Sure, the reasoning for my stack comes from trial and error and what seems to work for me given my high stress enviroment with a crazy work load that requires a large brain power demand. It’s just not possible to manage without taking anything. So I decided let’s do this the smart way.
A great resource for an explanation of some of the items on my list is The Most Comprehensive Nootropics List - Nootropics Expert , and “Boost Your Biology”.
You need to make sure you buy the highest possible quality, brand name not generic, preferably directly Russian sourced for most of them (as it is known the best nootropics were discovered by the Soviets and patented). I will explain later. This is the best website to purchase direct: https://cosmicnootropic.com . A majority of people in the nootropics community purchase from here.
For me, I have a few eastern european friends who purchase it for me and bring it when they come visit. Although, when I run out I do use the website.
Anyways, some things I didn’t break down so I will do that for you now.
Please keep in mind that these are nootropics and not brain drugs (ie: amphetamines, aderall, vyvanse etc…). Brain drugs come with the heavy list of side effects as you know, nootropics don’t. Further nootropics are neuroprotectant in some shape or form, vs the typical stimulants (such as cocaine, amphetamines etc… )
- Phenylpiracetam (Nanotropil) - 100mg (up to twice daily)
**This is the racetam that works for me. The weakest of them all is piracetam imo, so try them out and see which one works the best for you. There are several racetams that you can read about on nootropicsexpert.com. It shouldn’t be taken everyday but rather for tasks that involve high concentration and alertness. Such as before an exam, studying, work, meeting, a date (for verbal fluency and sharpness) etc…
Think of it as the cocaine of nootropics without the associated side effects. Although, withdrawal is possible if taken daily without washout periods. Rather than me explaining here is a thorough summary of it: https://nootropicsexpert.com/phenylpiracetam/ **
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Vinpocetine - 10mg -**Not really one that you’re going to feel but it increases cerebral blood flow. The one I take is from life extension. Read: Vinpocetine - Nootropics Expert **
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Mexidol (Emoxypine) - 125mg For me besides for the anxiolytic effect, this one is a great add on for general health. It’s a powerful antioxidant, clears brain fog, reduces chronic pain, and heals old nerve injuries, also improves circulation. The anxiolytic effect is subtle for me. Sometimes that’s enough. othertimes it needs to be paired with something else like Picamillin or Selank.
Watch this vid:https://youtu.be/qRMXqe6yYrU?si=F8CNVWduLzD90bEq
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Picamillon 20mg and/or Selank - **Also a favorite for me. Great anxiolytic for social settings. I don’t drink alcohol anymore, and somehow this works better than alcohol in clearing social anxiety in social settings. Many anectodally share the same experience. Note the reason I say to buy the brand name because the GABA and niacin combo (specifically the niacin bonded onto the GABA molecule) in Picamillon is patented. That is where the benefit comes from. Usually GABA cannot cross the bbb in which case binding niacin directly onto the molecular structure of GABA allows the GABA to penetrate the bbb. If you’re curious, it’s not going to work if you separately take GABA and separately take niacin. The soviets figured that out and that the niacin actually had to be physically attached to the GABA. Read: https://nootropicsexpert.com/picamilon/ **
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Ocassionally Semax - (small warning: anything that increases BDNF anectodally increases hair loss (although reversable when stopped and is rare). I noticed that I little bit so I don’t take it much. But if you are older then the benefit outweighs the hair loss
Highly recommend Semax 0.1 % for those with a higher risk of stroke or age related cognitive decline. For example, in Eastern europe Semax is carried on every ambulence and is admistered in the ER immediately to Stroke patients. A must have in your medicine cabinet in case you ever begin to notice stroke symptoms for yourself or a family member. The lower dose (I think .01%) should be taken prophylactically though for the cognitive benefits
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Several eggs a day (must be pasture raised and corn and soy free) or Ocassional Alpha GPC - 300mg.
A lot of these nootropics deplete choline reserves hence the need to supplement with additional choline. But there is a TMAO related stroke risk of choline supplementation with alpha gpc or cdp choline. Dose and time dependent. Large doses (600-1200mg daily) over years. But keep in mind if you have a predisposed condition that you may or may not be aware of, your risk obviously goes up. Such as hypertension, clotting disorders etc…So it’s not for everyone, and definitely not something I would do everyday. Eat a couple of eggs instead for the choline. Even though they have high choline levels similar to the supplements they seem not to cause the same degree of risk with TMAO as the supplements. Dietary Choline Supplements, but Not Eggs, Raise Fasting TMAO Levels in Participants with Normal Renal Function: A Randomized Clinical Trial - PubMed
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L-theanine - 200mg if I ever drink caffeine. Helps with the jitters but I don’t tend to drink much coffee.
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Lithium Orotate - 1mg . Mostly due to the water study where they found that countries with higher trace lithium in their drinking water supply had lower levels of suicide, depression and violent crime than countries with no lithium in their water. To the point that I asked myself, is trace lithium purposefully not being added into water supply in high suicide and violent countries? Truly some interesting stuff.
Read:
Association between naturally occurring lithium in drinking water and suicide rates: systematic review and meta-analysis of ecological studies - PubMed
Lithium in drinking water linked with lower suicide rates | ScienceDaily
Scientists Say Lithium Should Be Added to Drinking Water to Prevent Suicides
I take the Lithium orotate from life extension 1000mcg.
- Nicotine: Have tried Zyn’s but stopped after a week. Nicotine decreases thiamine (B1) big time hence why the energy drain after it. Only way I would take Zyn’s is with large doses of thiamine. But circulation is also effected which is why it is not my thing.
