Besides using PowerDrive regularly before studying and lifting I’m a noob to nootropics. In his recent forum appearance Cy Wilson recommended Ginko Biloba, DMAE, tyrosine, and phosphatidylcholine.
I’m interested to see what people like the best out of these, what type of experience they’ve had with them, effects, and maybe get some dosing guidelines. Maybe an idea on pricing would also be cool.
Hitting google now for the research but wanted to see what the T-Nation had to say.
(Additionally please see below follow up post)
It’s time for some sleep obviously, I just realized that each of the things I asked about above are in Power Drive.
NEW QUESTION:
I’ve always looked to Power Drive as an “ass needed” and “short term” supplement, for instance only when needed before workouts or studying and yeilding temporary results noticeable for a while after taking it, as opposed to a daily supp with longer term results, such as a multi-vitamin.
What I’m looking for is a daily supplement that will increase memory, focuse, and cognitive skill over time.
So is Power Drive my answer? Or do I use regular Ginko and DMAE daily with Power Drive uses being a bonus?
Aight I’m going to bed, thanks for your replies… I’ll check em out when I wake up late tomorrow.
Power Drive is supposed to increase in effectiveness the longer you take it. Another good supplement is piracetam… but it costs quite a bit more than Power Drive. My main problem with piracetam was that I had to take so much per day that it just wasn’t cost effective.
rosemary, gingko and bacopa are really good combo.
just wondering about the gingko biloba in powerdrive, the ginkgosides are insoluble in water, it needs an alcholic solvent. i wonder how the people at Biotest overcame this obstacle? how did they do that extraction of gingkosides? what method?
just wondering
Bacopa monniera has some cool data on it…essentially supporting the idea that it can allow one to retain newly processed information for a longer period of time. In practice however, I personally never found that it helped me and thus I don’t recommend it much any more. The two things I personally have found to be efficacious are Power Drive and vinpocetine…oh and caffeine obviously. That’s really about it. I’ve tried piracetam and didn’t notice anything favorable. The data in normal humans isn’t impressive either.
It’s important that people not let the placebo effect take over when using such compounds. I have a close friend who’s a psychologist who’s presented some really interesting data in this regard.
Oh and it’s not just a coincidence that many of these compounds are also potent antioxidants. This is why I also recommended consuming plenty of fruits and veggies. DHA/EPA are important as well. In terms of cognitive function, I think people tend to miss the boat just as they do with their physique. Instead of looking for the latest miracle compound, stick with eating plenty of fruits and veggies and be sure to consume plenty of DHA/EPA and if you’re a vegetarian, be sure to consume some creatine. Also, be sure that your blood glucose levels aren’t low before any type of time where cognition is important. This is also why you’ll never see me on a severe diet during academic work.
Once you have those basics down, then you can start adding in things like Power Drive, caffeine and vinpocetine and so forth.
Last but not least, just as with physique oriented supplements, people all too often expect too much out of these nootropic compounds. While they can certainly help with certain aspects of cognitive function, they’re not going to allow to go from a person with average intelligence to one who’s a genius by our standards. Just as Alpha Male or 4-AD-EC isn’t going to turn you in to an IFBB pro, don’t expect nootropics to turn you in to a Nobel Prize winner.
If I remember right, someone asked about the gingko in Power Drive…well I don’t really have anything to do with that but I have some simple observations. Listed on the ingredients label is just the extract or whole plant which contains the gingkolides. Well, obviously when you mix a serving of Power Drive in to water, it’s not a solution, it’s a suspension at best and thus I don’t see the issue.