CBD (cannabidiol) has not garnered much of the hype of its cousin THC. Both are the major components of the cannabis indica and sativa herbs. Cannabidiol doesn’t get you “high” so many people overlook it.

However, on its own, and especially when combined with THC, cannabidiol is quite useful and powerful for coping with problems of appetite, mood, inflammation, pain and more. Probably a LOT more than I could cover here in this one post.

Based on my initial experiences, this post goes into what CBD is, what it can and cannot do, and a little on how to find the best products for your own use.

CBD Doesn’t Get You “High” like THC But Has A Lot To Offer

People who have a problem with cannabis almost invariably do so because of the “high” they get from THC, either for “moral” reasons or because it just doesn’t sit well with them.

Whether you don’t believe in getting “high” like a dumb stoner, or you just don’t enjoy the feeling, you can relax. CBD will leave you sober. Possibly happier, but sober.

The “worst” that will happen with CBD is that you will feel a little sleepy, and possibly a little hungry. This is why you should always start with a low dose and work your way up to suit your needs.

CBD doesn’t catch as much hype as THC simply because it doesn’t get you “high.” It’s dismaying that few people understand the benefits and importance of cannabidiol, with or without the other cannabinoids.

CBD is a counterbalance to THC and other cannabinoids

Interestingly enough, a lot of the decidedly more negative physical and psychoactive effects of THC, such as increased heart rate and psychosis-inducing properties are actually counteracted and leveled out by CBD. This is sort of like the synergistic relationship between caffeine and theanine in the tea plant. Many of the other cannabinoids probably have different effects in different ratios, but the best-studied relationship seems to be between that of THC and CBD.

In certain cannabis strains and preparations, the ratio of THC to CBD is something that your average stoner will not concern themselves with. Fortunately, more people are becoming aware of cannabidiol.

Can CBD cause false positive on a drug test?

Obviously this is not legal advice or advice of any kind, if you are really concerned, do the research yourself. Do not take my conclusions as fact.

If the product you are using contains CBD and only CBD (and you have verified this with the producer) then it should not trigger any positives in theory. From what I can tell, a typical drug test panel only looks for a metabolite of THC which remains in the body. These panels do not look for CBD or any metabolites.

However, some products still contain trace amounts of THC. This is not necessarily bad, but this is why it is important for people to ensure their products are thoroughly analyzed for purity. If drug testing is an issue for you, always ask the product manufacturer about their product.

Is CBD legal in the United States?

Again, this is not legal advice. I am not a lawyer, you will have to do your own research and consult the proper authorities for a definite answer.

Though recently the DEA has sort of shuffled around its classification for cannabis and cannabis byproducts (including cannabidiol) a lot of vendors who are currently selling products based on “industrial hemp” containing cannabidiol and other cannabinoids are not really worried.

This is because of H.R. 525, the “Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2013” which President Obama signed. 1

In a nutshell, it states that “industrial hemp” is excluded from the definition of “marihuana” as outlined in the Controlled Substances Act, so long as the Cannabis sativa L. plants in question are 0.3 percent or below of THC by dry weight.

So is it legal then? I can’t really say for you. But you can definitely buy “industrial hemp” products.

CBD helps reset and regulate sleep cycle

One of the more interesting things I came across about cannabidiol is in a rat study covering sleep deprivation 2 and another covering sleep-wake cycle. 3

It was demonstrated to do two things:

Enhance wakefulness during the “lights on” phase

Prevent “sleep rebound” from sleep deprivation

That second one is highly important for sleep hackers. On my days where I am running 4-6 hours of sleep, with CBD, I can get by on just that core and a later 30-minute afternoon nap and feel perfectly normal later and in the next day. Without it, I would wake up slightly more rested but feeling like I was still slogging through hell.

Appetite From CBD

Upon taking oral doses of CBD, I notice my appetite increase. For myself, this is great considering that I find it hard to work up an appetite without exerting myself in the gym.

Though CBD is allegedly an appetite suppressant through its action on 5-HT1a, it seems to function in an adaptogenic manner. From the reports I’ve read online, it seems that it could either suppress or increase appetite depending on the individual. For me, I notice a great increase in appetite.

Better Digestion from CBD

Going hand in hand with the increase in appetite, from what I can tell, my stomach can handle more food and different foods now than it could without CBD. No wonder some people take it to help alleviate symptoms associated with Crohn’s disease and IBS, it seems that it could soothe certain kinds of inflammation in the gut by modulating the cannabinoid receptors located throughout the body.

CBD Reduces Anxious Feelings, Improves Mood

With CBD, I notice a gentle diminishing of negative feelings that might otherwise bother me. I feel on Cloud 9. In fact, CBD has been able to help me quite a bit on my off-days from kratom for mood-enhancement purposes. Combined it seems to be a bit of overkill. However, adding CBD into the rotation is likely helpful in maintaining a balance between both substances.

CBD definitely reduces some anxious feelings and makes me feel more sociable in a similar manner to kratom.

How CBD can enhance mood

As I mentioned in my previous post about Polygala tenuifolia, I have taken CBD alongside it with great results. CBD is supposed to be a 5-HT1a receptor agonist, whereas polygala acts as a serotonin transporter inhibitor. A brief read at Wikipedia on the 5-HT1a receptor: 4

5-HT1A receptor agonists tend to exert a biphasic mode of action; they decrease serotonin release and postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptor activity in low doses, and further decrease serotonin release but increase postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptor activity at higher doses by directly stimulating the receptors in place of serotonin.

This autoreceptor-mediated inhibition of serotonin release has been theorized to be a major factor in the therapeutic lag that is seen with serotonergic antidepressants such as the SSRIs. The autoreceptors must first densensitize before the concentration of extracellular serotonin in the synapse can become elevated appreciably. Though the responsiveness of the autoreceptors is somewhat reduced with chronic treatment, they still remain effective at constraining large increases in extracellular serotonin concentrations.

In short, combining the agonist cannabidiol with the reuptake inhibiting properties of polygala seems like it would yield a potent mood boosting combination, shortening the time it would take for serotonin to build up in the synapse.

Pending Combinations with CBD

I am looking to try CBD with adequate doses of the following:

Green Tea Extract (believe it or not, it is a partial CB1 receptor agonist, the same receptor THC is active on!)

Palmitoylethylamide (a precursor to the body’s natural cannabinoids, the endocannabinoids, e.g. anandamide)

Some Recommended Vendors with Certificates of Analysis

Though I have not tried these vendors or products yet, the market for CBD is “unregulated” meaning that some may try to sell you snake oil and stuff that has synthetic cannabinoids like that “Spice” stuff.

Though there are plenty of good vendors out there and this is unlikely to happen, it’s always important to choose carefully.

As always, make sure your vendor has a CoA available for their product: don’t just take their word for it.

You want a genuine analysis that the product contains primarily cannabidiol and that it is free of harmful contaminants (heavy metals, pesticides).

If a vendor does not have a CoA anywhere or does not provide one, you may have to contact them. I actually emailed some vendors and I am waiting for their response.

Good CBD Products with CoA

There are a few vendors/products I have found which certify their product is clean:

PlusCBD Gold Hemp Oil 1g contains 230-260 mg CBD per jar. You can get yours from VitaLiving for $35 (View Certificate of Analysis)

The CBDistillery offers a variety of CBD products at VERY affordable rates and have COA on the product pages.

I will add additional ones as I come across them.

References   [ + ]

1. ↑ Library of Congress — Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2013 2. ↑ PubMed — Effects on sleep and dopamine levels of microdialysis perfusion of cannabidiol into the lateral hypothalamus of rats. 3. ↑ PubMed — Effects of acute systemic administration of cannabidiol on sleep-wake cycle in rats. 4. ↑ Wikipedia — 5-HT1A receptor

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Initial experiences with CBD (Cannabidiol), a major component of cannabis appeared first on Pill Scout.

Polygala tenuifolia, known in Traditional Chinese Medicine as Yuan Zhi (遠志), is an herbal with some very intriguing, novel properties. It acts on a wide array of receptors and systems in the body in ways unlike many of the other herbs I’ve reviewed here on Pill Scout.

Of the subjective reports of people who have taken it, it seems to improve mood and in one study on healthy people, improves memory.

Polygala tenuifolia appears to be both a possible nootropic and mood enhancer! Because use of this herb in this way is pretty new and exciting, there may be some contraindications for people who wish to take it long-term. Many of the more seasoned nootropics nerds do not have experience taking this one, especially not long-term, and there is no research in this area. Therefore I consider this an experimental herbal.

Nevertheless, I will briefly touch upon polygala’s researched benefits, anecdotal reports, and my own brief experiences with the extract from Nootropics Depot.

What Polygala can do, in short

Though most of the studies available right now use mostly animal models at this point, the findings so far are intriguing:

Anti-depressive effects 1

Adaptogenic effects 2

Neuroprotective effects 3

User reports on Polygala

Bear in mind that these quotes are subjective, there is always the interjection of our good old friend “placebo effect” and “confirmation bias.”

[…] From the start, there were antidepressive effects, and a lift in mood (although the mood boost could be unpredictable). This has become stronger over time, and there is less and less mood volatility the longer I take it.

— Reddit user “striker_321” 4

[…] Polygala changed my life dramatically. Never tried anything better than this in my whole life and I did lots.

The first thing I’ve noticed was that the memories that usually hurt, they don’t anymore. It’s like floating on a raft over troubled waters.

— Reddit user “condres” 5

[…] The first times: Very noticeable sensation of being more alert or awake after 10-15 minutes. An increase in good mood within 30 minutes, moderate euphoria, non hypomanic feelings. […]

After a week: From day ~5 until today. Acute effects are still present somehow, but in a much more subtle way. Euphoria has disappeared, the increase in alertness is now enjoyable. I find that administration erases completely my tiredness. Repeated sensation of being myself again, memories that used to hurt me now feels nice. Huge increase in productivity, studying, writing or drawing under the influence of Polygala feels like cheating. My ability to concentrate and work improved some months ago with the [addition] of ALCAR, but it never have been above average, today I feel like it is virtually infinite […]

— Reddit user “edefakiel” 6

My experiences with Polygala tenuifolia

I used the Polygala tenuifolia extract from Nootropics Depot (see pricing in the next section.) Obviously your mileage may vary with different vendors and extracts.

With acute dosages, I notice a small amount of “pick me up” feelings, an easing of mood and so on. None of these are obvious to me, but I can tell it does something.

With 2 or 3 times dosages (~100mg each) taken days in a row, I notice less of the negative feelings associated with sexual climax 7. With regular dosing, my overall mood is superb; any underlying anxious or sad feelings fade away. Because of this, motivation is at a peak after taking it for a few days almost regardless of what else is happening in life. In other words, I notice a considerable overall difference in the sets of days that I do take it versus the days that I don’t (Because I forget. This one might be a good herb for encapsulation.)

If I stop taking Polygala after having taken it for a few days or more in a row, nothing bad happens. I go back to my old self without it. However, in my opinion, the beneficial effects are cumulative. They are definitely more noticeable over the long term rather than acutely, whether starting or stopping regular dosage.

Combinations: I have taken Polygala with my daily stack, with kratom. It doesn’t seem to enhance its effects, and if anything, it makes taking it with kratom a little unnecessary in terms of mood enhancement. I find it combines well with ashwagandha for mood. Goes well with CBD too.

Where to get Polygala Tenuifolia

You can find this one for now at Nootropics Depot starting at 30 g for $14.99. At the recommended dose of 100 mg 3x per day, this should last you about three months if dosed every day.

You can see on the product page that Nootropics Depot’s sample has been verified and analyzed by a third party lab as actual polygala tenuifolia extract. I can’t speak for other vendors at the moment.

Conclusion

If you’re looking to try a relatively new and interesting herbal for your mood, polygala is it. A lot of favorable reports about its abilities to clear up depressive feelings caught my eye, and made me wonder why this one had not become so popular yet. Nootropics Depot’s extract is on point, and so far my experience matches that of others who have already tried the stuff.

Though “Yuan Zhi” has been in Traditional Chinese Medicine for who knows how long, bear in mind that I still consider this one an “experimental” herb as, to my knowledge, it has not been utilized before in this sense of taking daily doses of an extract.

References   [ + ]

1. ↑ Based on preliminary studies in rats (PubMed) and assumed by Polygala’s effects on NMDA receptors; PubMed 2. ↑ Reducing cortisol; PubMed 3. ↑ Examine.com))

Decrease in MAO (monoamine oxidase) activity and increase in neurotransmitter activity across the board ((Polygala tenuifolia — Examine.com

4. ↑ Polygala Tenuifolia Update After Three and a Half Weeks — Reddit /r/Nootropics 5. ↑ Polygala and a new point of view — Reddit /r/Nootropics 6. ↑ 17 days on Polygala: Impressions. — Reddit /r/Nootropics 7. ↑ Post-coital tristesse

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Polygala Tenuifolia is an amazing mood-boosting traditional herb appeared first on Pill Scout.

Bitcoin may be the future means to purchase nootropics, smart drugs and other substances. I don’t put this lightly, either. The last few months have been a whirlwind of sorts. Kratom came under the DEA’s crosshairs, but not before over 100,000 people made it loud and clear that they wanted it to remain legal. DEA relented and allowed for a public comment period that closed on December 1st.

As for nootropics and the like, American payment processors’ refusal to work with nootropics vendors have forced the hand of vendors like Powder City to move their nootropics and other supplements to alternate websites, or, in the case of some other vendors, to use overseas payment processors.

Why Bitcoin?

I recently affiliated with DuckDose, an online modafinil vendor, in lieu of a pending affiliation and order from the now-defunct ModafinilCat. DuckDose was recommended as an alternative.

So anyway, I had set up my account and only made mention of it in my earlier article about adrafinil. Later, I received an email from DuckDose that I would not be able to receive my commission through PayPal. However, Bitcoin would be possible. I set up a Bitcoin wallet and collected it, piece of cake.

All of this is besides the point, a small detail in the bigger picture. Why are all of these vendors having issues with their payment processors and services like PayPal?

From what I have been able to tell from lurking on Reddit’s /r/Nootropics, the big banks here in the USA seem to view nootropics and the like as a “liability” of sorts. By refusing to allow payment processing for products they deem as “risks” they are indirectly policing the purchases people are able to make, forcing them to use less convenient methods of payment. This is overreaching in a very passive-aggressive way. The consequences of this, however, have caused some vendors to make some major changes.

Powder City, for example, moved all of their categorically “risky” products to sister websites Supplementastic and NootroStop. NootroStop actually accepts Bitcoin!

NootropicsDepot, a similar website, did accept Bitcoin, but no word on whether they still do or not.

Is Bitcoin actually a viable, reliable and private currency?

Yes, provided that you know how to use it.

I think that the number one thing that has stopped many people from making the leap to Bitcoin is that there was a technological barrier to entry. When I was following the bitcoin hype a few years ago, I understood why more people weren’t using it. Fortunately, services such as Circle have made it much, much easier to make purchases with Bitcoin without worrying about wallets, blockchains, and so on, just using a debit card linked to your Circle account.

In a way, I think it is less risky than using overseas payment processors. I have made purchases with overseas processors before with no issues (other than my own bank blocking my order). With Bitcoin however, no one can simply take money from your wallet like they can from your debit card. Unless they have your Bitcoin wallet and your password, an attacker couldn’t make any fraudulent charges you didn’t pay for yourself.

In time, I trust that many vendors will make the leap to reliable and easy-to-use Bitcoin payment processors if the standard processors remain fickle. When I offer services and literature pertaining to Pill Scout, I will definitely look into offering Bitcoin options.

Bitcoin is the Future Currency for Buying Nootropics Online appeared first on Pill Scout.

In the nearly four years I have been writing about supplements, herbs and smart drugs, it never fails to surprise me when I learn that something completely mundane can carry with it some interesting and useful properties. In this case, it would be baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate. This time, it’s not just for heartburn. Personally, I refrain from using it in this manner and just reach for some mustard.

Bicarbonate and the kidneys

One major function of the kidneys is to maintain a healthy blood pH level.

If blood gets too acidic or too basic, problems can happen. In the case of excess acidity, the body seems to use and lose many of its minerals in order to try and raise the blood’s pH.

Some studies have shown that in cases of metabolic acidosis (body produces too much acid), administration of sodium bicarbonate can slow the progression of kidney disease caused by the condition. 1

Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews suggest that more research will be needed before alkaline therapy with sodium bicarbonate can be recommended for this condition. However, the research that is available looks promising.

Bicarbonate raises blood pH (reduces acidity)

As explained before, the kidneys help maintain a healthy blood pH. Sodium bicarbonate and its cousins can help ensure acidity does not take its toll. Though most healthy people may not have to worry about their blood ever becoming too acidic, a little bit of bicarbonates may not hurt.

Bicarbonate reduces “the burn” during anaerobic exercise

Research suggests that sodium bicarbonate, when ingested 60-90 minutes before anaerobic exercise, can reduce “the burn” caused by lactic acid buildup in muscles. 2

I have yet to try this myself to see if it works, but will edit and update when I do.

Baking soda and sodium intake

Naturally, too much sodium can be a bad thing. Sodium bicarbonate obviously contains a high amount of sodium.

Fortunately, there are other forms of carbonate and bicarbonate salts. I found one such supplement on iHerb called Tri-Salts by Cardiovascular Research, Ltd., containing calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate and potassium bicarbonate.

How to take bicarbonates/baking soda

Obviously, the major difficulty of taking bicarbonate is the fact that it can and will neutralize your stomach acid for a little while. It is used as an antacid, after all. Most sources on the internet say to avoid taking within 30 mins to an hour of eating.

Another method I have seen in some parts is to neutralize it with something like lemon juice or apple cider vinegar, then add water. I have done this successfully with no issues, drinking some of it not long after eating. I am not certain if this affects the bicarbonates or if it still provides the same benefits as non-neutralized, unfortunately.

Yet another method is to add trace amounts of bicarbonate to a gallon or so of water. I’m not sure if you will reach the dosage recommendations laid out in research in this way.

References   [ + ]

1. ↑ Metabolic acidosis and kidney disease: does bicarbonate therapy slow the progression of CKD? — Oxford Journals 2. ↑ Sodium Bicarbonate — Examine

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Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) for kidney health and muscle endurance appeared first on Pill Scout.

Vitamin C (ascorbate) is an essential nutrient and antioxidant that is pivotal in immune function among other things. It helps the body deal with free radicals, especially in situations where they are produced in great quantities, such as during an illness.

Humans happen to be part of the group of mammals that do not produce their own vitamin C. This means we have to eat foods rich in Vitamin C in order to get it. Sounds easy, right? Unfortunately, the only foods rich in Vitamin C are fruits and certain fermented preparations like sauerkraut.

What’s more, the half-life of ascorbic acid in the body is relatively short. It’s a water-soluble nutrient, meaning it is absorbed easily, and is also lost easily. Once you’ve taken your daily dose, your body doesn’t hold onto it for long.

So what are you to do?

Ester-C: A Long-Lasting Form of Vitamin C

Ester-C is a patented preparation of vitamin C where ascorbic acid in the form of calcium ascorbate, alongside a select few Vitamin C metabolites. 1

To understand what exactly Vitamin C does besides preventing bleeding gums, see some of my older posts on it:

Does Vitamin C do anything for cold and flu?

Little-known applications of Vitamin C

After my research, I now make it a point to take vitamin C when possible.

In addition to the benefits of standard ascorbic acid, Ester-C has a few differences and additional benefits compared to standard supplemental and dietary vitamin C:

Ester-C causes less stomach (gastric) disturbance compared to regular ascorbic acid 2

Ester-C concentration in plasma rivals that of ascorbic acid over 24h, but vitamin C concentration in leukocytes (white blood cells) of Ester-C group is found to be greater than ascorbic acid or placebo groups in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. 3

Vitamin C with metabolites (Ester-C) was found to reduce urine oxalate levels (oxalates being responsible for certain type of kidney stones) unlike typical ascorbic acid, 4 although it is mostly controversial whether regular ascorbic acid even causes oxalic kidney stones. 5

Why I Supplement Ester-C Twice Per Day

I take a capsule of Ester-C once in the morning upon waking (alongside my other supplements) and once before bed. I’ve been doing this for several months now.

For one, the advantages of this form of ascorbic acid are the peace of mind that kidney stone formation will be very unlikely. In fact, the study I mentioned above said it reduced oxalate levels, oxalates being associated with a type of kidney stone reportedly associated with ascorbic acid supplementation.

The major advantage of Ester-C seems to be that it increases the ascorbate content within the leukocytes (white blood cells) which are more or less the guardians of the body’s immune system. Leukocyte ascorbate levels can viewed as reflecting the body’s stores of ascorbate, as opposed to serum (plasma) ascorbate levels, which reflect recent vitamin C intake. 6

Though it’s hard to tell the subjective benefits of supplementing this novel form of vitamin C, I notice that when I come in contact with people who have a cold or the flu that I barely seem to catch the illnesses going around anymore.

Where to get Ester-C

Check out iHerb’s page on Ester-C. The specific brand that I take is American Health, the type with bioflavonoids.

You should try to purchase a product containing citrus bioflavonoids since these are synergistic with vitamin C, increasing its efficacy.

References   [ + ]

1. ↑ Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid and Vitamin C Metabolites) — Linus Pauling Institute 2. ↑ Safety and tolerance of ester-C compared with regular ascorbic acid. (2006) — PubMed 3. ↑ Determination of plasma and leukocyte vitamin C concentrations in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with Ester-C(®). (2016) — PubMed 4. ↑ Vitamin C with metabolites reduce oxalate levels compared to ascorbic acid: a preliminary and novel clinical urologic finding. (2009) — PubMed 5. ↑ No contribution of ascorbic acid to renal calcium oxalate stones. (1997) — PubMed 6. ↑ Determination of plasma and leukocyte ascorbate concentrations in a randomized, double-blind trial (2014) — FASEB Journal

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Ester-C for 24-hour Immune System Defense appeared first on Pill Scout.

Goals for Oct. 2016 and Beyond

Since the seasons are changing again, this also means flu season and lethargy and depressed mood that may come with it. So I will be focusing my supplement stack in this direction to ensure I cover any gaps in this area.

Though the ZMA and Ester-C will cover my vitamin C and zinc requirements to maintain a strong immune system, I will need to focus more on vitamin D3 and K2.

Most of my stack has not changed since September, but I am going to include some new additions as well as some potential ones I will be exploring very soon.

Current Supplement Regimen

Morning

1 Jarrow Formulas NAC Sustain tablet (Time-released NAC — See my review of NAC!)

1 NOW Foods Neptune Krill Oil softgel

1 Ester-C (w/ bioflavonoids) capsule (Source of Vitamin C)

1 Life Extension Optimized Ashwagandha (Sensoril) capsule

Dose of Zembrin or Polygala Tenuiflora (experimental mood herbs at the moment)

Evening

1 Jarrow Formulas NAC Sustain tablet

1 Neptune Krill Oil softgel

1 Ester-C capsule

1 Ashwagandha capsule

2 Universal Nutrition ZMA Pro capsules

Supplements to Add

Vitamin D3 and K2

I’m going to include Vitamin D3 and K2 capsules in my stack because it’s a nuisance to remember to manually dose the drops each day.

Since I already have Vitamin K2 Complex by Life Extension I will need to add vitamin D3 in the form of softgels. I will likely be taking upwards of 10,000 IU per day as I have taken in the past, especially since I have not been taking any vitamin D in a while. The daily 400 IU recommendation according to US dietary guidelines is pitifully low, and the current science says that we should be getting far more than this in our diet where possible. 1

After a week or two I will taper down to 1 x 5000 IU of Vitamin D3 per day to see where that gets me later.

For those of you who are new to Vitamin D and K, it’s VERY important to get enough vitamin K2 in the effective forms (MK-4, MK-7) to ensure that the body’s calcium activated by Vitamin D is properly sequestered into the bones rather than the soft tissues such as arteries. 2

Kanna (Zembrin brand extract)

As I explained in last week’s post, I began dosing 25 mg Zembrin (kanna extract) sublingually for anxiolytic and mood enhancing purposes. Zembrin’s components act similarly to SSRI antidepressants, ensuring brain levels of serotonin remain at comfortable levels. So far there have been no negative side effects from one-time daily dosing in the mornings, and it works fairly well for me. There is no huge psychoactive effect as you might feel on phenibut or higher doses of kava kava, but the anti-anxiety aspect is notable to me.

The only one drawback is of the powder itself: Zembrin is very, very hygroscopic. It clumps and sticks together very easily, making measuring a little bit of a chore. This clumping is apparently a common complaint. I do not hold it against Nootropics Depot because there’s only so much you can do about that sort of thing.

I have taken days off from Zembrin with no issue.

References   [ + ]

1. ↑ Recommendation for vitamin D intake was miscalculated, is far too low, experts say — ScienceDaily 2. ↑ Vitamin K — Examine.com 

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Supplement Regimen Update — September 2016 appeared first on Pill Scout.

Zembrin, a special extract of kanna (sceletium tortuosum), is a new substance to me. I ordered it from Nootropics Depot after doing a quick read, and I loved it based on the 4 days I’ve tried it so far.

Apparently, it works as an anxiolytic of sorts yet it does not seem to sedate at the recommended dose. It also seems to serve as a serotonergic, picking up your mood. In this post I’ll detail my experience and what I know about it so far.

Fearless Feelings

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This substance should not be combined with prescription medications, SSRI or other serotonergics. Possible MAOI activity. As always, consult a doctor before use.

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The components of kanna, namely mesembrine and mesembrenone, are said to affect the brain directly at the amygdala, a part of the brain known for controlling our automatic response to what we may perceive as threats. 1 (r/K selection theory nerds might like this!)

[Kanna] is known to influence the amygdala of the brain (a brain region central in emotional processing) and is known to also have inhibitory effects on both the serotonin transporter as well as an enzyme known as phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4); both of these proteins existing in the amygdala. 2

These are the primarily studied mechanisms of action, but based on a user post at a Longecity thread, there may be far, far more at play here in terms of receptors and neurotransmitters. 3

Zembrin in Action

As recommended on Reddit’s /r/Nootropics, I tried the Zembrin powder sublingually in the morning at the recommended dose of 25 milligrams (you will need a scale that can measure 0.001 grams). The powder tastes interesting, and has an herbal, almost spice-like flavor. It’s not amazing, but was pleasant enough compared to everything else I’ve tried before.

This powder seems to be extremely prone to clumping and getting sticky, so even if your jar comes with a silica gel dessicant packet, I would go above and beyond with dessicants for this stuff. Mine is still in sticky chunks.

In situations where I would normally feel an involuntary adrenaline rush, I simply shrugged it off. It was noticeable because of its stark absence. I can’t think of another time where I had experienced anything like it.

In social situations, I felt more at ease talking with people, simply because there was just an absence of tension or self-restriction. Others have noticed a more positive attitude.

I would not characterize this as an anxiolytic in the sense of the mono-GABAergics like Kava Kava, Phenibut or L-Theanine. It brings mood relief like 5-HTP, minus the drowsiness, thanks to its serotonin reuptake inhibition. For me, feeling tired can drag down any benefits these anxiety reducers may have. Zembrin however does not seem to feature that drawback.

Zembrin vs. Whole Kanna

I have not had the opportunity to compare the two yet. Based on subjective reports, they are notably different in terms of strength and type of effect. A lot of the properties attributed to Zembrin, especially those based on scientific research may be unique to it. Other varieties and processes may not confer the exact same beneficial effects.

Zembrin is a special fermented, processed extract of the kanna herb. Whole kanna itself is traditionally placed in the mouth like chewing tobacco. This may explain the suggestion to take Zembrin sublingually.

Bouncing Bear Botanicals offers whole herbal kanna should you want to go the traditional route. Otherwise, Nootropics Depot carries the Zembrin extract.

Conclusion

Zembrin is the real deal. It has a fairly noticeable effect which kicks in within minutes of dosing sublingually, it creates an underlying feeling of serenity and security. Unlike the GABAergics, it can make you calm without outright tranquilizing you. This makes it a possible contender as a regular staple in my stack rotation. Trying the whole kanna herb is on my to-do list.

References   [ + ]

1. ↑ Acute effects of Sceletium tortuosum (Zembrin), a dual 5-HT reuptake and PDE4 inhibitor, in the human amygdala and its connection to the hypothalamus. —  PubMed Entry 2. ↑ Sceletium tortuosum — Examine.com 3. ↑ Zembrin (Kanna) – Longecity thread

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Zembrin (Kanna Extract) for Fearless Feeling – Initial Thoughts appeared first on Pill Scout.

Powder City, my preferred nootropics vendor over the last 3 years, has recently removed several nootropics and supplements from its main website.

If you’ve been seeing broken or redirected links from my site over the past month, this is why. Products had to be pulled due to issues with payment processors being finicky about items being carried. Apparently this is common in the online supplement world right now.

About a dozen common and popular supplements and nootropics have been removed from their main site, including piracetam, which is a little mind-blowing to say the least.

So where can you get some of these substances now that they are unable to sell these?

Two New Sites: Supplementastic and NootroStop

Powder City have made two new sister sites that I will mention in a moment.

First, you may be interested in seeing this list of some of the products that have moved or been removed. I’ve made my own edits.

DHEA

Garcinia Cambogia

Green Coffee Bean Extract

Green Tea Extract

Caffeine Powder (removed)

Noopept

Adrafinil

Piracetam (removed)

Phenylpiracetam

Aniracetam

Oxiracetam

Pramiracetam

Pregnenolone

Racetams

Raspberry Ketones

Resveratrol

These new sites featuring many of these products are Supplementastic and NootroStop.

I assume Supplementastic will have the supplements they moved (such as mucuna pruriens L-DOPA), while NootroStop will have the nootropics that were pulled. Note: I am not affiliated with either of these (yet.)

Supplementastic!

NootroStop

Why are Piracetam and Caffeine permanently removed?

From what I saw on Reddit by the owner of Powder City, Piracetam was pulled because the payment processors see it as a “risk” because of FDA warning letters sent to other vendors way back in 2010. One or two of you might be assuming the worst, but Piracetam is actually fairly safe, and this was due to purely legal matters.

These letters were sent to some other random vendors years ago about piracetam being wrongfully labeled as a “supplement.” 1 The legal definition of the term “dietary supplement” is actually very particular, and a substance like Piracetam cannot be sold in the United States while labeled as such. 2

My best guess regarding caffeine powder being pulled is that it is a risky product to have around as a bulk powder. I’ve written in the past that caffeine can indeed make you sick (or worse) at a relatively small dose levels. A high dose for me is about 200 mg. I don’t think it should have been pulled, to be honest, but because we humans make stupid mistakes sometimes, we just can’t have nice things.

Additional non-Powder City websites

For those of you who are shopping around for supplements and nootropics, I’ve recommended Nootropics Depot as a vendor. This company is a new affiliate. I have already ordered and tried some of their products, and I’m really pleased with the quality. The packaging aesthetic, while not important, is also a very nice touch.

I’m personally interested in their patented ashwagandha extracts and high-bioavailability curcumin preparations. The owner of Nootropics Depot is extremely picky about the quality of the materials he sells, probably more so than any other nootropics or supplement vendor out there. All other vendors should strive to have standards this high.

Ceretropic, an alternate company by the people behind NootropicsDepot, is a non-affiliate. I mention them because they have many interesting products and preparations for research purposes.

LiftMode and NewMind are two other vendors (non-affiliates) who were also affected by the payment processing issue. they seem to be up and running now though.

Parting Thoughts

It’s not often that a vendor is required to undergo such immense changes. I continue to see Powder City as my favorite vendor since I’ve had such a long affiliate relationship with them. At the very least I am glad to see there is at least one vendor out there that meets or exceeds their product quality and level of service, Nootropics Depot. Considering that both have unique products that the other doesn’t, I’ll still be shopping between the two.

References   [ + ]

1. ↑ Warning Letters about Piracetam — FDA website 2. ↑ Dietary Supplement Legal Definition

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What happened to Powder City’s nootropics? appeared first on Pill Scout.