https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4991120/
Erythrina mulungu Benth. (Fabaceae), Cordia verbenacea A. DC. (Boraginaceae), Solanum paniculatum L. (Solanaceae) and Lippia sidoides Cham. (Verbenaceae) are medicinal plant species native to Brazil shortlisted by the Brazilian National Health System ...
https://psychedelichealth.co.uk/2023/03/09/dmt-study-improvement-depression-anxiety/
Small Pharma has announced results from its Phase 2a trial of its intravenous formulation of DMT - SPL026 - demonstrating improvement in depression and anxiety.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7352172/
Nicotinamide riboside (NR) has recently become one of the most studied nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD[+] ) precursors, due to its numerous potential health benefits mediated via elevated NAD[+] content in the body. NAD[+] is an essential coenzyme ...
https://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2016/3/brain-benefits-of-l-theanine
L-theanine, an amino acid in green tea, induces calmness while improving alertness. Studies show it may reduce the risk of stroke & protect against brain damage.
https://www.psypost.org/2022/08/neuroscience-research-suggests-lsd-might-enhance-learning-and-memory-by-promoting-brain-plasticity-63701
New research published in Experimental Neurology provides some initial evidence that the psychedelic substance known as LSD has nootropic properties. The study found that LSD increased markers of neuroplasticity in human brain organoids, increased novelty preference in rats, and improved memory performance in humans. ...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36740954/
MIB-626 administration in overweight or obese, middle-aged and older adults safely increased circulating NAD levels, and significantly reduced total LDL and non-HDL cholesterol, body weight, and diastolic blood pressure. These data provide the rationale for larger trials to assess the efficacy of NA …
credit: u/melljo2013
Very satisfying and effective combinations of what I'm going to call over-the-counter stimulants and energy supporting stacks can achieve a lot of the results of 'proper-stimulants', but contrary to a lot of online literature, can never match or replace them. The ones I listed (Theacrine, Zynamite, EnXtra, Primavie, GS15-4 and plain old caffeine) stand out personally. There are endless potential combinations but I will put an examplar stack here as a guide, note that this would be an elite stack and using just several of these will produce a good result. The below should provide very high levels of motivation, energy and focus for 6 hours
Zynamite 300mg, Theacrine 300mg, Caffeine 50mg, GS15-4 100mg, Alpha-GPC 300mg, CDP-Choline 150mg, ALCAR 1g, Magnesium (ATA-Mg is worth the money IMO but L-theronate is very good, I'm also very impressed with bio-optimisers blend of 7. Doses will vary but tend to the high to very high,. Rhodiola Rosea (preferably in 5-2 but 3-1 is fine) in 250-500mg. B-vitamin stack (again doses vary, worth adding in modified b-vitamins IMO, sulbutiamine, emoxypine, benfotiamine). NALT 500mg, DL-Phenylaline 250mg, L-Phenylaline 250mg, EnXtra 300mg, Primavie 200mg, L-Tryptophan 300mg, Trans-Reservatrol 250mg, NMN 500mg, L-theanine 400mg. I could go on, but this is a good example; some of these you might want to take twice or even three times, but you will have to do the research yourself I am afraid. I have referenced branded or patented ingredients here; I don't take a particular view on branded vs non-branded. Look at it case by case, in many cases (e.g Theacrine and CDP-Choline) you can get an identical product with the same effects at a lesser price. In other cases, e.g Zynamite and Primavie, the patented form offers genuine and worthwhile benefits.
I will address this in other posts, but since I have offered a stack I will quickly address it. Most of the time preformulated stacks are useless and a complete waste of money. For example, I came across this energy product from Motion Nutrition promising 12hr energy when the very well formulated and high dosed stack I just offered would, by my estimation, offer 6hrs of peak energy and a further 2-3 petering out. https://motionnutrition.com/products/power-up. Rip off! Qualia products are an exception, they are very well formulated but it is cheaper to copy their stacks–buy the ingredients in bulk and DIY–but I will talk about this another time.
The best approach is a long-term approach to your body's own energy and mitochondrial capacity, which I will briefly turn to in my First Priorities Section.
H) Phenibut and it's other forms. Phenibut stands alone in its effects and its medical-grade anti-anxiety potency. For writers or creatives it is a must. I will write a separate article because using phenibut properly is so powerful, hence it's inclusion on the list, but very difficult to achieve.
I) Practices - Most powerful practices with intelligence enhancing benefits are Dual-N-Back for fluid intelligence, and CWM and meditation for a variety of reasons.
A) Sunifram, Unifram and (Controversially) Nooept. I will be brief here, the 'frams' are exceedingly powerful to be sure, they are cheap and provide a good output-to-price ratio. I am sure some people respond very well to them, and I have from time to time caught that very valuable 'flow-state' these substances can provide. A lot of the time though I just don't see it; I feel uninformed about them, and tolerance is a huge problem as well as, again, the risk-output ratio. Its study by DARPA is a good indication to me. But IMO, with the frams, I just don't see it. Similarly for nooept, it is great value for money in terms of potential output. It clearly does have potent neurogenic effects across multiple pathways and it has the potential for good application in analytical, logical or otherwise cognitively rigid tasks. Most of the time though I just don't see it; it can have strange effects on personality, can dampen creativity and produces similarly strange effects on short-term memory. Complex working memory is, for me, a cornerstone of higher order intelligence, anything that jeopardises CWM should be approached with great caution.
B) PRL-8-53, IDRA-21, NSI-189, J147, Memantine, Kratom, Tianeptine, DMHA. I don't think there's anything there, I haven't seen many credible reports that there is. I grouped all these together because they all belong to a similar family of at times hyped nootropics with big promises that I have personally found to work very sporadically, or not at all. Or I fear they could be seriously damaging. (IDRA-21 just does not work; I seriously cannot make out any difference or see changes in any cognitive metric at all. It's as if it is pharmacologically inert). NSI-189 dosed low at maybe 20mg might have some promise, and I've seen hints of potentially great benefits, but the emotional and attentional side effects you encounter–especially when dosed at the standard 40mg/day–concern me given the behavioural reinforcement that neurogenics can establish. I am not completely writing these off, actually, I will write off IDRA-21. It is useless, but these are only for the psychonauts to explore, or those obsessed/fascinated with exploring nootropics.
C) Unstable or otherwise difficult to manufacture peptides. Although the peptides I am talking about here show potential, and in my experiences have been in the rarified league of Dihexa, the difficulty and complexity in producing the genuine article of these nootropics means you are very unlikely to be getting a reliable or accurate product. I have been able to get these in what I believe to be genuine form very few times and at great expense. With the demise of science.bio, the dubious status of cymnootropics, and in the EU Suaway, the creation of a truly professional and reputable nootropic industry still seems some way off. Hence, I advise against: Adamax, P21, HA-FGL and GSB-106 alongside any other very complex peptides.
Brain Structure. This is a loose catch-all term for all the different aspects of brain physiology we can influence. Membrane fluidity, blood flow, neurogenesis etc. This is the core of all aspects of intelligence and long-term cognitive health, I won't look at it in depth, but a quick list of essentials per day might look like this:
DHA 600mg, Phosphatidylserine 300mg, Uridine 250mg, Bacopa Moneri 450mg, Gotu Kola 900mg, SAM-e 400mg, Vinpocetine 30mg, B-Vitamin stack
Energy. Well-functioning energy creation, in particular mitochondrial function, is increasingly seen as integral to all aspects of cognitive function. Very briefly you might consider:
PQQ 20mg, COQ10 100mg, R-ALA 100mg, ALCAR 1000mg, Creatine 5g, Methylene Blue, L-Carnosine, Reservatrol, Psterobilene, NMN, NADH, NAC or NACET.
credit: u/melljo2013
My focus here will be some of the most powerful nootropics that genuinely contribute to the different modalities of intelligence in the biggest way.
A) Dihexa. Bar none, and by a huge margin, the most effective and risky nootropic I have tried. Again, I stress the magnitude of this nootropic's effectiveness is huge, nothing comes close. The same is true of the risk of the compound. It is able to generate curiosity. The motivation and drive to learn more and think about ideas in a novel way–that is priceless. Its effects on fluid intelligence, creativity, learning, memory, social skills, motivation and perspicacity are incredible. It does leave lasting effects, but they decline somewhat over the medium term. The affective disposition of Dihexa is most intense during the initial two months. The experience of it is similar to microdosing alongside a huge stack of nootropics, but it is unique. It is expensive and increasingly difficult to find. I recommend application via transdermal DMSO, 15-30mg every 3-5 days for at most 5 weeks. Again, I stress that in my opinion this is the most risky nootropic in terms of potential complications down the line.
B) Nefiracetam. Most effective racetam by far. Broad spectrum effects via multiple bio-pathways. Enhances learning, creativity, motivation and alleviates low mood, specifically apathy and anxiety, very effectively. In particular, if you are trying to learn something new it is very effective and the mood stabilising effects are an under-appreciated component. It is very subtle and has to be taken repeatedly over a long time frame. It is unable to provide the 'feel' of phenylpiracetam which is so alluring, but in terms of broad-spectrum and long-term improvements to intelligence, it is the best racetam by far. It is, however, prohibitively expensive. I am not sure exactly why it is so expensive, but if you can afford it, I reccomend prioritising this one nootropic over a stack of ten cheaper ones. Take 150-300mg three times a day at least 5 days a week, with all the usual choline stacking and MCT oil.
C) Centrophenoxine, Sulbutiamine and Phenylpiracetam. Far better known than the first two, but still under-utlised. This is the most high impact 'short-term' stack, i.e what is going to give the greatest cognitive benefit over the next 4 hours. They don't need much explanation given their popularity. (Again typical Choline and MCT Stacking)
D) PAO, Pramiracetam, Aniracetam, Oxiracetam. Again, very well known but it really does work. Dose the aniracetam high and the pramiracetam and oxiracetam low, combine with low doses of centrophenoxine and sulbutiamine for even greater effects. (Again typical Choline and MCT Stacking). Coluracetam is highly effective for some as a substitute or even very low doses alongside pramiracetam. As for Fascoracetam, I have at times found it useful in dealing with anxiety. If you can find them, RGPU-95 and Methylphenylpiracetam take the racetam effect to a completely different level–but you won't find them. In general, Pramiracetam, Phenylpiracetam and Nefiracetam should be your priorities. Almost all racetams can be put to good use at something and their effects can be endlessly and fruitfully augmented, but stick to what I have said if you're time/cash poor. I do not particularly like Oxiracetam; its MTOR pathway can create strange effects. Racetams, for now, have to form a central part of any nootropic stack that claims to be amongst the best or credible in manifesting it's aims, but pay attention to what you can use consistently and what you can deploy rarely but deliberately. For every racetam other than aniracetam and nefiracetam, you should dose low, below the typical recommendations, but you can find sensible guidelines online. Racetams, probably more than anything else, deserve experimentation and personalisation. They are very adaptible and responsive in stacks. I maintain that other than RGPU-95 and Methylphenylpiracetam, which you most likely cannot acquire, nefiracetam offers the most comprehensive benefits along unique pathways. There is no reason to take plain old piracetam when we have more effective alternatives, don't do it.
E) Selank and Semax in the NASA form. Again very well known, but as I said, I am listing the (or some of) the most powerful nootropics for broad spectrum intelligence gains. Research is needed, but the combination works wonders across mood and emotive-related intelligence. Semax in the NASA form has a very appreciable stimulatory/motivation effect via multiple pathways and contributes to long-term brain health as well as the main cognitive goals I have listed. Selank manages anxiety/stress/adaptivity along multiple unique pathways and works synergistically with semax. Selank also offers strong cognitive benefits indirectly and directly through it's contribution to mood in addition to homeostatic and adaptive regulation of the nervous system. IMO there is a significant difference between NASA form and others, and I think for the dual short and long-term effects, NASA is actually very good value for money. Recommend 100mcg-300mcg (stay as low as is still productive for you) of both 1-3 times a day, depending on your response.
F) 9-mbc. Can be spoken of as similar to Dihexa. Motivational effects are unparalled (except for perhaps Dihexa itself). Contributes to long-term brain health and provides short term effect after first 2-3 days of use. Noted for tolerance reduction. In a similar vein to Dihexa, it nearly crosses the boundary from cognitive augmentation to actual personality changes. It is very useful for setting new habits. Very useful guides can be found on reddit. I have combined it with Dihexa; this is very risky, risk increases exponentially on combination, but it was incredibly effective. Probably deserves number one ranking in the motivational and ADHD type symptom management category, as well as a high place in analytical improvement. Recommend 7.5-15mg sublingual for at most 28 days.
G) N-Methyl-Cyclazadone (NMC). By far the most functional stimulant I have ever taken. Broad-spectrum effects, very high sense of motivation, energy and mood but never in a way that is comparable to adderall, ritalin, modafinil etc. The serotonergic component seems to be very important in creating the contented and productive state that is hugely ergogenic and just as potent as other stims in providing stamina without creating the speedy, jittery, robotic and cognitively limiting effects that adderall etc can create. It has a broader spectrum of effects than other stimulants, and instead of just generating 'drive' or 'energy' it offers perspectival and cognitive benefits as well, far beyond other stims. It is absolutely wonderful, 9hrs of studying and music becomes a joy. It does create very euphoric and enjoyable– and I can imagine habit-forming–effects somewhere between 25-35mg. This is obviously to be avoided, and these effects are absent at 20mg and below. I don't recommend pushing above 15mg, up to 20mg if you really need to, but 15mg potentiated by our favourite light nootropic stimulants (Theacrine, Zynamite, EnXtra, Primavie, GS15-4 and plain old caffeine) is preferable. This is also becoming very difficult to find, but it is the ultimate nootropic stimulant in my opinion.
F) FlModafinil is very nice in my opinion, offering a smoother and slightly broader range of effects than other afanils. I cannot recommend the likes of adrafinil, hydrafinil etc. I am sure there are good stacks that optimise these, and they are available and cheap, but it is absolutely worth having a true nootropic stimulant in your rotation–which I do not think the pro-drug afinils are. PPAP, Selegine, Deprenyl, RGPU-95 (which deserves a special mention as an incredible if hard to acess nootropic) are all in the same league as NMC, but are far more specialised and complicated to use.
credit u/Livid-Guava2779
(23M) I got diagnosed with ADHD at 18, but had suspicions for years prior to that as my GPA was 2.6 but my test scores were quite high.
I coasted through my teens, I’m now 23 and still don’t have a degree.
To give some examples of how bad my mental state was:
I constantly repeated myself needlessly in conversation.
I had major anxiety at the thought of doing the littlest amount of work.
I woke up and went to bed scared and sad about my past, present, and future.
I couldn’t focus on anything, I would be reading a book and go 3 pages before realizing I had no idea what I was reading. And when I decided to try again I would forget to focus from the start and read a whole paragraph, 8 times even.
I had little energy at all hours of the day even on 8-9 hours of sleep, even with exercise and a great diet.
I couldn’t make myself look people in the eyes, I had a constant feeling everyone knew my thoughts.
I would bite my lip, scratch my scalp, etc. out of anxiety and couldn’t make myself stop, it was completely automatic.
I couldn’t force myself to keep an open or upright posture, I just felt like the weight of the world was on me, beating down.
I would get nervous any time I spoke to someone and I would talk fast or mumble or trail off my speech, feeling guilty for wasting their time with my interaction.
I would let all of my problems build up until I had a near panic-attack before dealing with them.
My finances were a mess, I was lucky to have parents who supported me for so long.
TL;DR very high anxiety, ADD, and schizophrenic-like mindset about life.
Then I tried Magnesium. I tried Magnesium Glycinate from Doctor’s Best to be exact.
I’ve tried magnesium in the past with spotty results. But just recently I read that you need 6 mg per kg of bodyweight. For me that’s 460 mg. So I take 3 100 mg pills in the morning and maybe 1 at night if I feel like it. This was the switch flip.
I work as a substitute for 4th and 5th graders (who constantly yell in class for 7 hours of the day, luckily they all love me as their teacher, I’m long term). Since getting this job, as much as I found it fulfilling, I would get home at 2 pm and crash for 4 hours, wake up and eat then go to bed and do it all again the next morning at 6. I would close my eyes and see little ghost hands floating in front of me, and when in a quiet room I would hear little kid’s voices saying my name.
Now that I take magnesium I get home and feel at 80-90% until bed time. It’s changed my life.
@dexchemist
@lemmy.world