I tried silicon valley's favorite "brain enhancing" drugs

[Benko]

http://fusion.net/story/58131/i-tried-s ... ing-drugs/

Related to a discussion going on in a thread, I thought I'd put it here.  Ingredients in stack under discussion in the article:

350 mg of bacopa monnieri powder
100 mg of L-theanine (an amino acid found in green tea)
50 mg of caffeine

So you have a stimulant (caffeine), a relaxant (theanine), and bacopa.  Bacopa is an ayurvedic (traditional indian medicine) substance with some impressive effects.

IF YOU WANT AN OCCASIONAL SHORT TERM PHYSICAL/MENTAL PICK ME UP/INCREASE IN ALERTNESS THIS IS GREAT STUFF:

I ran across biotest powerdrive over a decade ago:

3g tyrosine (physical part of the pickme up)
DMAE
lecithin (phosphatidyl choline)
B6

There were other brands of similar stuff which had tyrosine + DMAE + vinpocetine (original powerdrive had gingko biloba) and you can substitute alpha GPC for the lecithin.

YOu can homebrew any of these mixtures as there are lots of internet sources for these compounds in poweder form.  Useful for exams, an important sports event, etc.

[MachineGhost]

Key to making the PowerDrive work was the carbonation.  It drives bubbles into the brain containing the ingredients.

I'm wary of CDP-Choline and Alpha-GPC vs Choline because they are bypassing the normal choline synthesis pathway.

Vinpocetine gives me what feels like glaucoma, so can't really take it.

[Benko]

I'm wary of CDP-Choline and Alpha-GPC vs Choline because they are bypassing the normal choline synthesis pathway.

And Huperzine-A doesn't bother you?  Huperzine-A inhibits the normal enzyme which breaks down acetyl choline.

Vinpocetine gives me what feels like glaucoma, so can't really take it.

When you say glaucoma, what do you mean?  Pressure feeling in your eyes?

[MachineGhost]

And Huperzine-A doesn't bother you?  Huperzine-A inhibits the normal enzyme which breaks down acetyl choline.

I don't think prolonging choline is bad if you've got a defenciency, though obviously intaking more choline is the smarter way to go, which I did eventually.  This isn't the same as messing around with brain neurotransmitters like SSRI's, etc..

When you say glaucoma, what do you mean?  Pressure feeling in your eyes?

Yep, very heavy pressure buildup.