10 replies to this topic

[steelsky]

Similar to: http://www.longecity...amide-riboside/

I have also experienced 3 days of significant clarity and alertness with Nicotinamide Riboside (275mg upon waking) + Pterostilbene (150mg with breakfast), only to crash on day 4. I continued taking it for 10 days, with no relief.

 

Aside from my enthusiasm for anti-aging, I also suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness, its source undiagnosed. No matter how long I sleep through the night (can be even 12 hours), I can never seem to get enough, waking up groggy and desperate to go back to bed. I get sleepiness "attacks" during the day where I can't function and have to nap. This is periodical (some weeks, months are better than others). Note that this is not tiredness. I exercise regularly and don't feel unenergized. Just sleepy. I fight it with the aid of Ritalin, when needed (most days, several doses throughout the day), Modafinil, sometimes caffeine pills (cups of coffee don't provide nearly the amounts I require). I experimented with many other supplements and medication, to no avail.

 

During those 3 days of positive NR influence, the benefits were unmistakable. I was genuinely put off by going back to bed to sleep, and my motivation to be active was at an amazing high. However, when day 4 came by, I was sleepy even more than usual! I hoped it'll subside as my body gets used to the substance, or maybe it was just a couple of rough days, but no. I am now off it completely for 2 days, still feeling incredibly sleepy all day long (even while being ON Ritalin). In a weird way, this dramatic shift leaves me optimistic because NR must be something special, if I just get it right.

 

In the post above, the author then tried to stop and went back on a reduced dosage, finding that to be the solution. I'm going to try halving the dose when I get back on it tomorrow.

In the thread, someone raised the theory that this crash was due to undermethylation, which I'm going to test out (with Methylfolate and Methylcobalamin). I've also seen somewhere else mentioning the importance of B-vitamin balance when taking NR.

 

Has anyone else had a similar experience?

Does anyone have an alternative theory/suggestion to the peculiar effect?

 

Edited by steelsky, 09 January 2017 - 04:21 PM.

[mrkosh1]

I am also very interested in the possible need for methyl donors while taking NR. I've read several accounts of people who get a temporary great boost from NR only for it to end in a few days or a week.

[Gingerbread Man]

The first couple of weeks I took Niagen I had similar can't stay awake periods during the early afternoon time frames. I have no idea why, I just assumed my old, tired and broken down body was trying to get me to sleep so it could fix some of my problems . Anyway, I dealt with the sleepiness by taking another Niagen at the mid day point. This is what lead me to taking it about 8 hours apart (3x/day). Next time you are feeling the super tiredness try taking an additional Niagen and see if it helps. If you in fact gain alertness (I do as well) from the Niagen wouldn't it seem likely that it would try to fight off the sleepiness you are encountering? Good luck.

[steelsky]

Right, the problem is that the sleepiness doesn't come after a period has passed from taking the dose. It has been consistent throughout the day (I even took 500mg of NR one day and it didn't make a difference, a was sleepy quickly after). Actually, the alertness was also not dose-dependent (specifically the time I took it). So I don't think it's a matter of bumping up the dosage or spreading it out.

 

Update: today was the first day (3 days after stopping) that I felt normal again, not groggy throughout the day. I took 100mg sublingually at noon, with methylators. Will continue to do that for a few more days and see what happens.

[Gingerbread Man]

Right, the problem is that the sleepiness doesn't come after a period has passed from taking the dose. It has been consistent throughout the day (I even took 500mg of NR one day and it didn't make a difference, a was sleepy quickly after). Actually, the alertness was also not dose-dependent (specifically the time I took it). So I don't think it's a matter of bumping up the dosage or spreading it out.

 

I understand what you are saying. I have been taking Niagen for over 6 months now and I am just sharing what worked for me, after having very similar experiences during the first couple of weeks. I currently take 125mg 3x/day spread out about 8 hours apart. All I can say is taking it this way has helped me with your specific problem. Taking 500mg all at once or a full days dosage at once is not the same thing I am doing. The same 125mg of Niagen that perks me up at 6:00 am is the same 125mg of Niagen that keeps me alert at 2:00 pm and the same 125mg of Niagen that I take at bedtime to help me sleep. Which to me is amazing and what I deem to be my body using the Niagen as my body needs it to fulfill the roles it needs it to. Just offering a suggestion as I know the intense sleepiness I encountered was awful when I needed to stay awake. I don't know how it works or if it will work for you or anyone else. Just offering up what did work for me. Again, good luck.

[steelsky]

So you feel that each dose gives you a pick-up? That's great that you can draw a direct correlation. I'm still not sure why I was so sleepy 2 days after stopping , or why it suddenly reversed the effect after 4 days.

 

Update: had a good rest of the day (after the noon 100mg sublingually). Got really sleepy early evening. Had a really good sleep and now very alert for the morning. Will try the same thing again today.

[Vastmandana]

Have u been tested for sleep apnea? U sound like I use to b!

Fwiw, I started NR long ago ; at 1g/day for over a year . 66yrs old. I do not notice impacts on sleep... Follow the threads...

Depressed? Apnea? Sounds more likely than NR related... Placebo is strong in such instances... Not sayin but just sayin...

[steelsky]

Yep, no sleep apnea really (had a sleep study and they found a very mild one).

Not depressed.

 

I really don't think there's a placebo effect here (though why would I, that's the whole point I guess).

The wakefulness was very noticeable, and even if it were placebo - bring it on! Also, if it was, why would it suddenly reverse so dramatically (to such extent that the sleepiness is even worse than usual)?

Another strong indicator against the placebo theory is the fact that I've been having very vivid dream which I always remember the morning after. This has continued throughout, by the way.

[Bryan_S]

Your circadian rhythm might be playing a role in what you're experiencing. What hours do you want to be active?

 

We could play Q and A but working swing shifts has thought me when I resume a set schedule and get plenty of light and exercise during those hours my energy resumes.

 

I'm now 1 gram per day for 1092 days and counting and the NR has brought me a focus I haven't felt in years. Its not the end all cure all and I didn't notice the effects until I went cold turkey after 1 month of taking it. What I'm saying is its subtle. Then after I ceased taking it I felt a fog come over me like I couldn't fully wake up, this was the way I'd felt before but thought this state was normal. Thats the insidious side of aging its so gradual you don't readily notice the day to day difference. I'm also fortunate I work a job where I can look back over the weeks and months and see a performance rise related to my increased attention and focus. In the end only you can convince you but be real and don't expect anything more than than just reclaiming some normal.

 

When you dig into the studies and the actual metabolism, the older you are the more likely you'll "feel" the results.

 

Placebo is also a real thing and I wouldn't discount it but keep in mind 10 days isn't enough time to conclude anything.

 

If your trial of NR was a test try the cheaper Nicotinamide if you want to experiment on the cheap for a prolonged period Even better try Niacin if you can take the flush. Niacin ranked 2nd in NAD rise but few can take the flush. If after a month or two you get an overall rise in energy go back to the NR which will make a more concentrated NAD rise. At this level of metabolism I doubt you could create any more NAD than you did as a youngster anyway so don't worry.

 

Also keep in mind its not like becoming reliant on a drug, you were born addicted to NAD anyways and it declines with age and is absolutely necessary for cellular repair and cellular respiration so you could say its an essential enzyme.

 

Be well, as always JMHO

Edited by Bryan_S, 20 January 2017 - 08:01 AM.

[ambivalent]

Hvae you had your vit D and homosysteine levels checked?

[PAMPAGUY]

Elysium told me that 250 mg daily is the optimum dose. Enough to do job, but more is not better. According to there research.