Comment · Thu, September 28, 2017 · Ceretropic & Nootropics Depot
Important Safety Considerations
Original post in this thread
GetOutOfBox · 143 points
I've been refining my stack for a long time now, and one thing I've increasingly grown aware and have become very concerned about is the potential for some unknown, but serious consequences to taking large supplement stacks, particularly those incorporating lots of herbal or fungal supplements. So I figured I'd make a post to help guide your research in larger/long-term stacks.
A) Beware of liver enzyme effects. So many common nootropic herbs interact with hepatic enzymes, typically in an inhibitory manner (though inducing can also be harmful). Piperine is used to enhance absorption but this also means enhancing the absorption of the range of compounds the target enzyme is in charge of metabolizing. This could have consequences such as increasing the amount of time you are exposed to certain harmful byproducts of metabolism or absorbed from the environment. It also increases intestinal permeability both good and bad.
You must take particular care when you are also on medication affected by the enzymes affected by your supplement stack.
B) Beware of too much antioxidants. While oxidation plays a role in the mutation process of DNA leading to cancer, cancer cells are in f…
What they were answering
sevenfive_ · -1 points
This is still 100% theoretical though, I've never seen a single anecdote here or anywhere else supporting it. Nor have I seen this concern expressed by anyone who appeared to be an expert in that area.
u/MisterYouAreSoDumb · Ceretropic & Nootropics Depot
What's theoretical, that NGF can exacerbate certain types of cancers? I referenced a few studies above showing that, but you can find many more. That's pretty proven at this point. OP's point was to exercise caution because of that risk. Do we have data showing that Noopept or Semax exacerbates cancer? No, certainly not. However, we know that it increases growth factors, and those growth factors have the possibility of increasing the spread of existing cancers. Mentioning that risk, and telling people to exercise caution, is the responsible thing to do.
The Dark Side of the NGF Family: Neurotrophins in Neoplasias
Nerve Growth Factor in Cancer Cell Death and Survival
Roles for Growth Factors in Cancer Progression
Growth Factors, Receptors and Cancer
So the mechanisms are there to warrant caution. I still personally use many nootropics that increase growth factors like NGF, BDNF, and CNTF. I've probably used more than 99% of the people out there. However, I understand the risks, and would certainly cease use of them if I was diagnosed with cancer. There have also been many discussions here on /r/Nootropics over the years.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Nootropics/comments/3qe5uw/semax_ngf_bngf_and_the_risk_of_cancer/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Nootropics/comments/3ofxa2/noopept_and_brain_cancer/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Nootropics/comments/1tzap4/bdnf_etc_and_brain_cancer_risk/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Nootropics/comments/60c13c/brain_cancer_and_nootropics/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Nootropics/comments/6gj1nv/brain_cancer_and_nootropics/