Nootropics Survey Results And Analysis • Hacker News Board

Re: Nootropics Survey Results And Analysis

#91

Post by corin_ » Mon, Feb 17, 2014, 5:12 AM UTC

robbiep wrote: post #74

corin_ wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

One other big difference, in my experience but also heard the same from others, is that caffeine makes it hard to sleep (like cocaine, etc.) whereas modafinil doesn't, it just makes you not think about the fact that you need to sleep. If you take modafinil too close to when you decide to go to bed you'll be able to go straight to sleep, even if the effects of the drug only just kicked in, which is very different to g…

Ah yes I forgot to mention the sleeping. I've also been able to get great effects (in terms of 'recovery') by taking modafinil before bed if I only have between 1-3 hours available to sleep, then getting up and having a good productive 18 hour day. Although I dream a lot more, but I consider that a bonus. Haha 'coke mouth' is overly chatty, will speak at length about anything. Sorry for the lingo

Ah right, that's interesting, never found modafinil to make me chatty. Coke on the other hand..

Re: Nootropics Survey Results And Analysis

#92

Post by aantix » Mon, Feb 17, 2014, 6:18 AM UTC

toomuchtodo wrote: post #35

Aloisius wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well. I have tried modafanil from two different sources (both were modalert iirc) and noticed absolutely nothing. I tried various doses. I tried taking it before staying up all night and after. Each time was a complete disappointment. So it could be hype, me being unlucky with fake pills or differences in physiology.

I've used modafinil in concert with tDCS ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcranial_direct-current_sti... ) and have found it very beneficial except for some slight side effects (as someone else had mentioned in the thread, jaw clenching).

Did you build your own tDCS device?

Re: Nootropics Survey Results And Analysis

#93

Post by kordless » Mon, Feb 17, 2014, 6:30 AM UTC

proggy123 wrote: post #53

I've been taking modafinil for a while now (over a year). I initially started taking it to help with a massive workload at my job. I was a long-time software engineer at Google at the time. I was utterly burned out and couldn't retain my focus for more than 10-15 minutes- definitely not enough when you're writing c++ code and need to retain a huge amount of state in your head (header file definitions, pointer ownersh…

Did you ever try to take naps and compare the effects to taking Modafinil? I nap about for about 20-40 minutes right after lunch and have a RedBull immediately before laying down.

Re: Nootropics Survey Results And Analysis

#94

Post by GrahamsNumber » Mon, Feb 17, 2014, 6:45 AM UTC

What kind/brand of modafinil? The indian-online-pharmacy deal doesn't seem too trustworthy to me

Re: Nootropics Survey Results And Analysis

#95

Post by dwaltrip » Mon, Feb 17, 2014, 6:46 AM UTC

thelogos wrote: post #51

surement wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Using nicotine gum, you can avoid the typical health hazards of tobacco products. I personally found that caffeine wasn't comparable to nicotine, the former just keeps me awake, while the latter can keep me focused and motivated for several hours.

Not a good idea. Nicotine gum is not too good for gingival health. Nicotine patch is consider the safest form of nicotine delivery. Also the most expensive. E-cigarette is a good 2nd option. Vape unflavored or menthol, because the health effects of flavorings are still out there. Vendors have mostly stopped using diacetyl in their flavorings. Diacetyl gives that vanilla aroma, but also responsible for popcorn lung. S…

Interesting, I hadn't really hard about this before. Do you have any links to more info/additional resources?

Re: Nootropics Survey Results And Analysis

#96

Post by sizzle » Mon, Feb 17, 2014, 7:14 AM UTC

thelogos wrote: post #89

sizzle wrote: post #79

Earlier quoted context omitted.

you need to keep your ph levels in check for amps to absorb properly. if I have orange juice, I feel nothing working. can you share some links to the dopamine leakage you mentioned, that sounds terrible.

The disruption of the pH gradient is the central part of amphetamine's mechanism of action. Dopamine is stored inside vesicles inside presynaptic neurons. By disrupting the proton gradient between the lipid bilayer of these vesicles, dopamine is allowed to leak out and released into the synaptic cleft. Which is part of the reason why amphetamine increases extracellular dopamine. Unfortunately, instead of being nicely…

thanks for the response, I'll look into it through my uni research portal

Re: Nootropics Survey Results And Analysis

#97

Post by _delirium » Mon, Feb 17, 2014, 8:09 AM UTC

mikeash wrote: post #72

deliminator wrote: post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Be careful, in the country I live in (Austria) it is illegal to import prescription drugs. Customs made me pay a fine of about 60$ for trying to import Melatonin (and I didn't get the Melatonin either).

Amazing. In the US, melatonin just sits there right on the shelf where anybody who feels like can buy it for a couple bucks. No prescription, no ID, and extremely cheap.

The U.S. is somewhat idiosyncratic in classifying melatonin as not being a drug at all, but rather a dietary supplement, akin to natural/alternative-health stuff like St John's wort, fish-liver oil, or the various herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine. Therefore it doesn't even get to the prescription vs. OTC decision, since dietary supplements are basically unregulated, as long as they don't make medical claims on the label or in advertising.

Re: Nootropics Survey Results And Analysis

#98

Post by bluecalm » Mon, Feb 17, 2014, 9:15 AM UTC

Xcelerate wrote: post #8

What I find interesting is the fact that modafinil and caffeine ranked almost the same. I've always thought it would be interesting to try modafinil because of the widely claimed cognitive benefits and how it has less drawbacks than caffeine, but if it ranks essentially the same as caffeine, there's really no point to trying it that I can see. Caffeine doesn't really do that much to be honest. It seems as though none…

I am this way:

-caffeine does nothing to me; I can drink a coffee in the evening and go right to sleep; I can drink water all day and have problems sleeping; It just doesn't have any effect on me at all as long as sleepiness and concentration are concerned

-when I take Moda, caffeine somehow starts having huge effect: one cup of coffee or tea even makes me focused and willing to do stuff and there is just no sleepiness regardless of how tired I am;

I am not sure if my reaction to caffeine while on Moda is what people usually feel when they drink a coffee or "energy drink" but the effect is awesome :)

Re: Nootropics Survey Results And Analysis

#99

Post by blueskin_ » Mon, Feb 17, 2014, 9:52 AM UTC

Xcelerate wrote: post #8

What I find interesting is the fact that modafinil and caffeine ranked almost the same. I've always thought it would be interesting to try modafinil because of the widely claimed cognitive benefits and how it has less drawbacks than caffeine, but if it ranks essentially the same as caffeine, there's really no point to trying it that I can see. Caffeine doesn't really do that much to be honest. It seems as though none…

People build up a tolerance to caffeine.

Re: Nootropics Survey Results And Analysis

#100

Post by twobeard » Mon, Feb 17, 2014, 10:04 AM UTC

What makes people believe that their brains are not good enough just as they are? If you take nootropics you're messing with the most precious mechanism of your body. Are there any studies at all about the effects of long-term use on perfecly healthy young people?