Nootropics (Piracetam, etc)...Any actual value or a lot of hype??

[VikingRage]

As per my recent posts, I'm in search of effective study aids. I've seen and read a decent amount about Nootropics ("smart drugs") on some life extension websites.
I would like to hear if any of you have tried any nootropic(s) (piracetam, hydrigine, deprenyl, etc...there's a ton of them), and if so, how did they effect you? What sort of cognitive enhancement (if any) did they give?
Also, what is a reputable and affordable site to buy them? (Mods: It's my understanding that these are legal chemicals. If not, please edit this last paragraph).
Thanks
V.

 

[fairnymph]

HYPE! They are totally useless and without effect, in my opinion and experience. I consider anyone who buys these things very foolish.
Modafinil and Adrafranil, on the other hand, are actually usefulmildly-stimulating chemicals. They are prescription drugs in the US, however, and furthermore, modafinil (which is somewhat better than adrafranil) is extremely expensive.

 

[VikingRage]

Fairnymph, could you elaborate on why you think they're useless?
I've heard several anecdotal reports praising their effectiveness, and not just on the Nootropic boards where the products are sold as well. In fact, several members of many steroid boards I frequent have nothing but good things to say about them (although the response to Piracetam has been about 50/50 at best).
Reading about Modanafil had me really excited....until I saw that it was 145USD for 30 pills!! Forget that!
V.

 

[madsic]

dont waste your money
if stuff like that really worked, huge greedy companies would of harnessed it by now and fed it to the masses.

 

[negrogesic]

Piracetam does work, but I had to take at least 1600mg to feel any real effect. I ordered it from an "anti-aging systems" place, it was pretty cheap.
I am currently prescribed modafinil, through insurance it only costs around $15 per monthly supply. Over-seas it costs around $4 per pill.
Modafinil is a pretty strong "wakefullness" promoting agent, but they might not send it to you without a script. It is far more powerfull than piracetam, but I believe it is schedule IV....

 

[VikingRage]

You'd have to think though that these huge pharm companies would have a lot to lose by bringing these cheaper, somewhat natural compounds onto the market.
I can't even imagine the revenue Ritalin and to a lesser extent Adderall bring in, and introducing these nootropic compounds would make a huge dent in those profits.
V.

 

[ms. nomer]

My SO and I have been taking Piracetam for quite a while now and while we haven't noticed an ability to learn more quickly, it does make noticeable difference for us with E. I posted a trip report about it here:
http://www.erowid.org/experiences/exp.php3?ID=17675
Also, I do seem to notice if I don't take it for a few days - that could be psychological, dunno.
You can also go here and search on Piracetam or nootropics and see abstracts of studies done and results. Nothing too conclusive, but interesting.

 

[ms. nomer]

uh, sorry, forgot to post the URL - got distracted at work
http://www4.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi

 

[5ht]

^^^ Nice trip report! Coincidentally, that's pretty much the only situation in which I will roll - at home, with my wife.

 

[Cimora]

Most people get a little stimulation from dl-phenylanine (also u can get similar from diet coke). I used to take pretty high doses and im sure in improved my vigilance at least. Most of these smart drugs are pretty mild in there effect imo, but some are researched by major drug companies so why would they lie?

 

[negrogesic]

^^^^^
How much did you take? I've taken 4g's at a time and felt nothing other than a stomach and headache.....
Like i said, if you havent already, try larger doses of piracetam. They are pretty cheap and definately have a more profound effect than dlpa...

 

[fairnymph]

VikingRage --
I think they are useless because I found them to be so for me (I've tried a variety of noortropics), and for most if not all of the people I know who have tried them.
Furthermore, I've yet to see any research or neurological explanation indicating their mechanism of action.
And furthermore, I think if they were that great, they would be more popular and more marketed. And that's just logic. Most of the time, you don't need to advertise good drugs -- they advertise themselves.