(Part 2) Top products from r/Nootropics

First 90 days:

• 8 of these (100 milligrams iodine/iodide): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074CYVLFG
  
  
• 12 of these (nutrient support): https://www.amazon.com/Thorne-Research-Nutrients-Soy-Free-Detoxification/dp/B000VYZCTY
  
  
• Salt pushing for the first week (1/2 teaspoon as needed; use distilled or fluoride-/chlorine-free water): https://www.amazon.com/Celtic-Sea-Salt-Ground-Ounce/dp/B009NT3JD4
  
  First 90 days (maybe):
  
  
• May need extra vitamin C (if iodine still not being absorbed; 2-5 of these): https://www.amazon.com/NOW-Vitamin-Sustained-Release-Tablets/dp/B0013P1GD6
  
  
• ATP cofactors (may or may not be needed; buy if still experiencing low energy after the first week): https://www.amazon.com/Optimox-Cofactors-Production-Vitamins-Magnesium/dp/B002D9DFQ2
  
  Maintenance:
  
  
• 1 (up to 4) of these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074CYVLFG
  
  
• A good multivitamin like AOR Ortho-Core, Life Extension Mix (+ Once-Daily Health Booster), Thorne 2/day, or Life Extension Two-per-day
  
  
• A good omega-3 supplement like Doctor's Best Real Krill Enhanced (500 mg+ krill, more DHA than EPA, at least 500 mg DHA): https://www.amazon.com/Doctors-Best-Enhanced-SUPERBA-Softgels/dp/B003XA2IGS
  
  
• If necessary, add extra selenium (Selenomethionine) to ensure at least 200 mcg is taken each day: https://www.amazon.com/NOW-Foods-Selenium-200-VCaps/dp/B00SJKPBNY
  
  Extras/Tips:
  
  
• Use magnesium oil spray as a deodorant (2-3 sprays under each arm): https://www.amazon.com/Life-flo-Pure-Magnesium-Oil-Ounce/dp/B004NHN9OA
  
  
• Use something like Uncle Harry's Natural Toothpaste to keep teeth clean: https://www.amazon.com/Uncle-Harrys-Fluoride-Free-Toothpaste/dp/B003CTU27W
  
  
• Maybe you'll like Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Liquid Soap: https://www.amazon.com/Dr-Bronners-Pure-Castile-Liquid-Soap/dp/B00120VWJ0
  
  
• Use MSM lotion + castor oil (if you generally apply lotion): https://www.amazon.com/NWC-Naturals-Ultra-Extra-Healing-Lotion/dp/B004RC9KH6

Honestly anything that is an SSRI could be both considered a nootropic and might help with those conditions but i would highly recommend trying other things first and seeing a doctor.

You might also want to look into bibliotherapy. The book "Feeling Good" has been used for depression and anxiety and research has shown it to be rather effective and much cheaper than many other options.

http://www.amazon.com/Feeling-Good-The-Mood-Therapy/dp/0380810336

I also found this book to have some useful information for general lifestyle changes that are good for people who have these issues

http://www.amazon.com/Depression-Cure-6-Step-Program-without/dp/0738213888

Also there are now free online programs to help with these conditions

https://moodgym.anu.edu.au/welcome

I've heard good things about Jarrow, but I've never tried any of their products.

Magnesium:

https://examine.com/supplements/magnesium/


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BD0RT0/

Fish Oil:

https://examine.com/supplements/fish-oil/


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004O2I9JO/

Vitamin D:

https://examine.com/supplements/vitamin-d/

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004N8TTBQ/



You'll see in the examine article for Magnesium that I linked why I suggest it and Vit D; people are a lot of times deficient in one, or both. Fish Oil is just generally also seen as a good thing to supplement, and it also helps the Vit D be absorbed.

These things, in my experience, give you a much better baseline. Unless you have a really solid/varied diet/lots of sun exposure, these can really help.

No formal education but I have some friends in the field and I've been studying some of their textbooks and talking to them about it a lot lately. Molecular Neuropharmacology is a great book, not an easy read, but full of information. NMDA antagonists like magnesium are also supposed to help prevent neurotoxicity from Ca influx, many people take them for tolerance prevention:

http://www.bluelight.ru/vb/threads/501875-NMDA-antagonists-for-tolerance-a-collection-of-the-evidence-and-anecdotal-reports?highlight=amphetamine+tolerance+nmda

http://www.bluelight.ru/vb/threads/97021-Speed-Meth-tolerance-prevention-reduction-long

"Neurology" is a medical discipline, i.e. a department you would find in a hospital, so that would not be appropriate for your case. "Neuroscience", on the other hand, is the name of the scientific study, which is what you should look into, but overall that is too broad of a field.

For what you're trying to learn, I'd just start directly diving into neuropharmacology. Any good resource should give you enough of an overview before things get more complicated; perhaps having a review of high school science might be good, but not necessary.

Here's a recommendation for a good reference textbook: https://www.amazon.com/Molecular-Neuropharmacology-Foundation-Clinical-Neuroscience/dp/0071481273

Here’s what I take.

Doctor's Best PepZin GI, Zinc-L-Carnosine Complex, Non-GMO, Vegan, Gluten Free, Soy Free, Digestive Support, 120 Veggie Caps https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0035BYOSA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_mFwMBb6JKGHJ6

Yeah I read the beginner's guide but I'm still unsure. Like, I was looking on Amazon for combinations but they didn't specify how pure the l-theanine was (Suntheanine is the only 100% because they patented the process, right?). I see a lot of them have high reviews but they just look scammy like this saying words like "smart drug no jitters or crash", even though it may be the case just sounds like marketing buzzwords, etc.

Yup, specifically this one. I usually drop a full dropper's worth into my mouth. I've read weird things like it should be sublingual, it works better when heated, etc... Just trying to find the best option, I guess.;


Thanks again!

I was on an antibiotic called Doxycycline for moderate acne for about 3 years. During that time I started getting pretty major depression, anxiety, and gastro problems and had no idea that it could be related. I wasn't really explained the side effects by my doctor and had 0 clue how important your microbiome is to your physical and mental health. Having good gut flora is extremely essential to your mood, weight and general well being. I have been taking just basic Jarrow probiotics from Amazon for the last few months and it has done wonders for my mood and stomach. All I can say is seriously just do it. You've got nothing to lose and it will balance out your good to bad flora ratio which will help all sorts of things.

http://www.amazon.com/Jarrow-Formulas-Jarro-dophilus-EPS-VegiCapsules/dp/B0013OUKTS

This is what I use and it's ben great. Maybe there's better out there somewhere? I'd like to know.

I use this. It's pure ashwangandha and cheapest price per pound.

Banyan Botanicals Ashwagandha Powder - USDA Certified Organic, 1 Pound - Adaptogenic Ayurvedic Herbal Supplement That Promotes Vitality & Strength - Support for Stress-free Living! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AFDPDYU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_PH4KAbDJJPPZ6

Ovega-3 is pretty high quality I would say. It's derived directly from algae, which is what fish get their Omega 3s from. You get a far more sustainable and clean source of DHA and EPA while still retaining quality. Plus there is no flavor at all so I think it's a really great product. I use these myself.

You can get modafinil and the like without a prescription if you order it off the grey market. I'm not familiar with getting it into NZ though.

But yeah, the nutritional supplements are generally non-prescription. Choline supplements, piracetam, l-theanine and the like should be freely available. I've linked to ones that I personally use and would vouch for, though lots of others here get stuff from from various merchants and report high quality.

Might want to scope out those testosterone levels. Total T, free t, and e2 at a minimum. Just kind of a standard thing that's good to rule out. I reccommend taking five of these in the morning

There's this but it has no bottle. None of the measured droppers on Amazon seem to have screw tops for putting on a bottle, either. Strange.

I know this will sound strange, but this product comes with a dropper in the bottle that denotes 1mL in .25 increments. It's the only one that comes in a bottle I know of and, once I had used up the extract, I cleaned the bottle and am saving it for future storage/measurement needs.

The extract isn't that bad, either. You can definitely get more intense results from lab chems, however.

• Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52ND and Bifidobacterium longum Rosell-175 influence physical and emotional symptoms of stress*. I never heard of reuteri
  
  These are examples of longum and helveticus to buy
  
  Like this one Mood PROBIOTIC (by InnovixLabs). The first probiotic formula clinically proven to ease physical and psychological symptoms of stress. 60 Capsules. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZMO7UKW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_GQ-gzb8T0T2MS
  
  Or in jarrows which doesnt need to be refrigeratored Jarrow Formulas Jarro-Dophilus EPS, 5 Billion Cells Per Capsule, Supports Intestinal Function and Health, 120 Veggie Capsules https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0013OUKTS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_9X-gzbW6YPNZW
  
  Heres a list of ten probiotics for mood:
  http://mentalhealthdaily.com/2016/03/01/10-best-probiotics-for-depression-anxiety-gut-brain-axis-modification/
  
  Is it better to have many strains than just 1?

Jarrow's seems to be the best option out of the ones I've found. Also available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013OVTM0/

You can get capsules from Amazon. Honestly, it's just not bad, since they're pre-measured at 200mg, so I can roughly estimate how much to take, and have an exact overall total.
I'm not sure if I'm allowed to link to Amazon. It's presently $14 for 300 capsules 200mg each.
edit: the link: https://www.amazon.com/Bulksupplements-Caffeine-Capsules-gelatin-capsules/dp/B01IA8YFAE/

Are you spraying properly? Fluid shouldn't drip from your nose and you shouldn't feel/taste it in the back of your throat. Getting consistent results with the sprays is hard and requires patience to let it absorb in each nostril, spray by spray. I ended up doing 4 sprays, 2-3 times a day, lazily and having no idea how much semax I was actually getting. I've used both Semax and NA-Semax sprays.

I eventually switched to NA-Semax-A subq injections. It's not hard and semax alleviates any needle anxiety after the first time. I respond well to NA-Semax-A at 800mcg. If you have a 100mcg spray, you would need 8 sprays to hit that level (and some won't be absorbed).

45 min before I play sports in the early evening, I take 2 sprays of NA-Semax, 1ml of Lion's Mane extract, 6mg ionic boron, 300mg Optimal Choline Complex and .5ml of ceretropic's caffeine/nalt. This stack improves my speed, strength, coordination and endurance to such a degree that it feels like cheating.

Zinc orotate is very inexpensive and seems to be effective. https://www.amazon.com/Zinc-Orotate-9-5-200-Tabs/dp/B004UAPG46/

Zinc carnosine isn’t very expensive and can definitely be taken on an empty stomach. I take it with NAC. https://www.amazon.com/Doctors-Best-Zinc-L-Carnosine-Complex-Digestive/dp/B0035BYOSA/

If you eat a lot of red meat you don’t need to supplement zinc.

I buy Suntheanine on amazon. It's pretty cheap and there are 90 capsules
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001OXTGVG?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00

Quit messing around with the scoop estimates and get a scale. I strongly recommend the Smart Weigh JDS20. It's a lot better than the Gemini-20 scale because you can use weigh boats with it.

Scoops measure volume, but owing to the differing density of substances they are not an accurate measure of weight.

I was thinking of buying this one with caffeine through Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GXPNEUO/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_er3Oub050YR76

Thoughts? Could I get this at a local shop? Can you share some of your experience?

https://www.amazon.com/Smart-Weigh-JDS20-Digital-0-001g/dp/B00ESGK8WW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1480408193&sr=8-2&keywords=DA-20+Digital+Milligram+Scale+0.001+G

Ha?

KSM-66 is a brand correct ?
This one?

KSM-66 Ashwagandha 600mg - Organic Root Extract - High Potency 5% Withanolides - Health Benefits Include Reduced Stress and Anxiety, Increased Energy and Focus (90 Vegetarian Capsules) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DN3GQBC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_19wKAbD3PW3JP

I'm not sure why you're getting downvoted for this. It seems pretty obvious that killing fish to extract their oil, which they get from algae, is inefficient compared to getting it directly from the algae.

For those that would prefer capsules - http://www.rayandterry.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=VPURE

EDIT: actually there seem to be cheaper sources. - search around

"Amerifit Nutrition Ovega-3 DHA EPA Vegetarian" might be your best bet - http://www.amazon.com/Ovega-3-Omega-3-500mg-Vegetarian-Softgels/dp/B004LL7AXE

OP this is what you want I promise you.

http://www.amazon.com/Molecular-Neuropharmacology-Foundation-Clinical-Neuroscience/dp/0071481273?tag=coursera-course83-20

cool!

I take this, really wonder how much s-phane is actually in it though

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013OVTM0/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Nature's Way Calm Aid Nature's Way 30 Softgels https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007TYY2JA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_AvuAybW357FED

I really enjoy the "high" of taking a large dose of ashwagandha. I've found that neither sensoril nor ksm-66 produce it but this cheap, bulk ashwagandha does.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AFDPDYU/

Is there much difference between this and other Ashwagandha root powders? I found this one which is about 5 times cheaper per gram, just wondering if the KSM-66 is worth it.

try these:

www.bulkpowders.fr

fr.myprotein.com

Even if I suggest to take sun-theanine, which you can buy from amazon (I use this one)

Just as a data point, Smart Caffeine does 100 caffeine to 200 L-theanine - it works well for me, but I haven't tried other ratios, either.

I'm currently just taking 1 pill in the morning, although I've thought about adding a second pill around lunch or so for longer work days.

Fish oil usually has a couple of good types of Omega 3's in it ( DHA, EPA) with other oils mixed in.

You can also get your omega 3 from plant sources ,such as flax seed oil which is typically ALA. A substantial fraction of ALA will be converted to DHA/EPA in your body, so consuming DHA/EPA directly isn't necessary.

Non-fish sources are generally higher purity, and are less likely to be nasty, but if they're DHA/EPA they can be more expensive.

I get mine from http://www.amazon.com/Ovega-3-Omega-3-500mg-Vegetarian-Softgels/dp/B004LL7AXE - But that source could get expensive if you're planning on doing high-dose omega 3.

https://www.amazon.com/Sprayer-Improved-2-Pack-Colloidal-Applications/dp/B00JZ29SQ6

https://www.amazon.com/Bulksupplements-Caffeine-Capsules-gelatin-capsules/dp/B01IA8YFAE/

https://www.amazon.com/BulkSupplements-Pure-L-Theanine-Powder-grams/dp/B00E7GESLA/

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00E7GESLA?psc=1&ref=yo_pop_mb_pd_title

https://www.amazon.com/KSM-66-Ashwagandha-600mg-Withanolides-Vegetarian/dp/B01DN3GQBC/

Here you go http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004O2I9JO/
I take two a day.

> Jarrow probiotics

https://www.amazon.ca/Jarrow-Formulas-Jarro-dophilus-EPS-Capsules/dp/B0013OUKTS

These?

An example: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013OVTM0/?th=1

http://www.amazon.com/Doctors-Best-Suntheanine-L-Theanine-Vegetable/dp/B001OXTGVG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1395606982&sr=8-3&keywords=theanine

https://www.amazon.com/NatureBright-SunTouch-Light-Therapy-package/dp/B000W8Y7FY/ref=lp_13053141_1_3_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1511486398&sr=1-3

NSAIDs plus Zinc L-Carnosine should fix that for you.

http://www.nature.com/nrgastro/journal/v4/n5/full/ncpgasthep0778.html

http://www.amazon.com/Doctors-Best-PepZin-Veggie-120-Count/dp/B0035BYOSA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449269714&sr=8-1&keywords=Pepzin+Gi

1 cap (500mg) of lemon balm, 1 cap (350mg) of chamomile, and 200mg of theanine.

Calm Aid/Silexan/Lavender extract has some research behind it (check the archive).

These bottles seem to be high quality. In the questions and answers section, the CEO of the company that sells them said they dispense 0.1 ml per spray.

CDP Choline is best for phenylpiracetam. I take 250mg when I take the P-Piracetam, and 250mg in the evening. If I don't take both pills, then I get horribly depressed.

The brand that works for me: http://www.amazon.com/Jarrow-Formulas-Choline-250mg-Capsules/dp/B0013OUJPS

I would get the capsules of caffeine in that case. A) weighing powders sucks and B) It's dirt cheap for 200mg https://www.amazon.com/Bulksupplements-Caffeine-Capsules-gelatin-capsules/dp/B01IA8YFAE/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1480443814&sr=8-1&keywords=caffeine+bulk

I suffer from anxiety and depression and take this almost everyday: https://www.amazon.com/KSM-66-Ashwagandha-600mg-Withanolides-Vegetarian/dp/B01DN3GQBC/ref=sr_1_4_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1503326800&sr=8-4&keywords=ksm-66&th=1

I can feel the calming effects within an hour or two of taking it and can definitely tell when I forget to take it.

Naturebright. I live in Ohio and need so many tools to combat sad during the fall and winter https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000W8Y7FY/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1511559109&sr=8-1&keywords=sad+lamp&dpPl=1&dpID=31yRc4EuwnL&ref=plSrch

I take 1000 mg of Ashwagandha (KSM 66 Standardized Extract) with one capsule of CalmAid lavender oil upon waking and 1500 to 2000 mg of Ash every night before bed. It keeps my anxiety levels and panic very manageable. I use LiftMode's theanine as needed on extra stressful days. 200 mg usually lasts 2-3 hours.

Calm Aid https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007TYY2JA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_F-9EybDAY9N7E

Ashwagandha https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RN7PZ4O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_x.9Eyb4F1JE3Q

Theanine https://liftmode.com/l-theanine-200-grams-7-05-oz-99-pure-fblm.html

I've had success using light therapy in combination with supplementation to fix my circadian rhythm disorder and SAD. I used this light therapy in the mornings, supplemented with vit B12 and vit D3 in the mornings, and melatonin at night. I also use St. John's Wort 300mg 2x/day in the winter for my SAD.

I take it every morning with my racetams as a nootropic in its own right and as a choline source. It is available on amazon. (Just realised you weren't asking if it was available, but just making the observation.)

It helps keep the mental cloudiness away as my racetams die down as the day goes on. When I wasn't taking it I felt like my attention was a bit worse, and as the day went on I would get more distractable, but as soon as I added it to my daily routine, I'm even more on point and stay that way all day.

it's a little tough for me to give specifics because I have memory issues from brain damage that I suffered in 2013 (part of the reason I started using INI in the first place was the proclaimed memory benefits). I was using the 30ml "snoot" spray bottle (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JZ29SQ6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and, because I was nervous about it, I was just doing one squirt, alternating nostrils, every other day. Probably for a period of 5 months. But like I said, memory problems, brain damage, so maybe give or take a couple months.

Well, as far as I know, antidepressants and mood stabilizers aren't for everyone. At least you won't have to worry about being on a pill for a while, potentially for the rest of your life.

>I think that my problem isn't necessarily a chemical one, but a flaw in the way I think

This here is the rockbed foundation of CBT. My uncle is a psychologist that primarily dealt with drug addiction and depression. He recommended that I read Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy by David D. Burns. Supposedly my uncle suggested this book to all of his clients. It's kinda long, but it's a really good insight into the therapy. The premise is that your perception of events that happen in life dictate how you feel physically and emotionally. There are thought "distortions," as he calls them, that depressed/anxious people instinctively call upon -- sometimes without realizing it. The idea is to become mindfully aware of these distortions, analyze them and find flaws with the thinking.

For example, I am generally a calm-on-the-outside kinda guy. In fact, most people are shocked when I tell them I have GAD: "Wow, you appear so cool and collected!" Well, I internalize everything. One of the rare times my shell cracks is while driving. I have incredibly disproportional amount of negative emotions that are driven by road rage. It used to be that I would almost fantasize about taking an aluminum baseball bat and destroying the kneecaps of that "bro" or "soccer mom" that weaves in and out of traffic, cutting me off or just all-around acting like a complete imbecile. To make matters worse, sometimes it would bother me for hours, even days, later. This is probably due to the fact that I have about a -1000% tolerance to idiocy. Anyways, after learning more about CBT, that has quelled quite a bit (though on occasion I can feel my blood boil when someone does something idiotic). What changed? I realized the fact that getting worked up over it is pointless. Why? It could be the case that they didn't see me when they cut me off. Everyone makes mistakes, and I know that I've succumbed to my eyes playing tricks on me. Maybe that person is in a hurry, or their child is extremely sick and they had to rush home. What if the person is one of those BMW-driving, popped-collar douchebags who do this shit intentionally? Well, so what? It's not my fault that his penis is the size of an impotent amoeba. Chances are that he pisses off other people. Therefore, getting agitated over something you absolutely cannot change is completely counter-progressive.

Sorry for the massive reply, but I was hoping to give you a sample of what CBT entails. Feel free to message me if you want to know more.

tl;dr Yes, look into CBT.