Mental Growth Stack

30mg (5 drops) x 1/day sublingual (Carun 6%). Cannabinoids promote neurogenesis in adult hippocampus and produces anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects.*

100mcg x 1/day. Increased dietary vitamin K intake is associated with fewer and less severe subjective memory complaints in older adults.

Purpose: Memory problems

1000mcg x 1/day subcutaneous injection (Semax). Previously 500mcg x 1/day subcutaneous injection (N-Acetyl Semax Amidate - discontinued use on June 27, 2016). In animals, Semax rapidly elevates the levels and expression of NGF, BDNF, and its signaling receptor TrkB in the hippocampus. It rapidly activates serotonergic and dopaminergic brain systems. It has been found to produce antidepressant-like and anxiolytic-like effects, as well as attenuate the behavioral effects of exposure to chronic stress.* N-Acetyl Semax Amidate is an experimental version of Semax which is acetylated to increase permeability across the blood-brain barrier and amidated to protect the peptide from enzymatic degradation.

Purpose: Depressed mood

300mg x 1/day. Enhances NGF-mediated neurite outgrowth and synaptogenesis (formation of synapses between neurons).*

500mg x 2/day (Centella Asiatica Extract 5% Saponin). Enhances the activities of NGF and increases BDNF. Increases connections between neurons (dendritic branching). Neuroprotective and regenerates damaged neurons. Improves memory, mood, and attention while lowering anxiety.*

500mg x 1/day (5:1 Extract). Shown to increase NGF.*

1000mcg (1mL) x 1/month subcutaneous injection (Cyanocobalamin Vitamin B12). Increases BDNF when combined with Fish Oil for treating Vitamin B12 and Omega-3 deficiency. Vitamin B12 deficiency presents as nonspecific symptoms of fatigue, lassitude, malaise, vertigo, and cognitive impairment that could be attributed to aging.*

2 cup x 2-4/day. I switch to decaf in the afternoons or when I want to minimize caffeine. Shown to potentiate NGF-induced neuritogenesis (formation of neurites).*

25mg x 1/day in morning (or up to 100mg as needed for wakefulness). Wakefulness-promoting agent (or eugeroic) used off-label by those wishing to avoid fatigue. In healthy individuals, improves some aspects of working memory, such as digit span, digit manipulation and pattern recognition memory. Modafinil is a prescription drug indicated for narcolepsy and shift work sleep disorder. It was developed from Adrafinil which is available as a supplement with similar effects (I prefer Modafinil).* When taking in conjunction with N-Acetyl Semax Amidate, I will take no more than a 100mg dose due to possible increase of blood pressure.

1 tablet x 2/day (The Vitamin Shoppe "Ultimate Man" Multi-Vitamin). I chose this formula due to its value and for containing adequate amounts of Zinc (25mg) and Vitamin A (5,000iu). Zinc has been shown to increase NGF while Vitamin A modulates the expression of NGF receptors and the sensitivity to NGF.* It also contains bioflavonoids 100mg ("fruit and veggie blend"), Green Tea Extract 50mg, Grape Seed Extract 50mg, Black Pepper Concentrate 5mg (aka Piperine), Vitamin D 1000iu, and more.

300mg x 1/day (Uridine Monophosphate). Enhances the neurite outgrowth produced by NGF. Increases acetylcholine (ACh) level and release. Modulates stimulant-induced release of dopamine. Synergistic with choline to improve cognitive deficits.*

300mg x 1/day. Root powder, also known as Solomon's Seal. Increases NGF & BDNF.* Used for thousands of years for its healing and restorative potential.

300mg x 1/day. Root powder of the Bonnet Bellflower. Increases NGF & BDNF. Inhibits the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme from breaking down acetylcholine. Increases phosphorylated cAMP response element binding protein (p-CREB), resulting in improving long-term memory.*

300mg x 1/day (Root 5:1 Extract Powder). Increases NGF & BDNF. Improves learning and memory by preventing reductions in brain neurotransmitter levels including noradrenaline. Increases choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), an enzyme involved in acetylcholine (ACh) synthesis. Has fast acting antidepressive effects by hindering NMDA receptor signalling.*

350mg x 1/day (Dimethylaminoethanol Bitartrate providing approx. 37% DMAE). Antioxidant naturally found in fish. A precursor of choline, which in turn allows the brain to optimize the production of acetylcholine (ACh) that is a primary neurotransmitter involved in learning and memory. Was used to treat ADHD (improve focus) in the 60's and 70's, with positive results comparable to Ritalin.*

500mg x 1/day (Extract from Turmeric). Increases BDNF. Neuroprotective against certain types of induced neuronal cell death. Synergistic with Fish Oil's anti-inflammatory effects.*

10mg x 1/day. Active component and extract of Black Pepper, inhibits glucuronidation in the liver which would prevent uptake of certain supplements. Piperine increases the bioavailability of Curcumin by 2000% and Coenzyme Q10 by 30%. It reverses corticosterone induced reduction in BDNF mRNA expression in cultured hippocampal neurons.*

100mg x 1/day. Present primarily in the mitochondria, it is a component of the electron transport chain and participates in aerobic cellular respiration, generating energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Protects from free radical damage.

100mg x 1 in morning as needed (approx. 1-2/week). Structurally similar to Caffeine, preliminary evidence suggests that it activates similar signalling pathways. Evidence suggests less tolerance with theacrine than caffeine. May have stress reducing properties at low doses.

300mg x 1/day (Alpha-GPC 50% Powder). Increases the levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) in the brain, improving memory and communication between neurons. Taking in conjunction with equal amount of Citicoline.

Exercise appears to boost the size of the hippocampus (the brain area involved in verbal memory and learning), increase mitochondrial biogenesis, and increase BDNF.* If you're considering taking unproven supplements or research chemicals, then consider regular exercise as well (since it's likely safer, cheaper, synergetic, and effective).

200mg x 2/day. Synergetic with Coenzyme Q10 to speed and augment electron transfer within mitochondria, increasing cellular energy.* (Temporarily discontinued as of 12/6 due to supplier out of stock)

2-4 tbsp. per day, used as cooking oil and/or added to food. Ketone bodies, such as those found in the medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) in coconut fat, are an effective alternative energy substrate for the brain.*

667mg x 3/day. Increases BDNF. Bioavailable form of Magnesium (Mg) which crosses the blood-brain barrier (BBB), shown to improve memory in normal and aging animals. Also protects cognitive function and synaptic plasticity.*

15mg x 1/day. Increases NGF and BDNF in the hippocampus.* Peptide that is regarded as one of the most effective and strongest of all the nootropic supplements, suggested to be up to 1000x more powerful than Piracetam.

200mg x 1/day. Naturally found in fish, phosphatydilserine (PS) is one of the phospholipids which play an important functional role in membrane-related processes in the brain.*

1/day (30 billion live cultures per capsule). Poorer gut health is correlated with more severe neurological and cognitive deficits such as nervousness, memory loss, forgetfulness, and confusion.*

5000iu x 1/day. Increases NGF. Low Vitamin D concentrations may increase the risk of cognitive decline.* Recently reduced from a year of daily 10000iu supplementation due to finally increasing Vitamin D blood lab results well within "normal" range.

20mg x 1/day (Pyrroloquinoline Quinone Disodium Salt, also known as "BioPQQ"). Stimulates NGF synthesis and secretion, as well as mitochondrial biogenesis.*

300mg x 1/day. Increases the levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) in the brain, improving memory and communication between neurons.

2g x 2/day (myo-inositol). Reported to reverse desensitization of serotonin receptors and significantly reduced scores of OCD symptoms compared with placebo.* Inositol is a carbohydrate that's half as sweet as sugar, so I use it in lieu of sugar in hot tea. Gradually increasing dosage reduces gastrointestinal side-effects.

1000mg x 1 capsule taken once per week. As recommended in "The Depression Cure" book by Stephen Ilardi Ph.D. as a Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA) source.*

1 x 1000 mg taken 2/day with meals (The Vitamin Shoppe "Omega 3 Fish Oil"). DHA such as found in Fish Oil increases BDNF. Each of this brand's capsules contain 840mg EPA/DHA for 1680mg total EPA/DHA per day. Necessary to optimizing balance of Omega-3/Omega-6 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio for proper neurodevelopment and cognitive functions.*

400mg x 1/day. Increases mitochondrial biogenesis.* Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) is an antioxidant made by the body found in every cell, where it helps turn glucose into energy. Commonly combined synergistically with Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR).

250mg x 1/day. Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR) increases NGF in the hippocampus and energy production in the mitochondria. Increases choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity, an enzyme involved in acetylcholine synthesis.* ALCAR is a powerful antioxidant and neuro-protective agent.

1g x 2/day. Using Lion's Mane Mushroom (hericium erinaceus) 10x water/ethanol extract powder. Promotes NGF gene expression and synthesis in the brain.*

100mg x 1/day. Stimulator of NGF synthesis.* Transporter in the electron transport chain of mitochondria and increases the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Promoted commercially as a synthetic analog of Coenzyme Q10.