Nootropics - Big brain pills disguised as supplements

[AF 802]

Nootropics are supplements that are advertised to improve cognitive function and repair brain tissue. They can range from simple things like caffeine to amino-acids like 5-HTP or L-Theanine. I was wondering if anyone on Kiwi takes any of the supplements they advertise as brain boosting. A list can be found here.

Another list can be found here, but with a dubious name at best. Proceed with caution.

I take L-Tyrosine from when I thought I might've had a thyroid problem but I notice helps with my anxiety, so I keep taking it, depending on which brand I get. I also drink coffee, but when it's early enough in the day.

 

[UQ 770]

I'm aware its going to probably burn me out later (or sooner) in life, but my boozing habit used to help a lot with my writing. Other than that, I've always wanted to know if any of these work. Like, really really work. I want testimony from the people who have taken other, more serious meds before to tell me if these had any effect at all on them.

 

[AF 802]

I'm aware its going to probably burn me out later (or sooner) in life, but my boozing habit used to help a lot with my writing. Other than that, I've always wanted to know if any of these work. Like, really really work. I want testimony from the people who have taken other, more serious meds before to tell me if these had any effect at all on them.

I've been on a selection of different anti-psychotics, SSRIs and anti-anxiety medications. But if you're boozing it up, I'd recommend trying other things honestly because I'm no health professional and addictions are a serious matter. But with moods? Maybe.

I notice when I take my L-Tyrosine routinely, it seems to have a positive impact with my mood if I take it near a meal. I just took some right now and I feel pretty calm - something I usually don't get with anti-anxiety medications.

 

[Sped Xing]

I go to college to get more knowledge.

Nootropic users go to Jupiter.

 

[UQ 770]

I only mention the booze thing because in the past I've noticed that people who suffered from stuff like painkiller addictions seemed to just have a total immunity to the majority of drugs they were prescribed unless they were paired with more painkillers, so I've always wondered if trying anything that substantially affects your brain chemistry just blocks off weaker drugs to you permanently. Substantial alcohol use is kind of middle of the road from what I've seen, but I presume nootropics must be a bit weaker unless we get some people who have really put their neurology through hell in here to tell me otherwise.

I've pluged this site before, but Erowid has a long section on Nootropics you may prefer to add to the OP:

Erowid Nootropic (Smart Drugs) Vaults

Information on a variety of smart drugs including research, legislation, media coverage, bibliographies and links.

www.erowid.org

The variety on display there is quite chaotic though, and in general Erowid has always been of a somewhat dubious nature. Curious Kiwis should investigate with discretion.

 

[AF 802]

I only mention the booze thing because in the past I've noticed that people who suffered from stuff like painkiller addictions seemed to just have a total immunity to the majority of drugs they were prescribed unless they were paired with more painkillers, so I've always wondered if trying anything that substantially affects your brain chemistry just blocks off weaker drugs to you permanently. Substantial alcohol use is kind of middle of the road from what I've seen, but I presume nootropics must be a bit weaker unless we get some people who have really put their neurology through hell in here to tell me otherwise.

I've pluged this site before, but Erowid has a long section on Nootropics you may prefer to add to the OP:

Erowid Nootropic (Smart Drugs) Vaults

Information on a variety of smart drugs including research, legislation, media coverage, bibliographies and links.

www.erowid.org

The variety on display there is quite chaotic though, and in general Erowid has always been of a somewhat dubious nature. Curious Kiwis should investigate with discretion.

Added to OP.

 

[wylfım]

Gwern has several good reads, if you're interested.

Nootropics

Notes on nootropics I tried, and my experiments

www.gwern.net

The Algernon Argument

Why most supplements fail: IQ improvement skepticism, Yudkowsky & Bostrom's heuristics, nootropics

www.gwern.net

And probably more that I don't remember off the top of my head. Have fun reading!

 

[Exorbital Columnations]

Meth.

 

[Stranger Neighbors]

Yes I've taken a bunch of different kinds.

I used to be tarded...

Now I'm just weird and still tarded

 

[Duncan Hills Coffee]

I learned about this stuff in MGS1. Didn't know if it was real or not.

"It'll make me smarter, huh?"

 

[Sīn the Moon Daddy]

I'm aware its going to probably burn me out later (or sooner) in life, but my boozing habit used to help a lot with my writing. Other than that, I've always wanted to know if any of these work. Like, really really work. I want testimony from the people who have taken other, more serious meds before to tell me if these had any effect at all on them.

The only thing that can really help is by not getting wet brain in the first place. I was an awful alcoholic, much worse than anyone who didn't know me irl ever realized, and the only thing that saved me... was eating my vegetables. The vitamin deficiency that causes that shit was never able to happen.

 

[CivilianOfTheFandomWars]

I mean, coffee and black tea is great. I mainly like the taste though.
Nicotine is the only other thing I can think that I’ve done. I used to smoke cigarettes when I was around 15-16, got bored of it and stopped. I do enjoy a cigar about once a month, and I do like smoking a pipe. I don’t smoke anything very often though.
Though I don’t think it’s a nootropic, booze is a different beast. Like, a little bit weirdly seems to help with some things, like a paper you need to finish up or a video game. Things you basically do by rote. But, one drop more than that golden sweet spot and you are worse than when you started.

 

[Exorbital Columnations]

Though I don’t think it’s a nootropic, booze is a different beast. Like, a little bit weirdly seems to help with some things, like a paper you need to finish up or a video game. Things you basically do by rote. But, one drop more than that golden sweet spot and you are worse than when you started.

I think it just relieves anxiety and allows a person to perform those rote tasks without any self-conscious inner monologue breaking their concentration.

 

[CivilianOfTheFandomWars]

I think it just relieves anxiety and allows a person to perform those rote tasks without any self-conscious inner monologue breaking their concentration.

That’s what I think too. Just enough to calm the nerves, not enough to become to slow.

 

[Recoil]

They work, but don't be expecting Adderall or Nuvigil type effects.
You probably won't notice the effect of something like Aniracetam. It's not all in your face, denying you lunch or sleep. You're just more lucid and a bit more chill.

Spoiler: But Remember, kids

When it comes to neurochemistry, there is no such thing as a free lunch .

 

[Exorbital Columnations]

They work, but don't be expecting Adderall or Nuvigil type effects.
You probably won't notice the effect of something like Aniracetam. It's not all in your face, denying you lunch or sleep. You're just more lucid and a bit more chill.

Spoiler: But Remember, kids

When it comes to neurochemistry, there is no such thing as a free lunch .

That's my general opinion. There's only so much brain to go around. Supposing you could boost one part of it, you'll probably atrophy another.

Just eat your vegetables, exercise, get a hobby and live well in general and you'll be getting ahead.

 

[wylfım]

Especially given we understand so little about biology in general, let alone neurochemistry, I'd say its probably better to let nature handle the optimization. Maybe a few mineral supplements if you have a shitty diet (ie most everyone), but beyond that, live and let it be what it may.

 

[AF 802]

It doesn't seem like any anti-vax pseudoscience to me, but nothing to swear by either. If SSRIs work for you, go that way, but going natural ways helps too with fewer side effects with some of these meds.

 

[wylfım]

I'm hesitant of things like SSRIs because of the metaphysical question of "what does it mean to be someone" that they bring up. Watching Mumkey tweak out on camera from all the drugs he's on is existential as fuck, and SSRI side effects can permanently alter your neurochemistry, so its not a simple case of stop-if-they-mess-you-up.
Natural things still have the same risks I guess, but the associated questions aren't as salient because lol, nature.

 

[The best and greatest]

Meth.

Pretty much. Crap rots your brain, but not before it pumps your head into OVERDRIVE!