Brain Supplements

Piracetam was the world's first official smart drug. An intelligence booster with no known toxicity. Some describe its effects as "waking up the brain." Piracetam is also known as Nootropyl and is responsible for single handedly introducing a whole new category of pharmaceuticals to the world. And a new name to describe them: "nootropics." From the Greek "noos" meaning mind and "tropein" meaning "bend/turn." And mind bending they are.

Piracetam is like adding an octane boost to acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter responsible for learning and memory. Piracetam also increases the flow of information between the hemispheres and may enhance creativity and insight (thought to be a characteristic of better hemispheric communication.)

So what's not to like? It's extremely safe, inexpensive, non-addictive and effective.

But it does need a kickstart sometimes. Like some other nootropics, you may need an "attack" dose when you first start piracetam before you can begin experiencing effects. This initial dose should be between 4,000mg and 8,000mg a day for two days (i.e. 4g to 8g.) Then you drop back to a standard dosage of one or two 800mg capsules, three times day.

Piracetam's benefits don't stop when you stop taking it; it seems to have a regenerative effect on the nervous system, actually stimulating the growth of more cholinergic receptors (acetylcholine circuits) in the brain.

But the increased in acetylcholine uptake can initially make some people kind of grumpy ---if they don't augment their regime with choline. Choline provides building blocks to restock acetylcholine, helping to balance the increased demand. (And choline is a smart drug in its own right,for its ability to increase acetylcholine levels)

Piracetam can be obtained legally from several online sources. It's typically sold in 800mg capsules. If you like convenience, this is one of the least expensive and most reliable sources.

If you want to save money, and aren't shy about packing your own pills, you can get it in bulk. Throw in a 00 capsule filler and some 00 gelatin capsules and you are set.

Ongoing costs for making your own are about the same for 625 pills as 240 pills pre-made. Something you may want to consider if you make this part of your regular routine.

• Piracetam. 800mg Pills. 240 Capsules: $26.49
• Piracetam. 500g Bulk $19.99
• 00 Capsule Filler $10.89
• 00 Gelatin Capsules 750 Empty Capsules $7.69
• Choline CDP $22.95

Creatine is next up, and gives a significant boost to both working memory and general intelligence. It's a popular supplement with athletes for boosting the energy available to muscles. A study at the University of Sydney and Macquarie University in Australia, however, demonstrated it also improved cognitive performances. The subjects were all young adults and vegetarians or vegans. Since creatine is found in meat, focusing on vegetarians allowed them to test precise dosages of creatine against placebos in the double blind study. Subsequent studies have also found creatine improved cognitive abilities in the elderly.

Creatine is a safe supplement, with no known side-effects. The dosages used in the studies were 5g a day, a dosage commonly used to boost sports performance.

Some athletes, however, have reported feeling more anger when taking creatine. This could be blamed on its effects with exercise in increasing testorone levels. But the real issue seems to be, oddly enough, hydration. It's commonly advised when taking creatine to drink lots of water. And it's commonly ignored. So if you try this regime, be aware and consciously exaggerate your fluid intake, especially if you experience this side-effect.

Note that even though creatine is found in meat, it doesn't mean vegetarians are missing out on its intelligence boosting effects. A meat eater would have to consume 2kg of meat per day(!) to get the 5g of creatine used in the studies.

• Creatine Monohydrate. 400g bulk. $14.95