with piperine (black pepper) and oilsolubilized
Turmeric (Curcumin)
Uridine
Antioxidant, antiviral (HSV-1), anticancer, nootropic Increases neuronal levels of CDP-choline, enhances growth or neurites, improves memory and spatial learning abilities, may promote improved mood
Effects shown on Possible traditional Hindu gastrointestinal upset, oil preparation at stains everything "few times a yellow, chelates iron month" level
Valerian
relaxation
brain fog similar to Benzodiazepines and GABA Effective vasodilator that is cheap and should be in everyone's stack. Do not mix with methylphenidate, which is a vasoconstrictor. Cheap - Comes in delicious flavours! (especially in unprocessed fruits, vegetables and meat)
Vinpocetine
Vitamin C
Anti-oxidant, helps all round brain improvement Antioxidant, necessary vitamin prevents scurvy, recycles cysteine (e.g. NAC)
NMDA/AMPA receptor antagonist Massive doses can cause vomiting, diarrhea, somewhat diuretic
10mg
40mg
3000mg
Common Positives
Comments ROA/Interactions
Comments - Other
Link/Info
Zinc
Zinc is a neurotransmitter, NMDA antagonist, helps prevent copper overdose might cause excess, helps burn fat copper deficiency 10 mg (RDA)
150mg