Opinions - 5-htp vs. Adderall

[heyheyguy]

Swim originally began researching nootropics after hearing Piracetam can increase the effects of Adderall (using that regularly has sky-rocketed his tolerance, of course), but continued research of various nootropics and Adderall kind of turned him on to the idea of clean nootropic use. Adderall seems to have some pretty serious long-term side effects, and the nootropics seem to have little or none. (Can anyone confirm this?)

However, Swim's not sure if this is what he wants, yet. 5-htp is all that Swim's sure he can get, regularly. However, this one supposedly increases Adderall tolerance even further. Thus, a predicament: Adderall's had a fantastic impact on Swim's daily life, in so many ways. His grades, his weight, his attitude. What he appreciate most however is the boost in self-confidence and the effects on his artistic endeavors. Can anyone with experience with Adderall and 5-htp compare what kind of effects they'll have on these certain aspects? Which one had a stronger effect in what area, and whatnot. If anyone has recommendations for a different nootropic, please do post.

Also, if anyone with Adderall experience has any similar recommendations for recreational drugs, that'd be nice too.

[sterling77]

This can be confirmed, adderall does have serious long-term side effects and piracetam just about has none. Nootropics is a broad category but for the most part these are healthy compounds that you would benefit from in the long-term.

I don't understand why you are choosing 5-htp, it will not have any effect comparable to adderall and they are entirely different. It would help in your case if had some sort of depression and introducing this precurser to serotonin worked perfectly for it. However this is most likely not going to help you in what I understand you are looking for - motivation.

Deprenyl would be a viable option, it increases motivation and has strong effects on dopamine. It is also neuroprotective and inhibits mao-b, research this before you buy. Nootropics work through many different ways and have many different (sometimes subtle) effects. Ex: some target acetylcholine, remove certain plaques from the brain, increase blood flow and circulation, induce neorogenesis, et cetera.

All of this could be overwhelming for someone first looking into nootropics. The field is varied and people's responses vary greatly due to their individual chemistry and other factors. Due to this you have to be very specific in what you are looking for and even then it may be a sort of trial-and-error. Piracetam, most likely along with a form of choline, is a good starting point and mixes synergistically with almost all of them. Again though, I think you are seeking something on the order of deprenyl or maybe a stimulating nootropic such as sulbatiamine. In America, you can test out sulbatiamine for a dollar or two by going to GNC and getting a product called Spike, it's right on the counter with all the trial-size products. Just watch out it has a lot of caffeine with it.

As to recommendations for recreational drugs similar to adderall, any dopaminergenic stimulant goes. Coke, d-amphetamine, ritalin come to mind.

[Nacumen]

5-HTP and Adderall are probably each the two most common legal (for him) substances SWIM takes, so it comes from experience when he says: they are not alike at all.

[heyheyguy]

Thanks so much for the replies! Very valuable information, thanks again.
I was asking specifically about 5-htp because a friend of Swim's is using it, and has offered Swim some. But his Adderall habit and already high tolerance made him wary. Now he's sure that 5-htp isn't for him.

A little research in Deprenyl interests Swim, but he sees that tolerance builds pretty quickly. Does SwiSterling have any experience with that? How to fight tolerance, maybe? Besides increasing the dose.

[NeonCortex]

SWIM find 5-HTP is of good use on the comedown and aftermath from stimulants.

[sterling77]

No, swim doesn't have any experience with deprenyl as he hasn't had a need for it. You don't really worry about tolerance it's supposed to be something you take everyday. Certain people will feel the effects much more, if you have low dopamine you're going to benefit the most.

[sterling77]

Hmm the supposedly synergistic creatine + piracetam combo has something to it after all. Its as if swim's brain is being supercharged but not burning fuel, its not too bad. Also swim is rediscovering the novelties of piracetam and weed..it's another interesting combo.