phase_dancer, i’ll try to answer, if you feel like this should be a separate L-Deprenyl/Selegeline/Davur thread, please feel free to move.
yes Deprenyl, the anti-ageing aphrodisiac, makes mice live twice (as long), tremendous neuroprotective and some say neuro-regenerative effects, antioxidant galore, used successfully to treat canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome, now if i can just remember where i put that pack ;-)
What was the longest duration that you regularly took Selegeline?
standard course – 8 weeks, longest course so far – 12 weeks, with breaks of about 3 months duration.
How long did you take it for before positive effects were noticed?
unlike most other nootropics which may take up to 4 weeks to be noticed (ie non-attack doses of piracetam), the effects manifest on the first day as rather significant mood elevation (especially in combination w/ L-Phenylalanine) and the cognitive fx develop fully by the second week. these are improved concentration, storage, short-to-long conversion and increased facility with numerical / linguistic recall and enhanced appreciation of music.
Did these improvements in cognitive function etc., continue for the duration of taking 5mg/d, or did positives drop off after awhile, or did you eventually develop tolerance and require increased doses to get the same response as at the beginning?
no tolerance was noted, cumulative effects last for some weeks after stopping the course (it is an irreversible MAO-B inhibitor) while the acute mood-elevating effects from the L-phenyl combo, alas, disappear when you cease the L-phenylalanine supplementation.
Apart from the noticed telepathic increase. were there discomforting feelings or symptoms, physical load or amphetamine type stimulation?
the telepathic thing was somewhat shocking as it was unexpected, happened first day i tried the 10 mg dose spaced apart by 4 hours, nonesuch was noticed with 5 mg/d dose and i was almost overwhelmed, mind you, this was nothing like amphetaminergic hints of “telepathy”. with higher dose (10 mg and above) there is a bit of body load (nothing in comparison with, ahem, other, um, pills though) noted as slight peripheral shakiness about 6 hours post administration. those sensitive should be careful in combining Selegeline, as any cerebral activator w/MJ as Paranoia can rear its ugly head.
How much phenylalanine did you take? Was it racemic i.e. DL or just L
~1,000 mg L-phenyl, definitely NOT the DL, on empty stomach first thing w/coffee, followed by 5 mg selegeline after a brekkie bar.
Did you sleep well - compared to normally?
while i did not notice any effects on sleep, (usually take 3 mg Melatonin) the missus says i tend to thrash and flop around the bed more, especially if i take 5-HTP before sleep.
Did your eating patterns change?
eating is an inefficient way to procure energy. just kidding. the appetite lessens, until you think about eating, whence its back full force.
Any decrease in spontaneous emotional response ? e.g. did you notice any "flatness" similar to that described with some SSRI's
here’s the good thing…unlike the zombie-making SSRI’s, even the newer ones, there is no flattening of affect or narrowing of the emotional range. you do not become a blank, somewhat-satiated unipolar emotional robot, and there is no dire physical withdrawal (or any) from stopping suddenly.
And the question I'm sure everyone who has a heard of selegiline would like to ask; Did it increase your libido, sexual performance etc?
there are definite noted pro-sexual effects - a significant increase in spontaneous erotic thinking, prolonged fantasy and orgasm duration. its not Viagra nor will it grow your penis / breasts.
with all the good press, please remember, there’s no free lunch. i can see potential for psychological dependence (even though dependence on a drug that increases your lifespan may not be bad). there have been reports (remembering Murple’s words) of very negative experiences (toetag) when combining high dose Selegeline w/MDMA.
remember, selegeline is an irreversible and (relatively) selective MAO-B inhibitor and not so selective in high doses, meaning your enzyme levels will return to intact levels only about 2 weeks after stopping the course. dont be stupid thinking "it'll make me roll longer / stronger bring back the magic" you will damage self. and thats not what this is all about.
psychologically/emotionally unstable individuals should always take extra care when experimenting w/cerebral activators.