"Adaptogens" like Rhodiola and Ashwagandha lose their effect quickly with daily use. They should only be used 1-3 times per week as needed. I'm not surprised at all the Rhodiola wore off at all.
Apart from the fish oil and the Ginkgo, the other things their are known to make some people drowsy, so this isn't exactly prescribing. You just need to try other things. Ever been on any prescriptions, btw?
If you really want to feel awake, and you've taken a break from the Rhodiola, combine the Rhodiola with a cup of coffee. Caffeine and Rhodiola have a strong synergistic effect.
If you really want to wake up even more with a supplement, try Yohimbine. They sell the pills at 2.5mg, but normal doses start at ten. Warning though, it may cause anxiety, but you will feel the fuck awake. It increases the release of norepinephrine body-wide. It's as strong as many pharmaceuticals that do the exact same thin
Ah that's good to know, still I would like to know for what reason this sedation occurs?
I haven't been on any prescriptions no. And yeah coffee alone gets me buzzed as a motherfucker even at 1/2 a teaspoon, but the anxiety I get along with it isn't worth it. So i'm guessing Yohimbine won't be suitable for me, thanks though.
The fish oil and Ginkgo might be expectation at this point due to previous experience. However, Theanine might modify GABA-ergic transmission, and Ashwagandha is a GABA-B agonist, both of which can be sedating. The sedating effect from the Rhodiola is what happens in general when your body prepares itself for a buzz and doesn't get it (in this case due to tolerance). It's like making yourself a cup of coffee and then not being able to drink it cause you gotta run, you end up feeling more tired than when you started.
If you want to try Yohimbine, just to see that everything is not sedating, you could take one of the small 2.5mg doses. Doses often go upwards of 20mg for reference.
For a more mild stimulating effect, you can try L-Dopa plus EGCG, which will increase dopamine levels.
Edited by OneScrewLoose, 26 May 2015 - 12:23 PM.