Strong post.Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera: preferably Sensoril): Stress relief, improved sleep, and performance enhancement. I take 200mg (Abyss UP) or up to 450mg (3 caps Bioforge) when I use it. Haven't used it standalone.
Rhodiola Rosea (standardized to 3% rosavins and 1% salidroside): Stress relief and energy (reduced fatigue). Too much is just as inefficient as too little. I prefer 500mg pre-workout or upon waking (it can be somewhat stimulating).
Bacopa Monnieri (50% Bacopasides): Nootropic and anxiety relief.
Those are the three I use most often. Sure others can throw in more options as well.
They're everywhere. Lots of brands of rhodiola at vitamin shoppe, etc. Apparently a lot of people consider the shr-5 extract the best, but I haven't tried it.
NOW has a standalone RR product and I know T-Nation does as well. The effects seem to be acute so a dose pre workout should suffice.
Acute?
Yes, purportedly, taking RR makes you more attractive.
And to follow up, this one isn't very impressive. I used to like bulk powder rhodiola from some sites
as in it works the first time and does not need chronic dosing to be effective
These three are king. The amount of human evidence is overwhelmingAshwagandha (Withania somnifera: preferably Sensoril): Stress relief, improved sleep, and performance enhancement. I take 200mg (Abyss UP) or up to 450mg (3 caps Bioforge) when I use it. Haven't used it standalone.
Rhodiola Rosea (standardized to 3% rosavins and 1% salidroside): Stress relief and energy (reduced fatigue). Too much is just as inefficient as too little. I prefer 500mg pre-workout or upon waking (it can be somewhat stimulating).
Bacopa Monnieri (50% Bacopasides): Nootropic and anxiety relief.
Those are the three I use most often. Sure others can throw in more options as well.
Haven't even heard of that last one. Looks like I have some Googling to do. What's your favorite brand? I have ashwaganda on the way now to try to help me stay asleep all night and I am combining with relora as I heard the two are great together pre bed. How expensive is backpack? Thanks for the new info!Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera: preferably Sensoril): Stress relief, improved sleep, and performance enhancement. I take 200mg (Abyss UP) or up to 450mg (3 caps Bioforge) when I use it. Haven't used it standalone.
Rhodiola Rosea (standardized to 3% rosavins and 1% salidroside): Stress relief and energy (reduced fatigue). Too much is just as inefficient as too little. I prefer 500mg pre-workout or upon waking (it can be somewhat stimulating).
Bacopa Monnieri (50% Bacopasides): Nootropic and anxiety relief.
Those are the three I use most often. Sure others can throw in more options as well.
Maca has a big following. I have some bulk to try when I get a chance. It's cheap but I haven't tried it so can't say anything from experience. Not sure about performance (depending on what you mean by performance
) but I hear good things about well-being so I got some.Alpha-T2 uses a full dose of the proper extract of Bacopa. As for ashwaghanda, make sure it's standardized to a high % of withanolides.
SHR-5 is just 3% rosavin/1% salidroside. It's not the best, but it is standardized which helps
Most of rhodiola's effects are actually chronic. Some are acute, e.g. the performance enhancement secondary to increased pain threshold. Others, like anti-fatigue/pro-mood effects, will take months to manifest.
I got the NOW ashwaganda as it is the only one Nutraplanet had. How is that one?
Should have just grabbed Abyss UP. It has Sensoril (Ashwagandha) and Relora.
I love rhodiola especially pre workout
Oh man that looks awesome. Plus it has gaba which i really like and 5htp in it (haven't tried 5htp but everyone loves it) and it is discounted to like 19 bucks right now...wish this thread got made last weekShould have just grabbed Abyss UP. It has Sensoril (Ashwagandha) and Relora.
I used Bacopa several years back, but hadn't used it again until it was put in the updated Alpha T2.
. I wish this thread got made a week ago, haha.
I do - but I am taking it along with a bunch of other things - so, candidly - I cannot attest that it (by itself) does anything specific.
i just read that it is the most popular adaptogen
I took it a few years ago it was in my centrum performance vitamin. I can say that it gave me a nice little energy boost but this was before i ever took any supplements.
That is one of the reasons it is in my stack.
never heard of the first 2, will look into them
I got some relora on the way now based on user reviews and can't wait to try it. Someone recommended stacking with ashwaganda for a great sleep stack, but I forgot who. I ordered both because of that, though, to keep me down through the night
Oh man that looks awesome. Plus it has gaba which i really like and 5htp in it (haven't tried 5htp but everyone loves it) and it is discounted to like 19 bucks right now...wish this thread got made last week
Any idea how the NOW ashwaganda stacks up? I read somewhere about what the ideal percentage is and I think it's what is in Abyss, but not sure how NOW compares.
Either way I have those and melatonin on the way and a tub of GABA here so hopefully I can get some Zs from those.
Honestly I never thought about Alpha T2. I haven't been too interested in thermos as it is like a freakin rain forest here and I am constantly sweating too much (also diet control is the main thing I have trouble with so even with a thermo I might not see much), but it looks pretty interesting. I like the lack of stims as I never like the idea of loading up on stims for weight loss. Does it affect mood and well-being?
Thanks!
Tyler
Awesome; that might be something to look into in the future (definitely a winter-only supp thoughYou have a label for the NOW product you bought (or link)?
Bacopa is definetely one of the premier adaptogens IMO. I do feel it gives me a nice calm and stress relief benefit. Bacopa combined with the SA2-A extract in Alpha T2 does seem to have a mood boosting effect.
).
That is probably fine. After I looked I honestly wasn't sure what standardization percent is even best. I usually just use Sensoril, but I use NOW for other ingredients quite often.Awesome; that might be something to look into in the future (definitely a winter-only supp though
I only have the NOW label from the NP website that claims to be 4.5%, but I have heard of people getting bottles that were standardized to 2.5%. Here is the link: http://www.nutraplanet.com/product/now-foods/ashwagandha-90-caps.html . How does that look?
Thanks!
Tyler
Really interesting info right there, thanks! So do you feel relora from single doses used when necessary like benzos? Same question for ashwaganda actually? Do either need to be taken daily?
I think sensoril is standardized to 8%, but it is also standardized for 2 different compounds that NOW doesn't list. I figure I laways like NOW brand stuff. Not always the most potent extracts but always consistent and good quality. Thanks man!
that's awesome! glad to hear you're enjoying it
it truly is a beast.Good stuff. I figured most are after the performance enhancement which is why I recommended a dose pre.
I have found a product that is 400mg per cap standardized to 3% Rosavins and 4% Salidroside. Is this good?
How is this determined? I don't find it to be true based on my own use and anyone I know that takes it. The fatigue and mood benefits are the first noticeable to most people in a matter of days.
I have heard nothing but good things about cordyceps but I didn't think they were considered an adaptogen. I do have a bottle of bulk powder that I am hoping is good quality as I hear the quality of the extract is very important with cordyceps. Cordygen gets nothing but great reviews and is cheap. I mostly hear that it's effects are related to endurance, so I am not sure how much of a boost they would give you in your day-to-day life (although I should have a good idea within the next few months).
I use smartpowders bulk powder. Tastes awful but lasts forever
Determined based on scientific evidence. Especially with bacopa and rhodiola. Ashwaghanda produces more acute effects.
That's because they're worthless.
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