Memory Enhancing Drugs That Aren’t Drugs

Karen Campbell

If you have looked at prescription drugs in the United States lately, you have probably been appalled to find how intertwined the entire pharmaceutical industry is with medical institutions and a host of other conflicts of interest. For many people, this is evidence that there is some kind of conspiracy, but you don’t have to buy-in to these types of products if you do not want to. The vast majority of issues that people suffer from have some type of over-the counter option that will fit fine.

In our example, we are taking memory loss and early signs of dementia as a key indicator that might usually get prescription recommendations. While these drugs have probably been through rigorous testing, it is important to keep in mind that there are side effects to each of them. The following options don’t really have many side effects that can negatively harm you.

  1. Alpha GPC – this is a choline source that enables you to get more choline (by weight) than just about anything else you can think of. There are plenty of sources of choline in eggs, liver, and kidney meats, but most people don’t want to eat those things so they opt for supplementation. Because this is a raw source of choline, it gets converted into a brain chemical called acetylcholine which is where most of the benefits come from. You’ll recognize that there are many alpha GPC benefits if you take the drug at the right dosage. This is a powerful nootropic for memory and it is over the counter.
  2. Citicoline – another choline source referred to as CDP choline or citicoline is useful for memory formation in a similar way to alpha GPC. It is actually better in some ways because it is also compatible with a drug called uridine monophosphate. This is a memory enhancing cognitive drug that you can use to improve your general health.

Both of these go well with piracetam, which is an over the counter option in some places. More often than not you must buy this smart drug online, however.

The 3 Afinils and Their Effects

Karen Campbell

No matter what you are trying to achieve in life, having some kind of boost that gives you a mental edge is going to be helpful. Some people struggle because they are unable to get all of the benefits from the movie Limitless, but this isn’t something that you really want to achieve anyway (remember how hard he crashes from taking this drug!)

At the end of the day, improving the quality of your brain needs to happen in a few ways. If your most important way is through the improvement of concentration and focus then you have come to the right place focusing on the right drugs.

  1. Modafinil – this is a drug that is the most common and people consider it to be a wonder drug for improving focus and concentration. Many people who are using the drug find that it is a much more beneficial experience to the other two we will document because this is the actual ingredient your body needs as a psychoactive ingredient. You can click here to learn more about modafinil.
  2. Adrafinil – this is actually the original afinil in the family, but it is considered to be inferior to the modafinil drug. The reason for this is because adrafinil is converted into modafinil in the liver. This added step is not great for the body and adds extra strain to the liver. While there is evidence to suggest this isn’t the worst thing in the world, it is still a good idea for you to make sure you read more about adrafinil.
  3. Armodafinil – the final of the 3 afinils, this is a great drug for improving cognitive function and concentration without a lot of issues. Most people find that this is more effective because it is the R-modafinil isomer (the main ingredient in modafinil). That means you only need a 150 mg dose of armodafinil rather than 200 mg for modafinil or some of higher doses you might see for adrafinil.

Of course, there are dozens of ways to improve attention. Below, you can find music to do similar things, but none of them will be the same exactly as the modafinil line of drugs.

2 Things Dave Asprey Recommends (That you need to get)

Karen Campbell

Most people have never heard of Dave Asprey despite his popularity in certain “biohacking” circles. The Bulletproof Exec as he is known, is a man who has went through a personal transformation that has allowed him to better understand himself and make many different changes to the personal brain chemistry in order to have success in his business and personal endeavors. He has a couple of recommendations, which we will outline in the following article.

An important thing to note is that Dave Asprey has been the subject of some inquiry and skepticism from many people in certain communities. This is okay because he is thinking outside the box as any good biohacker should! Here are the list of 2 major items that you need to get or at least try for yourself.

  1. Bulletproof Coffee – If you have never tried to add coffee with butter and MCT oil, this is something that you need to get on as soon as you can! This is a nootropic combination that isn’t even considered a nootropic. Simply use the coffee (caffeine) and the butter / fat sources to help to increase absorption and efficacy. When you do this, you are going to have a much better experience with the drug that will keep you focused and alert.
  2. Modafinil – Another great method that Dave Asprey looks at is called modafinil. It is also referred to as provigil in some instances. What makes this such a powerful drug is that it is meant to be used for narcolepsy patients and interacts with the brain in similar ways as amphetamines without going as far. This means you can increase dopamine and adrenaline in order to get more done, but you are not going to compromise other elements of your health like you would with Adderall (for example).

There are plenty of other things that Dave Asprey recommends and it is a good idea to keep abreast of his information as often as you can. You will find that many of the things he states and says are gaining traction and have a lot of credibility. He has a lot of research that he sifts through and does some of the greatest work that you could expect.

What Does Adderall Do to Your Brain?

Karen Campbell

There are millions of people across the globe who take Adderall and similar drugs in order to treat ADD and ADHD. Most of these are children and they are in the United States where over 11% are on some form of prescription. This is a huge problem given that Adderall is considered an amphetamine and can wreak havoc on your brain and system. Even though doctors prescribe this strong drug in order to improve brain function and concentration, it is technically not considered a “nootropic”. It is a stimulant and the properties can be potentially dangerous.

Because Adderall is an amphetamine, it works strongly with the dopaminergic system in order to positively impact focus, mood, and concentration. People that take this drug will find that they are able to increase their mood significantly and it helps them to achieve more in the workplace than they ever thought possible. For university students, it is quickly becoming the go-to drug of choice in order to get good grades.

Dopamine and the Brain

Adderall_bottle_and_capsulesThe problem with having a lot of dopamine in the brain is a concept of “what goes up, must come down”. If you are using a lot of dopamine in the brain, there is a counterbalancing force that might be acting against you in some way. For the most part, it is important to consider how this is going to turn out in the long run.

The flood of dopamine makes your receptors drop off and become less sensitive. That is why some people can take high doses and still not feel satisfied. Their receptors are falling off and dopamine is no longer able to impact them as strongly.

When people get off of Adderall they often have withdrawal symptoms because they are already so dependent on the dopamine that comes from this drug. The excess dopamine is probably one of the greatest detriments and challenges that will face you if you are using the drug.

Life After Withdrawals – Long Term Considerations

When it comes to the long-term, withdrawals can be the least of your worries. Many people who are using Adderall find that they cannot focus well after using the drug. If they thought their ADD was bad beforehand, the drug often makes it worse. This is the constant complaint amongst people who used the drug as a kid.

Thus, if you or your loved one is considering the use of Adderall, it might be a good idea to consider getting a more natural alternative to Adderall instead. For concentration, there are plenty of effective drugs that go beyond caffeine in order to help you get the right support.

Bacopa and Parkinson’s Disease

Karen Campbell

Parkinson’s disease is a heart-wrenching ailment that affects millions of people across the globe every day. The biggest problem with Parkinson’s disease is how the dopamine system is disrupted in the brain, which is to say memories and motor function becomes poor because the person with this illness is not getting the right amount of dopamine. Bacopa monnieri is often used as a memory enhancer, but there is evidence it can also be a potent way of treating Parkinson’s disease.

It is investigated consistently in trials and the evidence is almost always the same: bacopa helps reduce dopaminergic neuronal death. This means that the neurons and connections in the brain that usually die as a result of Parkinson’s disease are not as affected by the system because of the dopamine support that is offered through the drug. This is often the case, but one particular study showed how this could occur.

Bacopa_ monnieriIn the study, bacopa was used as both a way to avoid acute and chronic stress in order to reach bacopa’s adaptogenic effects. With these tests, it was discovered that bacopa supplementation could prevent the depletion of dopamine and serotonin which was associated with these stressful situations. This “preservation of dopamine levels” is one of the important reasons why bacopa can be a protective agent against Parkinson’s disease and even help to reverse the trend in some instances.

While it is not a perfect solution to the problem of Parkinson’s disease, it is nonetheless a great option for people who are either struggling with the early stages of the disorder or have other medications that can be added to the bacopa repertoire. If you are struggling with early Parkinson’s or you have a history of it in your ancestry, it might be a good idea to start taking the product now so that you have a much better process of aging that is with less risk!

Why Nootropics are Taking Wall Street by Storm

Karen Campbell

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Research Ethics!

There are plenty of people who are starting to take nootropics, but there are sections of people that can benefit more than others. For example, people are in the financial industry can see more benefits of using nootropics than can most other people. The people who are focused on getting ahead will have an advantage, but in the world of finance sometimes the smallest difference is the ability to make millions. This is one of the reasons why people on Wall Street are looking at nootropics as the next frontier for them to get ahead.

wallstreetWith more nootropics to enhance brain power, they will be able to get small advantages that can make a big difference for their bottom line. Think about an Olympic swimmer or athlete of some kind for an adequate comparison. Most of these athletes are only a hair better than their opponent. However, the first place is usually by far way more successful than the others (at least as far as sponsors are considered). This is one of the reasons why nootropics help the Wall Street traders so much.

If you are interested in day trading or getting involved in any kind of financial role (even just managing your own money), it is a good idea to take nootropics. You’ll find that you can work longer, which means more research and better decision making. You can concentrate better, remember more things and generally improve your abilities with the help of these nootropics. Even though plenty of people don’t feel like that really need to have the support of smart drugs, you’ll find really quickly how helpful it can be if you have the right mentality. Even though everyone on Wall Street has neither heard of it nor uses it, the tool is still there for you to use as you see fit.

Is Kombucha Really That Healthy?

Karen Campbell

There are a lot of different thoughts about the new fermented product called kombucha, but few people have been able to accurately depict the pros and cons. There are many in Austin, Texas and Seattle, Washington who think that the product is one of the best that has ever been produced, but indeed this is a bit of a stretch. In these progressive health towns, certain products take off whether they are actually healthy or not.

KombuchaIn many cases, kombucha is actually a healthful drink. It has fermented aspects that make it a great probiotic for the body. It also comes with a variety of different minerals, but they are usually not in a high quantity. Perhaps the biggest advantage is the ability to make an upset stomach feel better, but this is not something that is new as far as carbonated drinks go.

The real problem with kombucha is the sugar. Usually the drinks have about as much sugar as the sodas that you consume, but often they are not supposed to report that based on the ingredients required to make the drink. While the sugar is not in high quantity when it is first made, kombucha often creates its own sugars that make it a sweet treat!

Still, kombucha is not unhealthy simply because it has a lot of sugar. There are plenty of foods with a lot of sugar. Instead, it is important to realize that kombucha should be consumed in moderation just like any other drink. If you are expecting to have a healthy lifestyle, it is important that you keep a close eye on these so-called “health” products. Sometimes they are great, but only in moderation as is the case with kombucha. If you can prevent yourself from drinking too much, it is a great way to get a refreshing twist!

Are There Many Studies on Racetams?

Karen Campbell

If you are trying to improve the quality of your life, finding the right kind of nootropic is key. Smart drugs that could cause you to have side effects or danger issues are obviously not a smart choice! This is why it is important to look for studies no matter what nootropic you are trying to use. There are plenty of studies on the various racetams, but in particular, there are many studies on piracetam, as well as some of the older analogs like aniracetam, and oxiracetam; with the newer version there is not ample research available.

When it comes to racetams, you’ll find that there are plenty of studies on all of the different analogs that make it a good option for you no matter what you are trying to achieve. Here are some goals you might want with nootropics and some of the evidence.

  • studying and researchImproved memory – this is the goal that people desire most from racetams and for good reason. For the past 50 – 60 years, there have been studies on racetams and their ability to effect memory. In fact, the reason piracetam became so popular is because of the early results with the drug. Today it is used in many countries as a prescribed drug to treat the most difficult memory diseases, such as Alzheimer’s.
  • Stimulation – there have been fewer studies on how racetams improve your focus and concentration, but that doesn’t mean there are none. Both aniracetam and piracetam have evidence that they can improve your stimulation. The Olympic committee banned phenylpiracetam because it is so potent for improving stimulation.
  • Reducing anxiety – aside from the stimulation and memory benefits, there are plenty of studies about anxiety and racetams. Particularly, the studies focus on aniracetam and how it can be an effective tool for improving feelings of anxiety. There are a lot of anecdotal reports on the subject, but for people who want more than anecdotes, find studies on aniracetam and anxiety and you’ll be surprised.

Now you see that there are plenty of studies that show the different analogs of racetams can help in different ways.

Bodybuilders and Fasting or Fat Loss

Karen Campbell

Bodybuilders are routinely stereotyped as weirdos who are willing to do just about anything to burn fat and have a more attractive looking physique. Really, they are not weird, but they are dedicated to a certain mission and that has a lot to do with how they look. If you are trying to improve your own physique it is a good idea for you to look through the lens of a bodybuilder to see what they do and take a less intense approach. Usually, they have good science to back up their practices.

bodybuilderWith bodybuilding, one of the new practices people use is fasting. Often coined intermittent fasting because there are feasting and fasting windows, this usually has people eat for 8 hours out of the day and fast for the other 16. This is a famous ritual that was made popular by bodybuilders and is now getting more credibility in other elements of society.

The reason it is gaining credibility is because studies show it burns fat better than eating consistently and there is little to no loss in muscle mass. More importantly, it is showing a host of other benefits, such as enhanced cognitive abilities and anti-cancer properties. The majority of people who are fasting find that it is not hard to do after a couple of weeks. During this period, your body is adapting to the new environment without food!

Just try to do fasting for a few weeks and see how you like it. There is no need to do fasts like bodybuilders where you go to extremes and use supplements to reduce your muscle loss, but you can get a lot of the anti-cancer benefits and fat loss benefits by just following a similar regime by not eating 16 hours of the day and then only eating during 8 hours.