Anyone try Alpha Brain or other nootropics? - Page 9 - Other Topics Forum - Discuss Pop Culture, Arts and Entertainment

ZealotDrone · 01-20-2012, 12:43 PM

When did I berate anyone? And yay another person quoting me!!

EDIT:

As to the skeptic guides, they're in reference to the product Alpha Brain lolz. I would appreciate some skeptic guides on Piracetam so I can stop taking this product (that has been working for me and my grandmother), and I can spend my money on some other products. Like cheese, beer, and reefer.

lonely_but_rich · 01-20-2012, 01:00 PM

I don't know why that grandma line cracks me up so much.

fiftyonefifty · 01-20-2012, 01:04 PM

nobody cares.

if it works for you, take it. im sure ALOT of people are taking adderall also.

why are you guys trying to carry a conversation with people who clearly dont care?

BTW i found this interview on youtube talking about how nootropics affect the brain
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHg5SJYRHA0

OR
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nootropic

fsoyars · 01-20-2012, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilovegoogle!

I would like to know more about "nootropics" myself, for they seem to have positive and healthy improvements on most peoples lives.

Apologies for derailing this thread with baseless accusations.

As to your question, from what I've researched about "nootropics," there appears to be zero credible, scientific evidence that they have any positive affect at all. The 4th sentence from the nootropics wiki:

Quote:

"However the efficacy of nootropic substances, in most cases, has not been conclusively determined."

Furthermore, all of the "studies" cited by the companies selling these products are inherently flawed to the point that they are not credible. Yale neurologist Steven Novella explained this well in the above quoted article: http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/...ment-industry/.

Quote:

I am presenting just one illustrative example of the types of deceptive marketing practice by the supplement industry, specifically with their use of scientific evidence. They use the evidence as a marketing tool, not as a way to determine the net clinical effects of a product. Several types of deceptive use of evidence are common: using basic science studies to support clinical claims, using studies in ill subjects to make claims about enhancing normal function, referencing secondary sources or sources that do not support the claims being made, and making inappropriate comparisons to different doses and routes of administration.

The goal is to create the impression that the supplement being marketed has health benefits that are backed by science – but the devil is always in the details. What they never seem to provide is rigorous studies of their actual product published in the peer-reviewed literature showing the specific benefits they are claiming when used as directed.

While those who have used it may have experienced some placebo effect, in short, Alpha Brain and the like amount to what is basically snake oil, which is to say, a scam.

Hope that helps.

ZealotDrone · 01-20-2012, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fiftyonefifty

why are you guys trying to carry a conversation with people who clearly dont care?

Topic title: Anyone try Alpha Brain or Nootropics?

Why are these people commenting on a topic, when they haven't tried nootropics?

We can play this question game all night long, I don't have class tomorrow, and work doesn't come until 6:30 pm. :P

traz · 01-23-2012, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fsoyars

Apologies for derailing this thread with baseless accusations.

As to your question, from what I've researched about "nootropics," there appears to be zero credible, scientific evidence that they have any positive affect at all. The 4th sentence from the nootropics wiki:

Furthermore, all of the "studies" cited by the companies selling these products are inherently flawed to the point that they are not credible. Yale neurologist Steven Novella explained this well in the above quoted article: http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/...ment-industry/.

While those who have used it may have experienced some placebo effect, in short, Alpha Brain and the like amount to what is basically snake oil, which is to say, a scam.

Hope that helps.

Just because it "has not been conclusively determined" does not instantly make it a placebo effect or a scam.

Dave47 · 01-24-2012, 12:41 AM

I`ve tried a bunch of nootropics and all are mainly just the active ingredient in powder or tablet form- not some fancy blend or whatever.

The most powerful nootropic I`ve tried so far is aniracetam- after starting had insanely vivid dreams etc. These have gone now- thats the main side effect but there are worse possible ones. Have yet to try a stimulant based nootropic more powerful than caffeine and don`t plan on doing so. Also take stuff like choline, inositol, cq-10 (everyone shud take that one imo) just as nutrients.

Imo if ur looking to buy go on wikipedia and look through on the studies conducted- saying all nootropics is a scam is hilarious but I would say there is a high degree of uncertainty with how individual nootropics work and how they work.

edit: aniracetam is closely related to piracetam, but a few times stronger. The most powerful member of the racetam group u can purchase is pramiracitam- costs about 125 dollars/100 grams tho. Studies suggest its 8-30 times more powerful than piracetam

Dave47 · 01-24-2012, 12:44 AM

Alpha brain doesnt seem too bad actually- bacopa is on my list of purchases- not sure if the quantities are that good tho :P

Also sentences like " anecdotal evidence suggests that this particular antioxidant is effective in eliminating free radicals that contribute to ‘mental fog’" would be enough to put anyone off lol

fsoyars · 01-24-2012, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by traz

Just because it "has not been conclusively determined" does not instantly make it a placebo effect or a scam.

No, it just makes it much more likely it's a placebo effect. And it's certainly a scam considering the manufacturers are knowingly misleading their prospective customers. You acknowledge snake oil was a scam right? How is this different?

pwnsall · 01-24-2012, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kioshk

This Alpha Brain sounds like a pretty good product, but I'll wait until they improve it and make it even beta.

Was expecting beta testing joke

SleightOfJam · 01-24-2012, 02:29 AM

JsTs anything noteworthy happen in the last couple days?

ZealotDrone · 01-24-2012, 01:05 PM

Here's a link to a bunch of citations of studies and benefits on Piracetam:

http://smartdrugsforthought.com/?page_id=121

Tony_P · 01-24-2012, 01:48 PM

great list of citations including a large number attributed to a book written by quack doctor Ward Dean and by a publication called "Smart Drug News".

Oh, there are some references to real journal articles. They claim Piracetam reduces anxiety, referencing a study conducted by the Bulgarian Academy Of Science that suggests it INCREASES anxiety

Quote:

Piracetam alleviates Anxiety. Petkov, V. D., et al. A study of nootropic drugs for anti-anxiety action. Acta Physiol Pharmacol Bulg. 13(4):25-30, 1987.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2896427

Quote:

"Piracetam significantly suppressed licking behaviour and this effect was evaluated as anxiogenic"

fsoyars · 01-24-2012, 02:08 PM

1. Surprise! The site ZealotDrone linked is selling piracetam.

2. Man of the claims are not cited and of the citations provided ZERO are linked to.

3. And in addition to not linking to primary sources, the very claims themselves fall squarely into the categories we've already been over above itt (from the Novella article):

Quote:

Several types of deceptive use of evidence are common: using basic science studies to support clinical claims, using studies in ill subjects to make claims about enhancing normal function, referencing secondary sources or sources that do not support the claims being made, and making inappropriate comparisons to different doses and routes of administration.

4. In short, LOL FAIL.

Dave47 · 01-24-2012, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony_P

great list of citations including a large number attributed to a book written by quack doctor Ward Dean and by a publication called "Smart Drug News".

Oh, there are some references to real journal articles. They claim Piracetam reduces anxiety, referencing a study conducted by the Bulgarian Academy Of Science that suggests it INCREASES anxiety

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2896427

I can`t speak for piracetam, but from all the drugs I`ve tried aniracetam was the most beneficial.
Personally I don`t find they increase focus but you will find increased creativity- in my case this manifested itself in the insane dreams, among other things (some lucid, most not).

Also is it standard in medicine to refer to animal trials even after human trials have been conducted? If so I assume its because animals are far easier to observe and you can feed them the diet you wish etc?? (not being a dick im just curious- v interesting results there)

It`s funny there are so many contrary opinions on piracetam- I say that because nootropic herbs etc are farrrrrr more complex so that leads to even more contrary opinions and results!