Improving Memory and Concentration?

[ItsElectric]

What would be some good natural pills, whether it be amino acids or just regular vitamins to help you concentrate better? I know for a fact that the GABA has already helped me a great amount. I was reading in the thread I posted and they mentioned "L-glutamine supplements are also referred to as “smart drugs” since it is thought to improve the functioning of the brain."

Also, "Phenylalanine - It is used in elevating the mood since it is so closely involved with the nervous system, as well as help with memory and learning and has been used as an appetite suppressant."

Any ideas or other things you guys know about?

-ItsElectric

 

[8 isn't enough]

Alpha -GPC is another nootropic.

8

 

[ItsElectric]

I just looked it up:

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Alpha-GPC (Alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine) also called GPC (glycerophosphocholine)

Medline summary: Alpha-GPC or GPC has been documented extensively by published studies in both animals and humans to contribute to at least five (5) significant human health functions. These relevant 'mind-body' activities include, but may not be limited to the following:

1. Increases human Growth Hormone (hGH)

Increases in endogenous human Growth Hormone (hGH) secretion by the anterior pituitary in conjunction with Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH); that is, both Alpha-GPC and GHRH act concertedly to stimulate the release of hGH, naturally;

2. Improved mental focus and stimulation of cognitive function

Stimulation of the enzymatic synthesis of phosphatidylcholine (PC) in nerves, muscle cells and all cell membranes, counteracting the age-related decrease in phospholipid (PC) biosynthesis; thus, Alpha-GPC contributes directly to improved mental focus and stimulation of cognitive function;

3. More strength from work-outs and training programs

Acts as a precursor of acetylcholine (ACh); thus, Alpha-GPC activates cholinergic transmission which permits the development of more strength from work-outs and training programs, plus reducing levels of somatostatin in the hypothalamic-pituitary axis;

4. Improved lipotrophic functions in the liver

Elevations in blood and tissue levels of the essential nutrient, choline, which supports improved lipotrophic functions (methyl group transferases) in the liver. Research has shown that fatty liver, a condition associated with obesity, diabetes and heavy alcohol consumption, often leads to cirrhosis of the liver or liver failure. Studies conducted by Alan L. BucHydromaxan, M.D., associate professor of medicine at The Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, have shown that fatty liver can be prevented and possibly even eliminated with increased levels of choline. Alpha-GPC also acts synergistically with the body's store (and/or supplementation) of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM or SAMe) and folic acid, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6 to facilitate methyl group transfers in the brain and liver;

5. Improved balanced and coordination

Produces improved balanced and coordination when combined with 'skill set' practice and training as a result of normalized nerve transmission in the brain, and in cardiac, skeletal and smooth muscles.

What is Alpha-GPC?

L-Alpha Glycerylphosphorylcholine (Alpha-GPC) sometimes called GPC (glycerophosphocholine) is a naturally occurring phospholipid precursor and metabolite derived from soy lecithin.

ha-GPC Information:

Alpha-GPC has been shown to potentiate the effects of growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) and increase human growth hormone (hGH) secretion in young and elderly individuals plus patients with Senile Dementia of the Alzheimer's Type (SDAT). Alpha-GPC also affects numerous biochemical and neurotransmitter systems that have been implicated in the development of age-related memory dysfunction (ARMD).

Administration of Alpha-GPC has been shown to improve neuropsychological parameters in patients with SDAT and ARMD. Alpha-GPC also improves memory and cognitive performance in patients with dementia, and benefits those recovering from cerebral ischemic attacks. Alpha-GPC has been shown to reduce the recovery time in comatose patients suffering from head injury and antagonize the effects of scopolamine to improve memory, attention, and performance in healthy individuals. Alpha-GPC's cognitive and growth hormone (GH) enhancing effects appear to be primarily the result of stimulation of the cholinergic neurotransmitter system; however, other biochemically-related modulations and neurotransmitter systems have been implicated.

Ageing, chronic or severe disease states, and prolonged stress - including athletic endeavors like marathons or 'ironman/ironwoman' events are associated with decreased hormone production, especially reduced secretion of human Growth Hormone (hGH) from the anterior pituitary. These life events are also associated with lower levels of free choline in the blood and tissues. Concomitantly, both quality of life and lifespan decrease, sexual desire and potency diminish, resistance to disease is reduced, muscles loose both protein (mass) and tone, and body fat levels increase.

In clinical situations, significantly reduced secretion of hGH is associated with short stature, generalized muscle wasting, Andropause, anxiety, undesirable mood and affect changes which are often associated with depression, abnormal sleep patterns, loss of energy and [words=http://fleshlight.sjv.io/c/348327/302851/4702]stamina[/words], and decreased cellular and humoral (antibody) immune functions leading to increased susceptibility to disease. Since 1984, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of recombinant human Growth Hormone (hGH) for the treatment of dwarfism due to hGH deficiency, Adult Onset Growth Hormone Deficiency (Somatopause), Turner's syndrome, and wasting associated with AIDS/HIV. Alpha-GPC can be used in anti-aging programs, as a less expensive alternative to injecting recombinant hGH, and to treat or reduce the symptoms of the Somatopause.

Fate and distribution studies demonstrate that orally administered Alpha-GPC is absorbed quickly from the gastrointestinal tract and is transported in the blood to all cells and tissues, especially the brain. Alpha-GPC crosses the 'blood-brain' barrier and acts as a central nervous system (CNS) cholinergic stimulant while it simultaneously increases the GHRH-stimulated secretion of hGH by the somatotrophe cells in the anterior pituitary. The current understanding of Alpha-GPC's actions in the brain is that it increases hGH secretion in the pituitary by two (2) separate but interacting neuro-endocrine mechanisms; these are:

1. Modulatory - increasing cholinergic tone lending to decreased levels of somatostatin (produced by the hypothalamus), as a result of the administration of Alpha-GPC;

2. Regulatory - stimulation of hGH synthesis resulting from 'up regulation' of Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone/Factor (GHRH/GHRF) in conjunction with receptor-linked stimulation of the adenylate cyclase (cAMP)-Protein kinase C (PKC)-inositol triphosphate (IP3) intracellular control mechanisms regulating hGH synthesis at the genomic level and its subsequent secretion by the anterior pituitary.

Alpha-GPC has been administered to over three thousand (3,000) patients and volunteers in clinical trials and studies that have been published in the peer-reviewed literature. Minor, transient side effects have been reported to occur at a one percent (1%) frequency; these side effects, for orally administered Alpha-GPC, included diarrhea, dizziness, gastralgis, heartburn, insomnia, restlessness and skin rashes, which resolved when the amount of Alpha-GPC administered was either decreased or eliminated.

Suggested Use: 1 to 2 capsules daily. hGH secretion is especially enhance when taken before high intensity workouts and before sleep.

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What would YOU reccomend as the dosage? They come in 250mg capsules. I'm not sure if I should take in around 7 times the normal amount of HGH with this plus the GABA.

-ItsElectric

 

[ApostleInTriumph]

Man, if only I can squeeze in some time for this stuff (this weekend is screwed - with work)!! If seems almost all amino acids upregulate endo-GH. Wonder which one is more efficient and has the least negative effects. Now I did read up on GABA and I didn't find any scientific paper which provides details of studies done on humans. All refer to some Italian paper which claimed a 5 times increase of GH. And all other info comes from bodybuilding sites. So alpha-GPC seems a better candidate since it's been studied more exhaustively on humans. Also there's Arginine.... gotta check it up.
What's your opinion 8 isn't enough? Would you shift to another secretagogue or stick with GABA?

 

[8 isn't enough]

I take GABA for a different reason than HGH secretion. Therefor, I will continue to take GABA as a part of my daily routine.

As far as Alpha-GPC, the thing you must remember is that when they test things of this nature, the do so at the max allowable dose which is almost always half of the LD50 report in animals. In humans, they normally start at the low end of the spectrum and work up until side effects are noticed. This is the way to insure both that the supplement does indeed work and at what dose is best for results without the noted side effects.

Manufacturers then recommend the lowest dose capable of giving some result to cover their own hide.

8

 

[8 isn't enough]

Originally posted by ApostleInTriumph
Man, if only I can squeeze in some time for this stuff (this weekend is screwed - with work)!! If seems almost all amino acids upregulate endo-GH. Wonder which one is more efficient and has the least negative effects. Now I did read up on GABA and I didn't find any scientific paper which provides details of studies done on humans. All refer to some Italian paper which claimed a 5 times increase of GH. And all other info comes from bodybuilding sites. So alpha-GPC seems a better candidate since it's been studied more exhaustively on humans. Also there's Arginine.... gotta check it up.
What's your opinion 8 isn't enough? Would you shift to another secretagogue or stick with GABA?

Acta Endocrinol (Copenh) 1980 Feb;93(2):149-54 (ISSN: 0001-5598)
Cavagnini F; Invitti C; Pinto M; Maraschini C; Di Landro A; Dubini A; Marelli A
A single oral dose of 5 g gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) was given to 19 subjects and serial venous blood samples were obtained before and 3 h after drug administration. A placebo was administered to 18 subjects who served as controls. GABA caused a significant elevation of plasma growth hormone levels (P less than 0.001), but did not consistently alter plasma prolactin concentration since only 5 out of 15 subjects showed an increase of the hormone. Eight additional subjects were suBathmateitted to an insulin tolerance test before and after per os administration of 18 g GABA daily for 4 days. Protracted GABA treatment significantly blunted the response of growth hormone and enhanced that of prolactin to insulin hypoglycaemia (P less than 0.01). These results indicate that pharmacological doses of GABA affect growth hormone and prolactin secretion in man. The precise nature of GABA's effects as well as its mechanism of action remains to be clarified.

There man, I have access to things you dont through school. Give me the name of the study you want and I'll find it for you. Oh, after looking around, this is the one you are referring too. I would have to order the full text to get details.

8

 

[ApostleInTriumph]

Interesting study there... yeah, PuBathmateed sux!
Strange twist here. I didn't know think that increase in GH levels would have any bearing on Prolactin, but looks like GABA increases GH & prolactin (in some people). Wonder what that would lead to in men. I think bitch tits for sure? Also another thing I don't understand - GH increase is measured by blood level of IGF1. So GH seems to igger IGF1 increase. Then why is it better to take both GH and IGF for muscle building/metabolism?

 

[8 isn't enough]

Man do you have something out for GABA or what? All GH secretagogue will have this response because they stimulate the pituitary gland.

If you fear gyno, then dont smoke , take finasteride, marijuana, valium(diazepam), amphetamine, aldomet, cimetidine, digitalis, spironolactone, androgens, estrogens, insoniazid, phenothiazines, tricyclic antidepressants and cytotoxic drugs. Don't drink cows milk or any other estrogenic substance and that list is long...

But it does show a side effect worth a closer look. I am going to get the ful text to see what those 5 blood level of prolactin was. Also, I would like to know what gender tha subjects were.

Maybe they could sell it to enlarge female breasts? lol

8

 

[SnakePlissken]

Doesn't all this brain boosting shit actually start to interfere with each other? Isn't half this shit broken down as meth in your body or some other form of off meth?

Your only fucking with brain chemistry, so how could that be an issue? Maybe you can mimic some mental problem through supplementation? So I think Apostle has a reason to be cautious.

PS what does this Alpha GPC shit cost?

 

[8 isn't enough]

Originally posted by SnakePlissken
Doesn't all this brain boosting shit actually start to interfere with each other? Isn't half this shit broken down as meth in your body or some other form of off meth?

Your only fucking with brain chemistry, so how could that be an issue? Maybe you can mimic some mental problem through supplementation? So I think Apostle has a reason to be cautious.

PS what does this Alpha GPC shit cost?

Caffeine, Aspirin and most of everything else you eat, drink or take also messes with brain chemistry. The question is.....is it for the better or worse? GABA is obviously for the better.

8

 

[ApostleInTriumph]

Originally posted by 8 isn't enough
If you fear gyno, then dont smoke , take finasteride, marijuana, valium(diazepam), amphetamine, aldomet, cimetidine, digitalis, spironolactone, androgens, estrogens, insoniazid, phenothiazines, tricyclic antidepressants and cytotoxic drugs. Don't drink cows milk or any other estrogenic substance and that list is long...

But it does show a weird side effect. I am going to get the ful text to see what those 5 blood level of prolactin was.

8

Haha, that was an exhaustive list 8.
But bang on target, I am excessively cautious in experimenting with hormones or anything that has an indirect effect on internal chemical balance. But hey that's me by nature...I don't fiddle around unless I have full understanding of it. Keep us posted on info and observations.

Have you observed either
1) Loss of fat but gain of muscle in the arms
2) Loss of fat but no muscle gain in the arms
3) Arm size has increased in general
4) What about pecs? IF pecs have increased in size is it fat or muscle? Or has fat in the chest decreased?
Thanks

 

[8 isn't enough]

Originally posted by ApostleInTriumph
Haha, that was an exhaustive list 8.
But bang on target, I am excessively cautious in experimenting with hormones or anything that has an indirect effect on internal chemical balance. But hey that's me by nature...I don't fiddle around unless I have full understanding of it. Keep us posted on info and observations.

That is actually the best way to be. Its just that if you are trying to understand the human body, you must understand that your mind is still in control. Placebo reports absolutely amaze me. When they tested finasteride, 14% showed improvement on a sugar pill......

8

 

[8 isn't enough]

Originally posted by ApostleInTriumph

Have you observed either
1) Loss of fat but gain of muscle in the arms
2) Loss of fat but no muscle gain in the arms
3) Arm size has increased in general
4) What about pecs? IF pecs have increased in size is it fat or muscle? Or has fat in the chest decreased?
Thanks

2.....

8

 

[SnakePlissken]

Hydergine

Centrophenoxine, which is known as Lucidril.

Vasopressin

 

[springy]

I know what you mean about concentration. Throughout a much of the past five years (I'm 38) I used to wake up with "brain fog" - and after a couple of hours a work each day I just couldn't focus. I tried loads of things, and eventually found a book (called something like The Energy Solution) and combined this with some other stuff I have read. After a few months, I settled on the following:

Gingko Biloba: 60mg
L-Carnitine: 1000mg
Co-Enzyme Q-10: 60mg

I take this dose three times per day

It works well - I don't have brain fog any more and (along with getting off my butt and doing some exercise) I really do feel about 10 years younger both physically and mentally in terms of my energy levels

The only killer here is the price of L-Carnitine But I justify it by figuring its worth it for the way I feel

 

[SnakePlissken]

RE:4. Improved lipotrophic functions in the liver

Elevations in blood and tissue levels of the essential nutrient, choline, which supports improved lipotrophic functions (methyl group transferases) in the liver. Research has shown that fatty liver, a condition associated with obesity, diabetes and heavy alcohol consumption, often leads to cirrhosis of the liver or liver failure. Studies conducted by Alan L. BucHydromaxan, M.D., associate professor of medicine at The Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, have shown that fatty liver can be prevented and possibly even eliminated with increased levels of choline. Alpha-GPC also acts synergistically with the body's store (and/or supplementation) of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM or SAMe) and folic acid, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6 to facilitate methyl group transfers in the brain and liver;

Doers this mean I can go on a drinking binge with this stuff?