Springfield Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 So, in case you haven't heard of nootropics, here's a wiki article about them: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nootropic Why I started this thread? Well a couple of reasons. First, in the following link that Mufumonk posted (really just to bust Jumbo's balls), one of the items marked as "manly" was a subscription service to nootropics. What could be more manly than being endorsed by the Art of Manliness? http://www.artofmanliness.com/2014/12/01/subscription-services-for-men/ Second, I've got a coworker who swears by the stuff. He takes a product called Alpha Brain. He says it puts him in a better mood, makes him sharper and better equipped to handle his job. I always stacked it up to a placebo effect. Third, it seems like an extension of holistic medicine which isn't very widely tested and can sometimes contain some sort of "gotcha" science, placebo effects and just pure luck. So. Does anyone take these nootropics? Do they work as advertised? Are they safe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mistertim Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 It seems that this is an extremely loose term that is used generically to encompass all sorts of supplements, etc.From what I've read I don't think they're all necessarily "snake oil" that rely completely on the placebo effect, but if you pay more for them than you would a double shot of espresso and a couple vitamins you overpaid. That basically seems to be the main ingredient that actually has any real effect...a stimulant. https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/the-pied-piper-of-nootropics/ https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/alpha-brain-whats-wrong-with-the-supplement-industry/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twa Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 not familiar with nootropics, but the real drugs certainly have impacts http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=6428947 there is hope for some of you yet, I'm working on killing mine off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chipwhich Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 Over prescribed America. It's how America does things. Ya wonder why folks are out there shooting people. They are all medicated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mistertim Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 Over prescribed America. It's how America does things. Ya wonder why folks are out there shooting people. They are all medicated. Most of this stuff is just "supplements". Not prescribed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chipwhich Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 Most of this stuff is just "supplements". Not prescribed. When I was younger, I was big on supplements. I used to take all kinds of stuff (I mentioned in another thread my parents were once Herbalife reps which might have started me on supplements). I started taking pills from a company (wish I remembered their name) that came in packets (many companies do this). Each packet contained vitamins and minerals and natural mood supplements. You took 3 packets a day so the morning mood supplements help with alertness and energy while the nighttime supplements had pills to calm you, help you sleep. I started having what I will say now what I would consider to be panic attacks...although I have no idea what a panic attack is, that's what I felt, panicked and nervous and crazy to some respect. I had two or three of these "attacks" before I decided to quit the supplements. I now just take some vitamins, if anything. You can't trust most of these supplements you buy off the shelf even at well known vitamin sellers. Your body also doesn't need it. But I get it, every kid is looking for an advantage. Based on my experience with those mood drugs, all these prescribed kids and shootings makes me wonder how much of it is due to mood enhancing pills. Oh and I never had another one of those "attacks" but I can remember them well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mistertim Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 Oh I don't disagree. I wasn't saying that as a proponent of "supplements". I think that whole industry is crawling with shady characters and products, mostly because if you're selling a "supplement" it doesn't have to pass any real FDA regulations as long as you know how to word your claims on the bottle or whatever. I stay pretty far away from that stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonkFan8 Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 I'm a neuroscientist but know next to nothing about the contents of most nootropics. That said, based on my quick survey of the literature I'd be pretty skeptical. Not to say the ingredients in these ****tails aren't neuroactive and have been shown to have positive effects individually, but there don't seem to be any legitimate and published double-blind studies demonstrating they're any better than placebo. That said, if it's placebo and it's working for you, go for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mistertim Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 Yeah, most of the stories of the efficacy of these kinds of supplements are anecdotal in nature. While that doesn't mean its necessary wrong, anecdotal evidence is far from being anything scientific. And just because a really smart person says it works for them doesn't mean they're right about it or understands how it works. Steve Jobs thought eating nothing but fruit was a great idea, there are scientists who are also creationists, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chump Bailey Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 I tried hydergine and liked it personally - did not care for piracetam. I'd suggest a product called Alpha Brain by Onnit Labs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoony Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 tongue of newt for me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEANDWARF Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 It's the real deal according to this guy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan T. Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 Haven't tried nootropics, but I've found success with Hooterville Rutabagas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjfootballer Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 I prefer this and so does Aunt Bea: Or this from Lucy: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No Excuses Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 It is mostly snake oil in my opinion (Molecular Neuroscience PhD). Nootropic ingredients generally tend to be either a neurotransmitter (the primary nerve to nerve signaling molecules) or precursors to neurotransmitters (building blocks of these neurotransmitters). They also contain enzymes that effect metabolic pathways as well. But the reality is that unless you have a major dietary inadequacy, these supplements won't do much for you. Alpha Brain is a pretty good example of this. It contains a precursor molecule for the synthesis of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. However, unless you have a deficiency in choline production to begin with, this supplement will do nothing for you. In a healthy adult, the limiting function in memory and cognition is likely not an issue with reduced acetylcholine production and boosting it will not have the desired effect. And it's shady and downright fraudulent that on the marketing website for Alpha Brain, they cite a study for the effectiveness of Alpha Brain, that examines GPC (precursor molecule for acetylcholine) effects on patients who suffered stroke and ischemic attacks. However, not only are these people in a diseased state, they are also given doses much higher than what the Alpha Brain supplement would give you. My issue with these nootropics comes down to the fact that there is little to no sufficient and long term data that backs a lot of their claims. Some of them are able to escape regulatory approval due to their labeling. And ultimately the effects in the ones that have been extensively tested have shown that positive effects are mostly seen in brains in a diseased state vs. healthy state. Modanafil is a pretty good example of this. Clinical studies show that people with ADHD see a positive gain in cognitive function but healthy brain states don't, and in fact see a negative change in cognition. My advice would be to tread very carefully and just avoid them for now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mistertim Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 Nice one, No Excuses. That was something I (as a layperson) had read in my brief lookup...that the "studies" cited were on people who already had deficiencies. I agree...that is pretty low grade and should be subject to some sort of ass kicking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Predicto Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 The scientific classification for these products is part of the Woo family. They are carefully calibrated to increase credulity and reduce fiscal excess in the patient. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcsluggo Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 tongue of newt for me Take this paper robe, and Mr. Gingrich will be right with you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Predicto Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 Eeeyew. I was going to "like" the above post, but it felt too weird to like anything that awful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PleaseBlitz Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 Second, I've got a coworker who swears by the stuff. He takes a product called Alpha Brain. He says it puts him in a better mood, makes him sharper and better equipped to handle his job. I always stacked it up to a placebo effect. Replace "Alpha Brain" with "coffee" and this makes me a nootropics ADDICT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twa Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 Irish coffee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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