Anyone have experience with nootropics?

Dick_the_Lionheart · 2016-12-07T00:37:43+00:00

You should avoid nootropics until you're brain is more developed. 16 is way too early to start

Alvsk · 2016-12-07T07:43:46+00:00

Look, I was just like you. I'm 18 now, soon turning 19. I was very interested in the idea of enhancing my brain. You will see posts and experiences about how much some compound has helped some people and made them sharper or free of anxiety/depression. What you don't see are a shitload of other negative experiences. Probably alot more than there positives, as I had read in a source debating this problem.

I personally have taken piracetam on multiple occasions, and on a particular one it made me especially hypervigilant and somewhat anxious, I can't really describe it... regardless. They are drugs. They sound really good in principle. But your brain chemistry has a very intricate and delicate balance. You tip something off, and your life becomes hell. As has mine become for some time. My reality is not what it used to be after taking these. Tunnel-vision constantly, feeling detached and out of it etc.

You do not want to experience this. If you want to rev up your brain up to even 30-40% processing power, do what really works and trains your mind. Meditation activates the prefrontal cortex and makes your brain more wholly-processing. Learn emotional regulation. Cardiovascular exercise creates new neurons in the hippocampus.

You might get tempted, but really they only help little. If you want to go big on your brain, do the things I enumerated. That's what really changes your brain.

sunkindonut149 · 2016-12-07T16:29:26+00:00

You should look into something like modafinil. Nootropics aren't going to give you more energy.

W_O_M_B_A_T · 2016-12-07T14:38:16+00:00

At least in the USA, most of the truly effective nootropics are scheduled drugs, because they're not without risks, particularly overdose. Examples: methylphenidate, atomoxetine, modafinil, or dextroamphetamines.

But, if you're going to take scheduled drugs in an unsanctioned way, methylphenidate (brand name: ritalin) is probably the safest, with low abuse and overdose potential.

If you feel such drugs will help you, I'd recommend you make an appointment with a psychiatrist.

Also, nootropics tend to be less effective on people that don't already have some kind of organic brain disorder, such as adult ADHD, generalized anxiety, or early-onset Parkinson's.

no big withdrawals/not addictive

Caffeine and related Xanthines, which are pretty unique in respect to low side effects and low potential toxicity.

In particular, I would highly recommend strong, whole leaf green or black tea. I buy the stuff in bulk. Tea not only contains the two major Xanthines, (Caffeine and Theobromine), it also contains an atypical amino acid called Theanine which seems to somewhat enhance the effects of the former two.

Here's the thing. The human body is chemically about as complex and interdependent as the world economy is. If you manage to successfully push a certain reaction/dynamic in one direction, you almost inevitably push another half dozen, in different directions which you didn't intend. This results in various side effects like increased heart rate or addiction. The only way to avoid side effects is by not pushing that lever in the first place and nudging all those other levers in the process.

In which case, you're not actually doing anything, except wasting your money. The OTC "supplements" that make vague claims about being "cognitive enhancers" all fall in this category, of feel-good-bullshit. The reason they're not scheduled is they Don't fucking work resulting in a lack of side effects.

648262 · 2016-12-07T01:25:59+00:00

The biggest effect you'll ever find is getting enough sleep.

L-theanine with caffeine is mostly harmless, but helps a little bit with focus.

None of the racetams did anything for me at all.

Never tried any of the afinils, but they're not really nootropics.

Phenibut is a wonderful recreational drug you should leave alone until you're 25. Trust me.

My advice? Sleep enough. Go to the gym. Spend your money on other more sensible things. Nootropics are a waste of money compared to what you get out of it.

SetConsumes · 2016-12-07T00:44:03+00:00

That's a lot to juggle. Still, wouldn't take them till you're at least 21.

notagayguy69 · 2016-12-07T02:33:23+00:00

deleted 10772)

TheDisillusionist · 2016-12-07T04:41:39+00:00

I dont do mixes but powdercity is a good source. I wouldnt get too crazy with it young.

throwwwwww121121 · 2016-12-07T07:42:25+00:00

Thank you all for your replies. Have you guys that say it's useless tried noopept? I've heard a lot of good and some bad about it, and I'm considering trying really small doses for a few days to see if it helps or not.

my_sfw_alias · 2016-12-07T13:28:56+00:00

Alpha Brain instead of coffee... I have way more energy, less caffiene jitters, better work days for sure.

BusterVadge · 2016-12-07T16:00:17+00:00

Do it the natural way. Drugs are a crutch... If you do them, do them once or twice just to get a feel for how things will feel when you're eating a proper diet and lifting as much as you should be.

tl;dr: nootropics will make your dick fall off when you're 40

everythingisthrown · 2016-12-07T06:42:16+00:00

They're useless.

Title	Anyone have experience with nootropics?
Author	throwwwwww121121
Upvotes	6
Comments	22
Date	December 7, 2016 12:18 AM UTC (9 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/askTRP
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/asktrp/comments/5gwlz6/anyone_have_experience_with_nootropics/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/askTRP/anyone-have-experience-with-nootropics.78697 https://theredarchive.com/post/78697

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