More Nootropics: Racetams and Glycinergics

I mentioned neither the neuron or the synapse explicitly. I am fully aware of the differences between the two.

If you have a problem with my comments please expand and clearly state your issue. Also, I think it is pretty well accepted around here that you shouldn't reply to the same comment twice. Editing your previous comment to reflect your new thoughts would certainly have sufficed in this case.

I see a lot of people here experimenting with racetams.

I caution you to do extensive research on pubmed.gov and at least flip through a few pharmacology and neuroscience books, if you plan on long term use of said racetams. Wikipedia as a last resort or to refresh your knowledge.

They all have different properties and on rare occasions, could have completely opposite effects, depending on the person taking them and their genetic markup. A lot of them act on the glutamatergic pathways, and/or have more obscure/newly discovered methods of action.

For evidence, I offer 'Levetiracetam as monotherapy or add-on to valproate in the treatment of acute mania-a randomized open-label study.' at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18369598 and conversly, 'Acute psychosis associated with levetiracetam.' http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12875956 or 'Levetiracetam: An Unusual Cause of Delirium.', at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23782757

Levetiracetam was initially approved for seizure control. I hope you can see from the above mentioned papers that while it can also help someone 'calm down', it can bring another unfortunate person into a manic psychotic state.

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The best way to try a nootropic or a new medication for that matter, is to wean yourself off any other supplements and only try one at a time. You'll also need to have a good understanding of the Cytochrome P450, to be able to avoid enzyme induction or inhibition, if you plan to later on add other supplements to your regimen.

Especially if you will also be taking Rx medication.

You do not want to unknowingly overdose yourself with something or sabotage your 'treatment' by accidentally taking a product that happens to induce the enzyme complex metabolizing one of your other supplements or meds. A supplement or medication that also acts as an enzyme inducer will reduce the time spent in your system of the product's who's metabolism is controlled by said enzyme(s).

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To sum up, before putting stuff in your body, do your due diligence and be wary of relying on anecdotal reports of success with said supplements. Results WILL vary, because every body is unique.

Accelerator program start engine (powered by Accenture) is backing UCLA Neuroscientists on the nourishment piece to brain fitness. Full disclosure, I’m on the team for the summer. Have a look at what we are doing at trubrain and I’ll bring on Dr. Andrew Hill to answer any Neurofeedback or nootropic question.

3.2g/day of piracetam is quite a large dose.

If you are diagnosed by a doctor with a hypoxia-related condition, I would presume you are self-treating with piracetam, because I don't think it would have a great positive impact, unless your condition would be quite severe.

I suggest looking into pentoxifylline (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentoxifylline) and then re-evaluating your situation with a doctor and whether it would be ok for you to try it. I think you'd see more results with it rather than racetams, maybe except for levetiracetam, which would also require a prescription.

Also, pentoxifylline should probably be almost as cheap as generic piracetam; levetiracetam, even generic, is not however.

Do not take any of these Rx meds on your own, without consulting with a professional.

I know people generally hate going to the doctor, but in some cases they do help :) Think about all the advantages taking only 1 pill for your condition could have, instead of a whole stack, not to mention the financial savings.

Yeah diminishes the effect of any stimulants for that matter, so people on adderall and ritalin should be interested in this to battle inevitable events of insomnia. I usually dose about 200mg starting the day now, then basically based on the amount of Tea I consume throughout the day (and thus caffeine) dose about 200-400mg more right after diner along with a brew. But i'm quite lightweight, and for depression/anxiety higher doses are needed. It improves your REM sleep, promotes alpha-wave activity and stimulates dopamine production. Caenorhabditis elegans lived longer on it, and it even helps cQuring cancer..list goes on. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2774573/