Opinions - Any nootropics that raise confidence?

[CorySpaceCowboy]

AFOAF recently began researching nootropics and was curious if any exist that are shown to raise self confidence?

[Shampoo]

Swim has not come across any nootropics specifically touted to increase confidence, but it seems like confidence may be a secondary product of many of the nootropic benifits. For instance, having a sharp memory or decreased time for recall and vocabulary could increase ones developed conversation skills, or writing ability. Increased cognitive functions may also be implicated in improved productivity at work or school, both of which have a subsequent effect on ones lifestyle, and by way of improving ones life from these perspectives one can certainly improve ones confidence.

[sterling77]

I've heard of a few people mentioning L-Huperzine A raising their confidence.

[NeuroMD]

Originally Posted by Shampoo

Swim has not come across any nootropics specifically touted to increase confidence, but it seems like confidence may be a secondary product of many of the nootropic benifits. For instance, having a sharp memory or decreased time for recall and vocabulary could increase ones developed conversation skills, or writing ability. Increased cognitive functions may also be implicated in improved productivity at work or school, both of which have a subsequent effect on ones lifestyle, and by way of improving ones life from these perspectives one can certainly improve ones confidence.

While not a nootropics Reboxetine can do this.

Pharmacopsychiatry. 2006 Sep;39(5):175-9.
Noradrenaline might enhance assertive human social behaviours: an investigation in a flatmate relationship.

Tse WS, Bond AJ. Department of Applied Social Studies, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Ave., Hong Kong. tse.vincent@cityu.edu.hk

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to explore the role of noradrenaline on the social behaviour of healthy volunteers when they were interacting with a familiar person, their flatmate. Interaction with the flatmate was explored in a cooperative game situation. METHODS: Ten pairs of same-sex healthy volunteer flatmates aged 18-25 years were recruited for the experiment. All volunteers gave written informed consent and the study was approved by the institutional ethical committee. A randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial of reboxetine versus placebo was conducted. In each of the 10 pairs of volunteers, one (subject) volunteered to take the tablets and the other (flatmate) received no treatment. Reboxetine (4 mg/bd) and placebo were administered orally as identical capsules for 2 weeks. The subjects were randomly assigned to receive either reboxetine or placebo first and there was a two-week washout period following the first treatment. At baseline and the end of each treatment, they filled in the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Social Adapation Self-Evaluation Scale (SASS), and Aggression Questionnaire (AQ). Then, they were instructed to play the Tangrams game. This task elicits face-valid social behaviours such as cooperation, giving commands and unilateral grasps. RESULTS: Analysis of covariance showed that there was a statistical trend for reboxetine treatment to increase commands (p=0.055). CONCLUSION: This study presents preliminary evidence that two weeks' enhancement of noradrenaline transmission induced by reboxetine makes healthy volunteers more self-confident and assertive.

Reputation Comments on this post:

Good to see a research savvy poster

[NeuroByte]

depending on what could be defined as a nootropic i would have to say nicotine. but that's my opinion.

[Venusia]

If Swiv is not mistaken, Provigil (Modafinil) is considered to be a nootropic, and it definitely can help with confidence. It mimics speed in some ways, but with a gentle up and no crash. It improves focus, boosts energy and makes one all around quicker. Swivy was scripted this for a little while and she was quite a bit more confident. Swivy is not entirely sure about its status as a nootropic, so maybe someone else can clear this up. Either way, it's a great med and helps a lot. Swiv recommends it highly.
Swivy gives it two thumbs up!

Reputation Comments on this post:

very true. keep on posting like this :)

[Durd1e]

SWIM has found that anything that boosts acetylcholine helps confidence. And not in an artificial way either (boosting mood etc. - any of the ways that tend to have the problems come back when it has worn off). It boosts his confidence in so far as he feels really really capable. Like he can do any bloody thing and when he reflects on this momentarily he finds that he has most of the ideas to back this up.

Huperazine would be among the nootropics that raise acetylcholine levels. Perhaps combined with a racetam, choline and acetylcarthinine? Be careful though too much acetylcholine can be dangerous/unpleasant - alcohol and ghb/gbl can also cause increase in acetylcholine.

Reputation Comments on this post:

Good advice and experience here. Well put, and backed up with some scientific evidence. Thanks for the experiences.