What is a Nootropic?
In a nutshell, a nootropic is a substance that will increase the availability/utilization of acetylcholine in the brain (acetylcholine is a chemical transmitter in the peripheral and central nervous systems)- theoretically improving performance potential (i.e. the ability to lift heavier weights with the same muscle mass). Some are precursors to acetylcholine (Choline, DMAE); some increase celluar fluid around the membrane; some inhibit the enzyme that breaks acetylcholine down (Huperzine A); some enhance cholinergic reception (Racetams); some simply increase blood flow to the brain (Ginkgo Biloba, Vinpocetine). But nearly all the supplements mentioned here operate for the same end-goal: to improve acetylcholine transmission. Perhaps the most enticing aspect of these supplements to athletes is that- unlike with stimulants- the body does not adapt and diminish in sensitivity to them over extended periods of usage. Nootropics also may be useful in CNS recovery.
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Originally Posted by James South
The concept and definition of a "nootropic drug" was first proposed in 1972 by C.E. Giurgea, the principal PIR researcher and research co-ordinator for UCB, the Belgian company that launched PIR. "The main features... defining a nootropic drug are:
(A) the enhancement, at least under some conditions, of learning acquisitions as well as the resistance of learned behaviors to agents that tend to impair them;
(B) the facilitation of interhemispheric flow of information;
(C) the partial enhancement of the general resistance of the brain and particularly its resistance to physical and chemical injuries;
(D) the increase in the efficacy of the tonic cortico-subcortical control mechanisms; and
(E) [absence of the usual negative pharmacologic effects of psychotropic drugs]." (Giurgea and Salama 1977).
Giurgea derived the term "nootropic" from the Greek words "noos" (=mind) and "tropein" (=to turn toward).
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Primer: check out this page:
http://www.skepticfiles.org/mys5/smrtdrgs.htm
http://www.antiaging-systems.com/extract/nootr.htm
On this page, find the chart ranking the nootropics (the chart is controversial, but useful):
http://www.imminst.org/forum/index.p...=0&#entry37508
For a detailed overview of the nootropic agents and their effects, check here:
Judo Kid's Complete Nootropic Guide
Notes on Purchasing:
Unless otherwise specified, all prices are for Bulk Nutrition aka 1fast400. The only item mentioned unavailable for purchase there is the Natrol
Memory Complex. For the premium formula, a superior substitute for the Lecithin would be 2-3 bottles of Greens+, but that alone will run you $70-$90 (however, taking Greens+ is like taking another supplement altogether, and a more necessary one than a neurotransmitter; nevertheless, it may inhibit some of the tyrosine's effects). Also, I'm not fully comfortable recommending NOW supplements given their reputation among users, but I still don't know if that reputation is concretely warranted, and I did this to make the purchasing of the stack as convenient as possible.
Premium Custom Nootropic Formula
1) NOW Foods, Lecithin (97% Phosphatides - NGE), 1 lb, $7
2) 1fast400, L-Tyrosine Powder, 250g, $12
3) 1fast400, DMAE Powder, 100g, $5
4) 1fast400, Piracetam Powder, 250g, $10
5) Natrol, Memory Complex#, 3 x 60 Tabs, $22.5*
*Price for "Value Nutrition Store"
#Includes: B-Vitamin Complex, Gingko Biloba (120mg), Huperzine A (100mg), Lecithin (100mg), Phosphatidylserine (15mg), Vinpocetine (10mg)
Total Cost: $55
Total Servings: 90
Price/Serving: $0.61
Note: If money really isn't an issue, you might consider replacing the piracetam with aniracetam/oxiracetam and the Lecithin with Alpha GPC.
How Much to Use in Mixtures:
1) All
2) All
3) All
4) All
5) 2 Tablets per Serving
Inexpensive Power Drive Imitation Formula
1) NOW Foods, B-50 (Vitamin) Complex, 4 oz, $9
2) 1fast400, DMAE, 2 x 100g, $10
3) 1fast400, L-Tyrosine, 500g, $20
4) NOW Foods, Lecithin (97% Phosphatides - NGE), 2 x 1 lb, $14
Total Cost: $53
Total Servings: 200 servings
Price/Serving: $0.27
How Much to Use in Mixture:
1) All
2) All
3) All
4) All
Cost/Value Analysis:
Cost per 2 servings (2 servings= 1 Workout Day)
Premium Custom Formula: $1.22/day
Power Drive Imitation: $0.58/day
Biotest, Power Drive: $1.13/day
Scivation, Neurostim: $2.14/day
I've compared the two formulas that mine most closely resembles (the choline/tyrosine combos of
Power Drive and
Neurostim). This is based on a two-servings-per-day intake. The first is ideally taken 45 minutes prior to working out (up to 4 hours is acceptable), altough it should be taken on an empty stomach, so you may have to schedule it 30 minutes before your pre-workout meal (which comes an hour or so before the workout). Then another taken after the workout either with your PWO drink or a few hours after the PWO meal following the workout.
The Biotest is actually a competitive value, so a really easy stack is the Power Drive plus the Natrol Memory Complex. If I could add only one thing to that, it would be Aniracetam/Piracetam/Oxiracetam.
Examples of Products These Custom Formulas Mimicks:
Biotest, Power Drive
BrainQuicken, Bodyquick
Ergopharm, Psychotropin
MRM, NeuroMax II
Neutroceutics, Gerovital
Scivation, Neurostim + C
Syntrax, Cerebro
Nootropics and Nootropic-Related Agents (for Your Own Research):
Alpha GPC (Alpha-Glycerylphosphorylcholine)
Acetyl-L-Carnitine
Adrafanil (Olmifon)
Aricept
Ashwganda
Bacoba
Caffeine
Centrophenoxine (Lucidril)
Desmopressin (DDAVP)
DMAE (Dimethylethanolamine)
Fipexide
GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid)
Galantamine
Gingko Biloba
Huperzine A
Hydergine
Idebenone
L-Dopa
L-Phenylalanine
L-Tyrosine
Lecithin (Phosphatidylcholine)
Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
Milacemide
Modafinil (Provigil)
Nicergoline
Perodozine
Phosphatidylserine
Picamilon
Pyritinol (Enerbol)
Pyroglutamate
Racetams:
- Aniracetam
- Oxiracetam
- Nefiracetam
- Piracetam
- Pramiracetam
Selegenine (Deprenyl)
Sulbutiamine (Arcalion)
Vassopressin
Vinpocetine
