This stack is geared towards those of you who search for improving intelligence, motivation, and happiness. I will be describing in great detail my knowledge from researching both longecity, pubmed, examine(unbiased site), and other sites with documented research on each supplement/nootropic and how it applies to each of those cherished values we search for above. I will then give a direct dosage amount you should take to feel the benefits based off many trial and errors. NOTE: I will continuously remind you that I'm only recommending a dose and not saying you should take the amount i recommend. I have the utmost concern for everyone's safety! 
Lastly I will be sharing my personal experiences with each supplement. You must know that I am BY NO MEANS a scientists with any type of college degree. My passion is researching supplements(finding several referrals/sources) and to find the best everyday use stack. Are you ready for a positive charge in your life? Let's begin.
=====> We'll start the stack off with Piracetam. (I am aware piracetam has been either a positive or a negative in some peoples life but, along with this stack it seems to gain it's effects back).
Piracetam is a truly remarkable and beneficial substance. To my knowledge and research (and correct me if I'm wrong) It is a cyclic derivative of gaba (a natural amino acid found in the brain). Piracetam has a wide range of benefits for the healthy individual including, but not limited to, increasing the effects of dopamine and serotonin in the brain. This property allows piracetam to improve a great range of human functions including mental cognition and sexual functioning. Piracetam does not exhibit sedative or stimulant properties it has been shown on (pubmed) and many other forums on longecity to enhance test subjects' memory (both long-term and short-term), learning(both spacial and social), cognition,coordination, concentration, attention, vigilance, brain metabolism, mental stamina, high order thought process, innovation, and glucose utilization in the brain. (apologies if I missed anything else).
Definitely one of the most interesting properties of piracetam is its ability to increase blood flow between the two hemispheres of the brain, which is thought to increase one's creativity.
Piracetam appears to reduce the craving for alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs; On the other hand it also enhances the euphoric effects of them. Piracetam also increases the growth of acetylcholine receptors, and protects neurons from hypoxia ("Hypoxia is the condition in which dissolved oxygen is below the level necessary to sustain most animal life- generally defined by dissolved oxygen levels below 2mg/l [miligrams/liter] (or ppm [parts per million]).” Reference: http://toxics.usgs.g...ns/hypoxia.html [random side note, i have less than 10 posts for longecity, can I still site my references? :laugh: ]
Now the recommended dose of Piracetam for this stack really is experimental but usually is taken from 800mg - 4.8grams and possibly higher. It honestly depends on how you react to it. I would always advise when someone begins to take a supplement foreign to them to take the lowest effective dose! HIgher doses doesn't necessarily mean you'll get greater results. {SELF EXPERIENCE: Have had many of the side effects associated with uniformed knowledge of the supplements needed to be taken along with Piracetam and they go as followed:Brain fog, feeling like I was actually getting dumber the longer I took Piracetam, the spaced out feeling of a higher dose, and the irritability. Once you have finished reading this entire thread you can then have high hopes that Piracetam will work for you again. Worked for me. BY ALL MEANS KEEP READING! 
=====> Next in the stack we'll go over L-Carnitine L-Tartrate,
L-Carnitine is naturally occurring amino acid and the L-Tartrate version is less likely to deteriorate along with other supplements in water thus allowing for maximum potency(allowing you to make a custom drink of an effective on-the-go drink that lifts you out of your slump)[Doing this right before an examine in class is AWESOME]. L-Carnitine increases fat burning and metabolism by transporting fatty acids into the mitochondria where it is then used for energy. L-Carnitine promotes the development of new muscle mass, increases strength and endurance, reduces muscle soreness, and speeds up healing and recovery. L-Carnitine has MANY other benifits including improving liver function, regenerating liver tissues, reducing cholestrerol and triglyceride levels, and promoting cardiocascular health by aiding in ventricular function. A Russian study (for the life of me I can't find the source of where i first read through it) also determined that L-Carnitine increased running speed and endurance in the animals tested.
L-Carnitine strengthens the immune system and promotes the formation of red blood cells. L-C. improves mental cognition, concentration, memory, and slows the aging of the brain. L-Carnitine has been shown to be an effective antidepressant. We should be aware that L-Carnitine is converted to Acetyl-L-Carnitine which is shown to "Wake up the brain" , improve cognition through increases in dopamine, acetylcholine, amino acids, cellular ATP, antioxidants, and Nerve Growth Factor binding while facilitating cholinergic activity and preventing oxidation and iflammation in brain tissue. Also if you're interested in taking the Acetly-L-Carnitine then go for it, it crosses the blood brain barrier and some people may have side effects since it is goes into effect quite fast (Crossing the blood brain barrier) but, it is a little more expensive then it's counterpart L-Carnitine which is directed to those of you who find acetyl-L-Carnitine too much for you. (This idea follows along with those of you have better effects from taking Choline bitrate vs choline-CDP and Alpha GPC).
Now the recommened dosage I recommend is 1000mg of L-Carnitine. If you are going for the Acetyl-L-Carnitine then I recommend your dosage to be anywhere from 250mg-1gram (again this is all experimenting on what works best for you) BY no means am I saying to go out and experiment on all sorts of dosages and must kindly advise again to take the lowest effective dose due to possible unwanted side effects such as an allergic reaction ect..)
{SELF EXPERIENCE: I was having a lot of issues while taking Acetyl-L-Carnitine that I just couldn't quite put my finger down on what the issue was. I was constantly getting headaches from assorted doses. After doing A LOT of research on plain ol' L-Carnitine L-Tartrate I purchased my first 1000mg bottle and lo and behold the headaches vanished and everything seemed to work so much smoother. (I fell into the group who can take choline bitartrate and have astounding effects but, when introduced to alpha GPC or Choline CDP depression came rushing in like a tidal wave 
) Though I do wish I could just pop some Acetyl-L-carnitine and it work but, it just didn't work. Hopefully this helps out others who are having the same issues with Acetyl-L-Carnitine that I was having.)
=====>Next in the stack we'll cover DL-Phenylalanine
As an essential amino acid, phenylalanine must be obtained from one's diet. Phenylalanine is an important precursor to the neurotransmitters dopamine, nor-epinephrine, and epinephrine. This precursor role makes DL-phenylalanine a potent antidepressant and has potential to be a pain reliever. while most prescription antidepressants can take up to 6 weeks to start working, DL-phenylalanine begins to work just moments after dosing. How does it do this you may ask? well it does this by providing the building blocks for our body's natural amphetamines and increasing the actions of our natural endorphins. DL-phenylalanine bypasses the side effects that are common with prescription antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. DL-Phenylalanine is also used to treat ADHD and potentiate opiates.
DL-phenylalanine is able to cross the BBB (blood brain barrier) more efficiently than tyrosine can, DL-phenylalanine has a high bio-availability. What else it can do is limit the enzyme responsible for degrading the brain's natural endorphins (mood enhancers and pain relievers). This allows it to intensify and lengthen the mood enhancing benefits of exercise by keeping your natural opioids higher (reducing pain from an acute injury due to your natural opioids, cool huh?).
We learned earlier that phenylalanine increases dopamine levels naturally so it's an effective hangover remedy! 
Side note for alcohol: Alcohol increases dopamine levels while being consumed, but the next day the brain is left with decreased levels. phenylalanine gives the brain the building blocks to create more dopamine and when taken before and after alcohol consumption the brain is left with plenty of dopamine. EVERY person who drinks alcohol needs this.
Now for the dosage of DL-phenylalanine. Most of the studies that I have read on DL-phenylalanine suggests very low doses of around 200mg/day. What I would recommend to take is 750mg per serving. Everytime I must caution that I am not saying you have to take the amount I recommend. Start with the lowest recommend dose.
{SELF EXPERIENCE: DL-phenylalanine has been a wonderful friend of mine indeed. It just ALWAYS lifts my mood when I'm feeling down or in this case today while writing this I had a hangover this morning from not taking DL-phenylalanine last night and as soon as I took this along with the rest of this stack the horrible headache and nausea from drinking the night before seemed to just vanish... Now that's awesome!}
=====> Next in the stack we'll be studying Taurine.
Many of us who use to or now drink energy drinks see Taurine always listed in the ingredients. Well here's a brief description of what it is. Taurine is an amino acid, which has been shown to reduce blood pressure in adults. It MAY also be effective for preventing obesity, treating bipolar depression, anti-anxiety, relieving muscle fatigue, raising exercise capacity. These are studies done on pubmed, examine, and other forums that I have looked through.
Now the dosage of Taurine I would recommend is 1500mg. As before you can probably guess my next sentence - I'm not saying you have to take this amount but that I recommend this dose. Always take the smallest effective dose before going into higher dosages. {SELF EXPERIENCE: Taurine became an interest of mine when I started researching the effects of caffeine on one's self and since I mostly drink dark roast coffee I decided to add Taurine to my stack and found that it made the stimulative effects of caffeine more tolerable. ALSO I must introduce L-Theanine as a separate supplement that I take when I drink coffee (without going into detail of what it is) simply smoothes out the edginess I get from caffeine and is absolutely synergistic with caffeine. L-Theanine summed up is a relaxant without the drowsiness.
=====> Next in the stack we'll take look at a metabolite, and has a semi-long name for a supplement - Glucuronolactone.
Being the naturally occuring metabolite of glucose, glucuronolactone provides immediate energy boost, decreases reaction time, and increases alertness. It is an important part of connective tissue. Glucuronolactone has been shown to aid in removing harmful toxins from the body. Similar to Rhodiola Rosea It is said to be a fatigue-fighting agent, and improves one's well-being.
Now the recommended dose is 750mg. When taking any foreign supplement to your knowledge always take the lowest effective dose! again I write these so people don't have adverse effects from a supplement and come back and complain to me that I told them that they should it, I am only recommended. {SELF EXPERIENCE: Following an interest of Rhodiola rosea I stumbled upon this awesome supplement. Only after a separate trial of one 750mg dose of this independent of taking any other supplement I noticed profound energy in a way that it was almost as if it was someone how motivating me because I felt like moving about my house and playing piano, writing on forums, cleaning the house. Sooo much smooth energy and i felt so alert. surprised me that's for sure. 
Along with the stack it works out as an effective motivation booster due to surge of smooth energy and alertness.
=====>Next in the stack I'll go over Choline Bitartrate.
Choline is classified as an essential nutrient by FNB(Food and Nutrition Board). Addition of Choline not alone increases the level of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the brain, it as well maximizes the benefits of Piracetam and increases the fat burning effects of the earlier mentioned L-Carnitine. Choline also helps prevent heart disease, transfers certain vitamins into the body, and plays a role in the lipid (fat) metabolism. Choline is the main building block for the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which plays an important role in mediating memory, intelligence, and mood.
Now for the recommended dose, I typically find that 500mg Is the perfect amount for me since Choline has a more difficult time crossing the blood brain barrier as compared to it's counter parts Alpha GPC and Choline CDP which in fact cross the blood brain barrier very efficiently. Always always use caution when experimenting with foreign supplements that you are not knowledgeable on for you may cause yourself to have adverse effects. Use the lowest effective dosage before increasing to higher dosages. 
{SELF EXPERIENCE: Choline bitatrate has saved me from the excessive amounts of headaches experienced from what i believe to be Choline depletion from using Piracetam. When experimenting with dosages of Alpha GPC and Choline CDP I experienced very low mood and depressive thoughts came about. When introducing Choline Bitartrate it fixed the whole issue and a perk being it was soooo much cheaper to buy in bulk!
=====>Next and 2nd to last that we'll be covering is Inositol
Inositol is a member of the vitamin B complex and is often referred to as vitamin BB. Inositol works in the brain in signaling and secondary messaging processes. a few of these include the modulation of serotonin, the breakdown of fats, nerve guidance, and gene expression. After doing some intense researching I found the early clinical and university studies show exciting possibilities for the use of inositol for people suffering from panic disorder, bipolar depression, bulimia, and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) while also being free from side effects. (That is awesome! looks promising.
Now for the recommended dose. I would go for about 37.5mg, I have found that to be the sweet spot for myself. After carefully researching this supplement and reading more into the effects certain doses provide is when I would recommend experimenting around with this supplement. It took awhile for me to figure out, but once I found the sweet spot came all the positives. {SELF EXPERIENCE: After being intrigued by a study found on pub med about inositol as a mood booster I felt the urge to research it diligently and after so bought into it. Experimenting around with it I found higher doses of inositol made me somewhat drowsy which is not what I expected, but when lowering the dose the effects of lowered anxiety (being anxious from going to public places had always been an issue for me), and increased focus. I found that my mind was connected, my words seemed to flow out same with my thoughts. It seems that maybe I had a slight OCD problem before hand where my mind would constantly repeat a negative event or thought over and over again. That all vanished.
=====>The last of the stack yayyyy! Vitamins C, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and B12.
These all combined add a antioxidant punch. They are used as co-factors in the production of dopamine and serotonin in the brain. A must have for improved health in general.
Recommended dose is the recommended daily allowance found in many multi vitamins and some b complex's. {SELF EXPERIENCE: This was just general knowledge to me and I decided to purchase into it for extra health benefits. Can't hurt to take them!
There you have it... The stack for the modern day individual who is looking to improve intelligence, motivation, and happiness. I hope you enjoyed the read and learned some new things and most of all I hope this stack has and will help you out in the future. For me I shall eagerly await your responses good or bad. I'm always looking for ways to improve more of my life with supplements. Also I must note that we should try to keep this discussion on the true premise of this topic which is "How to improve one's intelligence, motivation, and happiness(well-being) using supplements and positive reinforcements for the one's of us struggling with mental blockades or those of us searching for a way out of the rut we find our mind(us) stuck in. Thanks for reading and Kindness your way everyone! peace.
Edited by Ace Silver, 07 July 2014 - 01:15 AM.
