Brain Function Boosters 3.0

Nutrition
243

Quick question possibly for BBB or anyone else who may know. I am looking for nootropics that have a cortisol lowering effect OR do not raise cortisol levels. I have recently had to cut out caffeine and will never touch amphetamines again. I am currently taking 500mg Bacopa per day. Does the Racetam family raise cortisol levels and put the body in a stress response?

I would like to try several nootropics as i am a premed student but am worried about their effects on my already high cortisol levels and possibly weak adrendals. I am especially wanting to try the Racetams + Choline.

244

[quote]Substance P wrote:
Quick question possibly for BBB or anyone else who may know. I am looking for nootropics that have a cortisol lowering effect OR do not raise cortisol levels. I have recently had to cut out caffeine and will never touch amphetamines again. I am currently taking 500mg Bacopa per day. Does the Racetam family raise cortisol levels and put the body in a stress response?

I would like to try several nootropics as i am a premed student but am worried about their effects on my already high cortisol levels and possibly weak adrendals. I am especially wanting to try the Racetams + Choline. [/quote]

Not a scientific answer, but let me put it this way:

I am nowhere near as stressed as my classmates who don’t take noops are.

I’m on vinpo, ani and DMAE. I don’t really study other than attending classes and taking notes, but I still keep up with my friends who study all day. I’m calm and confident. And in medical school, if it matters.

248

[quote]bushidobadboy wrote:

[quote]kakno wrote:
I don’t really study other than attending classes and taking notes, but I still keep up with my friends who study all day. [/quote]

That’s a sweet feeling, isn’t it :slight_smile:

BBB
[/quote]

Sure is :slight_smile:

[quote]Mister T. wrote:

[quote]kakno wrote:

[quote]Substance P wrote:
Quick question possibly for BBB or anyone else who may know. I am looking for nootropics that have a cortisol lowering effect OR do not raise cortisol levels. I have recently had to cut out caffeine and will never touch amphetamines again. I am currently taking 500mg Bacopa per day. Does the Racetam family raise cortisol levels and put the body in a stress response?

I would like to try several nootropics as i am a premed student but am worried about their effects on my already high cortisol levels and possibly weak adrendals. I am especially wanting to try the Racetams + Choline. [/quote]

Not a scientific answer, but let me put it this way:

I am nowhere near as stressed as my classmates who don’t take noops are.

I’m on vinpo, ani and DMAE. I don’t really study other than attending classes and taking notes, but I still keep up with my friends who study all day. I’m calm and confident. And in medical school, if it matters.[/quote]

What are your dosages?[/quote]
Quite close to BBB:s recommendation at the start of these threads:

2x15 mg vinpo
1065 + 465 mg ani
2x300 mg DMAE

First dose right after breakfast, second dose right after lunch.

And I can’t really say that the extra 600mg ani in the morning makes a difference.

249

[quote]bushidobadboy wrote:
Aniracetam is anxiolytic, as is bacopa.

Oxi may induce a slight SNS increase but not enough (IMO) to raise cortisol.

Also, IMO anything that significantly raises cortisol is NOT classifiable as a genuine nootropic, since cortisol is inhibitory to memory formation and also atrophies the hippocampus.

BBB[/quote]

Thank you Mister T and Thanks Again BBB ( you are pretty much my hero by now)…I am excited to venture into the world of nootropics and leave the caffeine and stimulants behind.

I am assuming that Adrafinil and Modafinil also have no effects on cortisol levels? It will be nice not to spend 40 hours a week in the library

250

[quote]bigben80 wrote:
Ok guys, here is my situation: I play online poker for a living. I play 9-15 tables of poker at a time, usually 3-4 hours per session, and I usually play 2 sessions per day (afternoon, and night). So, I need a stack that allows for sustained focus, and most importantly CLEAR THINKING.

I have experimented with a few nootropics with mixed results.

Modafinil- I hated it. I could stay alert and play for as long as I wanted, but my thinking was not at all clear.

DMAE and Aniracetam- I liked this stack at first but the ani. always seems to end up giving me brain fog at some point (usually after 2-3 hours) I have experimented with raising the dose of DMAE but it has not helped the brain fog, only gave me a tight neck and upper back.

Any suggestions for a performance stack are welcome.

[/quote]
The tightness in back of neck and upper back/shoulders is caused by acetylcholine levels getting too high.

253

Thanks Again BBB. I may consider it down the road but will be starting with your basic stack recommendations + Bacopa

254

[quote]Mister T. wrote:
BBB, what are your thoughts about taking consuming caffeine with noops? I know in either this thread or Brain Function Boosters 2.0 you said that an E/C stack was almost counterproductive to taking noops. Is the same still true for caffeine alone?

If so, do you have any suggestions for something other than a cup of coffee pre-workout on days when I’m needing a bit of a “refresh” before hitting the gym?[/quote]

I’m no BBB, but if I take a Spike while on noops, I feel tired, weak, sick and cold, kinda like I get cold sweats from a fever. Spike or noops is fine, but I can’t combine them.

You might be different.

Maybe Alpha-GPC or Power Drive before the workout?

255

Its my understanding that caffeine can raise cortisol levels so it would not be considered a nootropic due to its negative effects on the adrenals and putting the body in a stressed out fight or flight response. However BBB should be able to enlighten you further.

257

[quote]bushidobadboy wrote:
My chosen brew is this:
green tea with something like citrus or blackcurrent flavour, added to 1 teaspoon of quality instant coffee, added to 2 teaspoons of quality cocoa powder.

Let it steep for a few minutes, add a drop of honey for taste, drink enjoy, buzz.

Triple antioxidant, triple stimulant and (IMO of course) very tasty.

BBB[/quote]

I swear you’re the Julia Child of noops.

I’m going to try this brew.

258

Hey all, I’m BRAND spanking new to this topic. The only brain function booster I’m aware of is black coffee and more black coffee! Studying for my Corrective Ex certification I’ve decided I needed an edge.

BBB, I read some of your earlier posts from thread 1. I value you’re opinion and was hoping you could set me straight! Here’s some supps you mentioned earlier:

"Vinpocetine 3 x 10mg ED with food.
Huperzine A 3 x 50mcg ED with food.
DMAE 600mg once or twice per day, to replenish chloin levels.

As with all stacks, start with one drug (vinpo), just once per day and build up from there. Once tolerance has been established, add in the next drug, etc."

I’ve read up a bit on vinpo and saw this:
“Vinpocetine shouldnâ??t be taken by people who are taking drugs or herbs that â??thinâ?? the blood (anticlotting or antiplatelet medications), such as aspirin, Plavix (clopidogrel), Ticlid (ticlopidine), (Trental) pentoxifylline, vitamin E, garlic or ginkgo. It should not be used with Coumadin (warfarin).”

“Side effects of vinpocetine may include indigestion, nausea, dizziness, anxiety, facial flushing, insomnia, headache, drowsiness and dry mouth. Vinpocetine may also cause a temporary drop in blood pressure.”

I understand that high amounts of fish oil can have blood thinning effects, do you believe it’s still safe to take in low doses? Have any users here experienced said side effects, or is moderation the key?

Do you still recommend starting with vinpo and can I find this supplement at most health stores? Thank you!

259

[quote]PonceDeLeon wrote:

[quote]bushidobadboy wrote:
My chosen brew is this:
green tea with something like citrus or blackcurrent flavour, added to 1 teaspoon of quality instant coffee, added to 2 teaspoons of quality cocoa powder.

Let it steep for a few minutes, add a drop of honey for taste, drink enjoy, buzz.

Triple antioxidant, triple stimulant and (IMO of course) very tasty.

BBB[/quote]

I swear you’re the Julia Child of noops.

I’m going to try this brew.[/quote]

Interesting concoction! Do you add the coffee grinds right into the tea and drink them? Doesn’t seem ideal, I guess a teaspoon wouldn’t be that bad. I’ll give it a go!

260

[quote]Chi-Towns-Finest wrote:
I’ve read up a bit on vinpo and saw this:
“Vinpocetine shouldnÃ?¢??t be taken by people who are taking drugs or herbs that Ã?¢??thinÃ?¢?? the blood (anticlotting or antiplatelet medications), such as aspirin, Plavix (clopidogrel), Ticlid (ticlopidine), (Trental) pentoxifylline, vitamin E, garlic or ginkgo. It should not be used with Coumadin (warfarin).”

“Side effects of vinpocetine may include indigestion, nausea, dizziness, anxiety, facial flushing, insomnia, headache, drowsiness and dry mouth. Vinpocetine may also cause a temporary drop in blood pressure.”

I understand that high amounts of fish oil can have blood thinning effects, do you believe it’s still safe to take in low doses? Have any users here experienced said side effects, or is moderation the key?
[/quote]

Unlike linoloeic acid, the EPA in fish oil can’t be used to make TXA2, a local little vasoconstrictor that helps in the clotting process, but since you probably eat other fats, you should still be able to stop any bleeding.

I think he recommends vinpo and fish oil in that first post actually, but it’s a great question.

When I first took vinpo, I got the feeling that cuts from shaving took longer to stop bleeding. I haven’t had any accidents since then so I can’t compare, but it’s no problem at all for me now.

Interesting to hear BBB:s answer.

261

[quote]kakno wrote:

[quote]Chi-Towns-Finest wrote:
I’ve read up a bit on vinpo and saw this:
“Vinpocetine shouldnÃ??Ã?¢??t be taken by people who are taking drugs or herbs that Ã??Ã?¢??thinÃ??Ã?¢?? the blood (anticlotting or antiplatelet medications), such as aspirin, Plavix (clopidogrel), Ticlid (ticlopidine), (Trental) pentoxifylline, vitamin E, garlic or ginkgo. It should not be used with Coumadin (warfarin).”

“Side effects of vinpocetine may include indigestion, nausea, dizziness, anxiety, facial flushing, insomnia, headache, drowsiness and dry mouth. Vinpocetine may also cause a temporary drop in blood pressure.”

I understand that high amounts of fish oil can have blood thinning effects, do you believe it’s still safe to take in low doses? Have any users here experienced said side effects, or is moderation the key?
[/quote]

Unlike linoloeic acid, the EPA in fish oil can’t be used to make TXA2, a local little vasoconstrictor that helps in the clotting process, but since you probably eat other fats, you should still be able to stop any bleeding.

I think he recommends vinpo and fish oil in that first post actually, but it’s a great question.

When I first took vinpo, I got the feeling that cuts from shaving took longer to stop bleeding. I haven’t had any accidents since then so I can’t compare, but it’s no problem at all for me now.

Interesting to hear BBB:s answer.[/quote]

Interesting to note, how would you review vinpo overall – were you able to study very productively with it on its own, or did you use a combination of supps?

264

“HupA I’m not confident about recommending as I have seen too many patients test weak on it. In other words, hold a pill close to their nervous system and their deltoid muscle goes weak.”

Kind of lost you at the end the BBB, you’re saying you are not confident recommending vinpo – are you being serious about loosing strength specifically in your delt?