I was surprised to see a full article in The Sunday Times this week titled "Get a better mind from the chemist".

I was also surprised to hear that up to 20% of American college students regularly use Ritalin before exams.

Anything that makes us better humans (especially me!) is a good thing in my eyes. Does anybody have any experience with mind-improving drugs?

I've used adderall once (aka Ritalin Plus). Illegally, mind you. Made me lucid for 7 hours (it was a time-release formula), though a bit jittery. I used it at age 18, and in good health. Definetly made me significantly more focused and energetic than I normally would've been. I think my dosage was a little much though, because I was very jittery and could only keep still with difficulty. I haven't used it since, since it's an amphetamine after all, and I haven't researched any side effects or other problems that it might cause. I did have a slight headache after its effects wore off, but I didn't have an energy crash or anything.

I've been taking Ginko for about a month now, which improves circulation to the brain as well as the rest of the body. I don't notice any huge differences from it, very minor improvements in focus and thought speed. I'll probably discontinue using it, as I've recently ordered two other drugs (though they're derrived naturally and are OTC) that I'm going to be trying, Pyritinol and Huperzine-A. They're called "nootropics", aka mind-acting, or something along those lines. They should arrive either today or tomorrow.

Best site I've seen on this topic so far: http://www.imminst.org/forum/index.php?s=&act=SF&f=169

There is a ton of info there, and that's actually where I first heard about these two new ones that I'm going to be trying. They're supposedly a good starting point for young people new to nootropics, so I'm giving it a shot.

Most effective thing I've found so far is good old ephedrine (now always combined with guafenesin, an expectorant, which I assume is added to make you throw up if you take too much).  It is available over the counter and speeds up your thinking like nothing else.  Of course, it increases your body odor, makes your thingy shrivel up, and coming down from it can be a drag, but if you're in a bind, it works like a charm.  I often use it when I have to give a public presentation and need to be sharp.

I've tried the nootropic Piracetam and there is some research that it works, but the results have been equivocal for me.

Some folks say Provigil (modafinil) works like a charm, but you need a prescription for that.  I've tried Olmifon (adrafinil) which is the racemic mixture from which Provigil is derived, and it works okay.    It is not available in the U.S., but you can order it semi-legally from overseas pharmacies like biogenesis labs.  Technically, you are supposed to have a prescription for it, but if it is interdicted, the most they are likely to do is keep it for themselves.  I received my packages opened by customs, but they let it pass through.

Hope that helps.

Warm regards,
Hugh

Yeah, I'm one of those college students. Amphetamine (Adderall) really does help with focus and retention of information. However, it is amphetamine and is VERY addictive, and that's not good. But, I see no harm in using it as a study aid for exams. Recreationally, it's not a good idea.

I've done a bit more research since my first post on this thread. Amphetamines are indeed very potent and effective, but there have been numerous studies that have shown neurotoxic side effects from their use. After longitudinal use, some have shown a decreased ability to learn that takes a significant period of non-use to recover from. Plus you have to worry about blood pressure and other health issues. That's the harm in using drugs like adderall.  I don't have any sources for you at the moment, but they're out there.

Anyways, I have tried some other things that I've liked a lot: Pyritinol and Piracetam with Alpha-GPC. These don't necessarily boost your energy levels like adderall, but they do make you think a bit more quickly and clearly. Very good study aids.

I'm still looking for a good (safe) energy booster. I don't know much about ephedrine, but I haven't heard good things. Caffiene doesn't have much of an effect on me anymore. I've tried Deprenyl (aka Juprenil) but didn't like the other effects associated with the energy boost. Haven't tried Modafinil because of its high price. Haven't gotten around to trying Adrafinil, I'll probably try it soon. The latter 3 (deprenyl, modafinil, adrafinil) aren't available OTC in the US; not even sure they're approved for use the US, but like hugh said you can get them online and have them shipped overseas and customs will let it through (or at least I haven't heard of a case where they haven't).

Wow. The Immortality Institute nootropic forums could be consolidated and made into a book about nootropics. It is such a wealth of information. I spent four hours reading it yesterday.

Thanks for posting the url, prodigy2020.

No problem. It is indeed a vast wealth of information.

I use ginko regularly and the effects so far are positive

I'm doing the legwork on a Daily Mail feature on modafinil and would like to speak to a UK student/school pupil who has tried it about their experience.

It would be a case study to slot into a wider feature about the growing phenomenon of 'smart drugs' being used to help with exams - as the exam season approaches.

The Mail would pay for a phone interview.

If you can help, please call me on 07737073861 or email me at tpsontour@hotmail.com.

Thanks, Tim