# What is your nootropic stack? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 23, 2018, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-nootropic-stack/809390 "2018-02-23T04:03:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2018, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-nootropic-stack/809390/21 "2018-02-24T17:12:49Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > All I can say is that I hope I die before I get to the point where I have to refer to the amount of medications I take as a “stack”. :dubious: Stacking is using supplements and stimulants that work together. For instance some nootropics work by increasing your acetylcholine usage. If you don’t take in enough, then they’ll have no effect, so you want to “stack” a choline supplement with that. Likewise Caffeine is great for your brain but too much can make you anxious. Some people find that adding inositol damps down the anxiety without slowing the mental processes. I’m in the midst of trying to completely re-vamp all my nutrition habits, because I’ve found that I was absorbing WAY too iron. ([hemochromatosis\*](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hemochromatosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351443)) Just getting that input down has had an enormous effect. I must have been suffering for years without realizing it. But it requires a complete re-think of all my food and supplement strategies. It also means that what I thought was/wasn’t working may have had more to do with where my iron levels were that week. \ I use about 200mg caffeine every morning. Very rarely I’ll have a second cup of coffee in the afternoon but I’ll usually pay for that with a sleepless night, so I only do it when there is something I need to accomplish. The past few months I’ve spent spent a LOT of time indoors, so I take a vitamin D supplement, which also contains calcium and magnesium. I’ve started taking this at every meal because calcium helps retard iron absorption. If I’ve felt anxious throughout the day I’ll take a second magnesium supplement a little before bedtime. On the days when I don’t have eggs for breakfast I’ll take a choline supplement. It happens that the one I have on hand includes inositol. I try to eat salmon at least twice a week, and take a fish oil supplement when that’s not happening. Pterostilbene is not so much a nootropic as a neuro protective, but I take it every day. Piracetam stacked with choline was something I tried for a few months last year, but didn’t feel it was particularly helpful. The strongest nootropic result I’ve achieved though has just been from limiting carbs during the day. I try to keep my primary caloric intake from proteins in the day and carbs at night. \*It’s actually an evolutionary advantage in times where food is scarce, but works against the modern well-fed American. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2018, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-nootropic-stack/809390/22 "2018-02-24T17:30:45Z")
Good grief, no wonder woo is a billion dollar industry. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2018, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-nootropic-stack/809390/23 "2018-02-24T18:07:01Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Good grief, no wonder woo is a billion dollar industry. To be fair, it is generally well accepted by neurophysiologists that nutrtion can definitely affect cognitive abilities. It is not, however, very well developed how most nutrients specifically affect cognitive function across the population aside from specific nutritional deficiency pathologies, and the fact that most nootropic ‘supplements’ have not been evaluated in rigorous, replicated, peer-reviewed studies are are assured to meet any particular quality or content standard does not give a lot of credence to the wide variety of claims of consistently positive cognitive performance enhancement. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2018, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-nootropic-stack/809390/24 "2018-02-25T01:40:32Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Good grief, no wonder woo is a billion dollar industry. You [vastly underestimate](https://arstechnica.com/science/2018/02/supplements-are-a-30-billion-racket-heres-what-experts-actually-recommend/) the size of this cash cow (and that’s just for “nutritional supplements”). ---
**Author:** ![Bayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bayaker/32/3454_2.png) [@Bayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2018, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-nootropic-stack/809390/25 "2018-02-25T13:26:13Z")
After googling “nootropic stack” it looks like I might be taking one. At my SO’s insistence I take ginkgo biloba and a Centrum knockoff multi-vitamin. I think the vitamins might be OK but the ginkgo is just the price of domestic tranquility. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2018, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-nootropic-stack/809390/26 "2018-02-25T14:26:27Z")
> [@mandala](#): > > Do you have a nootropic stack that you take regularly? How long have you been taking it, and how has it helped you? Has it harmed you? > > I am not sure if herbs like St John’s Wort count as nootropics… but for the purposes of this thread let’s assume they are. > > I was taken in by all the tall talk about Piracetam, and took it for a while, years ago. I am neither smarter nor wiser, just older. Side-effect, maybe? I also took prescription Modafinil; now this is an effective drug. It made me awake-r and feeling good, but eventually, I noticed it exacerbates tic-like sensations and worsens (somehow) my chronic neck pain. So no more Modafinil for me. > > A month back, with some extra cash to blow, and serious competition at the workplace, I came back to Piracetam 800mg + Citicoline 500mg per day, plus one capsule SJW for kicks. I am feeling no smarter (or even any different) yet, but maybe it is too soon. > > I have not tried the more powerful ones like Aniracetam, PhenylGABA etc. Anybody with experience is welcome to weigh in. TIA. My what now? I think stuff like this is why Michael Pollan’s manifesto: **Eat Food. Not too much. Mostly plants.** works so well. It’s actually understandable. ---
**Author:** ![Steken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@Steken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steken)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2018, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-nootropic-stack/809390/27 "2018-02-25T14:29:16Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > To be fair, it is generally well accepted by neurophysiologists that nutrtion can definitely affect cognitive abilities. It is not, however, very well developed how most nutrients specifically affect cognitive function across the population aside from specific nutritional deficiency pathologies, and the fact that most nootropic ‘supplements’ have not been evaluated in rigorous, replicated, peer-reviewed studies are are assured to meet any particular quality or content standard does not give a lot of credence to the wide variety of claims of consistently positive cognitive performance enhancement. Very well said. This might perhaps be an interesting question for further discussion: For those of you who _do_ take supplements, are there any of 'em you secretly (or not-so-secretly) doubt the efficacy of? Here, I’ll go first: I have no doubt caffeine has an effect on me. I feel something like 80% confident that the l-theanine helps take the caffeine’s edge off, giving me a more stable, non-jittery sort of energy throughout the day. I have no doubt the psychedelics have an effect on me. Same for the magnesium, which I’m convinced has eliminated my bouts of proctalgia fugax. I’m _not_ so sure about the vitamin D, however - perhaps I already get enough of that stuff from the food that I eat? Hmmm not sure. I’m pretty much agnostic, at this point, about creatine and l-citrulline. I just don’t know enough about them just yet. I’ll read up on them, though, on the off-chance that they might help with power output, muscle soreness, etc. as I’ve recently gotten more heavily into exercise and BJJ. Oh and if any of the stuff mentioned above is considered woo / snake-oil, by all means please lemme know. Always happy to learn. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 8:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-nootropic-stack/809390/28 "2018-02-26T08:57:25Z")
Lithium orotate every few days Fish oil Citicoline Vitamin D I was starting to slow down with age a bit. This seems to have gotten me back to coming up with new ideas more frequently and able to maintain interest in work. Other things did not have the same effect. I’m still not where I’d like to be. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-nootropic-stack/809390/29 "2018-02-26T14:11:32Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > Stacking is using supplements and stimulants that work together. considering the near total lack of testing or regulation of “dietary supplements,” it’s pushing it to say they work _at all_ never mind work together. I suspect placebo is a big part of this. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2018, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-nootropic-stack/809390/30 "2018-02-27T02:03:05Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > considering the near total lack of testing or regulation of “dietary supplements,” it’s pushing it to say they work _at all_ never mind work together. > > I suspect placebo is a big part of this. Thank you for sharing. By all means find yourself a thread that actually interests you. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2018, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-nootropic-stack/809390/31 "2018-02-27T05:09:40Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > To be fair, it is generally well accepted by neurophysiologists that nutrtion can definitely affect cognitive abilities. It is not, however, very well developed how most nutrients specifically affect cognitive function across the population aside from specific nutritional deficiency pathologies, and the fact that most nootropic ‘supplements’ have not been evaluated in rigorous, replicated, peer-reviewed studies are are assured to meet any particular quality or content standard does not give a lot of credence to the wide variety of claims of consistently positive cognitive performance enhancement. > > Stranger Granted. It seems that there are those who will rush out to buy whatever fad supplement is currently being touted by those who make a living selling them, however. I like [this website](http://informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/snake-oil-scientific-evidence-for-nutritional-supplements-vizsweet/), which gives you an easy-to-read chart, and updates it according to the latest studies in efficacy for each item. It can be sorted and filtered, according to one’s interests, and they provide links to current information. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2018, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-nootropic-stack/809390/32 "2018-02-27T07:08:43Z")
I’ve always found that beer yields the best results. ---
**Author:** ![Steken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@Steken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steken)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2018, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-nootropic-stack/809390/33 "2018-02-27T11:29:43Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Granted. It seems that there are those who will rush out to buy whatever fad supplement is currently being touted by those who make a living selling them, however. I like [this website](http://informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/snake-oil-scientific-evidence-for-nutritional-supplements-vizsweet/), which gives you an easy-to-read chart, and updates it according to the latest studies in efficacy for each item. It can be sorted and filtered, according to one’s interests, and they provide links to current information. [This one’s good, too.](https://examine.com/) ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-nootropic-stack/809390/34 "2018-03-01T06:59:36Z")
> [@Steken](#): > > [This one’s good, too.](https://examine.com/) It has a store in it. It sells products and supplements. It can not, therefore be an unbiased source of information.\* . . . . \*See? My stack is working! ROFL ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-nootropic-stack/809390/35 "2018-03-01T07:38:57Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > It has a store in it. It sells products and supplements. It can not, therefore be an unbiased source of information. I wasn’t familiar with that site, but I took a quick look. It has a store in it, but the products it sells seem to be just information/guides, not supplements. ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-nootropic-stack/809390/36 "2018-03-01T07:46:35Z")
Indeed, after further reading: > [@](#): > > As [Examine.com](http://Examine.com) is an independent company that does not sell any supplements, we do not cherrypick. We are not trying to sell you supplements. We are 100% neutral and conduct all of our research independently, allowing us to come to our own conclusions regarding the validity of which supplements work. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-nootropic-stack/809390/37 "2018-03-01T08:06:55Z")
Stimulants that work together, you say? A double stack of mdma with a wee bit of a meth chaser. Re-upped every 4ish hrs or so. Also with a massive dose of 4 on the floor uncaunca music. Massive. There is plenty of evidence that this works. HOWEVER Mdma does NOT mix well with cocaine. Just fyi. Those days are done for me tho. But I’m not against coming out of retirement for a special event, should it present itself. ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-nootropic-stack/809390/38 "2018-03-01T12:29:24Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > Stimulants that work together, you say? > > A double stack of mdma with a wee bit of a meth chaser. Re-upped every 4ish hrs or so. Also with a massive dose of 4 on the floor uncaunca music. Massive. > > There is plenty of evidence that this works. > > HOWEVER > > Mdma does NOT mix well with cocaine. Just fyi. > > Those days are done for me tho. But I’m not against coming out of retirement for a special event, should it present itself. I can absolutely confirm this my own independent research, also behind me now. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/actualliberalnotoneofthose)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-nootropic-stack/809390/39 "2018-03-01T13:08:48Z")
I have had social anxiety disorder (comorbid with depression, eating disorders, and other things) for close to 40 years. I had to switch high schools after homeschooling myself for awhile, spent time in a mental hospital, dropped out of college 8 or 9 times (before graduating in my mid-30s), and when I was laid off from my last job I simply did not get one for 13 years. I’m not saying taking supplements cured that (I’m not Tom Cruise) but they have helped me survive a brutal job I almost was fired from immediately and have helped my general well-being and energy levels the past several months. I have less anxiety, better financial health, am at close to peak physique, etc. I started with the basic L-Theanine/caffeine stack and found that immediately relaxed me without losing energy (all effective medications I’ve ever taken cause relaxation with extreme lethargy, bloating/fat gain, non-ejaculation, etc) and I experimented with a few other things I read up on. I also like rhodolia rosea for energy. I know that these things do something. If you are someone who believes everything is woo, I suppose you believe that alcohol, weed, coke, heroin, lsd, you name it are all just things people use that don’t have any effects. ---
**Author:** ![mandala](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mandala/32/95_2.png) [@mandala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mandala)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2018, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-nootropic-stack/809390/40 "2018-03-02T04:40:47Z")
Anyone ever used Ginkgo Biloba, DHEA, or oxytocin nasal spray? [This](https://www.cognitivenutrition.com/) company sells nootropics and claims to have 100% pure, research-grade oxytocin spray. Does anyone have experience buying from this company? Years ago, I had bought some Adrafinil from this company and it didn’t work, so I am not sure any of their stuff is legit. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-nootropic-stack/809390.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-nootropic-stack/809390.md?page=3)