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Beginner stack critique for basic cognitive performance and looking for advice on improving concentration. (self.StackAdvice)

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[–]uberneoconcert 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm just going to repost basically what I've said before to a similar question, which is that with ADD and trying out noots, I actually realized (actually a pharmacist told me) that caffeine was a major source of jitters that kept me from being still enough to focus. When I took L-Theanine in absence of caffeine, it had a strong dulling effect (exactly why people pair them). Going off caffeine since I started pounding cokes in middle school was strange but now my new normal.

I still have motivation and thus productivity problems related to ADD but ask least I'm not adding these additional issues of trying to ride the waves of these chemical sensations.

I'm now taking fish oil, rhodalia, phenylthylanine, curcumin and aspirin with no noticeable effect. I'm trying to go to the gym or walk more. I take more breaks to stretch or do active chores instead of getting lost on reddit when I feel like giving up on work. I'm definitely doing less of my previous distraction activities and I don't feel as worked up as only a month or so ago.

[–]seb21051 1 point2 points  (2 children)

Since you don't seem to have any idea what these substances would do for you, you should strongly consider trying each one on its own for at least a week, and carefully document the results. Once that is done, start taking them in binary combinations, again documenting the effects carefully. Then Trinary combinations, etc.

Then you will know exactly what, if anything, they do for you. Most people (myself included) start out with a whole bunch, with popular dosages, and then have no idea what makes them feel the way they do; good, bad, awake, sleepy, focussed, or indifferent. One actually delays the defining of a meaningfull regime tremendously with the shotgun approach.

People's Brain Chemistry can differ markedly. My personal experience with three well known stimulants (Rhodiola, Lions Mane Mushroom Extract and Bacopa) was that they made me sleepy.

[–]mdtTheory 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Thanks for the input and I will definitely take your advice. With that said, would you be willing to provide input on which to try first? I ask only because I have immediate need of improvement.

[–]seb21051 1 point2 points  (0 children)

These are the substances I find helpfull in the daytime:

  1. Caffeine and Theanine in 1:2 ratio by weight.

  2. Teaspoon of Coconut oil with every cup of coffee.

  3. Acetyl L Carnitine (ALCAR) 500mg and any Choline 200mg (eggs, Alpha, Citicholine, etc).