Daily Archives: July 1, 2016

Editors Note: This is a guest post from Mans Denton.

For all the discussion about health and fitness, the primary driver of the human organism is often left out: the brain.

Since the 1950s, neuroscience has made discoveries that we can use to improve our memory, focus, alertness, and general cognitive abilities.

The application of these discoveries led to the birth of nootropics, a term coined by a Romanian doctor named Corneliu Giurgea in 1972 after discovering a family of smart drugs. Nootropics are natural and synthetic compounds that can improve your general cognitive abilities, such as memory, attention, focus, and motivation.

Despite the relatively new term, smart drugs have been used for thousands of years. In the absence of modern technology and scientific understanding, ancient cultures utilized herbs to improve cognitive function on all corners of the globe. Records of traditional Chinese medical doctrine date all the way back to 1100 BCE; and in Ayurvedic medicine on the Indian subcontinent, herbs were utilized as cognitive enhancers as early as 5000 BCE.

Caffeine in tea form was discovered between 1500 and 1000 BCE in China, while the more potent coffee beverage was popularized in the 13thand 14thcenturies. The human love affair with brain boosting substances is ancient, but only recently has science caught up with our ambitions. What follows is a brief description of nootropic benefits, a list of recommendations, tips on customizing your usage, and a few words of caution.

Unfortunately, so far there has been no pill invented that will instantly transform you into a cognitive superman, a la the movie Limitless. There are no shortcuts to mental sharpness: the foundation of cognitive deftness and fortitude remains study, discipline, and regularly engaging in attention-strengthening exercises.

Rather than giving you mental strength, nootropics can simply enhance the mental strength that youve already built the old fashioned way. Approach them the very same way you do supplements for your physical workouts. Downing pre-workout drinks and whey protein isnt magically going to turn you into a ripped strongman if you dont use them in conjunction with hitting the gym. In the same way, nootropics wont transform you into a genius, but they can give your brain a stronger pump, and help you hold on to the gains you make from your mental exercises.

Just as you might up the caffeine you take before going to the gym on a day where youre feeling more fatigued than usual, or have a harder than usual workout planned, use nootropics for those occasions where youre feeling mentally groggy and/or have an especially difficult cognitive task to complete.

Ancient medical practices recognized the different applications for various herbal remedies, and modern nootropics have a wide variety of uses as well. There are five main applications for nootropics, which all require specific supplementation. The specifics of the compounds I mention can be found below.

Memory For young adults and the elderly alike, a better memory is always useful. Many nootropics are specifically designed to prevent the type of neurological degradation that causes Alzheimers, senile dementia, and Parkinsons. Young individuals can retain material more efficiently when using memory-enhancing nootropics. Some smart drugs are better utilized for short-term/working memory, while others operate with longer-term effects. Piracetam, choline, and creatine are common memory enhancers.

Focus Anybody that has experience with coffee knows the advantage of enhanced focus and attention. Many of the smart drugs that improve focus or alertness are stimulatory in nature, but also create a sense of clarity. Caffeine is a nootropic when paired with L-theanine. Asian ginseng and CILTeP also improve focus.

Mood Enhancer Some nootropics enhance cognitive function by improving mood and reducing anxiety. In numerous studies, reduced anxiety results in higher test performance for a variety of cognitive indicators (including short and long-term memory). Caffeine and L-theanine is a mood enhancer, along with bacopa monniera and Asian ginseng.

Anti-Fatigue Smart drugs that prevent fatigue work by blocking receptors in the brain or providing more efficient synthesis of energy. By reducing fatigue, users can work longer and more efficiently. Creatine and rhodiola rosea are effective anti-fatigue agents.

Reasoning & Creativity A smaller category of nootropics also influence general reasoning skills and improve creativity in problem solving. Creatine and iodine are effective in enhancing these cognitive abilities.

Many nootropics have evidence to support these claims, but unfortunately, due to poor funding, long-term studies have not yet been done. Therefore, the long-term effects whether for good or ill of utilizing smart drugs on the brain is yet unknown.

Below, we get into the specifics of nootropics and dosage recommendations. Many of them, however, are probably compounds youve never heard of. So where do you go to find these nootropics?

Some nootropics are available at brick and mortar stores that specialize in health products, like GNC and Whole Foods. The downside with going this route is that the prices tend to be higher and the selection lower.

For lower prices and better selection, buying online is the best route to go. But make sure to only buy from reputable dealers. Anyone can fill a pill with rice powder and pass it off as the real deal. To avoid being sold a bottle of snake oil, I recommend only purchasing supplements that come with 3rd party certificates of analysis for safety purposes. Also check out online reviews and forums for recommendations on reputable dealers. Here are a couple good ones to peruse:

Nootropics are typically single-chemical compounds extracted from nature or synthesized by man. Combining compounds together for synergistic effect is called stacking. For beginners, here are a few compounds and stacks that are safe to choose from.

Caffeine + L-Theanine

Surprise! There is something better than caffeine alone. L-theanine is an amino acid found in green tea that can negate many of the side effects of excessive caffeine usage while enhancing the positives. Advantages of using L-theanine with caffeine include:

For those who consume caffeine regularly, a dosage of 100mg caffeine and 200mg L-theanine is best. Beginners can see positive effects with as low as 50mg of caffeine and 100mg of L-theanine, but the 1:2 ratio is best.

Creatine

For the same reason that creatine is useful for improving muscle mass and strength, it serves as a powerful nootropic as well.

Using creatine for cognitive purposes requires doses of 5 grams per day. At this rate, it will take around 2 weeks to start seeing an effect, but users can utilize a loading phase of 20 grams per day for 5 days to speed up this process before reverting back to 5 grams per day.

Bacopa Monniera

Bacopa monniera is an herb used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. Users experience varied benefits including:

The neurotransmitter benefits include improved acetylcholine release (involved with enhanced memory) and reduced stress on dopaminergic systems, which regulate the dopamine neurotransmitter related to happiness and pleasure.

Using 300mg of bacopa monniera extract (50% bacosides A and B) is best for beginners. Unlike other herbs, bacopa is fat soluble so it is best to take this with some type of dietary fat
source; a piece of meat or a meal with cooking oil will suffice. Traditional Indian villagers use ghee with bacopa monniera.

Piracetam and Choline

The first nootropic found in 1972 was piracetam, which is a derivative of the neurotransmitter GABA. Scientists are still unclear about the exact mode of action, but piracetam does increase acetylcholine uptake and utilization in regions of the brain responsible for memory formation. Early studies on animals and humans showed that piracetam alone could improve memory better than a placebo, but combining choline with piracetam was even more effective.

Choline is a useful nootropic alone, as it is the dietary precursor to acetylcholine (which improves memory formation). Most people do not consume enough organ meat and eggs to fulfill choline needs, which makes it useful to supplement. The combination of choline and piracetam is not only effective for improving memory in young adults, but is also a leading treatment for Alzheimers, senile dementia, and other neuro-degenerative diseases in the elderly.

Another interesting feature is the use of this stack for lucid dreaming. Lucidity is an awareness of being within a dream and manipulating events consciously.

Piracetam is the most popular and most well-known of the racetams, but there are structurally similar chemical relatives that have varying effects. Aniracetam is a more potent analogue that absorbs quickly, but does not last long. Oxiracetam is a neuro-protective agent that can halt and reverse brain trauma, while newer analogues like coluracetam and phenylpiracetam are still being tested in a laboratory setting.

A starting dose of 1600mg of piracetam is sufficient, though some people can utilize up to 6 grams. The most effective sources of choline are alpha GPC and CDP choline (200-300mg of either), rather than taking lecithin or choline bitartrate.

Rhodiola Rosea

This high-altitude herb is utilized as a mood enhancer and anti-fatigue agent. Rhodiola can help improve mood and enhance memory by increasing serotonin levels. Chronic usage of rhodiola can reduce reaction time and improve reasoning skills as well. The increased mood is often responsible for enhanced performance, which is why traditional Chinese medicine relied heavily on rhodiola (called Hong Jing Tian).

Starting with 350mg of rhodiola (3% rosavins) once a day can improve mood and reduce mental fatigue similar to creatine. Unlike creatine, rhodiola is an adaptogen that benefits from routine cycling rather than daily use. For rhodiola, a 3:1 ratio on and off is optimal, but individual guesswork is needed.

Asian Ginseng

The most famous and researched nootropic is Asian ginseng (not to be confused with American ginseng, which has few nootropic effects). Benefits of Asian ginseng include:

Starting with a dosage of 100mg (3-5% ginsenoside concentration) per day, just 1-2 doses will provide nootropic effects. Asian ginseng also pairs well with ginkgo biloba.

CILTeP

A new and more advanced nootropic combination is CILTeP, which stands for chemically induced long-term potentiation. The combination of artichoke extract and forskolin improves cAMP and inhibits PDE-4, which theoretically improves alertness, focus, and memory.

CILTeP is the result of a collaboration of the nootropic community. It came out of an open-source process instead of a laboratory. The ingredients were tweaked by dozens of nootropic users (including Tim Ferriss) to find the optimal doses, but has been completely untested in a research setting.

A good starting point is 900mg artichoke extract (5% caffeoylquinic acids), 4mg forskolin, 500mg L-phenylalanine, 750mg acetyl-L-carnitine, and 5mg vitamin B-6.

Like diets and other lifestyle choices, the best nootropic stacks and combinations are often based on the individual. Many nootropics interact differently from one person to the next, which is why subjective, personal testing can be an effective tool for optimized cognitive enhancement. Test out different stacks and determine for yourself what works best.

One effective method of customizing nootropics is to determine which neurotransmitters are dominant in your brain and which are deficient. In The Edge Effectby Eric Braverman, one can take an assessment to determine your dominant and deficient neurotransmitters.

Some products, such as Onnits Alpha Brain, try to help individuals with pre-made combinations. Alpha Brain has many effective compounds, including alpha GPC choline and L-theanine, but many of the ingredients arent at a level that will serve as an effective dose for everyone.

OptiMind is another nootropic with pre-made combinations (Editors Note: This is what I use on a daily basis).

As with any other tool, there is a right and a wrong way of using nootropics. There is plenty of variation in the goals and methodology of using nootropics, but being mindful of these three rules will yield more effective and balanced outcomes.

1. You must track results.There are many different modern technologies that can allow you to test and track nootropic usage to ensure they are having a positive effect on your cognition. No matter what area of cognition you are improving, Cambridge Brain Sciences and Quantified Mind have various tests to track progression. Even the Mercury App, which offers subjective testing based on feelings, can help you determine whether certain nootropics are working for you.

2. Do not become attached.People using nootropics sometimes fall victim to attachment either physically and/or mentally. Physical addictions to caffeine, rhodiola, and phenibut can reduce cognition and alter brain chemistry in the long-term. Mental addiction is harder to distinguish, but equally disastrous; any time you feel a need for nootropics, take a break. Use smart drugs in special situations rather than craving enhancement all the time.

3. Nootropics are not a substitute.If you are chronically under-slept, have a poor diet, and do not exercise routinely, nootropics will not solve all of your problems. Proper lifestyle choices are the number one priority; cognitive enhancement through nootropics is just a bonus in times of need.

Being mindful of these three rules and starting slowly with nootropics can expand your capabilities and help you to achieve your goals. Traditional cultures across the world have utilized many of these cognitive enhancing compounds for thousands of years, but modern science is validating their claims and making nootropics more accessible for everyone. Most importantly, they will allow you to break free from genetic limitations and deficiencies.

______________

Mans Denton is a biohacker hoping to optimize mental and physical capabilities by any means necessary. He blogs at The Hacked Mind and manages Pure Nootropics, which focuses on a small line of safe smart drugs.

The rest is here:

Supplements to Boost Your Brain: A Primer on Nootropics

The human system can be quantified, manipulated, and optimized. The human drive to self-improve is timeless, but modern technologies now allow us to enhance in precise and measurable ways like never before.

As a group of biohackers, technologists, and researchers, we believe life should be lived to its fullest potential. That potential is tested and ultimately judged by the work we produce. Weve realized that the world around us is made by people no smarter than you or me, and we too can make a dent in the world with what we can create.

When it comes to our offerings, we take the same mentality. Nootrobox researches, develops, and manufactures nootropics with state of the art manufacturing techniques and 100% FDA generally regarded as safe (GRAS) components. This guarantees nootropics that are effective, precise, and safe.

Were driving some of latest research with top academic collaborators in the world to better and understand human cognition and biohacking. This expertise and data is used to constantly evolve and improve our offerings. Thus, our products and formulations are at the forefront of the latest science and research.

Our goal is to make nootropics for everyone. A smarter society is a better society, so lets build and live in that future together.

Excerpt from:

Nootrobox - Nootropics for Everyone

Comments Off on The Best Nootropics for Focus and Memory

Although nootropics by their very nature generally have a positive impact on the users cognitive performance, it is important to be aware that different types focus on various factors. For example, some nootropics are more likely to make people feel energized while improving their memory, but others can have a sedative effect that makes them a good choice for people ... Read More

Comments Off on Phenylpiracetam 101

Phenylpiracetam is a nootropic (substance that improves mental function) that is very similar to, but 30 to 60 times stronger than, piracetam. Oddly enough, piracetam has been banned for use as a dietary supplement by the FDA, but phenylpiracetam is still available. Forms Phenylpiracetam takes three basic forms: the R-isomer (effective for stimulatory and mental improvement), the S-isomer, which is ... Read More

Comments Off on Brain Stack Review

I was contacted by one of the foundersof Maven Labs, wanting to know if Id be interested in trying their new product/new formula of Brain Stack. Of course, I accepted the offer. While I waitingfor the product to ship, I exchanged some emails with Paul(co-founderof Maven Labs). During these exchanges it gave me sometime to pick his brain about ... Read More

Comments Off on Shroom Tech Sport Review

Today I will be reviewing a slightly different product. Although it is not technically a nootropic by standard definition, it is something worth at least trying. ShroomTech Sport was formulated to help in the energy department. It is made by Onnit Labs, the same company that makes Alpha Brain(read that review here). Before I go into all the details of ... Read More

Comments Off on Focus Factor Review

Im sure most of you if not all of you have heard of Focus Factor. It has been around for quite a while now and was one of the first things that got me into Nootropics, and learning more about supplements to help improve memory and concentration. Focus Factor is labeled as Americas #1 Brain Health Supplement. Now that is ... Read More

Comments Off on Phenibut Review

*I would like to start off by saying that this product was provided free of charge by Health Supplement Wholesalers. They carry a wide variety of different supplements.* Phenibut was on my list of products to try for awhile now. Mainly because I have a lot of anxiety and stress, and this product is suppose to help with this. Ive ... Read More

Comments Off on Noopept Review

I started taking noopept a couple weeks back and I feel that now that I can make an accurate assumption how this product worked for ME. Please, keep in mind that this review is MY experience and yours may be different. The funny thing about nootropics is that certain ones seems to effect people differently. If you are not familiar ... Read More

Comments Off on Phenibut 101

Introduction Phenibut was developed back in the 1960s in Russia. It is a unique product and some will say that it is not technically a nootropic. It is primarily used for its calming effects rather than as a cognitive enhancer. Though some claim that it does havecognition enhancing/nootropic effects. It is often used in stacks alongside other nootropics. How Does ... Read More

Comments Off on Noopept 101

Introduction Noopept is a white powdery substance that is in a class of its own. Although it is very similar to racetam nootropics, it is not technically a racetam. It was first developed in Russia, where it was prescribed to protect brain neurons and to help improvecognitive function. How Does it Work Through research and studies it was found that ... Read More

Comments Off on Alpha Brain Review Part 2

Well it has been about 30 days since I started to taking Alpha Brain. If you havent done so yet, I suggest starting and reading part 1 of this review first. My dosage was 2 capsules for the first 15 days, then I upped it to 4 capsules for the next 15 days. I will come right out and say ... Read More

View original post here:

The Nootropics Guy | Testing and Reviewing Nootropics

Nootropics are a broad classification of cognition-enhancing compounds that produce minimal side effects and are suitable for long-term use. These compounds include those occurring in nature or already produced by the human body (such as neurotransmitters), and their synthetic analogs. We already regularly consume some of these chemicals: B vitamins, caffeine, and L-theanine, in our daily diets.

A fundamental aspect of human evolution has been the drive to augment our capabilities. The neocortex is the neural seat of abstract and higher order cognitive processes. As it grew, so did our ability to create. The invention of tools and weapons, writing, the steam engine, and the computer have exponentially increased our capacity to influence and understand the world around us. These advances are being driven by improved higher-order cognitive processing.1Fascinatingly, the practice of modulating our biology through naturally occurring flora predated all of the above discoveries. Indeed, Sumerian clay slabs as old as 5000 BC detail medicinal recipes which include over 250 plants2. The enhancement of human cognition through natural compounds followed, as people discovered plants containing caffeine, theanine, and other cognition-enhancing, or nootropic, agents.

There is an ancient precedent to humans using natural compounds to elevate cognitive performance. Incan warriors in the 15th century would ingest coca leaves (the basis for cocaine) before battle. Ethiopian hunters in the 10th century developed coffee bean paste to improve hunting stamina. Modern athletes ubiquitously consume protein powders and hormones to enhance their training, recovery, and performance. The most widely consumed psychoactive compound today is caffeine. Millions of people use coffee and tea to be more alert and focused.

The term nootropic is simply a descriptor, and this descriptor spans across all legal classifications of compounds. Broadly speaking, there are four main classifications:

Nootrobox stacks are strictly derived from the first category - compounds that are GRAS and approved for human consumption as dietary supplements.

The mechanisms by which nootropic compounds influence our cognition and neurophysiology are as diverse as those of prescription drugs. We present below our in-progress work, detailing the mechanisms, effects, and history of various nootropic compounds. Check in for updates and additions.

2016 Nootrobox, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

For informational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Read the original post:

Biohacker Guide | Nootropics

a) The Synthesis

Corneliu E. Giurgea, a Romanian psychologist and chemist formulated and synthesized Piracetam in 1964. It is a compound known to conform to the characteristics of both a nootropic and neuroprotective agent. It is prepared by condensing 2-pyrrolidinone with ethyl chloroacetate which then is converted into an amide with ammonia.

b) Use

Pharmacologically, as a neuroprotective agent, it is known to prevent damage to the brain/spinal cord from convulsions, ischemia, stroke, or trauma. The mechanism of action could be various but in effect, they either directly or indirectly minimize the damage produced by the excitatory amino acids. As nootropic agents, they are used to enhance learning, and or memory. In particular, they are recommended to reduce the cognitive deficits associated with dementia, i.e. loss of memory. It needs to be kept in mind that no nootropic drugs have been accepted for general use and they are still at an experimentary stage.

Piracetam is a racetam supplement and gets absorbed into the system very quickly. It has 100% bioavailability when taken in the form of capsules, powders, solutions ortablets. This racetam is excreted more or less, completely through the urine. It is used in renal dialysis and has the ability to cross placental barrier and diffuse itself across membranes. It is also naturally exerted in human breast milk so avoid using if you are pregnant.

Piracetam is proving its efficacy over a period of time on treating disorders relating to

While administration of Piracetam did not exhibit long-term benefits for the treatment of mild cognitive disorders, its neurprotective effect was demonstrated in its efficacy during coronary bypass surgery. It was also found to be effective in the treatment of cerebrovascular disorders. When its efficiency between the treatment for enhancing memory and reducing anxiety and depression was compared, it was found to be effective much later. As a supplement, it is useful for patients suffering from myoclonus epilepsy and tardive dyskinesia. When supplemented with a vasodilator drug, it was found to improve cognitive disabilities.

Some people also believe Piracetam can improve creativity. They believe this because it is reported to have a unique ability to increase the contact between the left and right hemispheres of the brain. This is understood to improve creativeness. The effect of improving the memory helps in the users ability to save and store more information in the brain. Piracetam is not a tonic drug, yet it has the effect of working inside our ion channels to improve blood flow which promotes membrane permeability to particular fragments of the brain. In short, the positive effects of Piracetam could be compared to snowballs that build off one another to improve the cognitive abilities over a long period.

Piracetam is currently available in some countries without a prescription. Sometimes it can be mixed with supplemental constituents like: Huperzine A., Choline, Alpha-Lipoic Acid and complex B vitamins. This is believed to enhance the nootropic effects of this racetam but there is little hard evidence to back this up and some scientists dispute it.

Piracetam is contradicted in patients with cerebral hemorrhage, end stage renal diseases. It should also not be used by those suffering from Hunlington Chorea. The safety of its usage during pregnancy and lactation has not been conclusively established.

It is known to produce adverse reaction in those suffering from gastrointestinal disorders, immune system disorders, nervous system disorders including headache, insomnia, somnolence, psychiatric disorders as agitation, confusion, skin disorders as dermatitis, pruritus etc

Some common side effects include:

The side effects are usually dosage dependent and some users may be more sensitive than others. It is recommended to consult a doctor before you take Piracetam.

Available in tablets, liquid, and powder. Advance Nootropics currently only carries powder form as Piracetam is needed in higher doses. Reports have shown dosages from .01/g 10g being used. We recommended to not go higher than 1g per dose to avoid complications. Be responsible, and read the directions.

Currently, the shelf life of our powdered Piracetam is 3 years. Store in a cool dry place and avoid contamination by keeping the package sealed. Keep package below 25 degrees C.

Read the rest here:

Piracetam (Nootropil) | Nootropics | Memory Supplements