I've had a good experience with nootropics so far. I've been taking them since I was a junior in High School (2005-2006) and can say that I have noticed an improvement in my overall memory recall. I've dabbled with my nootropics that I take, and have been trying and re-trying different "stacks" to see what will work best for me in any given situation (well situations I can plan for that is).

I've googled this word to try to learn what nootropics are...

I'm still a little unclear exactly... it looks like some herbal supplements are nootropics.

I've taken L-Carnitine, Phosphatidylserine, CDP Choline before I was prescribed the HRT and I seem to remember liking the effects of them.

This thread is making me read about these things again and I'm considering taking them all again... with the approval of my Dr.'s, of course.

Edit to Add: I was just reading about some of these supplements on Dr. Ray Sahelian's website, which I've found to be a wealth of reliable information about supplements over the last few years (since the concussion). Anyway, he says patients with hormone imbalances (like me) need to be especially careful when taking supplements and recommends avoiding it altogether... maybe that's why I stopped in the first place?

http://www.raysahelian.com/

I would have to agree with Mark with this one. I took Piracetam back in August of last year before I suffered from PCS. It affects the Neurotransmitter GABA and for me it caused severe anxiety that lasted for nearly 2-3 months. I thought I was going to have a heart attack and a host of other absurd issues that anxiety placed upon me.

Any of these Nootropic drugs that affect Neurotransmitters in a major way should be used with extreme caution. You are essentially shooting a gun blindfolded hoping it hits the right spot. If your brain is pre-sensitive to the substance you are ingesting, then you will potentially have very unwanted changes in your neurochemistry leading to enhanced unwanted side effects.

At least do not use any of these supplements chronically. Acute use for needed situations could be beneficial, but with any synthetic substance tolerance will occur because the Neuron you are inhibiting and trying to enhance will run out of the chemical you are trying to force out eventually leading to worse symptoms.

Natural "Nootropics" that could be of benefit in my experience if you would even consider them that would be: Omega's, L-Theanine, Amino Acids, Coconut Oil, MCT Oil, and other natural mostly unharmful substances.

I would focus on ensuring your diet is providing the proper vitamins and protein building blocks to repair the damage and ensure optimal healing if you want to take that approach.

Best of luck,
Joey Powers