Smart Drugs (nootropics)

Norepinephrine

pronounced nôr p- -n f r n

A substance, C8H11NO3, both a hormone and neurotransmitter, secreted by the adrenal medulla and the nerve endings of the sympathetic nervous system to cause vasoconstriction and increases in heart rate, blood pressure, and the sugar level of the blood. Also called noradrenaline, it is
a hormone, secreted by the medulla (inner portion) of the adrenal gland, which (together with epinephrine) brings about the changes in the body known as the “fight or flight” reaction (or “stress reaction”). Some of the actions of this hormone on various bodily systems include increased metabolism, increased blood pressure, incresed mental activity, increased blood flow to the muscles, and increased heart rate. These reactions prepare the individual to deal with perceived threats or stress by enhancing capabilities to fight or to flee

Epinephrine

Definition: a hormone, secreted by the medulla (inner portion) of the adrenal gland, which (together with norepinephrine) brings about the changes in the body known as the “fight or flight” reaction (or “stress reaction”). Some of the actions of this hormone on various bodily systems include increased metabolism, increased blood pressure, incresed mental activity, increased blood flow to the muscles, and increased heart rate. These reactions prepare the individual to deal with perceived threats or stress by enhancing capabilities to fight or to flee.
Also Known As: adrenaline

Natural Catecholamine with Alpha and beta activity
History
Medical case report in 1923 on intracardiac adrenaline
Shown to reverse “Acute heart paralysis”
Pathophysiology
Alpha Adrenergic Agonist Effects
Most important for Cardiac arrest
Vasoconstriction
Increases Systemic Vascular Resistance
Increases Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure
Increases Vital Organ Perfusion
Increases Myocardial perfusion
Increases Cerebral perfusion
Decreases Non-Vital Organ Perfusion
Decreases splanchnic and intestinal perfusion
Decreases renal perfusion
Decreases skin perfusion
Beta Adrenergic Agonist effects (Under 0.3 ug/kg/min)
Increases myocardial contractility
Increases Heart Rate
Relaxes bronchial smooth muscle (bronchodilation)
Epinephrine has a short half-life: ~2 minutes

I remember reading that by increasing your vocabulary, you can increase your IQ. The idea being that in doing so you create more neural pathways/connections and potential for thought.

I dunt no ifits tru tho, thi mite ave bin pullin me leg.

TT,

“A study of Catholic nuns showed that the chance of developing senility and other mental maladies of old age was in proportion by how flowery the writing style of that sister is. The use of $100 words to flesh something out is what I am talking about. They went back to the admission essays used by the nuns in the records of that order and followed up across the several decades and found the more use of big words which is mental gymnastics the less cognitive problems later in life.

Another study which showed the more advanced degrees you have as in Master’s or higher the less chance of cognitive degeneration. So people with multiple grad degrees have been shown to be less prone to cognitive problems later in life. This is part of the use it or lose it philosophy to the issue the more active you stay mentally the better.”

I have heard of these studies but not read them. Maybe you can clear up a question I have had about them.

I am wondering if this is causation or correlation. That is, does the “brain exercising” preserve brain function, or were these individuals simply stronger in some way from the beginning?

There was another study that tracked individuals who had similar income, education, nutrition and geography. They found that the more these individuals exercised their brains with puzzles and the like, the less likely there we to suffer neuro degenerative symptoms.

But again, was there something different about the two groups brains to begin with? Perhaps those who like to exercise their brains are genetically different in some way, or perhaps their childhood environment shaped their brain in a way that leads to a desire for mental challenge as an adult. Or maybe both.

Cheers,
PS

“I remember reading that by increasing your vocabulary, you can increase your IQ”

I don’t doubt that it would increase your scores on some of the verbal parameters of an IQ test, such as word similarity.

I doubt it would improve scores in areas like non-verbal problem solving though (replicating patters with wooden blocks and such), but I would love to be proved wrong because that would be very interesting.

Cheers,
PS

I scored lower is the word recognition section but very high in all other parts of the test. An extended vocabulary would have increased my overall score but your grasp of the English language isn’t a good marker for overall intelligence. Some might argue that the IQ test, itself, isn’t a true gage of ones intellectual capabilities.

That being said, a voluminous vocabulary can make you or break you in the business world.

Here is an online test that I found the results to be very close to my Psychologist administered one.

IHIQS - the International High IQ Society

Sorry for veering of topic here.

I was only read to about these studies for the end life span part of developmental psych. My teacher was the kind who got side tracked way too easily. He was debating whether it was corelation or causation also. He said another bunch of tests have to be thrown together to figure it out and duplicate the study.

I heard if you play chess, your spatial referenceing goes up and improves your IQ by as much as 9 points. As I said I was told about the study, I didn’t actually look it over. Damn summer classes. Five weeks and the subject is done.

“Some might argue that the IQ test, itself, isn’t a true gage of ones intellectual capabilities.”

I guess that is pretty hotly debated in academia. I guess I don’t know enough to have an opinion.

I wonder about this though: what if there were a person with tremendous mental processing power but a poor ability to take in information. This person would probably be able to solve problems that most could not if he/she were to spend far more time than average taking in the info. They might not be considered as bright as someone (by IQ measurement) who took in info rapidly but only had somewhat better than average problem solving abilities. I guess the faster person is technically smarter, but who will end up in the history books?

I bring this up because I have been lucky enough to meet several people who are considered geniuses. Each one of them seemed to have major gaps in their intelligence. One had ridiculously poor spacial skills. I wonder if there are neurological trade offs taking place.

In general, I think one is probably a positive correlation between ease of learning and IQ.

Another question: What about creativity; is it reflected in ones IQ score? No, I don’t think it is. A lot of successful scientists say it is essential. How important is it, I guess I don’t know because it is kind of like pornography, not easily defined or measured, but you know it when you see it.

Another thought: I wonder if those taking any or a combination of nootropics would score better on an IQ test. I wonder if there have been any double blind studies.

I had a guest lecturer “Professor Ames” who stated that alpha lipoic acid when taken with L-carnitine improves some categories of mental processing in rodents. I will look for the study.

Cheers,
PS

No problem. I guess it is my job to answer these types of questions as the resident psychopatholgist. ;)

I assume your heard of multiple intelligences or IQs? Basically it stretches the hell out of what makes you good at something. Everyone is good at something and these several categories account for it. I believe there is a category on ability to play sports and one to play music and such.

Thanks for the test link. I know Secjay will spend every waking hour exploring these tests.

TT
“I believe there is a category on ability to play sports and one to play music and such.”

Does it test the mechanical ability to play music, and/or the ability to make others experience a range of emotions when you play.

I sort of think that is the important and probably untestable skill.

Oh, here is the L-carnitine article:

Cheers,
PS

twat, I already responded to your article in the draft. It is interesting although sounds a bit risky for me. Alchohol is about as far as I’m prepared to go in order to increase my ability to think and learn :)

I told my girlfriend about all this. I said I would go and get her some drugs to help her study better, since she has trouble sometimes. Can you hook me up with some? ;)

BTW that IQ test thing was a load of crock.
I always get screwed on IQ tests. I find them to be grossly innaccurate. At the very LEAST, they could list the CATEGORIES and the score you obtained in each. For crying out loud, I already know I suck at maths. I don’t need that dragging my overall score down (I am not a dummy!)

I have done a number of IQ tests in my time, not including this one.
And I have had results ranging from 120-160. Which is correct?
The test I did that was the hardest? The most questions? What?
I generally think that ANY IQ test is always out by some fraction. To find somebody’s true intelligence you would need a full profile, not a quick cheap test that teenie boppers spam mail you with.

It is stupid.

I already know I am smart. I am no genius I’ll admit, but I am smarter than alot of people. I don’t need any number to prove anything by. (it’s a different story when you are talking inches though! ;) )
I know what I know and I know what I don’t know.

I knew a guy with a verified genius IQ once. He was a real jackass.
Just to put some perspective on things….

What did you score, twat?

Hehe :chuckle: I already know that I am a Dumb-Ass because it seems like the more I learn and know the more I realize that I didn’t know as much I thought I did to begin with.

I think you are smart; I have been reading your posts for some time now.

If you scored 120 or above on a legit IQ test (not the kind you find on-line), you would be technically much smarter than average, but you already knew that; )

Cheers,

PS

This is all meant for fun. I enjoy having a mentally taxing test laid before me. Regardless of the score, it isn’t a competition between you and I but one between myself and I.

Most Online tests are very weak. I thought this one was one the harder tests that I have ran across. It taxed my mind at times and I enjoy this. A workout of the mind will do the same as a workout of the body.