~UPDATE~
Have continued taking my Pira/Choline combination along with the rest of my mind support stack. I recently got some Vinpocetine and I plan on adding it to my stack in approximately one month. I'd like to get a feel for the stack I have now in order that I may accurately assess the effects of adding (and possibly removing) a component or two from the combination. As of this point, I believe it's fair to say I am still currently in the Pira/Choline "loading phase" so it's "effects" have not yet become as pronounced as they will come the next several weeks. However, I would like to make note of some of the effects I have been noticing the more time goes by that I take my Pira/Choline. Since I tend to be quite lazy about certain things, let's refer to the Piracetam/Choline Citrate combination as "P/CC" for the sake of saving time & energy. :tongue2:
As I stated I would do, I raised the overall dosage of my P/CC regimen to 1g (i.e. one level scoop) and 500mg, respectively. I will attempt to explain what I experience as best as I can due to the fact I may not speak as eloquently or effectively as many of you gents on here whose posts I have followed (
PublicEnemy being the first to pop into my head).
To begin with, a heightened sense of alertness/awareness along with impressive memory (esp. short-term) have become progressively pronounced since having begun my regimen. Actions such as procrastinating or "leaving it to memory" or "leaving it for later" are not so negative anymore. To further elaborate, I can tell myself I'll do something later and I will actually follow through whereas I would normally tend to forget. An example of this was last night when I went to the movies with my girlfriend. As we were beginning to seat for the movie I remembered I needed to validate my parking ticket in order to not pay the $6 as opposed to the $1.50 I ended up paying (I'm a college student~every bit counts! :smirk
I decided I would wait until the movie had ended to validate my ticket. I didn't actually remember after the movie ended, per se, but as we were passing by the validation area, it was as if I had *set* a task alert in my mind and as I was commencing to pass through the area the *task alert* went off.
I've noticed P/CC seem to produce a mood-enhancing effect and my vocabulary has taken on an articulate, more elaborate form. I've missed about 3 semesters of schooling which has served as major mind degradation (sort of like "you lose it if you don't use it"). Upon 10-15 min. of P/CC ingestion I get into this hypnotic state of focus & become zoned in on the task at hand. My memory recall is phenomenal for the fact that I'm in such early stages of P/CC dosing. Therefore, "having the word on the tip of my tongue" doesn't last long. Music definitely seems to stimulate mentally a bit more than usual. Overall, I've experienced a greater than mild mind boost thus far. I feel as if I am experiencing an increase in brain synapsis (sp?). I can honestly say I expect all this to progressively improve from here on out--at least it's what I'm aiming for.
I recently got a hold of some
vinpocetine (10mg tablets). A significant of the research I've come across suggests starting at a lower dose (typically 5mg) in order to adequately and accurately assess one's response to the vinpocetine. Some of the reported side effects/physiological reactions are indigestion, nausea, dizziness, anxiety, facial flushing, insomnia, headache, drowsiness and dry mouth. Sounds pretty unpleasant so I'm considering cutting tabs in half with my pill cutter and taking 5 mg doses for about 10 days and then increasing the dose to 10mg.
On a different non-nootropic note....
I began experimenting at the beginning of this week with different combinations to improve my quality of sleep. In my arsenal, I have the following to toy with:
Source Naturals Theanine Serene (Serving Size: 2 tabs)
- L-Theanine (200 mg) to support relaxing brain wave activity
- Taurine (500 mg)to ease tension
- GABA (500 mg): the "calming neurotransmitter"
- Magnesium [chelate] to support muscle and nerve relaxation (300 mg)
- Holy Basil leaf extract (100mg - 5:1) + Relora® to gently soothe away the tension in the body
In my possession as well I have
Hyland's Calm Forte which is a homeopathic remedy consisting of:
- Passiflora 1X Triple Strength - for restless or wakeful sleep from exhaustion
- Avena Sativa 1X Double Strength - for stress, nervousness or nervous headache
- Humulus Lupulus 1X Double Strength - for drowsiness with incomplete sleep
- Chamomilla 2X (Chamomile) - for nervous irritability
In addition, contained in the formula are the following biochemic phosphates for enhancing cellular function:
Calcarea Phosphorica 3X HPUS, Ferrum Phosphoricum 3X HPUS, Kali Phosphoricum 3X HPUS, Natrum Phosphoricum 3X HPUS, Magnesia Phosphoricum 3X HPUS.
I tend to take 2-3 small tablets about 30-45 min. before bed.
Continuing with the contents of my "Emergency Sleep Stash" I have
Source Naturals Peppermint Flavor Sublingual Melatonin (1 mg) I tend to use occasionally when I'm feeling restless and the likes. I've recently indulged in my newest additions to the stash:
Solaray's 5-HTP (1 capsule containing 100mg w/ 25mg Vitamin B-6 + 200 mg Vitamin C) and
Doctor's Best Best L-Tryptophan which contains 500 mg Ajinomoto L-Tryptophan 500 Mg. Ajinomoto-branded aminos seem to be making an appearance in the industry. Last night I was messing around on the TP site trying to see how much it'd be for some all-natural micro-filtrated WPI and noticed they have Ajinomoto BCAAs available for inclusion in the custom mixes...interesting. I don't know much about it for those who are interested but I'm always willing to learn so feel free to post any information you may come across onto this semi-log/thread I have going on :18:
One night I had try by starting off with a combination of one serving Theanine Serene paired with one cap of 5-HTP. Although I don't exactly recall now why I didn't really like it I do, however, know the following night (last night) was a complete success. I haven't slept that deep, experienced such pleasantly vivid dreams and woken up so refreshed, rejuvenated and alert with absolutely no grogginess or hangover-like feeling. Last night's combination consisted of 1 cap tryptophan (500 mg) and 2 caps 5-HTP.
What I like about the nutritional profile of the 5-HTP product I have is the B-6. From what I read, this is a complimentary tryptophan component for tryptophan metabolism and conversion to serotonin. I think last night's run was a success due to the multi-pathway serotonin stimulation (as both 5-HTP and tryptophan both deal with serotonin levels).
Tonight's run is based on 2 caps tryptophan (1g) and 2 tabs of Calm Forte (homeopathic).
You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to purebred again.
If you decide to run Lions Mane I would definitely be interested in hearing the results. As for myself, at the moment its too cost prohibitive.
And you are correct about the loading period. It does take awhile for Piracetam to build up and have an effect. If you're interested, you might try searching over at the ImmInst forums for "attack dosing."
As for the Lithium... I couldn't tell ya. I do know they give Lithium to help with bipolar disorder; however I think its MoA is still unknown. I'd tread carefully with that one... I haven't really heard much feedback about it. Looks like I'm adding another thing to my list of sh!t to research.
Anyways, best of luck purebred and I look forward to more feedback as the weeks go by.
I appreciate the kind wishes PE. Your help and input has been much appreciated thus far. You are right concerning the safety issues with lithium. I'm not even thinking about opening the bottle until I have some solid research presented and available to convince me otherwise.
I searched up your suggestion of "attack dosing" and it seems to me this is something that should have been done the first day of beginning my P/CC protocol, no?
What do you think?
Should I go ahead and commence one day of attack dosing?
If so, how much of each component would be right in your mind considering my current dosages?
I will most definitely be looking into Lion's Mane as the idea of having "more brains" sounds extremely enticing for someone who's lost so much of it with recreational use and ill self-treatment during experimental teen years :run: If I do begin my LM (Lion's Mane) supplementation I will be taking 1 cap in the morning and 1 at night. I may have to be putting in an order once a month every month for 6 months or so as dropping one hundred some odd dollars on one product all at once seems a bit financially irresponsible, ballsy and ignorant of me. I will check a store in my area to see if they carry LM as I have checked with Vitamin Shoppe and they do not carry that particular mushroom. (FML; They carry virtually everything but that!)
I will also be inquiring about Modafinil due to interest in future usage. I was reading a bit about it today on Wiki. It seems like it would suit my girl well, also. She wants to take Adderrall which I don't really feel too thrilled about as I am uncertain about it's chemically addictive properties.
I'm going to be calling it a night. I will continue reporting back accordingly. Again, thank you all who are keeping up for your time even if you're not contributing!
