12 replies to this topic

[VIGOR]

I have noticed in these forums and from personal experience that certain nootropics cause depression.
I have been using mainly nootropics for around 7 months. After the initial "buzz" wore off around a month or so of use I bagan to feel very depressed. I would deeply contemplate the question, " why do I feel this way"!? I'm usually a very chipper, energetic, sociable person so I found this depression I had sunk into more than just an irritating side effect it was a mystery that needed to be.. demystified.
I know I should put some evidence on here in order to consider this a theory, but after 6 months of deep contemplation, and using my stack/diet uninterrupted and properly dosed/regulated, I have come to the conclusion that, "depression is caused by the rapid increase of cognition".
Though the depression is still here, all my friends have moved on, I now sit in my house all day jobless playing the piano, and writing my book, I feel that it's a sacrifice that must be made.
I found the root of my depression in plane view. It is everywhere. Society.
I have always been empathetic but this is a whole different level.
I did extensive research on nootropics, dieting, sleep cycles, DNA/RNA, and cognitive exercising. After all the research I put my new found knowledge to the test.... and it worked, perhaps too good.
So you may ask yourselves "what does this have to do with me"? First of all your in a nootripics forum thread so your obviously interested or already in pursuit of "super intelligence" second I believe it is my responsibility as a human being to warn you about the side effects of increasing intelligence.
Ever heard the sayings, "with power comes responsibility" and "knowledge is power" of course you have. Be sure to write them out as affirmations for placement on your front door, bathroom wall, and gun safe.
Responsibility is depressing under a certain light, but brighten up your smart enough to find the root and burn it now (:
You may think I'm crazy, but if you search diligently enough you WILL find 20 or 30 IQ points here and there, in soon to be closed websites, headphones, powders, pills and excersice regimens. The synergy of all your finding will eventually lead you back to this not so crazy theory of.... ours.
Namaste

[jly1986]

Interestingly, I was just sharing in the centrophenoxine thread that it causes me to feel depressed after dosing for awhile, but then I'd take a break, and within a few days, my mood would improve back to normal. Same thing happens to me when I take B-complex vitamins.

Another member suggested that my dopamine is low, and that I should try supplementing with phenylalanine and tyrosine. Have you tried them for your depression?

Here's the thread, in case you're interested:

http://www.longecity...entrophenoxine/

[VIGOR]

No I have not tried them I've read positive responses from their users. My depression was brought on by an increase in awareness, deductive reasoning, and empathy. I found the remedy for my personal type of depression by remapping my Neuro pathways through self hypnosis and meditation. An Increase in dopamine or seratonin will definitely mask your depression, but be careful when trying to cure negative, looping emotions with anything other than new emotions or a new perception of lifes purpose. I do hope I have helped you, and I also hope you continue to take Centrophenoxine, you won't regret it.

[MizTen]

Interesting ideas, I have been having some of the same effects myself.

I think it's actually pretty important for nootropic users to have a bigger picture, a long term goal, or a "project plan" for ongoing cognitive enhancement. At least once they've discovered that nootropics work. Because cognitive enhancements really can probably only be maintained in the long term by taking action with lifestyle and behavioral changes. Much as meditation, mindfullness training, CBT skills etc. are only useful if you are practicing them and then taking them out into the world in some fashion and getting some intelligent feedback on your efficacy. The same thing applies to education, it's positive effects will fade if you don't use the skills and knowledge you trained in. It may feel like a loss.

There's usually some depression after you've benefitted from a significant positive change, whether or not you even wanted it. The depression is probably the increased personal responsibility you are now faced with as you can see more easily how things work and your role, or lack thereof, in the big picture. The depression may also come from boredom, as the enhanced cognition needs new stimulus and challenges.

No way anymore to just lay back on the lounger all day and hit the remote, or whatever each one of us has done to hang out near catatonia too often. After significant cognitive enhancement, there's no way back and the way forward may be unclear. Changing activities and bringing something new into your life when that plateau (depression) seems too vast may help engage your upgraded mind in a new and enjoyable way.

Life is very precious, and it is definitely meant to be enjoyed, shared, and appreciated. If I've been gifted with an upgraded mind, I must go out and do something positive with it. That's my feeling about this.

Namaste

[VIGOR]

MizTen regarding your post.
I'm currently working on a web project to provide the public with information and case studies that focus on meditation and nootropics. Aside from being magnetic and thought provoking, your post was written in a straight forward style. Would you mind if I used your post to aid in the projects positive influence?

[jly1986]

No I have not tried them I've read positive responses from their users. My depression was brought on by an increase in awareness, deductive reasoning, and empathy. I found the remedy for my personal type of depression by remapping my Neuro pathways through self hypnosis and meditation. An Increase in dopamine or seratonin will definitely mask your depression, but be careful when trying to cure negative, looping emotions with anything other than new emotions or a new perception of lifes purpose. I do hope I have helped you, and I also hope you continue to take Centrophenoxine, you won't regret it.

Thanks much. I look forward to seeing your site.

Also, I noticed many a brilliant mind and deep thinker in human history also suffered from depression, in some cases, to the point of despair and suicide.

And while I have not tried any prescription strength anti-depressants, perhaps one side effect is cognitive decline (?).

Then again, people like Erdos used amphetamines to rise up out of depression and relied upon its anti-depressive effects to fuel continued intellectual productivity.

[macropsia]

I think that for many in certain social milieux, as little as an increase in attention to health and intelligence factors and the attendant lifestyle changes can be sort of isolating; in order to deal with cognitive decline resulting from depression and anti-depressant use (neither's so good for the smarts, apparently), I've had to change employment and have fallen out of touch with my old smoking and drinking buddies. And not necessarily because of the lifestyle difference or in order to 'eliminate the temptation' of 'drug abuse'... while my love for my friends hasn't diminished, my ability to feign interest in small-talk (which was never that great) or participate in things I know aren't very good uses of time or good for me has.

I feel like its a little egotistical to say that 'getting smarter' isolates or makes one depressed (though it might), but the very interest in changing focus toward that end certainly does.

[VIGOR]

It is absolutely egotistical to present such a theory, considering I have yet to find another person with the dedication required to accomplish what I have.

The quest for an increase in knowledge very well could lead to isolation and possibly depression but that is primarily based on ones method of achieving the goal. If one method uses half the energy required than that of another method, wouldn't you agree the results and variables concerning each method would be entirely different?

What I have presented on this forum thread is the result from using a method to increase intelligence with very little effort and the effects it had on me. Though the experimentation with gaining knowledge quickly and efficiently is fairly new, I whole heartedly believe the diligent ones will achieve their goal and soon after ask themselves the same question I did, "why am I depressed". I have presented this theory for the future I suppose, but none the less I am ecstatic to read all of your well formulated opinions.

[macropsia]

You should do a write-up on these techniques which increased your 'intelligence with very little effort'.

[macropsia]

..sure you're not just taking to much 'racetam? Shit makes me pissed....

[machete234]

I think a lot of things can cause depression by a lot of mechanisms how ever there aren't many things that make you smarter.

[VultureCulture]

No I have not tried them I've read positive responses from their users. My depression was brought on by an increase in awareness, deductive reasoning, and empathy.

Interesting, in my experience the erosion of those facualties goes hand in hand with the onset of depression. Most nootropics I've tried seem to have the opposite affect on my mood that they've had on yours, though I do experience heightened levels of frustration and annoyance at times.

[TheBatman]

Interesting ideas, I have been having some of the same effects myself.

I think it's actually pretty important for nootropic users to have a bigger picture, a long term goal, or a "project plan" for ongoing cognitive enhancement. At least once they've discovered that nootropics work. Because cognitive enhancements really can probably only be maintained in the long term by taking action with lifestyle and behavioral changes. Much as meditation, mindfullness training, CBT skills etc. are only useful if you are practicing them and then taking them out into the world in some fashion and getting some intelligent feedback on your efficacy. The same thing applies to education, it's positive effects will fade if you don't use the skills and knowledge you trained in. It may feel like a loss.

There's usually some depression after you've benefitted from a significant positive change, whether or not you even wanted it. The depression is probably the increased personal responsibility you are now faced with as you can see more easily how things work and your role, or lack thereof, in the big picture. The depression may also come from boredom, as the enhanced cognition needs new stimulus and challenges.

No way anymore to just lay back on the lounger all day and hit the remote, or whatever each one of us has done to hang out near catatonia too often. After significant cognitive enhancement, there's no way back and the way forward may be unclear. Changing activities and bringing something new into your life when that plateau (depression) seems too vast may help engage your upgraded mind in a new and enjoyable way.

Life is very precious, and it is definitely meant to be enjoyed, shared, and appreciated. If I've been gifted with an upgraded mind, I must go out and do something positive with it. That's my feeling about this.

Namaste

I know this thread is old, but still I couldn't agree more with this.

I think with more knowledge just comes more options though. I think the more we learn about different nootropics the more concerned we become about perfection in a way, IE "this situation could be better if I did this", "I should've taken caffeine instead of piracetam" "I should've gotten more sleep last night" ect. ect. to the point where we actually forget how to smell the roses.

I think for me the most depression I get is from not knowing what I should do and waiting much too long to make a decision. There are so many possibilities in life when combined with nootropics and lifestyle changes that I have trouble getting comfortable with just one. I've recently learned that being indecisive is a decision in and of itself - a negative one. I think our absolute biggest challenge in life is settling for less then you could have, just for the sake of time.

So now instead of seeking too much knowledge I seek more life experience, which for me at age 18, I'm clearly lacking.