+++
title = "Trying out some brain supplements"
publishDate = 2022-11-18T00:00:00+01:00
lastmod = 2024-11-18T18:46:52+01:00
tags = ["supplements", "nootropics"]
categories = ["mind"]
draft = false
meta = true
type = "list"
[menu]
  [menu.posts]
    weight = 3006
    identifier = "trying-out-some-brain-supplements"
+++

As a person working in a high-speed, high-attention and multifaceted environment (currently working as an Executive Assistant, soon starting a new job in Quality Assurance), I am changing contexts all the time.

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Changing contexts means shifting from one task (e.g. taking notes in a meeting) to another (e.g. fixing scheduling issues) to another (e.g. preparing for the next meeting), where the tasks are disconnected and involve different relationships, thoughts, information, and priority.

Over the past 6 months, this has taken a large toll on my ability to focus - and in many ways, my mental health. It takes _a lot_ of mental effort to go from thinking about one thing to another. Particularly when it happens multiple times each hour, often multiple times in the span of a few minutes.

So I've been ending each day feeling fried, unable to even conceive of doing anything else that day. I don't like being tired and feeling useless.

A close friend pointed me to some supplements that should help my focus. I started on them today, and here's my thoughts after just 5 hours or so. L-Theanine and Alpha GPC kick in quickly, thus the notes.

-   L-Theanine (200mg): super good, the effects are subtle yet noticable. I found my body much more comfortable to control, and a lot of the muscle tension seems to have faded.
-   Lion's Mane (500mg, extract): Haven't noticed anything that I could attribute to it yet. Supposedly it takes a while to build up, around two weeks.
-   Alpha GPC (300mg): very nice. My focus and executive function appears to have improved dramatically (compared to _my_ normal). I feel like switching tasks isn't as difficult. If I didn't know that I had taken it, I would just think that I'm randomly having a really good day, so the effect isn't immediately obvious.

Now, I don't know if those effects are as I attributed them. Compared to my average day, I do feel significantly more focused and able to stay on track with multiple things at once. So that's good. But do bear in mind that every brain is different - some are sensitive to one thing, and not another.

Whether this will take a permanent place in my day-to-day routine is TBD. I do plan on staying on this regimen for at least a month or two, and determine if it's worth it then.

In any case...

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