Comment · Thu, August 22, 2013 · Ceretropic
What happens if you stop?
Original post in this thread
insaneInsult · 13 points
There's been very little research done on nootropics and cognitive enhancers in general, I'm not going to argue if it actually works or if it could all be a placebo. But, since we know so little on the scientific effects of nootropics, what happens when our minds becomes so accustomed to the chemical boost and then we stop taking them? Does the mind lose the ability to think rapidly or even lose the ability to focus on something without the chemical advantage?
I for one do not want to become dependent on a drug that could make me stupid(er) if I stop taking my regular dosage.
What they were answering
Direct reply to the original post — see the thread post above.
u/MisterYouAreSoDumb · Ceretropic
Not many people take as many different nootropics as I do; except for some people on Longecity. I've stopped all nootropic supplementation cold turkey multiple times, and had no issues. In fact, I felt fantastic after stopping. That is one weird effect that I get, and I have not been able to isolate the mechanism yet. I think it has something to do with a rebound ACh interaction.
However, as others have already mentioned, you cannot group all nootropics together. Cessation of racetams is going to lead to different effects than cessation of bacopa or rhodiola. Even different racetams are going to vary. However, you are not going to get "stupider" than you were before. If you were smart about your stack, and balanced the receptor up/down-regulation, then cessation should be pretty uneventful. You are not going to have meth withdrawal symptoms or anything. That is, unless your stack contained meth. Then yes, you would have meth withdrawal symptoms.