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Initial experiences with CBD (Cannabidiol), a major component of cannabis

CBD (cannabidiol) has not garnered much of the hype of its cousin THC. Both are the major components of the cannabis indica and sativa herbs. Cannabidiol doesn’t get you “high” so many people overlook it.

However, on its own, and especially when combined with THC, cannabidiol is quite useful and powerful for coping with problems of appetite, mood, inflammation, pain and more. Probably a LOT more than I could cover here in this one post.

Based on my initial experiences, this post goes into what CBD is, what it can and cannot do, and a little on how to find the best products for your own use.

CBD Doesn’t Get You “High” like THC But Has A Lot To Offer

People who have a problem with cannabis almost invariably do so because of the “high” they get from THC, either for “moral” reasons or because it just doesn’t sit well with them.

Whether you don’t believe in getting “high” like a dumb stoner, or you just don’t enjoy the feeling, you can relax. CBD will leave you sober. Possibly happier, but sober.

The “worst” that will happen with CBD is that you will feel a little sleepy, and possibly a little hungry. This is why you should always start with a low dose and work your way up to suit your needs.

CBD doesn’t catch as much hype as THC simply because it doesn’t get you “high.” It’s dismaying that few people understand the benefits and importance of cannabidiol, with or without the other cannabinoids.

CBD is a counterbalance to THC and other cannabinoids

Interestingly enough, a lot of the decidedly more negative physical and psychoactive effects of THC, such as increased heart rate and psychosis-inducing properties are actually counteracted and leveled out by CBD. This is sort of like the synergistic relationship between caffeine and theanine in the tea plant. Many of the other cannabinoids probably have different effects in different ratios, but the best-studied relationship seems to be between that of THC and CBD.

In certain cannabis strains and preparations, the ratio of THC to CBD is something that your average stoner will not concern themselves with. Fortunately, more people are becoming aware of cannabidiol.

Can CBD cause false positive on a drug test?

Obviously this is not legal advice or advice of any kind, if you are really concerned, do the research yourself. Do not take my conclusions as fact.

If the product you are using contains CBD and only CBD (and you have verified this with the producer) then it should not trigger any positives in theory. From what I can tell, a typical drug test panel only looks for a metabolite of THC which remains in the body. These panels do not look for CBD or any metabolites.

However, some products still contain trace amounts of THC. This is not necessarily bad, but this is why it is important for people to ensure their products are thoroughly analyzed for purity. If drug testing is an issue for you, always ask the product manufacturer about their product.

Is CBD legal in the United States?

Again, this is not legal advice. I am not a lawyer, you will have to do your own research and consult the proper authorities for a definite answer.

Though recently the DEA has sort of shuffled around its classification for cannabis and cannabis byproducts (including cannabidiol) a lot of vendors who are currently selling products based on “industrial hemp” containing cannabidiol and other cannabinoids are not really worried.

This is because of H.R. 525, the “Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2013” which President Obama signed. 1

In a nutshell, it states that “industrial hemp” is excluded from the definition of “marihuana” as outlined in the Controlled Substances Act, so long as the Cannabis sativa L. plants in question are 0.3 percent or below of THC by dry weight.

So is it legal then? I can’t really say for you. But you can definitely buy “industrial hemp” products.

CBD helps reset and regulate sleep cycle

One of the more interesting things I came across about cannabidiol is in a rat study covering sleep deprivation 2 and another covering sleep-wake cycle. 3

It was demonstrated to do two things:

Enhance wakefulness during the “lights on” phase

Prevent “sleep rebound” from sleep deprivation

That second one is highly important for sleep hackers. On my days where I am running 4-6 hours of sleep, with CBD, I can get by on just that core and a later 30-minute afternoon nap and feel perfectly normal later and in the next day. Without it, I would wake up slightly more rested but feeling like I was still slogging through hell.

Appetite From CBD

Upon taking oral doses of CBD, I notice my appetite increase. For myself, this is great considering that I find it hard to work up an appetite without exerting myself in the gym.

Though CBD is allegedly an appetite suppressant through its action on 5-HT1a, it seems to function in an adaptogenic manner. From the reports I’ve read online, it seems that it could either suppress or increase appetite depending on the individual. For me, I notice a great increase in appetite.

Better Digestion from CBD

Going hand in hand with the increase in appetite, from what I can tell, my stomach can handle more food and different foods now than it could without CBD. No wonder some people take it to help alleviate symptoms associated with Crohn’s disease and IBS, it seems that it could soothe certain kinds of inflammation in the gut by modulating the cannabinoid receptors located throughout the body.

CBD Reduces Anxious Feelings, Improves Mood

With CBD, I notice a gentle diminishing of negative feelings that might otherwise bother me. I feel on Cloud 9. In fact, CBD has been able to help me quite a bit on my off-days from kratom for mood-enhancement purposes. Combined it seems to be a bit of overkill. However, adding CBD into the rotation is likely helpful in maintaining a balance between both substances.

CBD definitely reduces some anxious feelings and makes me feel more sociable in a similar manner to kratom.

How CBD can enhance mood

As I mentioned in my previous post about Polygala tenuifolia, I have taken CBD alongside it with great results. CBD is supposed to be a 5-HT1a receptor agonist, whereas polygala acts as a serotonin transporter inhibitor. A brief read at Wikipedia on the 5-HT1a receptor: 4

5-HT1A receptor agonists tend to exert a biphasic mode of action; they decrease serotonin release and postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptor activity in low doses, and further decrease serotonin release but increase postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptor activity at higher doses by directly stimulating the receptors in place of serotonin.

This autoreceptor-mediated inhibition of serotonin release has been theorized to be a major factor in the therapeutic lag that is seen with serotonergic antidepressants such as the SSRIs. The autoreceptors must first densensitize before the concentration of extracellular serotonin in the synapse can become elevated appreciably. Though the responsiveness of the autoreceptors is somewhat reduced with chronic treatment, they still remain effective at constraining large increases in extracellular serotonin concentrations.

In short, combining the agonist cannabidiol with the reuptake inhibiting properties of polygala seems like it would yield a potent mood boosting combination, shortening the time it would take for serotonin to build up in the synapse.

Pending Combinations with CBD

I am looking to try CBD with adequate doses of the following:

Green Tea Extract (believe it or not, it is a partial CB1 receptor agonist, the same receptor THC is active on!)

Palmitoylethylamide (a precursor to the body’s natural cannabinoids, the endocannabinoids, e.g. anandamide)

Some Recommended Vendors with Certificates of Analysis

Though I have not tried these vendors or products yet, the market for CBD is “unregulated” meaning that some may try to sell you snake oil and stuff that has synthetic cannabinoids like that “Spice” stuff.

Though there are plenty of good vendors out there and this is unlikely to happen, it’s always important to choose carefully.

As always, make sure your vendor has a CoA available for their product: don’t just take their word for it.

You want a genuine analysis that the product contains primarily cannabidiol and that it is free of harmful contaminants (heavy metals, pesticides).

If a vendor does not have a CoA anywhere or does not provide one, you may have to contact them. I actually emailed some vendors and I am waiting for their response.

Good CBD Products with CoA

There are a few vendors/products I have found which certify their product is clean:

PlusCBD Gold Hemp Oil 1g contains 230-260 mg CBD per jar. You can get yours from VitaLiving for $35 (View Certificate of Analysis)

The CBDistillery offers a variety of CBD products at VERY affordable rates and have COA on the product pages.

I will add additional ones as I come across them.

References [ + ]

1. ↑ Library of Congress — Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2013 2. ↑ PubMed — Effects on sleep and dopamine levels of microdialysis perfusion of cannabidiol into the lateral hypothalamus of rats. 3. ↑ PubMed — Effects of acute systemic administration of cannabidiol on sleep-wake cycle in rats. 4. ↑ Wikipedia — 5-HT1A receptor

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Polygala Tenuifolia is an amazing mood-boosting traditional herb

Polygala tenuifolia, known in Traditional Chinese Medicine as Yuan Zhi (遠志), is an herbal with some very intriguing, novel properties. It acts on a wide array of receptors and systems in the body in ways unlike many of the other herbs I’ve reviewed here on Pill Scout.

Of the subjective reports of people who have taken it, it seems to improve mood and in one study on healthy people, improves memory.

Polygala tenuifolia appears to be both a possible nootropic and mood enhancer! Because use of this herb in this way is pretty new and exciting, there may be some contraindications for people who wish to take it long-term. Many of the more seasoned nootropics nerds do not have experience taking this one, especially not long-term, and there is no research in this area. Therefore I consider this an experimental herbal.

Nevertheless, I will briefly touch upon polygala’s researched benefits, anecdotal reports, and my own brief experiences with the extract from Nootropics Depot.

What Polygala can do, in short

Though most of the studies available right now use mostly animal models at this point, the findings so far are intriguing:

Anti-depressive effects 1

Adaptogenic effects 2

Neuroprotective effects 3

User reports on Polygala

Bear in mind that these quotes are subjective, there is always the interjection of our good old friend “placebo effect” and “confirmation bias.”

[…] From the start, there were antidepressive effects, and a lift in mood (although the mood boost could be unpredictable). This has become stronger over time, and there is less and less mood volatility the longer I take it.

— Reddit user “striker_321” 4

[…] Polygala changed my life dramatically. Never tried anything better than this in my whole life and I did lots.

The first thing I’ve noticed was that the memories that usually hurt, they don’t anymore. It’s like floating on a raft over troubled waters.

— Reddit user “condres” 5

[…] The first times: Very noticeable sensation of being more alert or awake after 10-15 minutes. An increase in good mood within 30 minutes, moderate euphoria, non hypomanic feelings. […]

After a week: From day ~5 until today. Acute effects are still present somehow, but in a much more subtle way. Euphoria has disappeared, the increase in alertness is now enjoyable. I find that administration erases completely my tiredness. Repeated sensation of being myself again, memories that used to hurt me now feels nice. Huge increase in productivity, studying, writing or drawing under the influence of Polygala feels like cheating. My ability to concentrate and work improved some months ago with the [addition] of ALCAR, but it never have been above average, today I feel like it is virtually infinite […]

— Reddit user “edefakiel” 6

My experiences with Polygala tenuifolia

I used the Polygala tenuifolia extract from Nootropics Depot (see pricing in the next section.) Obviously your mileage may vary with different vendors and extracts.

With acute dosages, I notice a small amount of “pick me up” feelings, an easing of mood and so on. None of these are obvious to me, but I can tell it does something.

With 2 or 3 times dosages (~100mg each) taken days in a row, I notice less of the negative feelings associated with sexual climax 7. With regular dosing, my overall mood is superb; any underlying anxious or sad feelings fade away. Because of this, motivation is at a peak after taking it for a few days almost regardless of what else is happening in life. In other words, I notice a considerable overall difference in the sets of days that I do take it versus the days that I don’t (Because I forget. This one might be a good herb for encapsulation.)

If I stop taking Polygala after having taken it for a few days or more in a row, nothing bad happens. I go back to my old self without it. However, in my opinion, the beneficial effects are cumulative. They are definitely more noticeable over the long term rather than acutely, whether starting or stopping regular dosage.

Combinations: I have taken Polygala with my daily stack, with kratom. It doesn’t seem to enhance its effects, and if anything, it makes taking it with kratom a little unnecessary in terms of mood enhancement. I find it combines well with ashwagandha for mood. Goes well with CBD too.

Where to get Polygala Tenuifolia

You can find this one for now at Nootropics Depot starting at 30 g for $14.99. At the recommended dose of 100 mg 3x per day, this should last you about three months if dosed every day.

You can see on the product page that Nootropics Depot’s sample has been verified and analyzed by a third party lab as actual polygala tenuifolia extract. I can’t speak for other vendors at the moment.

Conclusion

If you’re looking to try a relatively new and interesting herbal for your mood, polygala is it. A lot of favorable reports about its abilities to clear up depressive feelings caught my eye, and made me wonder why this one had not become so popular yet. Nootropics Depot’s extract is on point, and so far my experience matches that of others who have already tried the stuff.

Though “Yuan Zhi” has been in Traditional Chinese Medicine for who knows how long, bear in mind that I still consider this one an “experimental” herb as, to my knowledge, it has not been utilized before in this sense of taking daily doses of an extract.

References [ + ]

1. ↑ Based on preliminary studies in rats (PubMed) and assumed by Polygala’s effects on NMDA receptors; PubMed 2. ↑ Reducing cortisol; PubMed 3. ↑ Examine.com))

Decrease in MAO (monoamine oxidase) activity and increase in neurotransmitter activity across the board ((Polygala tenuifolia — Examine.com

4. ↑ Polygala Tenuifolia Update After Three and a Half Weeks — Reddit /r/Nootropics 5. ↑ Polygala and a new point of view — Reddit /r/Nootropics 6. ↑ 17 days on Polygala: Impressions. — Reddit /r/Nootropics 7. ↑ Post-coital tristesse

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Bitcoin is the Future Currency for Buying Nootropics Online

Bitcoin may be the future means to purchase nootropics, smart drugs and other substances. I don’t put this lightly, either. The last few months have been a whirlwind of sorts. Kratom came under the DEA’s crosshairs, but not before over 100,000 people made it loud and clear that they wanted it to remain legal. DEA relented and allowed for a public comment period that closed on December 1st.

As for nootropics and the like, American payment processors’ refusal to work with nootropics vendors have forced the hand of vendors like Powder City to move their nootropics and other supplements to alternate websites, or, in the case of some other vendors, to use overseas payment processors.

Why Bitcoin?

I recently affiliated with DuckDose, an online modafinil vendor, in lieu of a pending affiliation and order from the now-defunct ModafinilCat. DuckDose was recommended as an alternative.

So anyway, I had set up my account and only made mention of it in my earlier article about adrafinil. Later, I received an email from DuckDose that I would not be able to receive my commission through PayPal. However, Bitcoin would be possible. I set up a Bitcoin wallet and collected it, piece of cake.

All of this is besides the point, a small detail in the bigger picture. Why are all of these vendors having issues with their payment processors and services like PayPal?

From what I have been able to tell from lurking on Reddit’s /r/Nootropics, the big banks here in the USA seem to view nootropics and the like as a “liability” of sorts. By refusing to allow payment processing for products they deem as “risks” they are indirectly policing the purchases people are able to make, forcing them to use less convenient methods of payment. This is overreaching in a very passive-aggressive way. The consequences of this, however, have caused some vendors to make some major changes.

Powder City, for example, moved all of their categorically “risky” products to sister websites Supplementastic and NootroStop. NootroStop actually accepts Bitcoin!

NootropicsDepot, a similar website, did accept Bitcoin, but no word on whether they still do or not.

Is Bitcoin actually a viable, reliable and private currency?

Yes, provided that you know how to use it.

I think that the number one thing that has stopped many people from making the leap to Bitcoin is that there was a technological barrier to entry. When I was following the bitcoin hype a few years ago, I understood why more people weren’t using it. Fortunately, services such as Circle have made it much, much easier to make purchases with Bitcoin without worrying about wallets, blockchains, and so on, just using a debit card linked to your Circle account.

In a way, I think it is less risky than using overseas payment processors. I have made purchases with overseas processors before with no issues (other than my own bank blocking my order). With Bitcoin however, no one can simply take money from your wallet like they can from your debit card. Unless they have your Bitcoin wallet and your password, an attacker couldn’t make any fraudulent charges you didn’t pay for yourself.

In time, I trust that many vendors will make the leap to reliable and easy-to-use Bitcoin payment processors if the standard processors remain fickle. When I offer services and literature pertaining to Pill Scout, I will definitely look into offering Bitcoin options.

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Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) for kidney health and muscle endurance

In the nearly four years I have been writing about supplements, herbs and smart drugs, it never fails to surprise me when I learn that something completely mundane can carry with it some interesting and useful properties. In this case, it would be baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate. This time, it’s not just for heartburn. Personally, I refrain from using it in this manner and just reach for some mustard.

Bicarbonate and the kidneys

One major function of the kidneys is to maintain a healthy blood pH level.

If blood gets too acidic or too basic, problems can happen. In the case of excess acidity, the body seems to use and lose many of its minerals in order to try and raise the blood’s pH.

Some studies have shown that in cases of metabolic acidosis (body produces too much acid), administration of sodium bicarbonate can slow the progression of kidney disease caused by the condition. 1

Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews suggest that more research will be needed before alkaline therapy with sodium bicarbonate can be recommended for this condition. However, the research that is available looks promising.

Bicarbonate raises blood pH (reduces acidity)

As explained before, the kidneys help maintain a healthy blood pH. Sodium bicarbonate and its cousins can help ensure acidity does not take its toll. Though most healthy people may not have to worry about their blood ever becoming too acidic, a little bit of bicarbonates may not hurt.

Bicarbonate reduces “the burn” during anaerobic exercise

Research suggests that sodium bicarbonate, when ingested 60-90 minutes before anaerobic exercise, can reduce “the burn” caused by lactic acid buildup in muscles. 2

I have yet to try this myself to see if it works, but will edit and update when I do.

Baking soda and sodium intake

Naturally, too much sodium can be a bad thing. Sodium bicarbonate obviously contains a high amount of sodium.

Fortunately, there are other forms of carbonate and bicarbonate salts. I found one such supplement on iHerb called Tri-Salts by Cardiovascular Research, Ltd., containing calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate and potassium bicarbonate.

How to take bicarbonates/baking soda

Obviously, the major difficulty of taking bicarbonate is the fact that it can and will neutralize your stomach acid for a little while. It is used as an antacid, after all. Most sources on the internet say to avoid taking within 30 mins to an hour of eating.

Another method I have seen in some parts is to neutralize it with something like lemon juice or apple cider vinegar, then add water. I have done this successfully with no issues, drinking some of it not long after eating. I am not certain if this affects the bicarbonates or if it still provides the same benefits as non-neutralized, unfortunately.

Yet another method is to add trace amounts of bicarbonate to a gallon or so of water. I’m not sure if you will reach the dosage recommendations laid out in research in this way.

References [ + ]

1. ↑ Metabolic acidosis and kidney disease: does bicarbonate therapy slow the progression of CKD? — Oxford Journals 2. ↑ Sodium Bicarbonate — Examine

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Ester-C for 24-hour Immune System Defense

Vitamin C (ascorbate) is an essential nutrient and antioxidant that is pivotal in immune function among other things. It helps the body deal with free radicals, especially in situations where they are produced in great quantities, such as during an illness.

Humans happen to be part of the group of mammals that do not produce their own vitamin C. This means we have to eat foods rich in Vitamin C in order to get it. Sounds easy, right? Unfortunately, the only foods rich in Vitamin C are fruits and certain fermented preparations like sauerkraut.

What’s more, the half-life of ascorbic acid in the body is relatively short. It’s a water-soluble nutrient, meaning it is absorbed easily, and is also lost easily. Once you’ve taken your daily dose, your body doesn’t hold onto it for long.

So what are you to do?

Ester-C: A Long-Lasting Form of Vitamin C

Ester-C is a patented preparation of vitamin C where ascorbic acid in the form of calcium ascorbate, alongside a select few Vitamin C metabolites. 1

To understand what exactly Vitamin C does besides preventing bleeding gums, see some of my older posts on it:

Does Vitamin C do anything for cold and flu?

Little-known applications of Vitamin C

After my research, I now make it a point to take vitamin C when possible.

In addition to the benefits of standard ascorbic acid, Ester-C has a few differences and additional benefits compared to standard supplemental and dietary vitamin C:

Ester-C causes less stomach (gastric) disturbance compared to regular ascorbic acid 2

Ester-C concentration in plasma rivals that of ascorbic acid over 24h, but vitamin C concentration in leukocytes (white blood cells) of Ester-C group is found to be greater than ascorbic acid or placebo groups in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. 3

Vitamin C with metabolites (Ester-C) was found to reduce urine oxalate levels (oxalates being responsible for certain type of kidney stones) unlike typical ascorbic acid, 4 although it is mostly controversial whether regular ascorbic acid even causes oxalic kidney stones. 5

Why I Supplement Ester-C Twice Per Day

I take a capsule of Ester-C once in the morning upon waking (alongside my other supplements) and once before bed. I’ve been doing this for several months now.

For one, the advantages of this form of ascorbic acid are the peace of mind that kidney stone formation will be very unlikely. In fact, the study I mentioned above said it reduced oxalate levels, oxalates being associated with a type of kidney stone reportedly associated with ascorbic acid supplementation.

The major advantage of Ester-C seems to be that it increases the ascorbate content within the leukocytes (white blood cells) which are more or less the guardians of the body’s immune system. Leukocyte ascorbate levels can viewed as reflecting the body’s stores of ascorbate, as opposed to serum (plasma) ascorbate levels, which reflect recent vitamin C intake. 6

Though it’s hard to tell the subjective benefits of supplementing this novel form of vitamin C, I notice that when I come in contact with people who have a cold or the flu that I barely seem to catch the illnesses going around anymore.

Where to get Ester-C

Check out iHerb’s page on Ester-C. The specific brand that I take is American Health, the type with bioflavonoids.

You should try to purchase a product containing citrus bioflavonoids since these are synergistic with vitamin C, increasing its efficacy.

References [ + ]

1. ↑ Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid and Vitamin C Metabolites) — Linus Pauling Institute 2. ↑ Safety and tolerance of ester-C compared with regular ascorbic acid. (2006) — PubMed 3. ↑ Determination of plasma and leukocyte vitamin C concentrations in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with Ester-C(®). (2016) — PubMed 4. ↑ Vitamin C with metabolites reduce oxalate levels compared to ascorbic acid: a preliminary and novel clinical urologic finding. (2009) — PubMed 5. ↑ No contribution of ascorbic acid to renal calcium oxalate stones. (1997) — PubMed 6. ↑ Determination of plasma and leukocyte ascorbate concentrations in a randomized, double-blind trial (2014) — FASEB Journal

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Supplement Regimen Update — September 2016

Goals for Oct. 2016 and Beyond

Since the seasons are changing again, this also means flu season and lethargy and depressed mood that may come with it. So I will be focusing my supplement stack in this direction to ensure I cover any gaps in this area.

Though the ZMA and Ester-C will cover my vitamin C and zinc requirements to maintain a strong immune system, I will need to focus more on vitamin D3 and K2.

Most of my stack has not changed since September, but I am going to include some new additions as well as some potential ones I will be exploring very soon.

Current Supplement Regimen

Morning

1 Jarrow Formulas NAC Sustain tablet (Time-released NAC — See my review of NAC!)

1 NOW Foods Neptune Krill Oil softgel

1 Ester-C (w/ bioflavonoids) capsule (Source of Vitamin C)

1 Life Extension Optimized Ashwagandha (Sensoril) capsule

Dose of Zembrin or Polygala Tenuiflora (experimental mood herbs at the moment)

Evening

1 Jarrow Formulas NAC Sustain tablet

1 Neptune Krill Oil softgel

1 Ester-C capsule

1 Ashwagandha capsule

2 Universal Nutrition ZMA Pro capsules

Supplements to Add

Vitamin D3 and K2

I’m going to include Vitamin D3 and K2 capsules in my stack because it’s a nuisance to remember to manually dose the drops each day.

Since I already have Vitamin K2 Complex by Life Extension I will need to add vitamin D3 in the form of softgels. I will likely be taking upwards of 10,000 IU per day as I have taken in the past, especially since I have not been taking any vitamin D in a while. The daily 400 IU recommendation according to US dietary guidelines is pitifully low, and the current science says that we should be getting far more than this in our diet where possible. 1

After a week or two I will taper down to 1 x 5000 IU of Vitamin D3 per day to see where that gets me later.

For those of you who are new to Vitamin D and K, it’s VERY important to get enough vitamin K2 in the effective forms (MK-4, MK-7) to ensure that the body’s calcium activated by Vitamin D is properly sequestered into the bones rather than the soft tissues such as arteries. 2

Kanna (Zembrin brand extract)

As I explained in last week’s post, I began dosing 25 mg Zembrin (kanna extract) sublingually for anxiolytic and mood enhancing purposes. Zembrin’s components act similarly to SSRI antidepressants, ensuring brain levels of serotonin remain at comfortable levels. So far there have been no negative side effects from one-time daily dosing in the mornings, and it works fairly well for me. There is no huge psychoactive effect as you might feel on phenibut or higher doses of kava kava, but the anti-anxiety aspect is notable to me.

The only one drawback is of the powder itself: Zembrin is very, very hygroscopic. It clumps and sticks together very easily, making measuring a little bit of a chore. This clumping is apparently a common complaint. I do not hold it against Nootropics Depot because there’s only so much you can do about that sort of thing.

I have taken days off from Zembrin with no issue.

References [ + ]

1. ↑ Recommendation for vitamin D intake was miscalculated, is far too low, experts say — ScienceDaily 2. ↑ Vitamin K — Examine.com

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Zembrin (Kanna Extract) for Fearless Feeling – Initial Thoughts

Zembrin, a special extract of kanna (sceletium tortuosum), is a new substance to me. I ordered it from Nootropics Depot after doing a quick read, and I loved it based on the 4 days I’ve tried it so far.

Apparently, it works as an anxiolytic of sorts yet it does not seem to sedate at the recommended dose. It also seems to serve as a serotonergic, picking up your mood. In this post I’ll detail my experience and what I know about it so far.

Fearless Feelings

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This substance should not be combined with prescription medications, SSRI or other serotonergics. Possible MAOI activity. As always, consult a doctor before use.

The components of kanna, namely mesembrine and mesembrenone, are said to affect the brain directly at the amygdala, a part of the brain known for controlling our automatic response to what we may perceive as threats. 1 (r/K selection theory nerds might like this!)

[Kanna] is known to influence the amygdala of the brain (a brain region central in emotional processing) and is known to also have inhibitory effects on both the serotonin transporter as well as an enzyme known as phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4); both of these proteins existing in the amygdala. 2

These are the primarily studied mechanisms of action, but based on a user post at a Longecity thread, there may be far, far more at play here in terms of receptors and neurotransmitters. 3

Zembrin in Action

As recommended on Reddit’s /r/Nootropics, I tried the Zembrin powder sublingually in the morning at the recommended dose of 25 milligrams (you will need a scale that can measure 0.001 grams). The powder tastes interesting, and has an herbal, almost spice-like flavor. It’s not amazing, but was pleasant enough compared to everything else I’ve tried before.

This powder seems to be extremely prone to clumping and getting sticky, so even if your jar comes with a silica gel dessicant packet, I would go above and beyond with dessicants for this stuff. Mine is still in sticky chunks.

In situations where I would normally feel an involuntary adrenaline rush, I simply shrugged it off. It was noticeable because of its stark absence. I can’t think of another time where I had experienced anything like it.

In social situations, I felt more at ease talking with people, simply because there was just an absence of tension or self-restriction. Others have noticed a more positive attitude.

I would not characterize this as an anxiolytic in the sense of the mono-GABAergics like Kava Kava, Phenibut or L-Theanine. It brings mood relief like 5-HTP, minus the drowsiness, thanks to its serotonin reuptake inhibition. For me, feeling tired can drag down any benefits these anxiety reducers may have. Zembrin however does not seem to feature that drawback.

Zembrin vs. Whole Kanna

I have not had the opportunity to compare the two yet. Based on subjective reports, they are notably different in terms of strength and type of effect. A lot of the properties attributed to Zembrin, especially those based on scientific research may be unique to it. Other varieties and processes may not confer the exact same beneficial effects.

Zembrin is a special fermented, processed extract of the kanna herb. Whole kanna itself is traditionally placed in the mouth like chewing tobacco. This may explain the suggestion to take Zembrin sublingually.

Bouncing Bear Botanicals offers whole herbal kanna should you want to go the traditional route. Otherwise, Nootropics Depot carries the Zembrin extract.

Conclusion

Zembrin is the real deal. It has a fairly noticeable effect which kicks in within minutes of dosing sublingually, it creates an underlying feeling of serenity and security. Unlike the GABAergics, it can make you calm without outright tranquilizing you. This makes it a possible contender as a regular staple in my stack rotation. Trying the whole kanna herb is on my to-do list.

References [ + ]

1. ↑ Acute effects of Sceletium tortuosum (Zembrin), a dual 5-HT reuptake and PDE4 inhibitor, in the human amygdala and its connection to the hypothalamus. — PubMed Entry 2. ↑ Sceletium tortuosum — Examine.com 3. ↑ Zembrin (Kanna) – Longecity thread

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What happened to Powder City’s nootropics?

Powder City, my preferred nootropics vendor over the last 3 years, has recently removed several nootropics and supplements from its main website.

If you’ve been seeing broken or redirected links from my site over the past month, this is why. Products had to be pulled due to issues with payment processors being finicky about items being carried. Apparently this is common in the online supplement world right now.

About a dozen common and popular supplements and nootropics have been removed from their main site, including piracetam, which is a little mind-blowing to say the least.

So where can you get some of these substances now that they are unable to sell these?

Two New Sites: Supplementastic and NootroStop

Powder City have made two new sister sites that I will mention in a moment.

First, you may be interested in seeing this list of some of the products that have moved or been removed. I’ve made my own edits.

DHEA

Garcinia Cambogia

Green Coffee Bean Extract

Green Tea Extract

Caffeine Powder (removed)

Noopept

Adrafinil

Piracetam (removed)

Phenylpiracetam

Aniracetam

Oxiracetam

Pramiracetam

Pregnenolone

Racetams

Raspberry Ketones

Resveratrol

These new sites featuring many of these products are Supplementastic and NootroStop.

I assume Supplementastic will have the supplements they moved (such as mucuna pruriens L-DOPA), while NootroStop will have the nootropics that were pulled. Note: I am not affiliated with either of these (yet.)

Supplementastic!

NootroStop

Why are Piracetam and Caffeine permanently removed?

From what I saw on Reddit by the owner of Powder City, Piracetam was pulled because the payment processors see it as a “risk” because of FDA warning letters sent to other vendors way back in 2010. One or two of you might be assuming the worst, but Piracetam is actually fairly safe, and this was due to purely legal matters.

These letters were sent to some other random vendors years ago about piracetam being wrongfully labeled as a “supplement.” 1 The legal definition of the term “dietary supplement” is actually very particular, and a substance like Piracetam cannot be sold in the United States while labeled as such. 2

My best guess regarding caffeine powder being pulled is that it is a risky product to have around as a bulk powder. I’ve written in the past that caffeine can indeed make you sick (or worse) at a relatively small dose levels. A high dose for me is about 200 mg. I don’t think it should have been pulled, to be honest, but because we humans make stupid mistakes sometimes, we just can’t have nice things.

Additional non-Powder City websites

For those of you who are shopping around for supplements and nootropics, I’ve recommended Nootropics Depot as a vendor. This company is a new affiliate. I have already ordered and tried some of their products, and I’m really pleased with the quality. The packaging aesthetic, while not important, is also a very nice touch.

I’m personally interested in their patented ashwagandha extracts and high-bioavailability curcumin preparations. The owner of Nootropics Depot is extremely picky about the quality of the materials he sells, probably more so than any other nootropics or supplement vendor out there. All other vendors should strive to have standards this high.

Ceretropic, an alternate company by the people behind NootropicsDepot, is a non-affiliate. I mention them because they have many interesting products and preparations for research purposes.

LiftMode and NewMind are two other vendors (non-affiliates) who were also affected by the payment processing issue. they seem to be up and running now though.

Parting Thoughts

It’s not often that a vendor is required to undergo such immense changes. I continue to see Powder City as my favorite vendor since I’ve had such a long affiliate relationship with them. At the very least I am glad to see there is at least one vendor out there that meets or exceeds their product quality and level of service, Nootropics Depot. Considering that both have unique products that the other doesn’t, I’ll still be shopping between the two.

References [ + ]

1. ↑ Warning Letters about Piracetam — FDA website 2. ↑ Dietary Supplement Legal Definition

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Kratom Alternatives – Herbs, Supplements and More

Kratom alternatives are a very hot subject right now. As you may have already learned, the DEA is set to list kratom (mitragyna speciosa) as a Schedule I substance come September 30th 2016.

This is being fought tooth and nail, and quite effectively I might add, thanks to the resources of the advocacy groups and efforts of kratom advocates from all walks of life. They’re writing their representatives, calling the DEA and letting them know this decision is a major mistake that will affect thousands for the worse. “Dear Colleague” letters have been submitted and signed, and these are just the first steps to ensuring it remains legal.

I will state this outright for those of you who relied on kratom to live with severe issues such as chronic disease, chronic pain or managing addiction: this list may not be of much use for you. There are few legal alternatives that are as effective as kratom for some of your conditions. This is why we are fighting the DEA scheduling.

To others who relied on kratom to simply get an uplift in mood, relieve feelings of anxiety and increase confidence, motivation and productivity, you may be looking for something to fill the void. In this case I believe this list of alternatives that I have used to great effect will be useful to you. It contains things I have personally used to wean off kratom, stave off some of its side effects, and take its place. In the instances where I haven’t tried something yet, it’s on this list because I intend to explore it for these purposes and more, anyway, based on what I have read about it. I will add more items to this list as well.

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None of the claims within this post constitute professional or expert medical advice. When in doubt, consult a doctor, especially if you are concurrently taking any medications.

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This post is a work in progress and will be subject to edits and revisions without notice.

A Note on Kratom Alternatives

I have made this list of every substance I have taken and tried that will help alleviate those problems and symptoms you took kratom for. Though I do call this list kratom alternatives, these are NOT perfect kratom substitutes. With proper use, these substances can help you manage feelings of anxiety. Others could improve your mood and motivation.

L-Theanine

L-Theanine is, hands down, the option on this list for just about anyone. It’s inexpensive, simple and has no side effects.

Theanine is a nonessential amino acid, a trace component found naturally in tea. When ingested, it creates feelings of calm and focus, and when combined with caffeine, increases focus even more. Supplementing it improves its benefits over the small amount you would normally find in a cup of tea.

Theanine’s secret is that it can cross the blood-brain barrier and interact with GABA receptors, promoting calmness.

See my post on the benefits of the Caffeine + Theanine Stack

See my post on l-theanine on its own

This is the simplest and mildest of the kratom alternatives for handling feelings of stress or anxiety. As long as you don’t expect it to be like Xanax, you should be pleased with what theanine can do. I have used and relied on it for years to take the agitating edge off of caffeine and to get relief in times of stress.

Where to Get L-Theanine

Powder City – L-theanine bulk powder (10 g) starting at $2.99, L-theanine capsules (30 ct.) starting at $3.95

Nootropics Depot – L-theanine powder (125 g) starting at $15.99, L-theanine capsules (90 ct.) starting at $11.99

Kava Kava root

Kava kava, specifically the root of this plant, contains kavalactones which interact with GABA receptors, promoting a sense of calm. The root has a very long tradition of use among cultures of the Pacific Islands to whom the plant is native to.

Kava root itself is known to be safe based on centuries of traditional use of only the root

See my article on kava kava root

As one of my own kratom alternatives, it is used by many to overcome feelings of anxiety or stress, and it does so with a more noticeable psychoactive effect than theanine.

Where to Get Kava Kava

iHerb – Kava King Instant Kava Drink, $13.99 for 1/2 lb.

All Products (Including capsules, extracts and more)

Happy Hippo Herbals (nonaffiliate) – King Solomon Kava Juice Extract, $50.00 for 112 grams

Bouncing Bear Botanicals – Kava Kava Root, Powder (price varies with product)

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Kava kava should not be consumed when operating heavy machinery. It shouldn’t be combined with alcohol either.

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm, botanical name melissa officinalis, is one herb that I have not tried on its own (yet) and this segment will be altered when that changes. Interestingly, it is said to have indirect GABAergic effects due to inhibiting the enzyme GABA transaminase whereas most of the other kratom alternatives I mentioned here are direct agonists.

Lemon balm has had a storied history of use as a calming, tranquil herb, taken as a tea. Evidence has vindicated its use in this manner, as I have just explained. This one may have use as a kratom alternative in terms of anxiety reduction.

Where to get Lemon Balm

iHerb – Bulk lemon balm leaf, 16 oz. for $23.66

Lemon balm extracts and supplements, full catalog

Phenibut

Phenibut is a viable kratom alternative in terms of its potential application as an anxiety and stress reducer. Phenibut is a molecule similar in structure to GABA, and is itself a strong GABA-B receptor agonist because it can actually cross the blood-brain barrier.

In fact, phenibut is already used by people tapering off of a daily kratom regimen and want to feel calm. I don’t believe this one is among the true kratom alternatives. For some people it might be. I was honestly using kratom as an alternative to phenibut!

Phenibut is strong for what it does, so in the times that I have used it, I used it sparingly. I do not use it any longer due to a health condition.

Some people do use it still, with little issue and at varying doses. These people know what phenibut can do, and they understand its potential drawbacks and dependency risk. I urge anyone who considers trying it to do so at the lowest possible doses and as little as possible to minimize potential dependency.

See my post on phenibut use and side effects

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It’s not recommended to take phenibut more than 250 mg once or twice a week.

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Phenibut can have bad interaction with alcohol, benzodiazepenes, and other prescription anti-anxiety medications and depressants. It may not be good for people with blood pressure or heart issues. Consult your doctor if you are considering phenibut.

Where to get Phenibut

Powder City – Phenibut HCl Powder, starting at 25 grams for $8.99

Phenibut HCl Capsules, starting at 250mg/30 ct. for $6.75

Nootropics Depot – Phenibut HCl Powder, starting at 25 grams for $8.99

Phenibut HCl Capsules, starting at 250mg/90 ct. for $9.99

5-HTP

5-HTP is a form of the amino acid tryptophan, and a precursor to serotonin and melatonin. Serotonin is the “contentment” neurotransmitter, meaning that increasing it can help relieve feelings of depression or anxiety, and help you to get a good night’s sleep.

One thing I noticed is that 5-HTP has a fairly short half-life, so I feel it is better to use the time released version to ensure your body is taking up 5-HTP at a steady rate. As kratom alternatives go, I feel it works to help alleviate any “down” feelings that come from time to time, and really helps to get to sleep at night.

A little birdie has told me that 5-HTP is best supplemented with green tea extract (EGCG) to counteract potential negative effects on the heart. 1

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5-HTP increases Serotonin, which means DO NOT combine with MAOIs, SSRIs or other drugs which increase serotonin. Consult with a doctor if you are currently on any medications.

Where to get 5-HTP

iHerb – Natrol 5-HTP TR (time release), 100 mg/45 tablets for $11.77; 200 mg/30 tablets for $14.91

St. John’s Wort

I consider St. John’s Wort (SJW) to be a kratom alternative because of its serotonergic action. SJW contains several substances, some of which act to increase serotonin by inhibiting reuptake. Reuptake inhibition merely means that serotonin remains active in the synapses of your neurons much longer. It’s similar to prescription SSRIs in that manner, although SJW does not work through the serotonin transport.

This one works best over the span of weeks, taken daily. It has been recommended to purchase special preparations, such as Perika to avoid mild side effects like photosensitivity reported from use of SJW over the short term.

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St. John’s Wort increases serotonin activity. DO NOT combine with MAOIs, SSRIs or other drugs and supplements which increase serotonin. Consult with a doctor if you are currently on any medications.

Where to get St. John’s Wort

iHerb – St. John’s Wort Perika by Nature’s Way, 60 tablets for $10.56

Amazon (nonaffiliate) – New Chapter St. John’s Force, hypercritical SJW extract, 60 softgels for $89.95

Tianeptine (Sodium and Sulfate)

Tianeptine, in both its sodium and sulfate forms, is in the class of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) but is also used to treat asthma and irritable bowel syndrome, presumably due to its action on serotonin receptors and other systems. I consider it one of my kratom alternatives because of its antidepressant effect.

Both forms of tianeptine are known to have a mild affinity for the opioid receptors however use of it solely for this effect above documented therapeutic doses (12.5 to 25 mg) is not advisable, so it is not a kratom alternative in this manner. It also carries with it some potential side effects that should be researched beforehand.

I have personally experimented with tianeptine sodium on a few occasions although a full report is pending.

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Tianeptine is a prescription drug outside of the United States and should be considered for research purposes only.

Where to get Tianeptine

Nootropics Depot – Tianeptine sodium powder, starting at 1 gram for $11.99

Tianeptine sulfate powder, starting at 2 grams for $29.99

Tianeptine sulfate capsules, 60 ct/25 mg each for $29.99

Sodium and sulfate tianeptine powders also available at Ceretropic

Cannabis

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Cannabis is considered illegal for use in many jurisdictions, while in others, it is illegal to use without a prescription from a licensed medical professional. We do not advocate breaking the law or using medications without a doctor’s prescription.

Because it is legally available in several states in the USA, and in some parts of the world, I believe that cannabis is a viable, effective and possibly the truest of all the kratom alternatives. Though it does not lend that same productiveness and zen-like tranquility, at least in the way most people use it, it does confer some degree of pain relief.

Conclusion

This post is by no means a complete one, and as time goes on I will add more items, edit and revise things to include pertinent information. Nevertheless, I hope that what is available now can help some of you out as a kratom alternative in the way some of these substances have helped me.

References [ + ]

1. ↑ h/t /u/MisterYouAreSoDumb

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Noopept (GVS-111) – Use, Dosage, Experiences Side Effects and More

Noopept is a peptide nootropic, often compared to Piracetam.

It is one of the newer nootropics, and is very popular because of its ease of use, small dosage size and subtle effects. Its mechanism of action suggests possible applications for treating conditions of brain trauma or cognitive degeneration like Alzheimer’s. At this time, there are no known side effects from acute usage, and no known toxicity.

The information in this post is based on current available research, my original experiences, and anecdotes and recommendations from nootropic enthusiasts.

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This is considered an Experimental Substance. Any use is for research purposes only. Current research is cutting-edge, any information in this post may be subject to change without notice.

Noopept in a Nutshell

Noopept is a peptide nootropic, hence the name: nootropic + peptide = noopept

Alternate name is GVS-111

Often compared to Piracetam, similar in effect, but is not a racetam nootropic.

Typical Noopept dosage is WAY smaller than many other nootropics

Noopept is SUPER inexpensive!

Oral absorption is poor; Sublingual (under the tongue) dosing is recommended

Noopept Research and Efficacy

Noopept was shown to have a greater magnitude of effect than Piracetam (used as reference drug) in terms of recovery from vascular brain damage and brain trauma. 1

Similar EEG patterns to Piracetam 2

Increases NGF and BDNF content in rats 3

The one major human study seems to show more neuroprotection benefits in healthy individuals. The drug appears to have its greatest effects on people with brain damage. There have yet to be any studies to see whether it serves for cognitive enhancement purposes.

Dosage and Use

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Digital Scales are ALWAYS recommended for measuring bulk powders. Scoops are never reliably accurate.

Noopept doses are typically in the range of 10 to 30 milligrams, once per day. An optimal human dosage has not been determined by research yet. Oral, ingested absorption of this nootropic peptide is notoriously inefficient because the digestive system breaks it down. 4

Capsules are available, but based on the current research, this is not an optimal route of administration.

Sublingual Dosing

Oral absorption is not very effective, therefore sublingual dosing is a recommended route. Sublingual means “below tongue.”

To dose sublingually, just place your dose under your tongue. Let it sit there for up to 10 minutes.

Do not try to dose capsules sublingually, you’ll just have a gelatinous mess in your mouth.

Stacking Complementary Supplements

Like many other nootropics, Noopept is often stacked with a cholinergic supplement. Doing so can mitigate any milder side effects and enhance cognitive effects.

Noopept Experiences

I first covered my experiences with the nootropic back in 2013.

In short, the following subjective experiences I had:

Improved sense of focus

Subtle, effortless improvements in memory and recall

Possible improvement in mood (not controlled for)

Sublingual dosage led to increased effects (See my experience report)

Like most nootropics, you can’t really gauge it by subjective effects to tell if it’s truly doing anything. The only way to be certain until the research comes in is to run your own tests, preferably blinded with a suitable placebo or reference for control.

Noopept Side Effects

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Notice: Pill Scout considers Noopept an experimental substance. Research is limited at this point in time. We make no claims for it to cure, treat or alleviate any disease or condition.

At this time, Noopept is not known to have any serious side effects when taken at the recommended dose. You can mitigate any milder side effects associated with nootropics such as headache, brain fog or irritability by taking a choline supplement.

See “Stacking Complementary Supplements” section, above

Vendors who sell Noopept

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PROTIP: Always look for vendors that offer third-party COAs (Certificate of Analysis). This ensures purity and authenticity.

Affiliated Vendors

When you purchase from these affiliate vendors, Pill Scout earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. By using affiliate links, this helps to finance my reports and keeps ads at a minimum.

Powder City

This is my favorite vendor and my first affiliate on this site, c. 2013. They offer attractive prices and quality products so I purchase nootropics and supplements here often.

Bulk Powder — 1 gram tub for $4.79; Pouches starting @ 5 grams for $6.99

Capsules — 30 caps @ 10 mg for $7.45; 90 caps @ 10 mg for $17.95

Nootropics Depot

Nootropics Depot are a new vendor to me, and they’re often recommended by the /r/Nootropics community. Their products are some of the best in the industry and come in appealing packaging.

Bulk Powder — 5 gram jar for $7.99; 10 gram jar for $13.99

Capsules — 30 caps @ 30 mg for $9.99; 90 caps @ 30 mg for $24.99

Non-Affiliates

We earn no commission from these vendors. They’re recommended because they offer unique or quality products.

Ceretropic

This company is an offshoot of Nootropics Depot. They offer liquid sublingual solutions for certain supplements and harder-to-find experimental substances.

Liquid Sublingual Solution – 60 x 10mg doses in 30 ml dropper bottle for $19.99

References [ + ]

1. ↑ (2009) Comparative studies of Noopept and piracetam in the treatment of patients with mild cognitive disorders in organic brain diseases of vascular and traumatic origin. [PubMed Link] 2. ↑ Examine.com 3. ↑ Examine.com 4. ↑ Bioaccessibility of the new dipeptide nootropic drug noopept. [ResearchGate Link] – h/t MisterYouAreSoDumb

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Phenibut Side Effects That You Should Be Aware Of

Phenibut side effects are something you should be aware of. Although it is one of the most effective over-the-counter anti-anxiety substances around, it does have its caveats.

However, this should be taken as a good thing to know about. Knowledge is empowering.

If you use it responsibly, phenibut side effects should be something you can feel safe dealing with and avoiding altogether. But please remain aware if you decide to use it for your purposes.

At the end of this post, I mention some viable alternatives to phenibut, which while they may not be as “strong” will not necessarily carry the same potential side effects.

Phenibut Side Effects: Tolerance Buildup

One of the most well-known side effects of this drug are tolerance buildup.

In fact, phenibut tolerance builds up rather quickly. This means you will have to dose more of it over time to get your desired effect. The body’s receptors become accommodated to the substance.

Many vendors of phenibut recommend not using it more than 2 or 3 times in a week. This is the case here with Powder City, my preferred phenibut vendor.

For most people who do not have chronic and daily anxiety and just want to take phenibut once in a while to relax, this is plenty. For others however with clinical or diagnosed anxiety problems, you may be better off with a prescription from a psychiatrist.

Others who do take phenibut daily (not recommended) and want to avoid withdrawal effects should check out: How to taper off from Phenibut to avoid withdrawal side effects.

Phenibut Side Effects: Low Blood Pressure

One thing I encountered when I tried to dose phenibut more than one day in a row was low blood pressure symptoms. I thought this was very unusual because I could not find anything on the Internet about it.

It makes perfect sense that phenibut could cause low blood pressure, since its mechanism of action is releasing potassium ions1 through GABA-B receptors.2

I’m already prone to low blood pressure, so phenibut did seem to exacerbate these symptoms, even at a low dose (250 mg). Lightheaded feelings were one symptom. A vein in my forehead would even pop out a little. That wasn’t scary, but it was annoying.

From what I can tell, most people do not experience these side effects at all. In fact, in all of my searching, I could not find any anecdotal reports of anyone else experiencing these.

All I’m saying here is that, like all other supplements, phenibut is not for everyone. I might be that person unfortunately! If you are already prone to low blood pressure or other cardiovascular issues, I would consult with a doctor and/or avoid it.

Phenibut Side Effects: Bad Combinations with Alcohol and Others

Sometimes substances differ in terms of whether they can be combined or not. Unfortunately, phenibut does not play nice with other substances.

Under no circumstances should anyone attempt to combine phenibut with alcohol, prescription anti-anxiety medications, or anything else which may be similar in effect to it. This could exacerbate the negative side effects of both substances.

Another recommendation is to not combine phenibut with MAOIs. An MAOI (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor) is a substance that inhibits a substance which breaks down many drugs and substances in the body, including but not limited to phenibut. An MAOI would allow phenibut to remain in the body for longer than would be optimal. This could be disastrous.

It may be prudent to consult with your doctor about phenibut if you are concerned, especially if you have a history of heart problems, and/or are currently taking any medications such as those for seizures, anxiety, insomnia, blood pressure, and so on.

Conclusion

With all of the above considered, and the fact that there haven’t been numerous reports of negative effects from phenibut use (most people who choose to use it seem to want to do so responsibly), it must be safe. Of course, you should definitely check with your doctor, especially if you have health ailments or are currently taking medication of some other kind.

I believe all drugs and supplements must be treated with respect. The best way to show respect is to understand the substance, and knowing phenibut’s potential downsides can help you to enjoy its positive benefits.

Alternatives to Phenibut

Kratom was my #1 phenibut alternative (safer, less side effects IMO) but as of this writing, the DEA wants to ban it. Learn what you can do to fight it. Kratom is super effective and deserves to be available to any adult who needs it and can use it responsibly.

Kava kava is a milder and natural alternative to phenibut. It has a shorter duration and makes you pee a little more than usual. Otherwise it’s effective in my opinion.

GABA, which phenibut is similar to, is the actual neurotransmitter it behaves like. It does not cross the blood-brain barrier unlike phenibut and though not as effective, it does not have the same side effects. It may be of some use, especially for the intestines.

L-Theanine is a mild, and favorite alternative. It is nowhere near as psychoactive (as in, you won’t notice it like phenibut) but helps keep your nerves calm. It’s often taken with caffeine to produce a calm, focus-enhancing stimulation.

Ashwagandha is an herbal adaptogen that also acts as an anxiety-reducer by keeping levels of stress chemicals down.

[Ionic mechanisms of the effects of phenibut and GABA unrelated to changes in the function of chloride channels]. — PubMed ↩

[Effect of fenibut on the GABA B receptors of the spinal motor neurons]. — PubMed ↩

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Keep Kratom Legal – Stop the DEA Scheduling, Save Lives

My post this week is very important: it’s about the fight to keep kratom legal.

Almost a week ago, the DEA voiced their intention to make this wonderful herb a Schedule I substance, effective September 30th 2016.

I feel that this is a terribly rash decision, and so do many countless others. As a result, no more kratom could mean life or death for people who depend on it.

Pressed for time but still want to help? Save this post and check out the following links:

National Call To Action — American Kratom Association

What You Can Do to Help Keep Kratom Legal (If You Have No Time or Money) (By our kratom friend Chris Deoudes aka Good Looking Loser)

I wrote this page explaining the entire situation, which I will keep updated as the fight to keep kratom legal goes on.

I’ve taken down my previous posts on kratom and redirected them to help ensure all awareness is kept on the situation at hand.

See this great video by The Young Turks on the recent DEA decision.

Keep Kratom Legal, Save Lives

There has been a TON of support out there for kratom since the DEA’s announcement, and it’s absolutely outstanding. A lot of people seem to understand what kratom means to everyone who needs it.

Many people actually depend on it for managing pain, mental and physical medical conditions and for staying off of dangerous addictive drugs, both legal and illegal. For these people, kratom has been the answer, unlike many of the conventional and oftentimes expensive solutions provided by pharmaceuticals.

Kratom works because it contains alkaloids that interact with the opioid receptors of the body. This allows for relief from pain, among many other benefits. It also helps to treat anxiety and serious mental health issues like PTSD.

Ultimately, as long as we can keep kratom legal, people who need its help can continue to reap its benefits.

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Pill Scout’s Supplement Regimen – August 2016

Here’s another supplement regimen post by yours truly!

My regimen has remained mostly unchanged through the summer since my March + April log, save for running out of old supplements and adding some new ones into the mix to try out. I’ve introduced some newer ones but a lot of the same substances are still there.

Goals for August 2016 and beyond

As you would face any problem, big or small, you would set some goals. It’s just common sense. Each of the following are my goals I can reach through lifestyle and supplements.

Maintain adequate water and nutrient intake, Omega 3’s and testosterone

Maintain overall health and cognitive ability

That’s not an exhaustive list, is it?

Unlike last time, I have temporarily shifted my focus away from increasing lean body mass at the moment. This will change soon when my life settles down. For now, it is what it is.

Current Daily Supplement Regimen

If you have not seen my previous logs, I list everything I take in the morning and the evening. I use this AM/PM 7 day weekly supplement organizer because in my experience, you can save a lot of time sorting them out in advance. Why, you might ask?

Uncapping more than 3 bottles every day multiple times a day sucks, especially if you have bottles and bottles. Instead of dealing with that mess, I fill the trays once a week based on my regimen. (I wrote about keeping your supplements organized here.)

Every morning and evening, I only have to flip one of the lids and I get all my stuff in one go. It’s so quick and convenient that I’m never going back to the old way!

You’ll also see I’ve switched to newer supplements from my previous regimens, which I will explain at the end.

Morning

1 Jarrow Formulas NAC Sustain tablet (Time-released NAC — See my review of NAC!)

1 NOW Foods Neptune Krill Oil softgel (my new Omega-3 source)

1 Jarrow Formulas Ubiquinol/PQQ Softgel

1 Ester-C (w/ bioflavonoids) capsule (Source of Vitamin C)

1 Ashwagandha capsule

Evening

1 Jarrow Formulas NAC Sustain tablet

1 Neptune Krill Oil softgel

2 Universal Nutrition ZMA Pro capsules

1 Ester-C capsule

1 Ashwagandha capsule

Other Misc. Supplements and Stuff

Up to 1 liter of freshly brewed Runa guayusa (see my post on guayusa — it’s like yerba mate)

Theanine powder whenever I have some form of caffeine

CocoCeps powder (contains cordyceps and reishi mushroom)

Up to 4 grams of kratom powder, rotating strains (see how to find the perfect kratom dose)

Piracetam, when I am up to experiment with it (See the Piracetam primer and Log #1 and #2 for details)

Explanations and Notes

Jarrow NAC Sustain

I’ve had great results adding NAC to my regimen. As I mentioned in my post on NAC, I noticed in Mike Cernovich’s article on the topic that he was taking the sustained release form of NAC.

I’ve read the article a few times since he posted it, but I barely noticed the form he mentioned. N-Acetyl Cysteine actually has a somewhat short half-life in the body. This is not unlike 5-HTP or vitamin C (which I will get to soon). This hasn’t made the standard NAC bad, my experience has been good. The idea is that the sustained release version should be able to help increase the amount of glutathione (NAC byproduct) in the body over a longer period of time.

Neptune Krill Oil

Krill oil is the talk of the town in the supplement world. Unlike standard fish oil, krill oil contains astaxanthin, a carotenoid antioxidant (similar to vitamin A) that can apparently prevent the oil from going rancid. Rancid Omega-3 is probably useless to the body. Besides that, krill oil is also allegedly far better than fish oil in terms of absorption.

The obvious, provable trade-off is that it’s little more costly than fish oil. I am trying it out now to see whether it’s worth the hype and the cost.

Ubiquinol/PQQ

These two are quinones which function as antioxidants in the body. PQQ however is extra special in that preliminary experiments have shown an increase in mitochondria in bacteria and animal models. No word yet on whether this translates directly to human cells, but we’ll see soon enough. Reportedly this can increase energy and cognition through mitochondria support.

Ubiquinol, a.k.a. Coenzyme Q10, is another antioxidant compound touted for cellular antioxidant support, especially for heart health and conditions like fibromyalgia. However, these are relatively costly, so if it’s not in your budget, I would probably focus on other supplements.

The one I use here is a combination of PQQ and Coenzyme Q10.

Ester-C

Ester-C is a longer-lasting form of vitamin C. Normal vitamin C has a very short half-life in the body (like NAC), which doesn’t sound bad until you consider that unlike normal animals, humans do not produce their own ascorbate. Taking a supplement like Ester-C twice a day ensures that your body gets 24/7 vitamin C support. At least that’s what I think. This seems to have worked like a charm for me so far in terms of gum health.

Ashwagandha

Ashwaganda is a returning favorite. I’ve covered it already in the past for its effects on mood and libido. It makes a bitter yet somehow tasty (to me anyway) sort of tea with the whole roots. In this case, I’m using the capsules from Powder City.

The End

That’s all for now. If you have any questions about my regimen or about building your own, feel free to comment below or write me.

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Piracetam Log #2 – More Subjective Observations

Continuing off of the previous post, here is another brief piracetam log. This post is titled Piracetam Log #2 in spite of the fact that Log #1 was titled “Week 1.” This log you are reading now is more of a combination of the two weeks following the first one. I only dosed 4 times in those two weeks.

Because each day I had dosed was pretty similar, I will instead gather my impression of those two weeks. All I did was double the dosage. I noticed some minor changes in terms of subjective feelings, sometimes making me feel even a little anxious! But I believe piracetam improved my memory and even helped improve creative thought.

Daily Regimen

I am still taking fish oil, mucuna pruriens, ashwagandha, NAC, slow-release vitamin C and up to 4 grams of kratom per day.

This time however I refrained from taking caffeine and theanine capsules and instead drank tea on piracetam days to avoid caffeine overload.

Changes in Weeks 2 and 3

In week 1, I took only one 750 mg capsule per trial. The effects were decent, and I did not have a bad experience.

This time, I decided I would do the following:

Increase dosage from 750 mg to 1500 mg (two capsules)

This was so I could understand whether an increase in dosage would make any positive or negative effect. As mentioned in Your Piracetam Dose is Wrong, indications of favorable brainwave activity were found at doses of 4.8 grams. My current dose is below even the minimum examined in the studies. This was to experience the subjective effects first.

By the way, I had to cap this piracetam myself.

Take with one 150 mg capsule Alpha GPC

This was taken with the piracetam dose because it seemed to alleviate the foggy-headedness I experienced in Week #1.

Can Piracetam Improve Creativity?

Piracetam is supposed to improve communication between the brain hemispheres. We all remember that old trope about right brain being the creative, intuitive side and left brain being the rational, linear side. Whether or not this simplification is true, it’s entirely possible that improved communication between the hemispheres can lend one to more out-of-the-box thought, perfect for creativity.

In my own subjective experience, I’ve found that good, seemingly original or novel ideas come to me more frequently on piracetam.

Piracetam and Manic / Anxious feelings

After increasing my dosage for piracetam, I noticed that underlying “manic” and high energy feeling I would feel sometimes would give way toward more anxious, nervous feelings. As if the energy was too high.

So I might conclude that, in a way, piracetam can be stimulating. In this case, maybe a little too much so. Not so much to be unbearable, but enough to think “whoa, this might be a little much for me.” I was able to handle it just fine, but I can imagine someone more sensitive might feel it differently.

Most people probably don’t have to worry about this, but for more sensitive types who have never tried piracetam, this is a heads up.

Somewhat Improved Memory

I did not turn into Rain Man, but even among these few times of dosing piracetam, even without dosing it at all, I have found it easier to remember things in both the short term working memory and in long term.

Over the short run, after dosing piracetam I have found it easier to remember numbers such as phone numbers, credit card numbers, and so on.

In terms of long term memories, I began recalling vivid childhood memories of events I had otherwise almost completely forgotten about. None of these were bad for me, so I had no issue with them, but it was a little jarring to be able to remember something you may not have remembered otherwise!

Genuinely, I had no idea those memories were there. The dust seems to have been sweeped off the old neurons!

Improved dreams (?)

I haven’t been able to determine if it’s a dietary change with the probiotics I’m taking, or if it’s just piracetam, but I have been experiencing some more vivid dreams than usual. I can’t say for certain yet.

P.S.- Where you can get piracetam

I noticed that my favorite nootropic vendor is not selling Piracetam at the moment, rather their piracetam link redirects to noopept at the moment. (See my old review of Noopept).

In fact, they’ve done this for a few of the smart drugs they offer. I did a quick search and found out their payment processor at the time was hassling them. A lot of online vendors seem to have issues tangling with strict requirements from payment processors.

Anyway I will edit this when my vendor find a new payment processor and offer it for sale again.

For now, you should try NootropicsDepot, whom I am not affiliated with nor have I ordered from. Reddit’s /r/nootropics users seem to like it almost as much as my preferred vendor. I will give them a chance as well if I run out before my favorites get theirs back in stock.

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N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) for Liver and Mood Support

NAC, or N-Acetyl Cysteine, is a form of the amino acid l-cysteine.

However, as we have seen throughout our 3 year journey here exploring supplements, things are hardly so mundane!

I’ve included NAC in my list of The Best Liver Health Supplements.

NAC is both a potent liver support substance as well as a fantastic mood booster (researched for use against bipolar disorder). It helps your body support its own antioxidant production. This post will touch upon how it works for liver support, mood boosting and where to get it.

N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) as Liver Supporter / Hangover Prevention

One of the first things I learned about N-Acetyl Cysteine is its application in “hangover prevention drinks.” Personally, it only takes a couple drinks to feel like I drank the next morning. That is, a mild hangover.

When I began taking NAC every day, that nasty hangover feeling went away!

How effective is it? On the bottle of Jarrow Formulas NAC that I own, the label actually warns not to take it before having any liver-related tests done. Why?

Because the favorable test results from taking the supplement could hide an underlying chronic condition, which is important for your doctors to detect should you happen to have one.

This doesn’t mean that it’s bad for you, there is no indication it harms the liver! If anything, it’s great for the liver.

NAC actually originated as a medical treatment for acetaminophen (a.k.a. paracetamol in some locales, or brand name Tylenol) overdose, which can cause liver failure.1 So from that I’d say it’s quite effective at what it does.

Now, with all the above said, NAC is not magically going to metabolize alcohol or anything else you put into your body. Don’t do anything stupid just because it’s awesome and you’re taking this supplement. It’s helpful but it will not give you Superman’s super liver.

N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) as Mood Enhancer

Interestingly enough, NAC has been researched for its application in bipolar disorder.

Based on one double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled study2 , the results are favorable!

Mike Cernovich over at Danger and Play has written about how NAC helped him with anxiety and depression which run in his family.3

I’m already in high spirits from being on kratom, taking fish oil and vitamin D among other supplements daily (see my last regimen log). I couldn’t honestly tell you if in my personal experience if NAC made my mood better than it already was.

The research is there though!4 NAC is the real deal.

Seeing how inexpensive it is — ($6.99 at Powder City, ~$6 at iHerb) — if you aren’t already taking it, you should try it yourself.

How N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) Works

NAC prevents glutathione depletion (you’ll see why this is important soon). It is broken down by the body into L-cysteine, which is crucial to the manufacture of glutathione. Glutathione is an antioxidant produced naturally in plants and animals and even by your own body, especially by your liver.

When your body is overloaded with oxidizing substances and anything that taxes your liver, it uses up that precious glutathione. Then your liver is on its own to fend for itself.

So in general, the more you can load up on glutathione, the better! N-Acetyl Cysteine happens to be a great way to get that glutathione. This is why it was used as a treatment for acetaminophen overdose in the first place: it can help protect the liver.

Where to get N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)

So, you want to enhance your mood and protect your body from free radicals at a low price?

Powder City sells capsules and bulk powder of N-Acetyl Cysteine at very competitive prices.

iHerb also sells capsules. I use the Jarrow Formulas brand.

Mike C. over at Danger & Play recommends the sustained release form.

Acetylcysteine — Wikipedia ↩

N-acetyl cysteine for depressive symptoms in bipolar disorder–a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. — PubMed ↩

How N-Acetylcysteine (N-A-C) Cured My Depression and Anxiety — Danger & Play ↩

N-Acetylcysteine — Examine.com ↩

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Piracetam Log Week 1

As I noted in last week’s post, I would begin taking piracetam again for the first time in maybe three years. This post is a brief summary of my experiences and thoughts over the past week and where I intend to go with it over the next week and beyond.

Current Regimen

As of last week, I am taking fish oil, mucuna pruriens, ashwagandha, NAC, slow-release vitamin C and up to 4 grams of kratom per day. In addition, I take caffeine and theanine in the form of a capsule and/or various teas alongside theanine powder.

For an idea of what my daily supplement regimen looks like, check out my past posts:

Pill Scout’s Supplement Regimen — March/April 2016

Pill Scout’s Supplement Regimen — February 2016

For this experiment, I would take one 750 mg capsule of piracetam bulk powder per trial. I purchased the piracetam from Powder City in a bulk tub a few months ago. I put the powder into capsules just prior to the experiment for my own convenience.

Day One

I dosed some piracetam in the early afternoon, one 750 mg capsule. Just a couple hours before, I had taken a caffeine and theanine capsule.

Within about an hour, I began to sense that very “lucid” tunnel-vision type feeling. It’s a feeling I normally get from nootropics like noopept, aniracetam, pramiracetam, and so on. That day I was to work on a creative group project with multiple people.

Approximately 3 hours after the initial dosage and after drinking some guayusa, I experienced what I would describe as a positive “manic” feeling. I chalk this up to the combination with caffeine.

Overall, this was a favorable experience. My mood during the day was good.

Day Two

I dosed the same as the previous day: one 750 mg capsule of piracetam.

This time I did not have any caffeine and theanine. I did not notice any whimsical euphoria or other things out of the ordinary with this dosage. My mood was just OK.

I chalk my mood up to inadequate sleep quality and possible caffeine withdrawal, but this could potentially be due to dosing piracetam without a cholinergic. I would not know for sure at this point.

Day Three

On this day, I did not dose piracetam. I maintained my usual regimen sans caffeine + theanine. My mood was only OK, and my working memory a bit hazy. I chalk this up to inadequate sleep, same as the night before in addition to possible caffeine withdrawal and even piracetam after effects.

Day Four

I took a 750 mg capsule of piracetam again, but with an Alpha-GPC capsule (a cholinergic) to go along with it. As before, I did not notice any astounding acute effects in the hours following the dosage.

However I did find it easy to remember series of numbers I was copying down, which is something I experienced before with noopept. I couldn’t say with any certainty this time whether it was due to piracetam alone.

This was my final day of dosing piracetam for the week. I avoided dosing on other days due to other obligations.

Conclusion

Overall, I did not expect much from this initial experiment. I merely wanted to test the waters of nootropic drugs again to see if they were fine for me. This was successful in my opinion. I experienced some notable subjective effects on the first day of dosing, which I’d say are ideal for productivity and creativity.

In the following weeks, I will increase both dosage and frequency of dosage. Like this past week’s test, I will be paying close attention to my mood and subjective cognitive performance.

In the past I have experienced absentmindedness from dosing cholinergics and nootropics together, which I would like to avoid. My goal this time around is to dial in a piracetam regimen that does not affect my mood or cognition negatively. Ideally I would be able to experience the same effects as I did on day one and to sustain them.

Quick Edit: I neglected to mention that I had some vivid dreams over the past week’s trial. Connected to piracetam? We’ll have to see in the coming weeks!

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Piracetam Primer – The First Nootropic Ever Created

This month I will finally begin experimenting with Piracetam again.

I first began using it around 2009 and have used it for months at a time with very little issue. (I had Primaforce piracetam before the FDA sent them a letter!)1 Instead of trying to dredge the memory banks for my experience, I’m going to see if I can discover anything else new about it and whether I should include nootropics in my day to day regimen again.

In this post I will briefly explain what this drug is, what it does and how it works, and why it might suck for some people (its disadvantages). On top of that I will explain my proposed experimental regimen for the following weeks.

The Granddaddy of Nootropics

Piracetam is known as the “granddaddy” of nootropics.

This is because it is the first nootropic drug, synthesized by Belgian pharmaceutical group UCB, led by Corneliu E. Giurgea in 1964.2 In fact, Giurgea coined the term “nootropic!” Its primary application was to help people with cognitive degeneration, such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. Many studies for these applications have been undertaken with generally favorable results.3

Later, several other similar substances were synthesized and discovered, known altogether as “racetams.” However, among them, piracetam is the best known and best researched. Coupled with its decades of safety and use I may very well consider it to be one of the best nootropics for beginners.

Why Piracetam?

Piracetam is the first, best-researched and most well known of the nootropic drugs. For people who want to experiment with cognitive enhancement but want something tried and true, piracetam is the way to go.

Because it’s been around for so long, there are plenty of experience reports for piracetam on Erowid.org4 and elsewhere on the web. Reading these actually first piqued my interest in smart drugs all those years ago, and made me wonder if cognitive enhancement with drugs was indeed possible.

The Disadvantages of Piracetam

Despite being the best known and having the best track record, piracetam is not without its faults.

For one, it requires a much higher dose than a similar and stronger nootropic, such as noopept.

A standard dose may range into the grams! Noopept by comparison should be only within the tens of milligrams, and absorption is reportedly improved with sublingual (under the tongue) dosing of the powder itself. I wouldn’t attempt sublingual with piracetam because of the required dose size and the unpleasant taste.

Did I mention the unpleasant taste? It tastes something like synthetic grapefruit rind. However, it’s not so unpleasant that I wouldn’t take the straight powder. Buying in bulk is fairly inexpensive, but if you are sensitive to tastes, you should consider putting your powder into capsules yourself or buying the capsules.

There are some reported side effects such as irritability, tiredness and possible brain fog, which can reportedly be mitigated with a source of choline. This is possibly because the drug improves acetylcholinergic neurotransmission. At the same time it is acknowledged that the exact mechanism of action of this drug is not fully understood at this point in time.5

The Pill Scout Piracetam Experiment

For the following week, I will take a 750 mg dose of piracetam once per day. Yes, I am aware this is below the dose I mentioned in “your piracetam dosage is wrong.” I will not take any cholinergics (Alpha GPC) unless I see a need to in order to counteract any potential side effects.

If all goes well and I do not feel any pressing or urgent need to abort the experiment (brain fog and/or irritable mood not remedied by cholinergic), I will increase the dosage to twice per day and 750 mg or more (toward the target recommended dose of 4.8 grams), and if needed, take any cholinergics to balance out any side effects.

The goal of this initial test will be to determine the subjective effects of piracetam against the background of my current supplement regimen without any other change. Later, I will attempt some cognitive tests against the baseline I used for the CILTEP experiment last year. I will go the extra mile and use some blinding for this experiment.

(For the uninitiated, a blinded experiment means I will not know whether I am taking the real deal or a placebo. I will enlist a willing and competent third party. Any needed cholinergic will be taken alongside the dose.)

If all goes as planned, we should have some interesting and revealing results about this smart drug and whether it actually benefits me or not.

FDA Warning Letters – Unlimited Nutrition ↩

Wikipedia — Piracetam – History ↩

Erowid — Piracetam Vault — Reported Benefits ↩

Erowid Experience Vaults: Piracetam ↩

Wikipedia — Piracetam – Mechanisms of action ↩

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