Cognitive Supps - Pro's and Cons?

sparks2012

sparks2012

Well-known member
Hey everyone, I've been seeing a lot more companies release products that stimulate cognitive abilities - or so they claim. I'm wondering if they're worth the money, and also if they're even effective. They may have clinically backed ingredients on the label, but are the dosages on par? Looking for people's opinions on the subject and if they've used anything like it before.
 
Nootropics can be very helpful. Focus xt and OL elixir are both comprehensive formulas that can help when you need extra focus/attention and can aid working memory. Single ingredient racetams and noopept can also help. You'll have to see what works for you best. What is your overall purpose for using nootropics?
 
Afi140 said:
Nootropics can be very helpful. Focus xt and OL elixir are both comprehensive formulas that can help when you need extra focus/attention and can aid working memory. Single ingredient racetams and noopept can also help. You'll have to see what works for you best. What is your overall purpose for using nootropics?
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Overall purpose would mostly be using them to get that focus back on days I'm not so motivated to hit the gym, which has been more often due to being in a deficit. Other than that, it would be for the odd chance that I can't keep focused at work or I know I'll have a lot on plate for that day.
 
sparks2012 said:
No, not in particular. A couple I know off the top of my head are Mike Rashid's Mental Jewels, RedCon1's Mental Trigger, and I think 1stPhorm has one too.
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Those first two are terribly underdosed and not worth the money at all, even if you double dose them. Look into Focus XT, and elixir also looks excellent (not sure on it's price point though). If you want to make your own stack to save money, try ALCAR + cdp choline (PEScience sells TruCDP, a pure CDP-choline product) + something in the racetam family and move from there.
 
sparks2012 said:
Hey everyone, I've been seeing a lot more companies release products that stimulate cognitive abilities - or so they claim. I'm wondering if they're worth the money, and also if they're even effective. They may have clinically backed ingredients on the label, but are the dosages on par? Looking for people's opinions on the subject and if they've used anything like it before.
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Generally speaking, the nootropic market is filled with underdosed supplements; much like several of the ones you had in mind.

Focus XT is a very comprehensive memory/ learning/ focus supplement aimed at those looking to improve long term memory and learning ability, as well as acute improvements in task performance. It is also one of the more cheaper options for every day use.

If looking to build your own, start off with CDP Choline, ALCAR and something like huperzine A (PES sells the former one and SNS sells the latter two) and work from there.
 
I'm waiting for Evomuse clear edge to come back in stock.

I've used two tubs of elixir. It's a decent product. I notice more of the stimulant side than anything else.

Best stack I've used is;
Anaricetam 800mg
Choline source
Nasal noopept
Bacopa (50% bacopasides)
Ashwaganda
 
The major con being that if you are of normal intelligence there are very few that will have a noticeable impact on measurable factors of cognitive abilities.
 
johnnyp said:
The major con being that if you are of normal intelligence there are very few that will have a noticeable impact on measurable factors of cognitive abilities.
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Lol, yes I should've phrased that a little better. I'm not looking for a "Limitless" - esque magic pill. I've had a few PWO's with a nootropic blend in it and I really liked the feeling. I don't need it for retaining knowledge or learning, really just a focus boost for those off days.
 
sparks2012 said:
Lol, yes I should've phrased that a little better. I'm not looking for a "Limitless" - esque magic pill. I've had a few PWO's with a nootropic blend in it and I really liked the feeling. I don't need it for retaining knowledge or learning, really just a focus boost for those off days.
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Then Yep. These two are right up your alley. Focus xt is more subtle with energy but a clean clear focus. Elixir is the same but seems to pack more of a punch. Can't go wrong with either.

http://www.strongsupplementshop.com/focus-xt-by-serious-nutrition-solutions

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So there are some all in one products that people have mentioned already like Focus XT (I use daily) and Exlixir from Olympus Labs.

Personally, I would try Focus XT and then go from there.

At a baseline level, I think 1-2g of ALCAR as a standalone ingredient is a great place for standalone ingredients.
 
The whole nootropic scene can get very expensive. Especially consider the ammount of experimenting one needs to do. Effects of any ingrediant can be extremly varying in individuals, and usually many need to be stacked. This has severley limited my research, even with a big interest in this area. I've tried: Piracetam, Nootpept, and a few Choline sources, and havent been extremy impressed. Nootpept definetely has an effect, and the only one Im working around now. I've also tried variois adaptogens.

The pre-stacked/formulated products are very enticing, because they can cut down on price and remove some of the guess work. However, I haven't made the jump to one because I have yet to see a formula that really impresses/overwhelms me. That said, I am on the preorder for Evomuse's Clear Edge, with very high hopes. Probably the best, most creative,comprehensive formula I've seen yet, and the companies reputation speaks for itself. I would definetely keep any eye out forblogs and reviews for this when it drops

To answer your question: I think they can be effective, but extremely hard to master. You rarely see someome with a consistant or permanent Nootropic plan. They seem to always be changing with dissatisfaction. If you decide to travel this road be ready to dedicate a good ammount of time to research, and investing a bit of cash.

Good luck, the pleasure just might be worth the pain.
 
For some people these are the holy grail. If you have issues with focus and clarity then they are worth giving a try. Some people get great effects from these while others don't. It all depends on you.
 
Drink coffee
Eat enough food and healthy fats.

If no coffee then Caffeine pills are the best thing you can try.

I have tried several supplements.
Once I stopped and went clean, I didn't understand why did I even took those supplements, because I felt the same !

Good luck
 
As previously stated, Focus XT would definitely help you OP. It's cost effective and an be taken daily. Blue raspberry flavor is delicious!
 
Nootropics/neural enhancers are great for increasing focus and even blood flow on there own or with other stims pre workout. And when taken long term i do support the data that they have an effect on learning retention, memory formation, and brain cell health. Especially Alcar. Some good products that are purely nootrpic formulas I've use and would recommend to cleints and friends are...

Sns Focus xt stacked w/30mg Sns noopept

Steel Supps Foucesd AF

And my own neural enhancer...that will be out sometime around Christmas or the New Year....
 
I appreciate the feedback greatly guys, a lot of info in here and even more personal research to be done. As I suspected, most "mainstream" supps like the ones I mentioned early on are under dosed. Looking like I have 3-4 good all-in-one's or going with building my own stack. I've been going low carb, picking up where my diet left off before we took an unexpected trip back the states. I had my fair share of junk when I was home and my body got used to carbs again. Restricting them now is harder than when I initially started the cut. Lack of motivation has killed me the past couple days, almost a week now.
 
I think an all in one product like Focus XT is a good place to start, and if you like that, you can start branching out into individual compounds.

Remember, if you take too many noots or dose them wrong, they can be counterproductive by causing brain fog. More isn't always better!
 
sareea said:
Drink coffee
Eat enough food and healthy fats.

If no coffee then Caffeine pills are the best thing you can try.

I have tried several supplements.
Once I stopped and went clean, I didn't understand why did I even took those supplements, because I felt the same !

Good luck
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I would only suggest caffeine pills if drinking coffe is impossible. And even then I take exotic stimz instead (thou most have caff in them too). Coffee beats pure caffeine in everything.
I have a lot of supps that contain cahh but I haven't bought pure caff pills for 5 years.
 
Daily dosing of Alpha-GPC has been shown to improve brain cell membrane strength, brain cell function, brain cell communication speed and increased acetlycholine levels.
 
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