Daily Archives: October 9, 2021

How do they work?

The research is still inconclusive on exactly how the drugs work to stimulate the mind, but early research indicates they may act on a variety of different systems within the body simultaneously. One explanation is that they may increase blood flow to the brain, which allows the brain to use more oxygen.4

Some nootropics may raise the bodys adrenalin levels and produce effects similar to drinking large amounts of caffeine, which means people can stay awake for extended periods of time.

Some drugs increase the amount of certain chemicals (neurotransmitters) such as dopamine, which are released in the part of the brain associated with dependence.

The drugs often used to enhance cognition can generally be divided into 3 groups: Eugaroics, ADHD medications and Nootropic Supplements.

Eugeroics are a class of drugs that promote wakefulness and alertness. The most commonly used Eugeroic drug that is used to improve cognition is Modafinil.

Brand names: Modavigil, Modafin, Nuvigil

The drug was introduced in the late 1990s to treat narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea and shift work sleep disorder. Modafinil promotes wakefulness and alertness and may have some value in treating stimulant withdrawal and could be effective in decreasing drug craving and dependence. However, further research is needed.5,6

There is no safe level of drug use. Taking any type of drug always carries some risk, so its important to be careful.

Modafinil affects everyone differently, but the most common side effects include:

Research into nootropics is still limited which means there is a lot of uncertainty about the side effects the drugs may cause if used on an ongoing basis. It is recommended that these drugs are used only with a prescription from a medical practitioner to avoid any potential harms.

Types of ADHD medications used as nootropics include:

Methylphenidate, Lisdexamphetamine, Dexamfetamine

Brand names: Ritalin, Ritalin la, Concerta, Ritalin 10, Dexamphetamine tablets, Vyvanse

Ritalin was introduced during the 1950s to treat chronic fatigue, depression, and psychosis associated with depression. It was used extensively in the 1990s to treat ADHD and is now the most common psychotropic medication prescribed to children in the United States and Australia to treat restlessness, impulsive behaviour and inattentiveness.7 New research has explored the potential side effects of using Ritalin by people without ADHDsuch as students using it as a study enhancer. This research showed changes in brain chemistry associated with risk-taking behaviour, sleep disruption and other undesirable effects such as weight loss.8

There is no safe level of drug use. Taking any type of drug always carries some risk, so its important to be careful.

Methylphenidate affects everyone differently, but the most common side effects may include:

Long-term side effects

Regular use may eventually cause:

Certain B vitamins, fish oil and herbal supplements (such as Gingko biloba and extracts of Bacopa monnieri) may offer a safer option to pharmaceutical drugs to enhance cognitive performance. The benefits may not be as immediate but the effects are reportedly much longer lasting.11 The most commonly used nootropic supplements are CILTEP and Alpha Brain. However, the American Medical Association has advised that a number of products being advertised as nootropic supplements have not been examined in terms of safety and efficacy.

Read more:

Nootropics - ADF

Tyrosine enhances working memory, executive function, creative flow states, stress reduction, better mood, anti-anxiety and lessens symptoms of ADHD

L-Tyrosine is the master precursor required to form all catecholamine neurotransmitters.

Your brain uses the enzymetyrosine hydroxylaseto convert L-Tyrosine intoL-DOPA. Decarboxylation of L-DOPA results in synthesis of theneurotransmitterdopamine.[i]

Once converted into dopamine, the enzyme dopamine-beta-hydroxylase converts L-DOPA into norepinephrine(noradrenaline).

And Phenylethanolamine n-methyltransferase converts norepinephrine into epinephrine(adrenaline).

This triad of neurotransmitters are collectively known as catecholamines.

Tyrosine can be a highly effectivenootropicfor boosting cognitivefunction. And is particularly helpful in maintaining cognitive performance when youre under practically any kind of stress. Including music played above 90 dBs.

L-Tyrosine works in synergy withstimulantslike methylphenidate (i.e. Ritalin).[ii]Drugs like Ritalin work by blocking the reuptakeof the neurotransmitters dopamine, and norepinephrine. And if theres not enough dopamine available to do the job, Ritalin doesnt work very well.L-Tyrosinepotentiatesincreases in extracellular dopamine.

L-Tyrosine also stimulates the production of thyroid hormones T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine) which are crucial in maintaining both overall physical and cognitive health.

L-Tyrosine can boost libido,memory,focus,concentration, mood, offers anti-depressant effects, and improvesexecutive functionin those with ADHD.

Tyrosine helps:

Your brain converts L-Tyrosine to L-DOPA which then produces theneurotransmitterdopamine. The unused dopamineis then further converted into the neurotransmittersnorepinephrine(noradrenaline) and epinephrine(adrenaline). This triad of neurotransmitters are collectively referred to as catecholamines.

Tyrosine is derived from the Greek wordtyros, meaning cheese. It was first discovered by German chemist Justus von Liebig in 1846 in the protein casein from cheese.

Tyrosine is considered anon-essentialamino acid because it can be synthesized in your body fromphenylalanine. Which is found in many high-protein foods such as poultry, fish, dairy, nuts, soy products, lima beans, avocados and bananas.

L-Tyrosine enhancesworking memoryandexecutive functionin the prefrontal cortex. It helps withcreative flow states, is fuel for inspiration,cognitive flexibility, and the kind of convergent thinking you do in multiple choice exams.

L-Tyrosine assists in the production of thyroid hormonesT3 (triiodothyronine)andT4 (thyroxine)which are crucial in maintaining both overall physical and cognitive health.

N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine (NALT)is the amino acid L-Tyrosine with an acetyl group added. When you take NALT as a supplement, it breaks down in your kidneys back into L-Tyrosine. So in theory, the two supplements offer the same benefits.

There is some debate in thenootropicscommunity on which is more effective.NALTor plainL-Tyrosine. NALT is a more soluble form of L-Tyrosine so itshouldbe morebioavailableto your body.

However, some studies report that in some cases, a sizeable percentage of supplemental NALT is excreted in urine before its converted into L-Tyrosine.[iv]

On a personal note, I havent had any issues using NALT as a source of L-Tyrosine. It gives me a dopamine and adrenal boost youd expect from supplementing with a dopamineprecursor.

But when I havent any NALT around I successfully switch to L-Tyrosine although at a slightly higher dose.

When dealing withADHD/ADD, L-Tyrosine is particularly effective when stacked withALCAR (Acetyl-L-Carnitine). ALCAR easily crosses theblood-brain barrierfor boostingacetylcholinelevels. And seems to positively influenceserotoninlevels. And Tyrosine provides my brain with the dopamine it needs to mitigate symptoms of ADHD/ADD.

I find that L-Tyrosine stacked with 20 mg of Ritalintwice a day works particularly well. Clearly, this brain doesnt have the capacity to produce enough dopamine on its own. And needs the boost that comes from supplementing with Tyrosine.

So like all nootropics,YMMV. Always take into account how each nootropic works synergistically with others in yourstack. And how they work with any meds you need to take.

This is as much art as it is science. And experimentation is key for optimal cognition.

L-Tyrosine boosts brain health and function in several ways. But two in particular stand out.

In one study done at the University of Bedfordshire in the UK, the effect of L-Tyrosine on cognitive performance was measured before an exercise task.

Researchers recruited 8 soccer players. And had them complete a 90-minute soccer simulation performance test in an environmental chamber set at 77 degrees Fahrenheit.

The soccer players were given either L-Tyrosine before exercise or a placebo. Cognitive performance was measured before the exercise task. Then again at half-time, following half time, and following the entire simulation.

The cognitive performance task assessed dual-task and vigilance. The outcome revealed that cognitive vigilance and reaction time among soccer players significantly improved following administration of L-Tyrosine.

Results showed that in warm-weather conditions,L-Tyrosine could enhance cognitive function and prevent cognitive impairment during exposure to exercise-heat stress.[v]

The unused dopamine can then convert into the neurotransmitters norepinephrine(noradrenaline) andepinephrine(adrenaline).

Norepinephrine is important for attentiveness, emotions, sleeping, dreaming and learning.

Epinephrine drives your flight-or-flight response. Its what prompts your reaction to dangerous circumstances, emergency situations, or in stressful situations or environments.

In one study done in the Netherlands, researchers determined if L-Tyrosine would boost cognitive resources associated with cognitive control. They performed tests designed to measure working memory using the N-Back Test.

Study participants were assigned to engage in a 1-back condition of easy difficulty and then a 2-back condition of tougher difficulty. Those that used L-Tyrosine demonstrated superior performance in the 2-back test, but not the 1-back test.

The study authors suggested that L-Tyrosine provides greater cognitive enhancementwhen cognitive demand increases. The bottom-line; supplementation of L-Tyrosine may help youincrease your IQ score due to maximizing catecholamine reserves.[vi]

As we get older, our brain and body chemistry and energy metabolism changes.

Dopaminergic neurons are damaged or die

Neurotransmitter levels decline

Thyroid hormones decline

Stress levels increase

Working memory and mood decline

All of these changes are often attributed to aging. But could be a result of dietary and lifestyle choices.

Unchecked, they could lead to neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinsons, a drop-in quality of life and depression.

L-Tyrosine can boost levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. And contributes to the production of thyroid hormones T4 and T3.

Tyrosine can help boost cognition especially in stressful situations. It helps improve decision making, flow state and creativity, cognitive flexibility, and working memory.

L-Tyrosine converts into L-DOPA to produce dopamine. L-DOPA is also used to make melanin in your body. This conversion process helps in the removal of neurotoxicquinones. And chelates heavy metals like mercury and lead which can accumulate in and damageneurons.

The dopamine that is not used by your brain is available to produce norepinephrine (noradrenaline)which is important for attentiveness, emotions, sleeping, dreaming, and learning.

L-Tyrosine can be an effective nootropic when stacked with ADHD/ADD meds like Ritalin or Adderall. It helps supply extracellular dopamine needed to improve the effectiveness of stimulants used to boost the uptake of dopamine in your brain.

Keep in mind that L-Tyrosine is a precursor to catecholamines. So if youre not low on dopamine, norepinephrine or epinephrine you may not feel anything.

Many neurohackers report a lift in mood, better focus, concentration, increased energy, and an overall sense of well-being. L-Tyrosine can help readjust your motivation levels. It can help lower anxiety levels, especially social anxiety.

Supplementing with L-Tyrosine can help bring your blood pressure down if its elevated from a stressful situation or environment. Take it before the stressful event if you can.

L-Tyrosine helps buffer the effects ofstimulantslike caffeine or amphetamines. It helps potentiate and prolong the effects of Ritalin or Adderall, and reduces the crash.

If youre into athletics or do manual work, youll find that supplementing with L-Tyrosine before a workout or construction job will leave you feeling great afterwards. It helps mitigate many of the effects of acute stress caused by short-term stressors.

And L-Tyrosine helps your body to produce melanin, so you may find it easier to get a tan while at the beach.

Several studies have investigated using L-Tyrosine for the treatment of ADHD. One informal study published in the 1980s determined that L-Tyrosine resulted in short-term relief from ADHD symptoms. But subjects eventually reachedtoleranceand a diminished effect.

This is important for neurohackers to keep in mind. Itseemsthat L-Tyrosine on its own can benefit some more than others. Regardless if youre treating ADHD, or are perfectly cognitively healthy.

Ive seen more than one report of nootropic users experiencing tolerance after just a week of supplementing with L-Tyrosine. But most peer-reviewed, published studies show positive results.

One study published in Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment in 2011 looked at using amino acid precursors for the treatment of ADHD. Including L-Tyrosine for dopamine, and 5-HTP for serotonin.

The study used 85 young people aged 4 18 years old, all with a clinical diagnosis of ADHD. They were treated for an initial period of 8 10 weeks.

Urinary samples to determine serotonin and dopamine levels were collected within the first 4 weeks. If they didnt reach adequate levels, subjects were moved to higher dosing levels 2 and then 3 until they got relief from symptoms.

Researchers found that thedopamine and serotonin precursors yielded similar results to Strattera and Ritalin. And the amino acid protocol may be equal in efficacy to potent, pharmaceutical ADHD medications.[vii]

This study is particularly interesting for its nootropic application. Its commonly understood that blood pressure rises when were under stress. The source of stress doesnt really matter. Stress up = blood pressure up.

A study in Amsterdam showed that L-Tyrosine administration decreased blood pressure about 15 minutes after ingestion. This study involved assessing task performance following acute stress.

Acute stressis usually short-term and can be caused by driving, fighting, athletics, martial arts training, war, combat training, CrossFit, cold showers, loud music, intense movies, loud noises, business deals, relationships, school, exams and more.

The point is,this study is applicable to every one of us. The study found thatL-Tyrosine reduced diastolic blood pressure within 15 minutesof taking the supplement. And blood pressure normalized within 1 hour.

This study tells us that L-Tyrosine may promote a decrease in blood pressure caused by stress. Andcould be used to mitigate the effects of stressful situations if takenpriorto the stressful event.[viii]

Cognitive flexibilityapplies to those who can adjust their thinking quickly to adapt to novel situations and stimuli. A high degree of cognitive flexibility is associated withincreased fluid intelligence, superior reading and comprehension, and ahealthier brain.

Recent research (2015) supports the idea that L-Tyrosine promotes cognitive flexibility. In this trial, researchers recruited 22 adults. And setup a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

All subjects were assigned a task switching procedure to measure their flexibility. The results showed that receiving L-Tyrosine supplementation increased cognitive flexibility compared to the placebo group.

The researchers determined that L-Tyrosine can facilitate cognitive flexibility by repleting cognitive resources.[ix]

The team observed thatincreased cognitive flexibility was likely due to a boost in dopamine concentrations. They noted that L-Tyrosine enhanced usage of various cognitive resources. Andone way to increase your cognitive flexibility would be to start supplementing with L-Tyrosine.

It stands to reason that people who are close-minded, set it their ways, are resistant to change and cant cope with unexpected stimuli or situations have cognitive rigidity. And its likely due to suboptimal dopamine levels.

L-Tyrosine suggested dosage for cognitive benefit is 500 mg 2 grams per day.

You may find your body responds to smaller doses. Or even more if youre stacking it with stimulants like ADHD meds. Listen to your body and see how you react.

Dose L-Tyrosine an hour before or two hours after a meal. Otherwise, youll not experience the benefits of this nootropic.

I personally stack L-Tyrosine with my Ritalin dose twice per day. And a final dose of L-Tyrosine late afternoon to prevent a stimulant crash.

NOTE: long-term use of L-Tyrosine can suppress serotonin. Symptoms include depression, fatigue or severe anxiety feeling much like a panic attack. You can easily counter this by supporting serotonin with a 250 500 mg L-Tryptophan about 60 mins. before bed.

L-Tyrosine is considered non-toxic and very safe. Most neurohackers dont have any negative side effects from using L-Tyrosine.

At higher doses there are reports of stomach issues and migraines. Migraine problems usually happen to those who already suffer from migraines. Thismaybe an indication that your neurotransmitter levels are already optimal, and you dont need to supplement with L-Tyrosine.

L-Tyrosine can increase your thyroid hormones. So if yourehyperthyroid you should use caution when supplementing with L-Tyrosine because it may change the way your thyroid meds work.

And if youre takingMAO inhibitors (MAOIs)like selegiline, Azilect, Marplan or Nardil youshould notuse L-Tyrosine.

MAOIs work in your brain by blocking the enzyme monoamine oxidase. This enzyme normally blocks excess dopamine. But when you block the enzyme, more dopamine is released.

So using L-Tyrosine in combination with MAOIs could raise dopamine levels too high. Resulting in a rapid rise in blood pressure (hypertensive crisis). Causing severe headache, nausea and sweating, severe anxiety, rapid heartbeat, chest pain, vision changes, shortness of breath and confusion.

A severe increase in blood pressure from this combo can lead to hemorrhagic stroke or a heart attack.

L-Tyrosine is available to buy in powder, capsule and tablet form. Capsules and tablets are usually 300 500 mg.

Some pre-made nootropic stacks and workout stacks also include L-Tyrosine as part of their formula.

N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine (NALT) is an alternative to plain L-Tyrosine. NALT has an acetyl group added to L-Tyrosine in an attempt to make it more bioavailable.

For example, Mind Lab Pro contains 11 brain enhancing nootropic compounds including N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine.

I recommend Mind Lab Pro because it addresses all aspects of anxiety resistance, memory and cognitive enhancement, stabilizes mood, brain repair, and maintenance.

This premium nootropic stack is designed to affect neurotransmitters, cognitive energy, brain waves, neuroprotection, and regeneration. See my Mind Lab Pro review for a detailed report.

Ensure you read labels carefully and stick with manufacturers who follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). And are GMP-Certified. And do your best to avoid toxic other ingredients which are usually listed at the bottom of Supplement Facts labels.

L-Tyrosine500 mg 2 grams per day

I recommend using L-Tyrosine as a nootropic supplement.

Your body does synthesize someL-Tyrosine fromphenylalaninewhich comes from high-protein foods like chicken, fish, almonds, avocados and bananas.

But most of us dont get enough L-Tyrosine from our diet. So supplementation will help.

Read the original:

Tyrosine Nootropics Expert

Ive been a regular user of nootropics for many years, both synthetic and otherwise. The effects of Lions Mane were fairly consistent compared to other nootropics, perhaps a little bit less intense and in-your-face, which is probably a good thing. This indicates that the supplement isnt overwhelming my natural capacity to function, rather that its adjusting and improving my neural functioning at a reasonable level.

Week 1

The first day that I used Lions Mane didnt really change much. I felt a little bit less anxious (I usually struggle with fairly severe social anxiety) and my mood may have been slightly improved, but nothing obvious was happening. The same was true for day two. However, on day three I began to notice a few improvements. I found myself able to hold a conversation for better and found that my responses were wittier. As the week progressed, I found myself having an easier time pulling facts and memories out of my head. These benefits followed me into my social engagements and I found myself enjoying interesting and fulfilling conversations. There is some discussion online about Lions Mane sleep effects, but I didnt notice any changes in my sleep schedule throughout the month.

Week 2

As the Lions Mane continued to work its magic, its effects became more apparent in my writing and work. I found it easier to juggle different facts during my research and had an easier time drawing connections between different ideas. Remember, these benefits werent nearly as profound as something like Noopept. Synthetic nootropics have a powerful ability to create laser-sharp focus, which is nice in the short term. However, I prefer not to use synthetic nootropics over the long term anymore as I feel like theyre a bit taxing on my brain. Lions Mane, on the other hand, was smooth, gradual, and helpful. However, the effects were subtle enough that, if I hadnt been diligently taking the Lions Mane mushroom supplement, I might not have noticed any profound changes.

Week 3

Week 3 was consistent with week 2. Social skills were improved, social anxiety was slightly reduced, and I had an easier time focusing on my work and schooling.

Week 4

As I entered into week 4 I became less aware of the Lions Mane mushroom effects. They were probably still active, but Id grown so used to them that I was no longer aware of any tangible benefits. This felt like a good place to stop using the supplement, so I stopped. I didnt notice any withdrawal effects or cognitive deficit right away, although I did feel my social anxiety start to creep back in a couple of days after Id stopped using the mushroom.

Original post:

I took Lions Mane mushroom for 30 days, here is what happened