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12 Mars 20209min

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11 Mars 20209min

Arnold Schwarzenegger's steroid cycle from the golden era of bodybuilding is a topic that is often heavily debated. There's a lot of speculation around what kind of drug use the golden era bodybuilders deployed to get the physiques that are so sought after nowadays. While Arnold himself never detailed exactly what he took, we have a handful of credible sources of information that all seem to overlap in their descriptions of his steroid use. Despite this information being very accessible, it often goes overlooked because it is buried in the nooks and crannies of the internet. There is such an overwhelming amount of content on the internet now that this information has become increasingly more difficult to find over the years. While Arnold likely experimented a bit here and there, this article will detail what he built his physique on, and the staple anabolics he very likely used throughout his Mr. Olympia reign. https://youtu.be/Ap9I1ReF5KY Arnold Schwarzenegger Briefly Touches On His First Steroid Cycle In Arnold Schwarzenegger's autobiography "Total Recall - My Unbelievably True Life Story" he gives some insight into what his first steroid cycle consisted of, and when he started it. The first thing of note is that he discovered steroid use before the 1967 Mr. Universe competition while researching about the training methods of the East Germans and the Soviets. There were rumors that they were using performance enhancing drugs to get superior results from their weightlifters, shot-putters, and swimmers and he soon found out that steroids were the drugs that they were using. Arnold goes on to touch on how he went to a doctor to ask for a prescription of anabolic steroids. He simply asked: Can you let me try it? The doctor agreed, and he was then prescribed an injection every two weeks and pills to take in between. Keep in mind, this was Arnold's first steroid cycle ever. His dosages may have titrated up in subsequent cycles, and he probably experimented with different anabolics at some point at least once or twice. The more muscle you gain, the higher your requirements will become for increasingly high amounts of calories, training volume, and drug use to support additional hypertrophy above and beyond what you have already achieved. While Arnold didn't state exactly what he was prescribed, we get some useful insight into the administration practice of each compound (oral and injectable) and what type of drugs would probably fall into these two categories at that time when considering all of the other information from other interviews we have compiled over the years. At this point, we know he was using one injectable compound and one oral compound. Arnold Schwarzenegger's Interview About Dianabol Use In another interview Arnold more or less implies that he used 3 Dianabol per day. It is well-known in the community that Arnold was big on using Dianabol back in the day. https://youtu.be/szGZ0bMxcTg?t=7 Obviously he's not actually straight up saying "this was what my cycle was", but we can put two and two together based on his prescription for pills and an injection from a doctor, Arnold talking about Dianabol himself, and the widespread information that's passed through the grapevine reinforcing his Dianabol use. It all culminates to paint a pretty convincing picture that Dianabol was the oral steroid in question that Arnold used. What the injectable compound was is mainly what is debated about. After doing some digging, I uncovered some pretty convincing information suggesting that the injectable compound was Primobolan. Steve Davis Outlines Golden Era Steroid Cycles In 2012, Ric Drasin interviewed Steve Davis to discuss steroid cycles from the golden era. Both men trained at Gold's Gym with Arnold in the 70's and had personal insight into what golden era stacks consisted of, as they literally took the same stacks themselves. After prompting the topic of what golden era bodybuilders were using, Steve goes on to touch on what most guys were using: Steve: You know, in my era, it was 3 Dianabol a day and a shot a week. Ric: That's exactly right. Steve: And we heard that certain Austrians were taking 4 Dianabol a day and a shot a week. Ric: Yeah. https://youtu.be/31-kQbjtxDc?t=453 I'm sure both Steve and Ric actually had this conversation with Arnold at some point to confirm this, as they trained with him and bodybuilders were supposedly pretty open about their use back then. The standard protocol going around then was 3 Dianabol a day, and 1 shot of Primobolan per week. While some of the protocols definitely differed from person to person (e.g. Robby Robinson and Danny Padilla using Deca-only cycles), for the most part it seems like the majority of guys that trained with Arnold in Gold's Gym in the 70's were doing the same thing. Now, the question is are they underplaying their use to not undervalue their training intensity and diet adherence? Perhaps. It is very common for "open" individuals to talk about their steroid use, but basically just cut what their dosages are in half when speaking about what they took. Ric Drasin Details Golden Era Steroid Cycles In 2018 Ric Drasin circles back to the topic of golden era steroid cycles and outlines more specifics about what steroids the top bodybuilders from Gold's Gym were using in the 70's. Now I was there at that time, so I know exactly what everybody took. Without using names of people because I don't want to implicate anybody, but starting with the top bodybuilders, and some that you know, it wasn't that much use of steroids the way we think of today. Basically, it was Dianabol, Primobolan, Testosterone, Deca, Winstrol, and Anavar. Those are the main ones. There wasn't anything outside of that. Growth Hormone wasn't really known about then, so nobody really used it. I mean, maybe it was in some circles, but we sure didn't hear about it. Mostly tablets. The injectables were the ones I mentioned. The Winstrol, the Dianabol, and the Anavar were strictly tablets, there was no injectable at all of that sort. Dianabol was made by CIBA (C-I-B-A). It was a little blue pill. Came in 100 a bottle. If you bought it at the pharmacy, it was a prescription, it was $8 a bottle. Deca was $1.50 a vial, that's it. Testosterone. Let's say, 10 CCs of an enanthate was 10 bucks. Anavar, around the same price and down the line, nothing was really expensive. Now, you have to realize back in '69 and the 70's, steroids were not illegal. They were never looked upon as being illegal. There was a doctor's prescription. You could get it pretty easily if you needed it, and then you had it. There were those doctors that were affiliated with Gold's Gym back in those days that would just hand it to you. One was a pediatrician who was well-known. The other one was a medical doctor, who was well-known. If you needed something, you got it. Now, from the top of the line bodybuilders, the ones that were competing in the Olympia back then, from Gold's, their main routine was taking Primobolan, Winstrol, and Deca. Forgot to mention Deca. And not in any great usage. It was like a "CC" of each, maybe once to twice a week. That was it. People seem to think that some of these guys were taking like "10 CCs" a day, every day. I never saw it happen. No way in hell that ever happened. Dianabol, no more than three to four pills a day, at most. Anavar was weak, so six to eight pills a day. Winstrol was four pills a day. Now, I started on Dianabol back in the, maybe, late 60's. I had heard about Bill Pearl taking it. I got it from a pharmacy, CIBA, and I started doing two pills a day. By 10 days in, I had grown so much, it was ridiculous. This is when everything was real. I really grew from that Dbol and they quit making it way back. Maybe, the mid 80's. CIBA just went out of business and that was it. It became illegal. They said on the bottles themselves that these drugs would not enhance athletic performance. They had to label that on there. And, then they took it off of there. Primobolan coming from Germany, or Austria I might say, was probably one of the best things I ever tried. It was given to me by "one of our big bodybuilders" at the time. I had great results off that. I got so huge in two weeks, I could hardly fit into my Volkswagen. And I'm not kidding. That's how big I got just off that and the Dbol. I never took great amounts. 1 shot a week, 3 Dbol a day, maybe 2 Dbol a day. So, when you asked what these guys took, and how much did they take, and "did they take a lot?" No, it wasn't a lot at all. And I always felt that "less was more." You didn't need a whole lot to get big. If you took too much, it didn't really work that well. It wasn't any better than taking less. It was available pretty easy. Like I said, it wasn't illegal. Everybody had it. And that's how it was. But most of the results in training came from heavy-lifting old school style, and a lot of protein. https://youtu.be/j7BafGZt2RY?t=60 One of the "big bodybuilders" gave Ric Primobolan for the first time, and he was following the classic dosing protocol we've seen mentioned time and time again now. A few Dbol per day, and a shot of Primo per week. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Dosage Titration Protocol A credible guru in the industry details what is purported to be Arnold's dosage titration protocol at the 37:18 mark in the following video: https://youtu.be/GVV_dCPKhho?t=2238 Arnold took Dianabol and Primobolan, essentially nothing else. An escalating dose, kind of culminating in about 100 milligrams of Dianabol a day and about 1000 milligrams Primobolan a week, a.k.a. about two total grams of drug and that was it. No aromatase inhibitor, no Tamoxifen, no Insulin or Growth Hormone, just two grams of high-quality anabolic. By the way, you didn't hear mentioned any Testosterone. Testosterone really didn't come onto the scene 'til the late 70's, early 80s'. I have no idea how factual that purported titration schedule was, but it still reinforces the likelihood that Arnold's steroids of choice were Dbol and Primobolan. Frank Zane's Semi-Cryptic Poem About Golden Era Steroid Cycles The nail in the coffin in my opinion is Frank Zane's poem. In Frank Zane's "Mind, Body, Spirit" training diary, one Reddit user actually found a poem that essentially breaks down in code what the top bodybuilders took in the golden era. Diana Bowl and Louie. Prima bowl on TV, both of whom worked as a team. Known for miles around as the best bowlers in town, Primo drove 100 miles a week combining 15 milly Gramola bars daily from Diana not worried about getting fat, you cannot not on that in those days. But that was then, this is now a growing cast of actors shove, share center stage all playing the same part at the same time I awoke amazed, wondering how this ridiculous play isn't dying by now. Obviously, anyone can see plain as day he's trying to allude to certain things in code here to outline what drugs guys were taking back then, as well as what appears to be his perspective on modern day bodybuilding as a whole compared to the golden era. The first thing, "Diana Bowl." Obviously, that's Dianabol. "Prima bowl on." Primobolan. "Primo drove 100 miles a week." 100 milligrams per week of Primobolan, which reinforces the one shot a week of Primobolan that Arnold supposedly got. "Combining 15 milly Gramola bars daily from Diana" 15 milligrams per day of Dianabol (Dbol) combined with the weekly shot of Primo. After the part where he talks about 100 milligrams of Primo per week and the 15 milligrams of Dianabol per day he says: "But that was then, this is now. A growing cast of actors shove, share center stage. All playing the same part at the same time. I awoke amazed, wondering how this ridiculous play isn't dying by now." I assume this part refers to his perspective of modern day bodybuilding compared to the golden era and how this generation abuses high dosages of multiple drugs, and how much of a travesty he believes bodybuilding has become. I believe it more or less stands for everything wrong with modern-day bodybuilding. The excessive mass chasing, the insane dosages of drugs, and him being amazed the "play isn't dying by now" perhaps alluding to the fact that bodybuilding has continued to remain popular despite an increasing amount of young bodybuilders dropping dead from drug abuse. There's a lot to take in from that poem. Dianabol (Dbol) And Primobolan Dosages Ric Drasin and Frank Zane both trained with Arnold and seem to be credible sources of information. Frank Zane is a Mr. Olympia winner himself and would know better than anyone what others from Gold's Gym were using. The cumulative evidence strongly suggests that Arnold was at minimum using a shot of Primobolan per week and 3-4 Dianabol per day. It is entirely possible that those dosages titrated up over the years, but in general we at least know that those were likely the compounds he used to build his physique. CIBA Dianabol was prescribed in 2.5 and 5 milligram oral tablets. All forms of Bayer Primobolan Depot were packaged in one milliliter glass ampules and contained 100 milligrams of Metenolone Enanthate. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Steroid Cycle Based on the information provided, we can assume that Arnold Schwarzenegger’s steroid cycle consisted of 15-20 milligrams of Dianabol per day and 100 milligrams of Primobolan per week. Those are very conservative dosages by today's standards, and this was reinforced by every one in the golden era who has spoke out about the steroid use in that tight knit circle of bodybuilders Arnold hung out with. Obviously they could be wrong or lying, but I think their stories line up too well with each other for it to not be at least somewhat true. Hopefully that lays some myths to rest and sheds light on what the golden era bodybuilders were actually doing to achieve the physiques that everyone strives for nowadays. Nowadays, guys abuse excessive amounts of drugs in hopes of achieving golden era physiques, when the golden era guys were actually using a fraction of what teenage kids are cycling on nowadays. Granted, there may be a huge disparity in product quality between the pharmaceutical grade products available in the golden era compared to the UGL stuff most guys are using now. However, I do not believe that to be the case, with the exception of product purity and complete dosage accuracy. Most top UGL's are pretty on point and aren't far off of pharmaceutical quality, so to me that point usually just comes across as an excuse that guys use to justify using massive dosages, or for their lackluster results. The golden era steroid dosages were far more reasonable than most would otherwise believe had they not seen this stuff, or heard it straight from the horse's mouth. I don't think you will find a more credible resource than Arnold, Frank, Ric, and Steve themselves who have opened up about the standard dosages used in that era, with their statements all lining up with eachother. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

9 Mars 202018min

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6 Mars 20209min

Gorilla Mind Smooth is the most potent and comprehensive stimulant-free Nootropic formula on the market. If you don't already know what Nootropics are, they are a category of compounds that can improve cognitive function. This can extend into many different specific benefits, but the main draw of Nootropics is their impact on productivity, concentration, creativity and information retention. Gorilla Mind Smooth is our stimulant-free version of Gorilla Mind that provides a smoother, much less extreme level of energy, but still maximizes mental clarity, memory, creativity and focus. Regardless if you're currently using stimulant-based products (coffee, energy drinks, pre-workouts, etc.), cycling off of stimulants, or just never use stimulants, Gorilla Mind Smooth is the most potent Nootropic formula you can add into your life to enhance cognitive function. https://youtu.be/Hcj8CinGG6s Reviews These are some of the reviews we've received from customers using Gorilla Mind Smooth: Gorilla Mind Smooth Supplement Facts Per Full Daily Dose: L-Tyrosine - 1000 mg Organic Lion's Mane Mushroom (Hericium Erinaceus) (standardized to 25% β-glucans) - 1000 mg DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol) - 750 mg Alpha GPC 50% (L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine) - 600 mg Kanna (Sceletium Tortuosum) - 500 mg Bacopa Monnieri (standardized to 45% Bacosides) - 400 mg L-Theanine - 200 mg Bioperine® (Black Pepper Fruit Extract) (standardized to 95% Piperine) - 10 mg Huperzine A (Huperzia serrata leaf standardized extract) - 400 mcg The original Gorilla Mind Smooth formula had PEA, Hordenine and Teacrine in it. Originally, I was trying to chase a stimulant-free energy boost in Smooth, which is why I had those ingredients in it. However, over the past year I've started to really lean towards reformulating Smooth to create an entirely Nootropic comprised formula that is 100% geared towards maxing out cognitive function, rather than chase a relatively weak level of energy that we already destroy with Gorilla Mind Rush. Anyone buying Gorilla Mind that is using it for the laser focus and massive boost in energy and productivity is buying RUSH anyways, not SMOOTH. Instead of wasting precious capsule space with things that achieve a subpar level of energy, I decided that space would be far better utilized with other Nootropics. This is what led to me creating the current Gorilla Mind Smooth formula, which now has 1000 mg of Lion's Mane mushroom and 500 mg of Kanna in it. These compounds are far more conducive to enhancing the SMOOTH formula by supporting actual brain health, creativity, mental clarity and memory formation. If you want ridiculous amounts of energy and drive, get RUSH. For those who want a true stimulant-free Nootropic formula, SMOOTH is even better now and I highly recommend you give it a try. Gorilla Mind Smooth Vs. Other Nootropics On The Market This is the most maxed out stim-free Nootropic formula on the market. The full daily dose is 6 capsules. Even a half dose (3 capsules) is still far more potent than the majority of other Nootropic formulas out there at their max dosages. I formulated Gorilla Mind Smooth the exact same way I formulate any other product. I put in exactly what I would buy myself if I were shopping for each Nootropic separately. If you thought the pre-workout market was bad for underdosed products, your jaw will drop when you see some of the top selling Nootropic formulas. This industry is even worse because it is so niche and new. Preying on unsuspecting customers with garbage formulas sprinkled with vitamins and completely useless dosages of Nootropics is even more common in this industry. Because Nootropics are relatively new and uncharted waters for many, the prices get pretty aggressive on these watered down formulas as well that promise the world, and deliver nothing more than placebo. What's baffling to me is how many people eat up the marketing and blindly buy products priced at $60, $70, even $100 that probably cost $4-5 max to make. When the cost of bottles, lids, and labels costs more than the Nootropics in your formula, there's a f*cking problem. Fortunately, my audience is comprised of intelligent individuals who actually know how to spot value. It would be so easy to make a formula with a couple hundred milligrams of cheap choline that doesn't even cross the blood brain barrier, 100-200 mg of Bacopa Monnieri, throw a bit of caffeine in there for a kick, put some exotic sounding ayurvedic herbs in there, maybe sprinkle a couple low dosed Adaptogens in there, add a useless pinch of vitamins to make my label look more impressive and confusing, and then slap a label on it like every other company and then aggressively smash people with ads and market a high priced subscription model to the masses, or put it up on Amazon to compete with all the other loss leader cheap and ineffective Nootropics on there. The fact that the hypothetical piece of sh*t formula I just made up as an example of what not to do is actually still better than most of the Nootropic formulas on the market just goes to show how much some companies are deceiving their customers. If the majority of a company's budget goes into ads and sponsorships instead of product formulation, or they have a high ranking product on amazon, you can almost guarantee without even looking at the product that it sucks. Unlike what most companies will lead you to believe, there is no Nootropic formula that will lock you in like Bradley Cooper from Limitless (great movie by the way). https://youtu.be/4TLppsfzQH8 Just like our other products, it is me making the formula, and I put in what I would want to use as a customer. I used to spend time every day in University measuring out all my different Nootropics that were in my "stack", and toss and washing random powders. Obviously it makes things much easier to just have it in ready to go capsules that are actually dosed properly. With my products, everything is turnkey. How To Dose Gorilla Mind Smooth Take 3-6 capsules in the morning, or spread throughout the day. Start with 3 capsules to evaluate your tolerance. While Gorilla Mind Rush requires more of a tolerance assessment and slow dosage titration over time due to the heavy hitting stimulants, you will more than likely be fine jumping head first into Gorilla Mind Smooth and tapering up to the maximum recommended dose relatively quickly. Gorilla Mind Smooth Vs. Gorilla Mind Rush While the foundation of Nootropics in both Gorilla Mind products are mostly the same, there are some key differences between the two formulas. The main difference is that RUSH has a handful of potent stimulants that completely change how the product feels. RUSH is best stimulant-based Nootropic formula on the market for really waking you up and giving you tunnel vision focus and productivity. The strong backbone of Nootropics in RUSH are the portion that can actually enhance information recall, creativity, etc. But, the stimulants in RUSH are the driving force of the product, and can really be a game changer in productivity. SMOOTH on the other hand is stimulant-free and has the same Nootropics as RUSH, but also has 1000 mg of Lion's Mane mushroom and 500 mg of Kanna. Lion's Mane is amazing for supporting cognitive health, memory formation and mental clarity, while Kanna is a potent mood booster and can also support improved focus and energy levels. Gorilla Mind Smooth is significantly toned down in the energy department, so if you have too high of a sensitivity to stimulants or simply want a smoother level of focus, this would be more ideal for you. How To Combine Gorilla Mind Rush And Gorilla Mind Smooth If you don’t want to pick between either having the giant burst of energy and laser focus that RUSH provides, or the cognitive enhancing benefits of the Lion's Mane and Kanna in SMOOTH, you can combine the products. By taking 6 capsules of either, you will be getting a top end dose of Nootropics. Even with 3 capsules of either product you will still get an effective dose of Nootropics, and with RUSH, many won't even be able to exceed 3 capsules because the stimulant blend is extremely strong. If you are not a stim junkie who needs 6 capsules of RUSH I would recommend getting both so you can strategically tweak how much energy you want to get from the Rush to not over-stimulate yourself, but also reach the maxed out mental benefit you would get out of the Nootropics in each respective version of the product. Rotating Gorilla Mind Smooth and Gorilla Mind Rush Use Gorilla Mind Rush on days that require the most focus, productivity and energy. By rotating RUSH and SMOOTH, you can keep yourself sensitive to the stimulants in Gorilla Mind Rush, and reap the maximum benefit from each product during each use. Do You Need To Cycle Off Of Gorilla Mind Smooth? While SMOOTH will not cause tolerance build up like RUSH, I would still advise cycling off of everything for a week every month or so. Alternatively, allocate a couple days each week to days you do not take anything, including RUSH. Gorilla Mind Smooth Ingredients Breakdown L-Tyrosine - 1000 mg L-Tyrosine is an amazing cognitive enhancing amino acid that acts by balancing neurotransmitter levels in the brain. Its primary role is as the direct precursor to thyroxine and to the neurotransmitters dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. L-Tyrosine shines in its ability to improve mental sharpness, focus, energy levels, and cause mood elevation [R, R]. L-Tyrosine Vs N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine L-Tyrosine is the most bioavailable form of Tyrosine. In short, N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine is very inefficiently converted by the body to Tyrosine [R]. Even IV’ing N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine can’t elevate plasma Tyrosine levels to a significant degree, let alone via oral ingestion. Claims of increased water solubility and bioavailability are all marketing hype and were disproved easily by showing just how poorly N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine is at converting to Tyrosine in the body. The graph above depicts arterial concentrations of N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine (NAT) and Tyrosine (Tyr) during intravenous infusion of N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine. As you can see, Tyrosine levels barely even budge. This is the same kind of tactic used to try and market new and “improved” forms of creatine that at the end of the day do not yield any additional benefit, and just feature an inflated price tag. In our first batch of Gorilla Mind, we actually had N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine in the formulas based on these claims of improved water solubility and bioavailability by our manufacturer at the time. After delving into the data further, I realized the massive difference in bioavailability and swapped out the N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine for straight L-Tyrosine, found a better manufacturing facility, and all batches of Gorilla Mind products since then have featured L-Tyrosine instead. Organic Lion's Mane Mushroom (Hericium Erinaceus) (standardized to 25% β-glucans) - 1000 mg Lion’s Mane is a Nootropic and cognitive-enhancing mushroom that has been used for thousands of years by Buddhist Monks who believed that it enhanced brain power and improved their focus. The main reason it is so promising as a Nootropic is the effect it has shown to have on the synthesis of nerve growth factor (NGF) and neurogenesis. By enhancing neurogenesis and potentially even attenuating the negative effects of cognitive decline, Lion’s Mane may significantly improve mental acuity, information retention, and decrease mental fatigue. Most products on the market contain 250 - 500 mg of Lion’s Mane. We have a full gram (1000 mg) in Gorilla Mind Smooth to ensure you are actually getting an efficacious dose of Lion’s Mane in when you use it. Effect On Cognitive Function A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 50-80 year old adults with mild cognitive impairment to evaluate the efficacy of Lion's Mane as a cognitive aid. The Lion's Mane treated group showed significantly increased scores on the cognitive function scale compared with the placebo group [R]. Enhanced Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) Synthesis Results from animal studies support that Lion's Mane can enhance the synthesis of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) [R, R]. NGF is required by neurons in order to survive and appears to play a major role in cognitive function. When NGF decreases in the brain, memory formation and information recall becomes greatly impaired. By maintaining optimal levels of NGF one may be able to support brain plasticity for improved information retention, memorization, as well as general cognitive health. Effect On Beta Amyloid Levels And Cognitive Decline In a rodent model, Lion's Mane was shown to attenuate the negative cognitive effects of beta amyloid in the brain (what is believed to be the main cause of Alzheimer's) [R]. It was also shown to ameliorate Alzheimer’s disease-related pathologies in several other rodent models of Alzheimer’s disease [R, R]. Mood Elevation And Stress Reduction Lion’s Mane also contains erinacine and other bioactive compounds that may increase dopamine production and improve state of well-being. One study showed that Lion's Mane supplementation reduced depression and anxiety after 4 weeks of use [R]. DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol) - 750 mg DMAE's mechanism of action isn't fully understood, but it appears to work primarily by stimulating cholinergic receptors and has shown to improve cognitive function, energy levels, focus, and act as a neuroprotectant [R]. DMAE users consistently report improved memory, attention to detail, focus and mental clarity. DMAE Vs. Ritalin Study One double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted on 74 children with learning problems compared the efficacy of DMAE to Ritalin for treating ADHD [R]. The children were either given 40 mg of Ritalin, 500 mg of DMAE, or a placebo every day for 3 months. Behavior rating forms, reaction time, and an array of other psychometric tests were given before and after treatment. DMAE showed improvements in these metrics of approximately the same magnitude as Ritalin. No major side effects were noted with either treatment with exception of 6 of the children on Ritalin noting appetite suppression. Alpha GPC 50% (L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine) - 600 mg Alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine (Alpha-GPC) is the highest quality and most bioavailable form of Choline. Taking massive dosages of straight Choline has shown to have no cognitive effect in humans [R]. Alpha-GPC on the other hand has shown to cross the blood brain barrier and provide the brain with a rapidly absorbed form of choline. This then supports the synthesis and release of acetylcholine. The surge of quickly absorbed choline in conjunction with the release of acetylcholine helps support an array of cognitive functions including but not limited to memory, HGH production, physical performance, concentration, focus, and information absorption/recall [R, R, R]. Alpha-GPC has also shown to significantly increase strength and may be an effective ergogenic aid [R]. How Much Choline Do You Need Per Day? The Adequate Intake (AI), as established by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Institute of Medicine, for adults is 550 mg per day for men and 425 mg per day for women. We all know how brutally underestimated some of the AI's have proved to be in the past couple decades, and there is evidence suggesting that the AI for Choline is also far too low. One study showed that 2200 mg per day of Choline protected against the DNA damage that otherwise occurred in people consuming only 550 mg [R]. There are not enough studies on Choline, and it is a severely lacking area of research considering how important it is for brain health. I would shoot for at least 900-1200 mg of Choline per day. A big chunk of that can be achieved through regular liver and egg yolk consumption, but supplementation will help you hit that number with much greater ease. I eat 1 ounce of beef liver, 4 large eggs, and supplement with 600 mg of Alpha-GPC every day via Gorilla Mind. I also take extra precautions to support methylation, which I will delve into later in the methylation subsection. Alpha-GPC's Effect On Alzheimer's Dementia In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, patients with Alzheimer's dementia were treated with Alpha-GPC (400-mg capsules) or placebo capsules, 3 times daily, for 180 days [R]. In the Alpha-GPC group, assessed parameters consistently improved after 90 and 180 days versus baseline, whereas in the placebo group those same parameters remained unchanged or worsened. The results suggest that Alpha-GPC is a promising intervention for attenuating the cognitive decline that occurs from neurodegenerative disease. Alpha-GPC's Effect On Methylation And Health Status The MTHFR gene codes for an enzyme called methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, or MTHFR. This enzyme is needed for the production of DNA and supporting methylation pathways that are essential for all bodily functions. Genetic variations in this gene results in reduced activity of the enzyme and has been associated with cardiovascular disease, neurological defects, some forms of cancer, and a myriad of other diseases and disorders [R, R]. Personally, I am homozygous for C677T of MTHFR, which results in a 80-90% decrease in my efficiency in processing folic acid. The direct reflection of that in blood biomarkers can be high homocysteine and low B12 and folate levels. I determined this via a simple 23andMe genetics test. Normally your body creates methyl groups by recycling Homocysteine to Methionine, as well as by converting Choline to Betaine. When nutrient intake needs are sufficiently met, the body depends on these two mechanisms equally. However, if you are deprived of methyl groups or have poor MTHFR activity because of a polymorphism, you can change that and start to create a disproportional ratio of dependency on the Choline to Betaine pathway. If you can't create enough Methylfolate, your body will ramp up the use of Betaine and Choline for methyl groups. By ramping up Choline to Betaine conversion to support methylation, your body can become depleted of the Choline it needs to create Acetylcholine. Downstream, the depletion of Choline can eventually lead to impaired cognitive function, DNA damage, and can be deleterious to overall health. The prevalence of MTHFR polymorphisms and micronutrient deficient diets is so common nowadays that almost everyone could benefit from Alpha-GPC supplementation to maintain higher levels of Choline. I take 600 mg of Alpha-GPC every day on top of the Betaine and Creatine I get from Gorilla Mode (or Gorilla Mode Nitric when I am not taking stimulants) to support methylation, improve my health, and optimize my performance. Alpha-GPC Vs. CDP Choline Alpha-GPC raises choline blood levels much more than CDP-Choline. While there is some speculation around the fringe benefits that may come with the Cytidine component of CDP-Choline, in general, the main reason we would use either Alpha-GPC or CDP-Choline is to supplement our diet and raise our Choline levels. Alpha-GPC accomplishes this better than CDP-Choline. Our Alpha-GPC is 50% Choline by weight, whereas CDP-Choline is only about 18% Choline by weight. That means that you would need to use almost three times as much CDP-Choline to get the same amount of Choline as Alpha-GPC. Are any of the companies out there with CDP-Choline in their formulas putting 1600-1700 mg of CDP-Choline per daily dose in their products? Not even close. Many companies still use Citicoline (CDP Choline) in their Nootropic formulas, despite the fact that Alpha-GPC has shown time and time again to be more effective both anecdotally, as well as clinically [R]. From what I've seen, the most reputable anti-aging "biohackers" in the industry also prefer Alpha-GPC over CDP-Choline. I have personally tried CDP-Choline and never really noticed any enhancing effect like I seemed to with Alpha GPC. - Rhonda Patrick (Ph.D in biomedical science/expert on nutritional health, brain & aging) Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) - 500 mg Kanna supplementation has been found to effectively lower stress, elevate mood and increase focus. Personally, I notice a huge boost in my mood and I lock in a little bit more on whatever I am trying to concentrate on when I supplement with Kanna. Kanna was a huge success in our pre-workout formula because it also complements stimulants very well, which you have probably found out first hand if you have tried Gorilla Mode. Kanna works mainly via increasing the amount of serotonin available in the brain, and is typically utilized for its anti-anxiety and mood elevating effects [R]. This is an ingredient you will really feel, and can be especially useful for those days you need something effective that isn’t stimulant based. Anecdotally, a dose between 200-500 mg of Kanna has shown to be ideal for oral ingestion. Higher dosages between 1-2 grams have been associated with unwanted side effects like dizziness. Kanna has no addictive properties, and it is not hallucinogenic [R, R]. One thing to keep in mind with Kanna use is that it has a high affinity for the serotonin transporter. Therefore, it is plausible that Kanna can interfere with SSRI pharmaceuticals. Bacopa Monnieri (standardized to 45% Bacosides) - 400 mg Bacopa Monnieri is typically used as a memory enhancing Nootropic. There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that Bacopa Monnieri can protect neurons in the brain from accumulative damage, reduce β-amyloid levels in the brain, and improve cognitive performance by modulating neurotransmitters [R]. The efficacy of Bacopa Monnieri has been reinforced in six high-quality randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human trials. The results suggest that Bacopa Monnieri not only has the potential to attenuate neurodegenerative disease progression, but it may also be a potent memory enhancing agent in otherwise healthy individuals. Improved Verbal Recall - Bacopa Monnieri Vs. Modafinil Study In a meta-analysis, long-term Bacopa Monnieri supplementation produced more consistent and noticeable positive effects than Modafinil [R]. Primarily, Bacopa Monnieri was shown to be very effective at improving verbal recall. This suggests that Bacopa Monnieri would be especially useful for memorizing long speeches, business presentations, songs, scripts, etc. Apparently Bacopa Monnieri was used by ancient Vedic scholars to memorize lengthy hymns and scriptures, which would reinforce the clinical findings. Improved Information Retention And Memory Consolidation A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study conducted on 46 healthy adults assessed the efficacy of supplementing 300 mg per day of Bacopa Monnieri for 12 weeks [R]. 23 subjects received Bacopa Monnieri, and 23 subjects received placebo. A battery of well-validated neuropsychological tests were used to assess Bacopa's efficacy as a Nootropic. The Bacopa Monnieri treated group had significantly improved speed of visual information processing, learning rate, memory consolidation, and state anxiety compared to placebo, with maximal effects evident after 12 weeks. In another study conducted on 76 healthy adults aged 40-65, Bacopa Monnieri showed significant improvements in information retention [R]. Another study conducted on 81 elderly Australians found that a Bacopa Monnieri extract produced significant improvements in verbal learning, memory acquisition and delayed recall [R]. L-Theanine - 200 mg L-Theanine is most commonly used for its calming and relaxing effects. I find that it also promotes a high level of mental clarity as well. L-Theanine primarily works by targeting the neurotransmitters GABA, Serotonin, Dopamine, Epinephrine and Norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters are responsible for feelings of attention, stress, arousal, relaxation and pleasure. By mitigating the over-activity of excitable neurotransmitters and enhancing the calming neurotransmitters, L-Theanine seems to help calm down the brain, reduce stress, and curb anxiety. This is why L-Theanine complements stimulants like caffeine so tremendously too, as it takes the edge off of stimulants that can cause jitters and over-stimulation. Stacking Caffeine With L-Theanine To Help You Get To Sleep And Smooth Out The Jitters If you get jitters even with low doses of caffeine, the L-Theanine in Gorilla Mind Smooth will really help curb that. The caffeine + L-Theanine stack is one of the most basic and effective Nootropic stacks to date. This is one of the main reasons why Gorilla Mind Rush won't send you off the rails despite having a very potent combination of stimulants in it (it also has a big dose of L-Theanine in it). If you love your coffee, green tea, or energy drinks and don't want the aggressive stimulant blend in Gorilla Mind Rush, Gorilla Mind Smooth will stack with your caffeinated drink of choice exceptionally well. One notable rodent model even showed that L-Theanine can partially counteract caffeine-induced sleep disturbances [R]. Improved Memory And Attention In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted on 91 people with minor brain damage, a combination of L-Theanine and green tea extract improved memory, attention span, and alertness during a memory test [R]. Improved Verbal Fluency And Executive Function In another randomized controlled trial, 30 healthy adults were given 200 mg of L-Theanine per day, or placebo. Verbal fluency and executive function scores improved after L-Theanine administration [R]. Stress levels also went down, and sleep quality also increased after L-Theanine administration. Improved Reaction Time In another study conducted on 18 healthy University student volunteers, 200 mg of L-Theanine improved attention performance and reaction time response [R]. Neuroprotection In a study conducted on elderly volunteers with normal or minor cognitive dysfunction, volunteers who ingested powdered green tea containing 47.5 mg of theanine per day showed significantly lower decline in cognitive function compared with that of the placebo group [R]. BioPerine® (Black Pepper Fruit Extract) (standardized to 95% Piperine) - 10 mg Bioperine is a trademarked form of black pepper extract standardized to 95% Piperine. Black pepper extract is a very effective CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein inhibitor [R]. These enzymes break down molecules like epinephrine and norepinephrine in the body. By prolonging the breakdown of the cognitive enhancing ingredients in this formula, Bioperine extends how long they work for, and can also significantly increase their bioavailability. Huperzine A - 400 mcg Huperzine A works by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase in the brain, which is an enzyme that breaks down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is not only a major regulator of cognitive performance, but it is also an important neurotransmitter needed for optimal muscular contractions during exercise. Huperzine A has shown to promote neurogenesis (the birth of new neurons in the brain) and act as a neuroprotective agent for existing neurons in the brain. In turn, Huperzine A has shown to enhance memory, focus and overall cognitive function [R, R]. Huperzine A is one of the most potent Nootropics that you can really “feel” and it complements the other Nootropics in this formula perfectly. Other Notable Compounds I Didn’t Include In The Formula And Why Noopept, Racetams, Other Synthetic Nootropics And Prodrugs Although they are effective Nootropics, Noopept, Racetams (class of drugs all named with the suffix "racetam"), prodrugs like Adrafinil,  and other synthetic compounds that cannot be found in nature or in the food supply are not DSHEA compliant and cannot be legally sold as dietary supplements, so we did not include any. If this wasn't the case, I probably would have included 30 mg of Noopept in the formula. I also like Phenylpiracetam. Vitamins Vitamins are often included in Nootropic formulas to make a supplement facts panel look more impressive. If a company is willing to sacrifice room in their capsules to inflate their ingredient profile with stuff you very likely already get from diet or a multivitamin, that is a major red flag. More often than not, the dosages included are next to useless and are just there to make a product look more comprehensive. The main issue with this is that you only have so much room in a capsule. Most Nootropic products use a "00" capsule size in their bottles. Each "00" sized capsule can fit about 735 mg in it. That is precious space, and including a useful amount of vitamins in a product can easily take up several capsules of space. If a company is wasting space with vitamins and only has a serving size of around 6 capsules, they are probably just trying to hide the fact that the actual Nootropics portion of their formula is watered down garbage. Conclusion - What To Expect From Gorilla Mind Smooth In general, you can expect clear headed mental clarity, as well as improved information retention, creativity, productivity and concentration. Gorilla Mind Smooth is not designed to jack your brain into high gear, as that is a stimulant driven mechanism. Rather, it is purely meant to enhance cognitive function and overall mental performance. Try Gorilla Mind Smooth for yourself here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1 Mars 202057min

Of the minority of men taking steroids who actually get blood tests, 99% of them get inaccurate assays. Most doctors don't realize the importance of high sensitivity testing when it comes to men in general, and even more so in steroid users. The difference between high sensitivity testing and what you have probably been getting in the past can be the entire reference range, or in some cases, it may even be detecting metabolites or analogs of other hormones. This is not limited to just testosterone either. Measuring Estradiol via Roche ECLIA (Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay) instead of liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS) has similar limitations, as do other hormone tests with insufficient analytical sensitivity. https://youtu.be/8mw-jZpmrsQ The Most Accurate Total Testosterone Blood Test The gold standard for accurately measuring total testosterone levels is high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS). Recent studies have shown that the current assays used in total testosterone testing lack the required sensitivity to produce accurate results when working with very low concentrations. This can be especially problematic when trying to accurately measure total testosterone levels in severely testosterone deficient men, normal or testosterone deficient women, and children. In addition, these tests have proven via my own personal tests to detect synthetic anabolic androgenic steroids as testosterone. This issue can be corrected by newer methods based on mass spectrometry. The Most Accurate Free Testosterone Blood Test The gold standard for accurately measuring free testosterone levels is equilibrium dialysis. Equilibrium ultrafiltration is also sufficient. A comparison of results obtained via equilibrium dialysis and equilibrium ultrafiltration found that the two methods correlated closely (r = 0.97) [R]. Direct analog enzyme immunoassay (EIA) is inaccurate and has shown in my own personal tests to detect synthetic anabolic androgenic steroids as testosterone. My Blood Test Results Comparing ECLIA And EIA Vs. LC/MS-MS And Equilibrium Ultrafiltration This is an example that very clearly shows how important high sensitivity testing can be. I went in for a blood test during a Nandrolone-only experiment. I had no Testosterone in my system whatsoever. Expectedly, by assessing my Total Testosterone level via liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS) and my Free Testosterone level via equilibrium ultrafiltration, we can see that my Testosterone levels were crashed. Both the total and the free were lower than a healthy female. This is what you should see in your blood work if you’re on just Nandrolone. The only Testosterone being produced in my body was indirectly via the trace amounts of androgens produced in my adrenal cortex, which is why the value wasn't completely bottomed out at 0. I've mentioned many times the importance of getting high sensitivity testing done for hormone levels and how Nandrolone will register as Testosterone in primitive garbage blood tests. This is another great example of this. In addition to high sensitivity testing, I had the same blood tested using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) for my Total Testosterone level, and direct analog enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for my Free Testosterone level. These were the test results using the exact same blood sample with the terrible default assays that doctors will use to determine how to treat you, and that labs will give you in the majority of your blood work panels. According to ECLIA and EIA, I had a normal Total Testosterone and Free Testosterone level. This just one example of why getting accurate hormone testing is critical. My Testosterone levels were actually in the gutter, but ECLIA and EIA couldn't even tell the difference between Testosterone and 19-nortestosterone in my blood. Where To Order Accurate Blood Tests Most labs offer total testosterone (LC/MS-MS), and some offer free testosterone (equilibrium ultrafiltration). However, very few self-pay labs offer free testosterone (equilibrium dialysis). Of the ones that do offer it, it is extremely expensive and it does not come in a package with a total testosterone test. If your doctor will write you a requisition for it, great. If not, just get equilibrium ultrafiltration. Personally, I drive to the US just so I can get LC/MS-MS and equilibrium ultrafiltration testing done. This is the exact test I order every time to accurately check my testosterone levels: Testosterone, Free, Equilibrium Ultrafiltration With Total Testosterone, LC/MS-MS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

29 Feb 20204min

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28 Feb 20206min

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26 Feb 202042min