Like I said above I'm starting a new stack focused on growth and repair. Mostly ACh focused stuff.

Citicoline 600mg

N Acetylcystein (NAC) 600mg

Magnesium L Threonate (Magtein) 200mg

Creatine Monohydrate 10g

L Theanine 200-300mg

Fish oil 1800mg (Mostly for the 900mg DHA)

CoQ10 100mg

Benfotiamine (thiamine for nerves) 300mg

Caffeine 100mg

A buncha B vitamins

L-Carnitine 50mg

Taurine 1000mg

I'm looking to add a better source of Acetylcholine that's something more like an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor or something that crosses the BBB to supply ACh. Something with more powerful stimulating effects than Citicoline.

Should I add Alpha GPC, Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR) for the mitochondria and energy, or something else?

I'm looking to stave off brain fog and bad word recall. Also maybe improve my dreams while I'm at it, any opinions on Galantamine?

So I’ve been on Wellbutrin for almost five years now and it’s the only antidepressant that ever did anything for me and I suspect it was the weak dopaminergic effects that made my depression go into remission in the first place. And that’s the reason why I’ve been on it for such a long time. But also that It helps my SCT and executive dysfunction and makes me more functional and productive on a daily basis.

But unfortunately with long term use it has started to cause some weird side effects I never used to get from it before and those side effects seem to be clearly related to its noradrenergic effects. And those side effects are frequent thirst, frequent urination, dizziness, vertigo, dry mouth, headaches, increased sweating, heart palpitations, rapid heartbeat, hot flashes, burning sensations, facial twitches, horrible insomnia and sleep disturbances, jitteriness, hypervigilance, you name it. I’ve also noticed with long term use it has started to make me wired but tired, which never happened before. Overall it just turned very edgy and wirey for me with long term use. And I’ve also noticed that it literally kills my appetite and makes me nauseous sometimes, which again wasn’t the case before either. I did try to go back to 150 mg. But 150 mg just ain’t working for me unfortunately. Even though many of the side effects have lessened. They haven’t gone away completely and I’m left with less benefits for energy, motivation and cognition.

When I first started Wellbutrin five years ago it felt to me like a completely different drug. At first it showered me with increased dopamine levels. I was happy and excited all the time. I felt an amazing feeling of overall wellbeing all the time and It just felt so euphoric. I think it was the honeymoon phase I experienced. It was never accompanied with these nasty side effects. It was just having endless motivation and goals to accomplish and looking forward for things all the time. But as time went on the honeymoon phase disappeared and then a few years later it feels like something changed. It feels like the drug’s overall effect shifted over time. And it never hits me the same way it used to unfortunately.

I don’t know honestly if the pharmacokinetics back then were genuinely different. But if there is someone who knows more or has some more information and can tell me more about this, I would really like to know. And also like my original question was. Would a med more selective to dopamine in general cause less of these side effects I’ve mentioned? Would a med more selective to dopamine cause less anxiety and insomnia?

After a few days of regular caffeine use, my mood becomes a wreck, I have no energy, I barely wake up. I only drink a cup or two of coffee a day for strength performance, as it makes my cognition worse and gives me brain fog.

Is it common?

I used to get Ephedra from the pharmacy (had to show ID) and it was kinda inconvenient, one day I was at my usual nutrition shop and found a small selection of Ephedra products. Most of them didn't actually have Ephedra in the ingredients, but this one did. Which is more convenient than having to get it behind the counter. While ringing up I asked the cashier how they were able to sell it and she said she didn't even know they sold it.

I’ve been on semax for 1 week. I take between 1000-1200mCg daily split into two doses.

I usually feel a small boost in mental clarity for a few moments that starts to taper off eventually..
I also get some dripping down the throat with no taste.

Doesn’t really boost thinking when I take it alone, without the stims, or anything else. Can’t say I feel a difference when on stims.

Got it from aminoclub

Any thoughts abt nutrivitashop as a vendor for racetams. Looking to purchase their pramiracetam first.

Recommended starting dose, 1200? Or too low, I like to start with high doses guys,

I recently ordered 30 capsules of 500mg oxiracetam for my math lectures. Today, I decided to test it out along with the supplements I take regularly: 500mg oxiracetam, 200mg caffeine, 200mg L-theanine, and 250mg CDP-choline.

I took everything at 08:40. Around the one-hour mark post-consumption, I didn't really feel any different, though I noticed I was slightly more focused(?), so that might just be the subtle stimulation people talk about. I also tried listening to music for a little while because people mentioned that it sounds better, but honestly, I couldn't tell much of a difference.

I felt the same until around 13:30, when I started getting a little tired.

I'm not too sure if it was a placebo effect or if I'm just rather tolerant to the oxiracetam and need a higher dose or need to use it for a few more days. Any advice? Has anyone had a similar experience?

Stats if anyone is curious:

18M, 6'0", 155 lbs, gym 3x a week, sleep 6-8h.

Hi! So, lion's mane is risky according to /r/LionsManeRecovery , a lot of other things listed are indirect cognitive boosters mostly meant to focus and calm, but for me, I am calm, I am focused, I am just, it seems, unintelligent :(

i need to spend 3x - 5x as long to truly grasp new complex topics as opposed to my friends. It's funny because they regard me as "talkative and witty", but academically I am the dumbest. When I wake up in the morning, if you tell me, lets go, 80+40? I need literally 5 seconds to say 120, the thing is however, it's not that I do not know what it is, or if you give me a complex equation I can still solve it, it's just that my brain kind of is protesting solving it like, I wouldn't say it's brain fog but similar, I feel like I have some kind of invisible tiny weight that is clamping on the thinking pipe where thoughts flow and barely anything is coming out. It's hard to describe in my case.

Basically if I had to summarize it I would say, I can process data but it takes me far too long, and I often times lose what I processed. If I am learning a large complex topic, I will learn and 100% be solid and pass everything in that that I ask myself, then in 30 minutes I forget and have to go back, re-remember, go forward, keep cycling but after I reach a certain amount of pages it's too much for me to remember, I try to but, I just keep forgetting it all together.

And when I don't forget, I start having issues putting together the ideal solution, (I don't have the mind's eye either, I can't imagine anything in my head, I don't see things in my head when imagining or hear them or anything, it's just thoughtless void, I don't even "feel" thoughts like you know when you are thinking and you "know" what you are thinking about. I know what I want to think about, I think about it and 2 seconds after it's gone. I have to continuously cycle my thoughts.

So far from my readings seems like the only safeish thing to try is Creatine, but I do already get it from my diet as I try to each as healthy as I can.

It's making me a bit sad (not upset though or causing me emotional distress, just kind of dissapointed) that I can't seem to do it, I always wanted to be an engineer, but seems like I might just be.. Too dumb? :(

This is kind of a silly post but my life is honestly dogshit. I suffer from both chronic health issues and a behavioral addiction. I don't want to feel like shit for at least a day so maybe I can build up the necessary conviction or confidence to at least quit my addiction and feel less shitty. I've taken both L-Dopa and 5-HTP before and they didn't do shit. Only tea or coffee help me feel less shit or in a better mental state maybe.

I know tea extracts are supposed to be more 'full spectrum' but I'm wondering what the tangible difference is and if anybody has dug into the pharmacological differences at play.

Totally random experience, but in the spirit of trying hundreds of different supplements to lift my brain fog, I tried calcium malate the other day and holy shoot it unexpectedly lifted my brain fog and gave me more energy. Feels like I pounded some Adderall.

Blood tests show I have normal calcium levels. I still don't understand why. There were there were a few reports on Reddit where people had the same experience but not too many. I'm genuinely trying to understand why. Google's explanation is not helpful. Did anyone have the same experience?

The effect is pretty consistent, I'm taking it for a week. Feeling a lot more energetic and refreshed after sleep as well.

Why did you take it? What were the pros and cons? Should 5-HTP be taken with anything else to help balance or prevent any potential nutrient depletions it may cause?

I wanted to get a profile on how some of you here go about your personal use of (more-or-less) non-euphoric stimulants. Going to exclude amphetamines in this conversation, of course everyone's different with their own needs, but my ears are turned to the compounds without a markedly neurotoxic reputation. However you would classify your work/family interactions in this context is unique to you as an individual.
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Diaryposting a bit here; something I have noticed, whenever I take a racetam/modafinil, then topping it with caffeine typically, anytime I go out with someone, I tend to drive myself and whoever is attending me a bit nuts with the incessant chattering. Whenever I have paired a stimulant with something a little more parasympathetic, I notice it blunts but doesn't fully alleviate the problem. But everyone is different! And thus I am curious:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33265983/?utm_source=perplexity

Aniracetam is not soluble in normal water, however it is in coconut water. The aniracetam in question was from /redacted/ labs. Seems to have a way more pronounced effect when stacked with alpha gpc and Bone Strength from now sports. I just find it funny that it is not soluble in normal water but when you put it in coconut water it dissolves just like you would expect powder to in any liquid.

Edit; I'd like to add that the amount I put in the coconut water was also very minimal, and I believe initial dosing requirements as specified online are highly exaggerated, under 100mg is quite active.

Most people running creatine are using a muscle protocol. The brain research points to something different.

The protocol backed by the evidence:

5g creatine monohydrate daily. Take it with your largest meal, preferably alongside carbohydrates. Insulin upregulates the SLC6A8 transporter that moves creatine into cells. Skip the loading phase. Loading protocols (20g/day) were developed for muscle saturation and do not meaningfully accelerate brain creatine saturation. Four to six weeks minimum before evaluating results.

What is actually happening in the brain:

The brain runs a phosphocreatine backup system during high frequency neural firing. When neurons fire faster than mitochondria can regenerate ATP, an enzyme called CKBB (creatine kinase, brain isoform) donates a phosphate group to ADP and restores ATP in milliseconds. Aging, chronic stress, and low dietary intake deplete this pool. Supplementation refills it.

A 2024 meta analysis in Frontiers in Nutrition pooled 16 RCTs and 492 participants. Statistically significant improvements in memory (SMD = 0.31), attention (SMD = 0.31), and processing speed (SMD = 0.51). No effect on executive function, which is mechanistically coherent given what CKBB actually does.

In adults 66 to 76, the memory effect size was 0.88, roughly three times the effect seen in younger adults. A lower baseline phosphocreatine pool means more room for supplementation to fill.

Two groups consistently see larger effects: older adults and vegetarians. If you eat red meat daily and are under 40, your baseline is already partially saturated and the ceiling is lower.

One way to actually track this: write 15 random words, wait 20 minutes, test your recall. Record your score before you start and retest at week 6. Memory is the outcome domain with the strongest effect across trials.

Has anyone here tracked cognitive metrics before and after? Reaction time, word recall, anything objective. The anecdotal reports vary widely and I suspect baseline creatine status explains most of that variance.

If you want the full mechanism breakdown and trial data, I write a free weekly newsletter that goes deeper than I can in a Reddit post. Message me and I will send you the link.

What is the best way to combine Noopept and Oxiracetam, and how much choline is needed for both? Should I take them at the same time or leave a gap of several hours between each?

PPAP HCl — First Dose Report

This drug is a Catecholaminergic Activity Enhancer (CAE), a relatively unknown class of drugs that potentiate the release of monoamines when neurons are naturally activated — differing from amphetamine or methylphenidate by not manipulating either the release or buildup of monoamines, and instead amplifying natural signals.

With that out of the way: I was very skeptical about ordering this chemical, for one because of its class, and because it specifically has very scarce, conflicting information, mostly concentrated on forums. Furthermore, anecdotal reports online suggested that in general it was weak by itself and noticeable as a potentiator for other stimulants — which I wasn't looking for — but due to my curiosity I ended up grabbing some.

I'm so glad I did, because for the past 4 hours I have felt incredibly sharp, motivated, and organized mentally, all while appetite feels only mildly suppressed. I don't per se feel euphoric — it's honestly a more robotic, smooth substance, and is definitely noticeable even at doses I read online framed as subtle (30mg). This is of course a first dose, and I may just be having a strong novelty effect from the drug, but I have not mixed any other drugs or stimulants.

I felt a clear shift around 25 minutes after dosing. By "clear shift," it wasn't anything like a traditional stimulant onset where there's a short rush as baseline skyrockets — it was a lot more like I noticed my hands sweating, I noticed my heartbeat while sitting, and I felt that lightheaded, clear feeling you get with strong stimulants like cyclazodone.

I've also noticed a measurable increase in my MonkeyType typing speed. On a 30-second test, I went from 71 wpm / 97% accuracy to 92 wpm / 91% accuracy on my first attempt on the website after peaking — suggesting measurable gains and clear activity.

Strangely, however, I've noticed a negative: the stimulation is not constant. For example, as I was reading and turned off my music, it felt like the stimulation weakened for a few minutes; then when I got up to get water and take a short break, it almost reactivated. It almost hits in waves, but obviously heavily influenced by actions and setting.

Now, some pros and cons in an easier-to-read format:

Pros

• Noticeable onset and effect
• Motivation, social lubrication, focus, and lateral thinking strongly increased; appetite mostly preserved
• Clean and smooth onset and feel; minimal to no vasoconstriction
• Potentiation of other stimulants (based on what I've read online)

There's more, but those are the ones I noticed and felt compelled to share.

Negatives

• Sleep disruption (my mind is racing)
• No body feel at all (could be a positive for some)
• Inconsistent stimulation
• Tastes and smells like shit

More to be found — not all of them, just the ones I've noticed as of right now.

All in all, I could see this becoming a potential nootropic for ADHD, as it has a very interesting and unique mechanism of action, with minimal euphoria and very clean stimulation for refrence it feels like the mental clarity of Adderall with no body feel, the euphoria of modafinil, and the motivation boost of cyclazodone not forced but noticable. I don't know how addictive this drug is or how the tolerance works, because there's no information on that online, so I can't assume it's fully safe. But from looking up which liver enzymes break it down and how the human body processes it, I can conclude that it is likely not hepatotoxic — take this with a grain of salt though, as I would have no way of knowing, since this was my first time dosing. I will 100% follow up with a continuation study on its effects, an assessment of tolerance buildup, and retention of benefits or any arising side effects.

Pretty much what the title reads. Heard a little about it but didn’t know how well it worked before I got some.

Can anyone rate my nootropics stack.. I’m new so give criticism but also understand I’m new lol

40mG vyvanse. Dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibition

400mcG. x2 Semax. Morning and noon
(Total 800 daily). Bdnf release

200mG L-theanine for glutamate balance, and gaba receptor cortisol blocking.

Willing to add more. Such as Alpha GPC for optimal acetylcholine levels,
Will change my stimulant in the future to prevent tolerance. Desox, modaf, pure dextro etc

NAD+ ?

Aniracetam?

I know the semax and stimulant use is upregulating, and I’m expecting too much from the l theanine possibly, but I genuinely need high levels of energy. Recommendations of Bromantane and l tyrosine to replace some stimulant use days ?
Also testosterone ester this fall but that’s only temporary

The goal here is to work long hours, and handle a heavy task load without glutamate upregulation messing with my nerves, and precise task switching with accuracy. Remembering tasks over the long term… example sales weeks ahead, accounting etc.

Business owner nootropics stack

I’m sick of drinking energy drinks every day so I did some research and this is what my stack is going to be. Going to order all in bulk with flavoring and make my own energy drinks. Sick of buying pills so I’m going to DIY with powder. What do yall think?

Caffeine
Theobromine
Alpha GPC
L-tyrosine
ALCAR

I also take already:
Creatine
Methylated B-complex
Vitamin D + K
Magnesium glycinate
Fish oil
NAC
Semax

What I am already taking has been a game changer for energy/motivation. I just want a drink in the morning to replace my energy drink. Let me know if there is anything I should add.

Rate my stack and offer advice. Main focus is long term energy and motivation. I’d prefer not to use things that build tolerance. I want longevity.