Brain Function Boosters 2.0

Nutrition
101

Background

Vinpocetine comes from the plant Vinca minor. Itâ??s been used as a pharmaceutical in Europe and Japan for over 20 years to treat cerebrovascular diseases under the trade names Cavinton and Intelectol. In the U.S., scientists have actually been researching its benefits in patients that have had strokes. Even though the verdict is still out, there have been some very positive studies that have been published supporting its use as adjunct treatment for strokes.

How it works

Scientists have found numerous different ways in which vinpocetine not only has neuroprotective effects, but also cognitive-enhancing effects. Some of them include:

Its ability to inhibit sodium channels within brain cells thereby protecting the cells from hypoxia (lack of oxygen)
Its ability to inhibit phosphodiestarase type 1 leading to an increase in the concentration of cyclic AMP which is thought to result in its vasodilator effects
Its ability to counteract the effects of free radicals
Its ability to protect the brain cells from the excitatory neurotransmitters glutamate and NMDA
Its ability to inhibit cerebral platelet aggregation
Its ability to enhance cerebral metabolism through two potential mechanisms: increase in oxygen utilization and an increase in glucose uptake.
Its ability to increase cerebral blood flow
Thus, as you can see, it has a wide range of neuroprotective and neuro-enhancing benefits.

Dosage

Because its half-life is relatively short, its recommended dosage is 10mg three times per day. Dosages of 20mg three times of day have been used with success and minimal side effects. Like always, find the dose that works the best for you.

Food has been shown to increase its absorption by up to 100%. Always take it with food.

Warning: Because of its ability to inhibit platelet aggregation, it should not be used if youâ??re taking warfarin or any other blood thinning agents.

Why I like it

More blood flow + more glucose uptake + more oxygen utilization = more mental energy
PET scans (positron emission topography) have actually shown that vinpocetine has a particular affinity to improve cerebral blood flow more than systemic blood flow. In addition, itâ??s also been shown to increase cerebral metabolism (mental energy) by not only enhancing glucose uptake by brain cells, but also increasing oxygen utilization by brain cells. Now that is impressive. Viagra for your brain.

Side note: PET scans are just a nifty little way scientists can actually look at how the brain functions without cracking open your skull. Itâ??s almost like watching your brain work on a TV screen.

Not only does it have cognitive-enhancing capabilities, but its multitude of ways in which it protects the brain is even more impressive. Itâ??s basically the aspirin of neuroprotection. Too many free radicals? Check. Too many excitatory neurotransmitters? Check. Atherosclerosis decreasing blood flow to the brain? Check.

Why for poker players

I strongly believe vinpocetine should be in every daily regimen for people that rely on mental performance for their jobs. Poor diet. Poor sleeping habits. Too much stress. Too much pollution. All of these things have a cumulative negative effect on mental performance. Your brain needs help.

Its ability to selectively increase cerebral blood flow as opposed to overall blood flow is enough evidence alone to use it. Oxygen and glucose are the two most critical ingredients to mental energy. Without either, youâ??re a vegetable. Vinpocetine provides more of both. Thatâ??s the one-two punch to landing a knockout with mental performance.

Iâ??ll post the PET studies along with others tomorrow.

Taken from my blog www.cerebralpoker.com

I should have posted this awhile ago, but have been too swamped…

103

Just got some Aniracetam but no idea how to measure it, should I just go with a quarter teaspoon and see how that goes?

104

[quote]InTheZone wrote:
Hey guys, I am back for some noop advice and I’m pretty rusty in the studying dept now, lol…

I start physio Aug 31. Haven’t done any noops for ages. Ro’ thanks for your help, and I intend to start going to the EH site and do some blogging etc, but want to post here to get feedback from everyone first. :slight_smile:

So, I know by now there have been many revisions, progress, and sorting of all things noop, and I have a decent background ala the first thread where I was the OP. But I would love further assistance at this time.

So physio as you all know rolls on the heels of anatomy which I’ve probably forgotten a boatload of information about by now. I was thinking to get the ball rolling, I should maybe do a “cleansing” with some Centro to clear the old bucket out a bit yeah?

Too bad the Moda is not flowing from a clean source for any of us. For me it was a great addition as many can attest to for focus and reserves chock full of study energy.

Anywho, I will be most appreciative of any and all advice from the brilliant sages of noop here!!

Ciao,

ToneBone[/quote]

bump

107

[quote]bushidobadboy wrote:
InTheZone wrote:
InTheZone wrote:
Hey guys, I am back for some noop advice and I’m pretty rusty in the studying dept now, lol…

I start physio Aug 31. Haven’t done any noops for ages. Ro’ thanks for your help, and I intend to start going to the EH site and do some blogging etc, but want to post here to get feedback from everyone first. :slight_smile:

So, I know by now there have been many revisions, progress, and sorting of all things noop, and I have a decent background ala the first thread where I was the OP. But I would love further assistance at this time.

So physio as you all know rolls on the heels of anatomy which I’ve probably forgotten a boatload of information about by now. I was thinking to get the ball rolling, I should maybe do a “cleansing” with some Centro to clear the old bucket out a bit yeah?

Too bad the Moda is not flowing from a clean source for any of us. For me it was a great addition as many can attest to for focus and reserves chock full of study energy.

Anywho, I will be most appreciative of any and all advice from the brilliant sages of noop here!!

Ciao,

ToneBone

bump

Hi Tone.

Er, so you want advice on noops? But… but… you started the original BFB thread, lol.

Well not too much has changed, I mean, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, and the recommended stack of vinpo, ani and DMAE works very well.

Dunno why you can’t get the moda any more mate. The old source worked for me last time.

PM on the way.

BBB[/quote]

Lol! Thanks buddy. I think I might have noticed a while back just a slightly different version or set up, and you know me…:slight_smile: Back when my thread started we were using most of the staples, if not along with a slightly difft addition or two. Like I think for the most part I always used oxi over the other racetams fwtw…

At any rate, thanks for the response and pm’s buddy. I’ll be over on the new site and start checking in and reporting in more now that school is close to starting. I’m just ecstatic and happy as hell to see how far the whole thing has grown to this point! It’s really amazing, and makes me very happy to see the success that the likes of you and Row and co. have been achieving with it all!!

Cheers!
Tone

108

Zone,

I have learned quite a few things about cognitive functioning in the last year or so.

One thing I have found is that stimulants, or anything that is stimulatory in nature, tond to be no no’s for me in the learning dpeartment.

BBB wrote some stuff about this, as it pertains with learning. I have found this to be true. I think quite often things that are stimulating in nature tend to crank cortisol levels high, thus retarding the environment that fosters learning.

That said, I think things that relax the mind and mind/body connection have been overlooked in terms of their nootropic properties.

One would be L Theanine, and another would be ashwaganda. Both seem to foster a calm sense of control and relaxation, but without any drowsiness like feelings.

Ashwaganda in particular I think is of benefit. I’ve been giving things like adaptogens a second look in terms of their nootropic properties.

I have not tried Rhodiola, but I think it too would work well here.

109

Like you said Wiseguy, “calm sense of control” describes it perfectly. I took my aniracetam this morning but also added 300 mgs theanine. I was happy, relaxed, alert and sociable. I take some ashwaganda occasionally at night, especially after a heavy workout. During the day, ashwaganda does not seem to work well when combined with 'racetams, in my experience.

110

[quote]Wise Guy wrote:
Zone,

I have learned quite a few things about cognitive functioning in the last year or so.

One thing I have found is that stimulants, or anything that is stimulatory in nature, tond to be no no’s for me in the learning dpeartment.

BBB wrote some stuff about this, as it pertains with learning. I have found this to be true. I think quite often things that are stimulating in nature tend to crank cortisol levels high, thus retarding the environment that fosters learning.

That said, I think things that relax the mind and mind/body connection have been overlooked in terms of their nootropic properties.

One would be L Theanine, and another would be ashwaganda. Both seem to foster a calm sense of control and relaxation, but without any drowsiness like feelings.

Ashwaganda in particular I think is of benefit. I’ve been giving things like adaptogens a second look in terms of their nootropic properties.

I have not tried Rhodiola, but I think it too would work well here. [/quote]

Wise: Thank you very much for that post! It’s always a treat to get jems like that from guys who are actually thinking of your question and want to help.

I agree totally. Stims don’t sit too well with me at this stage of the game anymore. Moda is an exception as it doesn’t tweak out that CNS as you know. SO I do favor that for stamina purposes when studying. I am intrigued by your call on it. I will give those a try and thank you again for this info. Now how much of each do you take or can you exemplify on dosage/effects for me a little bit please?

Thanks again!
Zone

111

[quote]middleageguy wrote:
Like you said Wiseguy, “calm sense of control” describes it perfectly. I took my aniracetam this morning but also added 300 mgs theanine. I was happy, relaxed, alert and sociable. I take some ashwaganda occasionally at night, especially after a heavy workout. During the day, ashwaganda does not seem to work well when combined with 'racetams, in my experience.[/quote]

Great stuff again! Thank you also MAG. Very insightful thoughts from you two, and I appreciate the feedback immensely.

How much Ani do you take, and when do you take it and/or other noops?

Thanks.

112

Here’s a general sort of question that I would enjoy feedback from you guys…

When I was “nooping” during school before, I would take vinpo throughout the day, but pretty much would ingest my main cocktail of noops right before school and/or studying.

How many of you seperate noop intake for school?

Like do you either take them at the same time, and split every day, or do you take some in this manner, and some right before class/study sessions, or do you take all of them right before class/study sessions?

This is an interesting concept that has significant bearing on things if it’s done incorrectly or without any extra attention to detail I think.

Would love to hear the masses concensus on this gang…

Thank you.

113

[quote]InTheZone wrote:
Wise: Thank you very much for that post! It’s always a treat to get jems like that from guys who are actually thinking of your question and want to help.

I agree totally. Stims don’t sit too well with me at this stage of the game anymore. Moda is an exception as it doesn’t tweak out that CNS as you know. SO I do favor that for stamina purposes when studying. I am intrigued by your call on it. I will give those a try and thank you again for this info. Now how much of each do you take or can you exemplify on dosage/effects for me a little bit please?

Thanks again!
Zone[/quote]

Zone,

I wonder about things like Moda long term. For me, unless its something I can see myself taking for the foreseeable future, I tend to stay away. Again, your mileage will vary.

I mean, I don’t want to ever stop learning!

Yea, my latest thing is looking into adaptogens as nootropic enhancers, and I think they have been totally overlooked. I think they are highly effective in this department.

I usually take L theanine 100mg twice a day. I will often take a full 200mg dose again at night to foster a sense of calm and relaxation. L theanine is awesome in that not only does it promote day time learning by fostering a sense of calm, relaxation, it also boosts GABA levels, which will help calm overexcited neurons.

I also think it has a double wammy in terms of effectiveness - not only can you use it throughout the day to foster an environment that facilitates learning, you can also use it at night to help sleep.

I also think that sleep is crucial and of the utmost importance as well. A well rested body/mind is huge in terms of memory retention/enhancement.

I have been focusing my nootropics into three main areas as of late

  1. Things that increase cerebral blood flow
  2. Adaptogens and calming agents
  3. Sleep facilitators

I would also like to note that many products have crossover effects, in that they can work in more than one area. L Theanine for example will work in #2 and #3.

For #1, I use the herbs Vinpocetine and Ginko. I will cycle between the two to maintain effectiveness. In fact, I think all herbs should be cycled. I don’t need to rehash stuff about either one. Both work in similar ways in that they increase cerebral blood flow, and do so with different mechanisms.

#2, I have only recently dabbled in. I like Ginseng, but there is also ashwaganda as well as Rhodiola. The great thing is that we have options so we can try them out and pick which ones work best.

I would think Rhodiola would be the strongest here. But don’t overlook the other two.

#3, I like a couple things. One is 5 htp. This is a staple I take every night at 50mg.

Another is L theanine. There are others, such as Valerian and Kava Kava, as well as GABA.

Experiment with a variety of herbs and find which ones work best for you.

For example, I take 5htp every day, and alternate between Valerian and L Theanine or GABA. This was, you do not develop a tolerance and keep effectiveness high.

114

[quote]middleageguy wrote:
Like you said Wiseguy, “calm sense of control” describes it perfectly. I took my aniracetam this morning but also added 300 mgs theanine. I was happy, relaxed, alert and sociable. I take some ashwaganda occasionally at night, especially after a heavy workout. During the day, ashwaganda does not seem to work well when combined with 'racetams, in my experience.[/quote]

Thanks for the advise guy. Your much more experienced in the racetam area than I am - thus your experience is helpfull here.

115

[quote]InTheZone wrote:
Here’s a general sort of question that I would enjoy feedback from you guys…

When I was “nooping” during school before, I would take vinpo throughout the day, but pretty much would ingest my main cocktail of noops right before school and/or studying.

How many of you seperate noop intake for school?

Like do you either take them at the same time, and split every day, or do you take some in this manner, and some right before class/study sessions, or do you take all of them right before class/study sessions?

This is an interesting concept that has significant bearing on things if it’s done incorrectly or without any extra attention to detail I think.

Would love to hear the masses concensus on this gang…

Thank you.[/quote]

I tend to take supplements 3 times a day.

In that i take my main stuff, like fish oil, noops, vitamin D3 at breakfast and again at late lunch, such as 3pm.

The only thing I take after that is at night before bed - things to help facilitate sleep. No noops or anything else.

116

[quote]InTheZone wrote:
Here’s a general sort of question that I would enjoy feedback from you guys…

When I was “nooping” during school before, I would take vinpo throughout the day, but pretty much would ingest my main cocktail of noops right before school and/or studying.

How many of you seperate noop intake for school?

Like do you either take them at the same time, and split every day, or do you take some in this manner, and some right before class/study sessions, or do you take all of them right before class/study sessions?

This is an interesting concept that has significant bearing on things if it’s done incorrectly or without any extra attention to detail I think.

Would love to hear the masses concensus on this gang…

Thank you.[/quote]

I take some Pira first thing every morning, later some aniracetam(250-500mgs) with Vinpo before a class, just tried Oxiracetam for the first time Monday…plan to use it only before studying sessions.

117

[quote]middleageguy wrote:
Like you said Wiseguy, “calm sense of control” describes it perfectly. I took my aniracetam this morning but also added 300 mgs theanine. I was happy, relaxed, alert and sociable. I take some ashwaganda occasionally at night, especially after a heavy workout. During the day, ashwaganda does not seem to work well when combined with 'racetams, in my experience.[/quote]

Thanks MAG for the info…I have followed this thread from way back to the original start. Nice to see real world results. Are sources for aniracetam drying up? If so, why just that particular one?

118

Hey guys great threads on this, really have gotten me turned on to the nootropics.

My gogglefu is weak and I’m not really finding a good site that I can pickup alot of this stuff in bulk powder form. Anyone mind pming me some linkies?

119

What’s a good brand of vinpocetine to use? I have noticed some come in gell liquid caps, and some come in hard tablets. Is there any difference? Currently using source naturals, is there any better brands to use?

120

Life Extensions 100 5 mg tablets for $9.00