Cognitive Enhancement
Students prepping for exams and knowledge-workers seeking sharper focus.
Daily Mental Clarity
Beginner ID: cognitive-beginner-001
Note: Every protocol follows the "low and slow" principle. Don't add everything at once. Start with one element, observe how your body reacts, and layer gradually. Everyone's system is unique—build up at your own pace.
Overview
Improve focus, memory retention, and verbal fluidity using low-risk compounds and lifestyle synergy.
Rx Components
- L-Theanine – 200 mg morning + optional 200 mg afternoon
- Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) – 2 g/day with breakfast
- Rhodiola Rosea – 200–400 mg (3% rosavins) before noon
- Magnesium L-Threonate – 1 g before bed
- Bacopa Monnieri – 300 mg (50% bacosides) daily
- Vitamin D3 – 2000 IU with fat-containing meal
Administration
- L-Theanine: with or without caffeine to smooth stimulation
- Omega-3: morning with food to aid absorption
- Rhodiola: empty stomach in morning for adaptogenic response
- Magnesium: nightly to aid sleep and neuroplasticity
- Bacopa: daily, with food for better absorption
- Vitamin D3: with breakfast or lunch
Mechanism of Action
- L-Theanine modulates alpha brain waves and reduces cortisol
- Omega-3s support neuronal membrane fluidity and synaptic function
- Rhodiola acts on HPA axis and dopamine transporters
- Magnesium L-Threonate crosses BBB to enhance NMDA receptor function
- Bacopa improves synaptogenesis and antioxidant capacity
- Vitamin D3 modulates neuroimmune and neurotrophic pathways
Cycle & Duration
- Daily use for 8–12 weeks, then 1–2 week break
- Evaluate Bacopa after 4 weeks for noticeable memory effects
Synergies & Stack Partners
- Meditation or deep breathing post-Rhodiola for calm alertness
- Sunlight exposure within 30 minutes of waking
- Physical activity before cognitive tasks
Contraindications & Side Effects
- Bacopa may cause GI discomfort or vivid dreams
- Rhodiola may overstimulate if taken too late in day
- High EPA doses may interact with blood thinners
Monitoring
- Track mental clarity and fatigue using journaling or apps like Rise
- Weekly log of sleep quality, mood, and productivity
- Adjust doses based on response and tolerance
References
- Gómez-Pinilla, F. (2008). Brain foods: the effects of nutrients on brain function. Nat Rev Neurosci.
- Stough, C. et al. (2001). Cognitive effects of Bacopa. Psychopharmacology.
- Gross, M. et al. (2014). Rhodiola rosea in stress-related fatigue. Phytomedicine.
- Liu, G. et al. (2016). Magnesium L-Threonate improves learning/memory in rats. Neuropharmacology.
- Bozzatello, P. et al. (2016). Omega-3s in psychiatric disorders. J Clin Psychopharmacol.
Neural Recovery
Advanced ID: cognitive-enhancement-advanced
Note: Every protocol follows the "low and slow" principle. Don't add everything at once. Start with one element, observe how your body reacts, and layer gradually. Everyone's system is unique—build up at your own pace.
Overview
Activate neuroregeneration pathways, elevate neuroplasticity, and optimize cognition in advanced users undergoing deep work, neurorehabilitation, or performance states.
Rx Components
- Dihexa – 10 mg transdermal, alternate days
- Semax (N-Acetyl) – 300 mcg intranasally, 1–2x/day
- Noopept – 20 mg oral or sublingual, 2x/day
- Citicoline – 250 mg, 2x/day
- Lion’s Mane Extract – 1000 mg/day
- Omega-3 (DHA heavy) – 2–3 g/day
Targeted Integration
| Role | Type | Components | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stack Integration | Neuroplasticity Modulation |
| To enhance synaptogenesis, long-term potentiation, and executive function under intense cognitive load or recovery from TBI. |
| Cycle Support | Neurovascular & Antioxidant Buffering |
| Support cholinergic tone, reduce oxidative burden, and reinforce neurogenesis alongside high-potency compounds. |
Administration
- Dihexa: transdermal, upper thigh or wrist
- Semax: nasal spray in AM and pre-focus block
- Noopept: morning and early afternoon
- Citicoline: with breakfast and lunch
- Lion’s Mane: with food
- Omega-3: spread doses across meals
Mechanism of Action
- Dihexa is a neuroangiotensin analog that promotes synaptogenesis via HGF/c-Met
- Semax upregulates BDNF and neuropeptides via melanocortin pathways
- Noopept modulates NGF/BDNF and AMPA/NDMA receptor sensitivity
- Citicoline increases acetylcholine synthesis and phospholipid repair
- Lion’s Mane induces NGF via hericenones and erinacines
- DHA enhances membrane fluidity and synaptic repair
Cycle & Duration
- 6–8 week stimulation window followed by 4-week taper
- Reassess cognitive baselines post-cycle
Synergies & Stack Partners
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) or Infrared Sauna for BDNF potentiation
- Deep Work Protocols: Pomodoro + binaural beats
- Creatine + Alpha-GPC stack for verbal and working memory layers
Contraindications & Side Effects
- Noopept and Semax may cause irritability or sleep disturbance in some users
- Dihexa lacks long-term safety data; monitor for mood shifts or overstimulation
- Excess Omega-3 can impair platelet aggregation—avoid high doses before surgery
Monitoring
- Track memory recall, reaction time, verbal fluency weekly
- Subjective tracking via productivity and mood logs
- EEG (if available) or quantified neurofeedback pre/post cycle
References
- Petrov, A. et al. (2010). Dihexa: A novel cognitive enhancer. PNAS.
- Myasoedov, N. et al. (2008). Semax neurobiological profile. Neurosci Behav Physiol.
- Ostrovskaya, R. et al. (2007). Noopept’s cognitive effects. Eksperimental’naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya.
- Zhang, Y. et al. (2013). Citicoline in neurorepair. CNS Drugs.
- Mori, K. et al. (2009). Lion’s Mane and NGF induction. Biomedical Research.
- Freeman, M. et al. (2006). Omega-3 fatty acids in brain function. Am J Psychiatry.
Cognitive Drive
Intermediate ID: cognitive-enhancement-intermediate
Note: Every protocol follows the "low and slow" principle. Don't add everything at once. Start with one element, observe how your body reacts, and layer gradually. Everyone's system is unique—build up at your own pace.
Overview
Boost sustained attention, memory consolidation, and executive function using well-tolerated compounds with neuroprotective and neuromodulatory effects.
Rx Components
- Uridine Monophosphate – 250 mg AM
- Citicoline (CDP-Choline) – 250 mg AM
- N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine – 300 mg before cognitively demanding tasks
- Lion’s Mane Mushroom – 1000 mg 1–2x/day
- Creatine Monohydrate – 3–5 g/day
- Phosphatidylserine – 100 mg with meals
- Microdose Caffeine – 25–50 mg with Theanine (optional stack)
Targeted Integration
| Role | Type | Components | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neurotrophic Pairing | Dopamine & NGF Modulation |
| Uridine and Citicoline support dopaminergic tone and membrane synthesis, while Lion’s Mane boosts NGF for synaptic plasticity—together enhancing learning and motivation. |
| Stress-Cognition Axis | Energy and Cortisol Balance |
| Supports ATP supply to neurons and buffers stress hormones to prevent cognitive burnout during prolonged effort. |
Administration
- Uridine + Citicoline in morning to promote phospholipid synthesis and dopamine tone
- Tyrosine before work sessions or mentally intense periods
- Lion’s Mane with breakfast and/or lunch for NGF support
- Creatine anytime, daily consistency more important than timing
- Phosphatidylserine with meals to reduce cortisol impact on cognition
- Caffeine + Theanine as-needed, ideally before noon
Mechanism of Action
- Uridine and Citicoline synergize to support membrane synthesis and dopamine receptor density
- Tyrosine is a precursor for dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine
- Lion’s Mane promotes NGF expression and myelination
- Creatine supports ATP production in neurons
- Phosphatidylserine modulates cortisol and supports membrane fluidity
Cycle & Duration
- 8–12 week cycle, then pause Lion’s Mane for 2 weeks
- Creatine and PS can be used continuously
Synergies & Stack Partners
- Focused deep work blocks (90–120 min) post-Tyrosine dose
- Cold exposure post-lunch for dopamine tone and arousal
- Sleep tracking with wearable to optimize neurogenesis timing
Contraindications & Side Effects
- Tyrosine can induce anxiety in high doses or in those with catecholamine sensitivity
- Lion’s Mane may cause GI upset or histamine issues in sensitive users
- Citicoline/Uridine combo may cause vivid dreams or insomnia if taken late
Monitoring
- Cognitive performance tracking using apps (e.g. BrainHQ, CogniFit)
- Daily log of mental energy, focus, and stress
- Optional: sleep latency and deep sleep scores
References
- Wurtman, R. J. et al. (2006). Uridine and choline for brain membrane synthesis. Brain Res.
- Neri, D. F. et al. (1995). Tyrosine benefits performance under stress. Brain Res Bull.
- Mori, K. et al. (2009). Lion’s Mane mushroom enhances cognitive function. Biomed Res.
- Avgerinos, K. I. et al. (2018). Creatine and cognitive function: a meta-analysis. Exp Gerontol.
- Crook, T. H. et al. (1991). Phosphatidylserine in age-associated memory impairment. Neurology.