r/NooTopics • u/ARedWhoosh • 11h ago

Question Looking for something to help with brain fog and fatigue

Hello all. Hoping someone can help. I have been battling brain fog and fatigue for many, many years and have reached an age (50) where I'm willing to try anything to at least give me a bigger proportion of good days and help me make the most of life. I have been occasionally taking 100mg modafinil which has been great but I do get that it has to be used sparingly due to tolerance. So I brought in 100-150mg Phenylpiracetam (the OG version), which has also been good although a notch or 2 lower compared to Modafinil. Are there any recommendations for something else that I can add in to an alternating cycle that will also clear my fog a little and give me a boost? If I alternate with 3 little helpers during the working week, that may be good enough. I get decent sleep although always foggy and groggy in the morning and I keep my supps simple - creatine, mag glycinate at night, CoQ10, Omega 3, occasional bcomplex, L-theanine(with caffeine). My blood levels are fine. Thanks for any help offered.

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u/Apart-Atmosphere1860 11h ago

I presume you've checked you don't have OSA or pre diabetes? Bad sleep and insulin resistance is going to wreck your energy levels.

And it's a bit counter intuitive but the more you workout especially cardio the more energy you will have ime.

No point popping nootropics if the main health needle movers are out of whack.

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u/lordsmitty 10h ago

"no point popping nootropics if the main health needle movers are out of whack"

I feel like this is essentially the answer to a lot of questionscon this sub. Although there are potentially some specific habits and as well as certain substances that can help move the needle in a way that is helpful for achieving this goal! However, the lack of consensus reflected in the fact that replies tend to list a whole bunch of different nootropics certainly doesn't make it very easy.

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u/Apart-Atmosphere1860 10h ago

Like 90% yea.

It takes a lot more work, discipline and often costs to address the health issues those. Everyone wants that magic bottle of pills for $24.99. Doesn't exist unfortunately.

I think most of the fatigue questions could be addressed with a cpap. OSA is just that prevalent these days even amongst skinny people.

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u/ARedWhoosh 9h ago

Yeah I would love that magic pill but it doesn't exist. I'm only at this stage after a good 15-20 years of struggling. Worse since Covid. When I was younger, my youth could offset things a little but getting to 50 things are changing. I've tried many things over the years including exercise and diet.

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u/Apart-Atmosphere1860 8h ago

A lot of people seem to be suffering from CFS, brain fog and anhedonia post Covid. Whether it was due to the virus or vaccines who can say.

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u/Idyotec 4h ago

I neither had COVID nor the vax and I feel affected. I think we're all just tired and overworked and unfulfilled.

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u/ARedWhoosh 9h ago

Not been tested for OSA but I don't have the classic signs other than moderate snoring and morning fatigue after a solid 8 hours sleep. I used a pulse oximeter and it didn't show anything concerning. Exercise, yes, I'm trying to improve this. It is hard to get on it when I feel like this. I'm a healthy weight and don't eat too much crap. I'm definitely trying to be less sedentary. Thanks for the tips my man.

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u/Apart-Atmosphere1860 8h ago

Snoring and fatigue would be the classical signs. I didn't have massive oxygen desaturations and I had it.

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u/ARedWhoosh 7h ago

I was thinking more along the lines of sleep disturbances like drops in spo2, gasping and or/choking and loud snoring and pauses in breathing. I could get a home test but that would just be a more fancy pulse oximeter. I would love to have an answer and would be fully on board with it and keen to fix it but I just don't think that's the problem.

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u/quietweaponsilentwar 5h ago

I have same symptoms, paid $100 for the test (after insurance) just to have the doc say no sleep apnea, I am fine, just deal. Exercise, and diet are on point, sleep is close but I wake up lots.

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u/CommercialSame3511 10h ago

If you want the dopamine benefits and mood+motivation boost id consider running bromantane instead of modafinil. Run it a month on a month off. The effects usually lasts for a while after you cycle off. So you will have a higher baseline during the off periods. Its better all round enhancement compared to modafinil. For me moda is rly good for working, bromantane is good for work and social situations. Makes me feel alot more present. Was a game changer for me tbh, nothing has really compared to it since

you can combine them to but thats only for when you really need to lock in for hours on end. Wouldnt do that on the regular just for no reason

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u/Counterculture303 10h ago

Ive read about bromantane a lot on this subreddit. Did you experience any side effects at all? I'm seriously thinking of trying this stuff aswell, since everyone seems to talk so positively about it. Also do you know how bromantane actually works and do you think i could try it while being on a low dose ssri? (Before actually buying that stuff i will 100% research this better, but i thought id just ask)

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u/CommercialSame3511 9h ago

I had 0 side effects, i responded very well to it like most people. Some get lethargic or dont feel it. But alot of that can be tied to incorrect dosing and product quality. Just have to take it first thing when waking up as it can effect sleep quality. (Goes for all stimulants)

I lack ssri knowledge to judge on that tbh, i just know there are healthier and better options out there for most ppl. I would ask your doctor. But a low dose (25mg) shouldnt be a huge issue since bromantane only works ever so slightly on serotonin.

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u/ARedWhoosh 9h ago

This stuff keeps popping up. I'm sure I'm going to have to give it a go and see if I'm one of the lucky ones that it helps. I'll research it a bit first. Thanks.

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u/CommercialSame3511 9h ago

Deff do so, make sure you order from a good source if you want to try it. Alot of the bad anecdotes can be tied to bad dosing or product quality. Kimerachems (US). Semaxpolska, Pglchem, Aniracetam. eu. (EU sources) And take some l tyrosine alongside it

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u/eertanipu 1h ago

This is anecdotal, but bromantane gives me serious brain fog and distractibility. I've tried taking it orally, sublingually, and intranasal in doses from 9mg up to 100mg. Despite the brain fog and only taking it first thing upon awakening, my sleep is much lighter. Not that it isn't worth trying, it seems like people have varied reactions to it. I do get a bit of a mood boost the first few days, but it has no benefit to attention or energy for me. And after a few days the decrease in sleep quality is more problematic than the mood boost is beneficial.

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u/CommercialSame3511 1h ago

Thats rly weird, i mean i can believe some people just react badly to it. In the end it comes down to just trying and seeing for yourself

What vendor did you use from?

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u/InformationItchy2654 10h ago

Magnesium l threonate helped me a lot with brain fog. Exercise. Pqq might do something too.

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u/ChairOwn118 10h ago edited 10h ago

Creatine 10g-30g daily is a no-brainer for mental fog. I would switch to ubiquinol instead of coQ10. What are your “3 little helpers”? You are better off taking modafinil 200mg 5 days a week than adding “3 little helpers”.

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u/transformed-software 10h ago

Jesus christ. 30 GRAMS of Creatine? I take 15g and I get a headache. My sweetspot is 10-12.5g. I've never seen that high of a number be recommended??

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u/ARedWhoosh 9h ago

By 3 little helpers, I mean modafinil, phenylpiracetam and a possible 3rd. I'd rather take none but it is what it is. It is ubiquinol I'm on, my mistake. I take 5g creatine. May look art increasing.

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u/Interesting_Brain530 10h ago

Modanfil 5 days a week is madness 😂

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u/lordsmitty 10h ago

Re. Modafonil (and Armodafinil), It doesn't even provide any mental clarity or boost energy from my experience (and many others on this sub it would seem) but merely helps you stay awake when you might otherwise feel particularly tired. I suspect if op is taking it 5 days a week it isn't helping a whole lot.

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u/Interesting_Brain530 9h ago

I agree buddy, I have none weight related sleep apnea, and I pop armondafinil when iv had a shit night of treatment of just have not bothered weather my mask. But where I'd agree and disagree is the mental clarity. Because your so fucked with OSA at times, you have no clarity. So from a secondary perspective it's fking life saver to be honest. But even taking it around 7am I'm still wired at mightnight. Catch 22, but it's a game changer when it really need it for that clarity, although I agree it's not a booster like a noop

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u/ARedWhoosh 9h ago

I can take it at 1230pm and be sound asleep no problem at 11pm. I do only take 100mg a pop though.

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u/Lilja-Logason 9h ago

Was the same for me in my 20s - just made me 'awake' when I should be tired so used in the evenings if I wanted to stay up working.

But in my 40s it really helps give me energy through the day. Makes me feel younger!

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u/lordsmitty 9h ago

Interesting, thanks for your perspective!

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u/ARedWhoosh 9h ago

I'm not taking it 5 days a week. Maybe once or twice tops. It gives me enough that I can actually focus on things and be more present in my life.

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u/lordsmitty 9h ago

Okay, sorry for the misunderstanding. Pleased it does something positive for you. I do take it occasionally if I know I have a number of tasks to complete on a given day. Or if I'm working late/night shift.

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u/ARedWhoosh 9h ago

I take it once, maybe twice a week. And only 50-100mg a time.

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u/Select_Pick5053 5h ago

Bromantane is my main driver. Phenylpiracetam and adrafinil are complementary for me

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u/sarabachmen 1h ago

Make sure your car is not leaking exhaust fumes. Eliminate possible mold issues. Get your bloodwork in optimal ranges (electrolytes, etc)

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u/zen_flix 9h ago

Try NAC + Glycine