Smart Drugs (nootropics)

penissmith: My online IQ test adventure. A story for you to share. (Sorry for detracting from your original purpose, twat. I will make it up to you with ice-cream later)

While watching TV and chatting to some online friends, I did the test up to about question 20. Took about an hour in between conversation. A few Q’s I couldn’t be bothered going through all the goddamn processing (ie the unfolded shapes) so I just took an educated guess on those ones.

When I got to about question 20 (While watching a comedy show and laughing my arse off) my mother demanded to use the phone. Dang… disconnected…

Went and ate dinner because I was shit starving.

Came back about an hour and a half later, and discovered that once I had reconnected, it wouldn’t let me proceed from where I left off. SHIT. Started the test again, putting in answers from memory up until question 20 again.

Did the last 15 or so questions half heartedly as it was something like midnight and I was buggered…

There was one or two questions in there though, that had me completely stumped! The one with the numbers on the reddish star was the one I recall…. WTF?

Final score: 120. You can imagine the outrage, because I am constantly complimented for my brain. It is probably the best thing going for me…. :)

I would prefer a real IQ test - a proper one. I had a look at the culturally unbiassed test - what a crock. Gave that up as a joke after about question 6….

We had an IQ tester book around here once upon a time. It was written in like 1960. My dad scored 145. My mum got like 115 or so. I tried it and couldn’t even do half the questions because they were asking about actors and models of car that have been dead/rusted up for about 30 years now… :D Talk about culturally biassed…

Anybody else want to share their online test adventures?

ie Twat on the serial killer test: “Clicked in answers while licking a bloody knife and took a break to skin a dead cat I caught and killed with my bare teeth…”

I have taken a number of IQ tests and I always end up in the same place; above average, but no genius. I take them not to see how smart I am, but to get smarter. Working the brain keeps you young.

Secjay,

That is a funny story. I have been reading your posts for sometime and you a clearly very intelligent (by penismith standards). You also seem to have a lot of personality. Dam that bloody test to hell! LOL

Cya,

I have not tried the test you linked. It might be excellent. Someone gave me some Mensa puzzles that are kind of fun. It is a good way to spend a Saturday morning. I don’t know about your word recognition, but you are obviously extremely bright.

Girth Brooks,

Maybe you are a genius!

TT,
I agree with Dino, you are a genius.

Anyone take a look at that study? Ames has done a lot of research in this area. I don’t know a lot about it but I am becoming more interested.

Cheers,
PS

PS: Rad. Thanks for the compliment, but why do you think I am a clever bunny? Was it something in particular I said? I have not said anything intelligent on here for quite a while… ;)

I agree that there may well be multiple geniusses on this here board.
I nominate twat for his comical IQ. Pretty snap and fly, whitbread. :D

I wish I was. I do admit to having talents in a few areas that others often lack. But I don’t ever believe I am a genius. I am just your average failed intellectual, seven foot tall Joe and his adventures of trying to find a girl and drink for free.

NEUROTRANSMITTERS

Neurotransmitters are small molecules that are liberated by a presynaptic neuron into the synaptic cleft and cause a change in the postsynaptic membrane potential . This change can be either a direct depolarization or hyperpolarization, or the activation of second messengers that eventually lead to changes in firing rate. There are other molecules that act on the neuron and change its firing characteristics, but act from a distance and are not involved in synaptic transmission, and these are called neuromodulators. The same kind of molecule can act as a neurotransmitter or a neuromodulator, depending if its action is synaptic or long range.

Neurotransmitters act on receptors, which are transmembrane proteins that have an extracellular site that binds the neurotransmitter and suffers some conformational change. If the receptor happens to be an ion channel, it is said to be a direct gating receptor, and binding the neurotransmitter will either cause it to open or close. There is a second type of receptor which is coupled to intracellular second messenger cascades, but eventually some part of the cascade will affect an ion channel, and thus its membrane potential.

Neurotransmitters are synthesized in the cell body and are transported to the terminal synaptic buttons of the axon where they are encapsulated into vesicles and stay close to the synaptic region of the button. When an action potentialoccurs, an influx of calcium ions induces the vesicles to fuse with the presynaptic membrane and its contents are poured into the synaptic cleft.

Each neurotransmitter has a particular biosynthetic pathway, but can be divided into three principal classes, since they share some enzyme or metabolic pathway. The first class is made up of acetylcholine alone, the second class are the biogenic amines, that are molecules formed by an amino acid losing a hydroxyl or carboxyl group. The third class is made up of amino acids per se. There is also a specific chain of enzymatic reactions that decompose the transmitter, either for destruction or for recycling. This is important since a synaptic signal does not subdue until the transmitter is removed from the synaptic cleft. The transmitter can be degraded in the cleft, or absorbed by the postsynaptic neuron or a glial cell and the decomposed.

Neurotransmitters can act as inhibitory or excitatory signals to the postsynaptic cell, by hyperpolarizing or depolarizing its membrane, although the same molecule can function as an inhibitor or an excitator. This happens because there are a small number of neurotransmitters but a great variety of their receptors on different types of cells. Acetylcholine, for instance can act as an excitator when it binds to one type of receptor, and as an inhibitor when bound on another kind, even if both types of receptors are present in the same cell. The following is a list of several known and well studied neurotransmitters, although some others have been proposed, along with bioactive peptides, such as substance P and neuropeptide Y.
Neurotransmitter: Function: Synthesis by (enzymes):
Acetylcholine mostly excitatory Choline acetyltransferase
Bioactive amines:
Dopamine exitatory and inhibitory Tyrosine hydroxilase
Epinephrine exitatory Tyrosine hydroxilase and dopamine-b-hydroxilase
Norepinephrine exitatory Tyrosine hydroxilase and dopamine-b-hydroxilase
Serotonin exitatory Tryptophan hydroxilase
Amino acids:
Glutamate exitatory Metabolic amino acid
Glycine mostly inhibitory Metabolic amino acid
g-Aminobutiric acid (GABA) inhibitor Glutamate descarboxilase

I found that when I would allow myself to be self conscious about my own intelligence I would do poorly at anything that required a considerable amount of concentration. I was actually classified a child genius early in life by a child psychologist trying to figure out my behavior problems in school (I was a trouble maker and bored out of my skull) I would always cringe every time I heard that word “genius” in my youth. I must of lost all my intelligence in my adulthood because I feel like a “Dumb Ass” today :chuckle: and I am often quite absent minded which makes me wonder if I should be taking more Ginkgo Biloba or something to stir the neurotransmitters and get them firing properly again! I think by being around guys like Secay and TT might raise all of our IQ points some. :)

A really sweet link will illustrations and all. Easily understood and everything you want for the layman.

Neuroscience For Kids - neurotransmitters

More links too.

http://www.inds tate.edu/thcme/ … ing/nerves.html

http://lessons. harveyproject.o … pses/xmtrs.html

http://rama.pol … arc/neurtrm.htm

http://www.pall idotomy.com/neu … ansmitters.html

Now that we have a good base of how stuff works in our head, we can look at the actual substances used both natural and synthetic in origin.

The person who turned me on to the idea of Nootropic substances said that this way a key article on why and how. Luckily for us it is here on Thunder’s.

Male sexual circuitry

Deprenyl aka L-deprenyl and selegiline

Deprenyl used in the fight against Parkinson’s disease in the 1980s and 1990s as well as to treat drug-resistant forms of depression have seen benefits in using them for prevention and maintenance of the brain on healthy individuals. Deprenyl is a great example of a nootropics by its numerous benefits. Thus making it one of the most popular prescription drugs in the cognitive enhancement field. This drug is also known as L-deprenyl and selegiline and is one of the most widely researched nootropics for nearly forty years with over two hundred research papers on it.

Selegiline works by preserving the brain as a protector and a neuro-rescue agent in times of stress and injury while being an antidepressant and cognitive enhancement agent. It also increases lifespan of the user by twenty percent by not allowing dopamine to fade away in the aging process. Research has also proven that Selegiline is also a sexual rejuvenator by restoring desire in the subject.

Selegiline is not without side effects. It usually gives some form of gastro-intestinal problems in the form of nausea, heartburn, and upset stomach. Also seen are increased excitability, psychomotor agitation, irritability, and insomnia. These emotional side effects are usually remedied by ingesting magnesium and tryptophan or 5-HTP in a cocktail with the drug. A common occurrence is, which could be described as a desired side effect in some cases, is an increase of aggressiveness with this drug, which no other anti-depressant can match.

Piracetam

Piracetam, technically known as 2-oxo-pyrollidone, is one of the original nootropic drugs. Invented by UCB pharmaceuticals in Belgium in the late 1960s, it is the father of all cognitive enhancers. Used to treat alcohol dependence in both animals and humans as wells as senility and Alzheimer’s disease. The drug also works in aiding dyslexic children with reading comprehension. Piracetam is used to help those who suffer in comas, strokes, and head injuries through rehabilitation to near full or greater functioning. This drug has been thought to allow greater use and communication between both hemispheres of the brain in the corpus callosum.

Piracetam has very little side effects. Constipation was reported in one member of a test group. Anxiety, irritability, agitation, headache, and tremor have also been reported. These is due to the increased over stimulation of the mind. An identical remedy to a similar situation with deprenyl is needed, with magnesium or 5-HTP will resolve this. Mono Sodium Glutamate found in Chinese food can also agitate the condition as well as caffeine or other nootropics like L-deprenyl. The remedy is to reduce the amount taken until a balance is reached.

Hydergine

Hydergine is another nootropics substance that is made from the extracts of the ergoloid mescalyte fungus. Discovered during World War Two, by the late doctor Timothy Leary of LSD fame and is one of very few smart-drugs that have ever been approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States. It works by dilating the arteries of the user, which increases the supply of oxygen and glucose to the brain. This then acts as a catalyst allowing for an increase in cellular ATP and a dramatic resistance to hypoxia. Hydergine also works against fatigue, dizziness, vertigo, and tinnitus. It also has an effect on those who have had a stroke or Bell’s palsy by stimulating the nerve growth factor. This drug is conventionally used in Europe by an intravenous vector to revive drowning victims that were presumed dead.

The side effects for Hydergine are very few, making it a widely used nootropics. Cases of nausea, gastric disturbances, and bradycardia have been reported. By use of either a specially coated tablet or administration of this drug in a sublingual form, the stomach upset can be countered by these two means. People with low blood pressure or psychosis should avoid this substance also due to complications and interactions between the drug and these conditions.

Centrophenoxine, which is known as Lucidril, is another nootropics agent that is comprised of two separate parts, Dimethylaminoethanol also known as DMAE and parachlorophenoxyacetate alias pCPA. Simply put it is an acetlycholine precursor bonded with a plant growth hormone. The DMAE has a cleansing effect on Lipofuscin in the cells in the body. This biochemical gunk called Lipofuscin can make up to thirty percent of the cell volume in elderly animals making poor cellular health. Possessing low levels of Lipofuscin is beneficial for healthy cell function. Lucidril also helps promote the formation of neuronal RNA and protein production. This leads to the formation of memory and cell repair abilities. (e.g., Hudler).

Centrophenoxine has side effects when taken in excessive doses. They range from insomnia, restlessness, agitation, hyperexcitability, headache, and muscle tension manifested in the neck, jaw and shoulders. Those who should avoid this drug if they are expecting, suffer from major depression, manias, prone to seizure disorders, or suffer from Parkinson’s disease.

5-hydroxytryptophan which is also know as 5-HTP, is a less well known cousin to serotonian, both are important neurotransmitters in the brain. 5-HTP has the luxury of not being used to make proteins in the body, unlike its cousin 5-HT, and therefore doesn’t have other organs and systems competing for its chemical makeup. 5-HTP is processed more productively by the body and passes the blood-brain barrier much easier.Thus restoring serotonian levels in the human brain to a better balance for those lacking in it.

5-HTP also works by suppressing appetite and insomnia in the human body as well as being used as an adjutant therapy in both Down’s syndrome and Epilepsy. This nootropical substance also has been shown to help combat certain forms of depression, panic disorders, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. 5-HTP also increases the level of brain dopamine and noradrenaline in the patient. Synergistic effects have been noted when tyrosine, which is the amino-acid precursor for brain dopamine and noradrenaline, is added in conjunction for this chemical therapy of the patient.

5-HTP is not without side effects. These reactions are occasional upset of the gastrointestinal system, hypomania, and euphoria. This substance also increases the activity of tricyclic antidepressants, MAO inhibitor drugs, and SSRI drugs like Paxil, Zoloft, and Prozac.