Option 1 – #1 Adderall Alternative

So earlier in this article I mentioned a particular stack of Nootropics that work very similarly to Adderall.

I’m not going to get into a huge discussion about what Nootropics are.

It’s way too long and complicated, and will just turn this article into a big scientific discussion.

However, if you’d like to learn more about what they are, what they do, etc, then Click Here to Sign Up For my Ultimate Guide to Nootropics.

It explains everything in GREAT detail.

One thing I do want to mention here is that ALL of these compounds are SAFE to take.

I wouldn’t be recommending them if I wasn’t completely sure of it.

I’ve personally tested ALL of them, and never had any sort of negative side effect or withdrawal.

So What’s The Best? Mind Lab Pro…

Mind Lab Pro is a supplement I’ve used off and on for years at this point, and it’s one of the most effective nootropic supplements I’ve ever come across.

Unlike the Ultimate Focus Stack below, Mind Lab Pro is not a combination of supplements.

Rather, it’s a single, daily use pill that’s designed to gradually improve all facets of your overall cognition, including:

• Intense focus
• Sharp creativity
• Improved short and long term memory
• Accelerated learning potential
• Enhanced problem solving ability
• Optimal brain health

Instead of using a traditional nootropic substance like adrafinil, Noopept, or Alpha GPC, Mind Lab Pro takes a slightly different approach.

The 4 primary ingredients they use to achieve all of this are as follows:

• Citicholine
• Phosphatidylserine
• Bacopa Monnieri
• L-Theanine

Here’s a quick snapshot of the ingredients label:

I’m not going to get into a deep discussion about how all of these ingredients work.

You can see all of that in my official Mind Lab Pro review here.

What I will briefly talk about, however, is how it works.

How Mind Lab Pro Works

Unlike a lot of other over the counter Adderall alternatives that contain ungodly amounts of caffeine, DMAA, and other harsh stimulants, Mind Lab Pro takes a different approach.

It uses clinically proven extracts and substances that work to help you zone in on your work, pull up thoughts quickly, and drive your creativity through the roof.

Check out the official Mind Lap Pro website here: www.MindLabPro.com

What can I expect to feel?

While it takes a bit longer to start kicking in, once it does the effects are enormous.

You’ll not only have a keen ability to recall information quicker, but you’ll also be quicker on your feet in all facets of life.

This includes the boardroom, classroom, and playing field.

I would recommend taking it everyday to achieve the best results.

The effects of Mind Lab Pro seem to stack over time unlike some of the other options out there, but your patience should pay off.

You can learn more about Mind Lab Pro in my official review here.

Where Can I Buy Mind Lab Pro?

As of this reviw, the only place you can buy it is on their official website, www.MindLabPro.com.

Option #2: Ultimate Focus Stack

From my personal experience and testing, the best nootropics stack is a combo of Adrafinil, Citicoline, and Phenylpiracetam.

It’s basically a homemade adderall recipe that I’ve personally been using for years.

This combo basically provides a step-by-step approach to giving you an Adderall-like effect.

Step 1: Adrafinil

The first time I took Adrafinil I was actually pleasantly surprised.

Unlike stimulants such as caffeine, DMAA (more on this below), and yohimbe, Adrafinil doesn’t make you hyperactive and jittery.

Instead, it basically wakes you up.

It does this because it’s essentially the precursor to a drug called Modafinil (sometimes referred to as Provigil).

What’s Modafinil?

Modafinil is known as a “wakefulness-promoting agent”, and is used to treat things like narcolepsy and shift work sleep disorder.

However, Modafinil is only available via a prescription.

Adrafinil is NOT.

In fact, Adrafinil is BASICALLY the same thing as Modafinil, because it’s the precursor to it.

Related Article:  Adrafinil Vs. Modafinil – My Personal Results And Recommendation

What does that mean?

Well, essentially when you consume adrafinil, as it passes through the liver it is metabolized into Modafinil.

So, it “turns into” Modafinil.

In fact, I recommend it as quite literally the closest legal over the counter Modafinil alternative you can buy.

That’s step 1, getting you to wake up.

Step 2: Citicoline

Citicoline is a substance that has been clinically studied in its use in patients who suffer from cognitive impairment.

Those impairments include things like TBI, stroke, vascular dementia, and Parkinson’s disease.

Citicoline is actually a naturally occurring compound, and a building block of cell membranes.

It’s also been shown in several studies to help:

• Improve memory
• Improve learning capacity,
• Increase focus and concentration.

But it’s most effective as a neuroprotective agent, which essentially means it protects your brain from stress.

That’s step 2, calming you down and increasing attention.

Step3: Phenylpiracetam

Phenylpiracetam is actually a derivative of Piracetam, and is 30 – 60 times stronger.

The difference between Phenylpiracetam and Piracetem is just a molecule, but it allows Phenylpiracetam to pass far more easily through the blood brain barrier.

It also gives it more of a clean stimulant effect, and allows for longer and more fluid stretches of concentration.

Phenylpiracetam gives you clean stimulation, without jitters or crash.

You can take it when you need it, and don’t have to take it every day.

That’s step 3, getting you dialed in and focused.

So, just to recap.

Step 1: Adrafinil – will WAKE you up.

Step 2: Citicoline – will CALM you down.

Step 3: Phenylpiracetam – will get you DIALED in and focused.

How Should I Take It?

If you’re just starting off with nootropics, I would recommend that you take each one of these by themselves first to assess your reaction.

The suggested dose for each is as follows:

First Time Use

Adrafinil: 250 – 300 mg

Citicoline:    500 mg

Phenylpiracetam:  50 mg

Once you’ve taken all 2 at these low doses, then you can start to move up.

Intermediate Dose Range

Adrafinil: 250 – 300 mg

Citicoline:    500 mg

Phenylpiracetam:  60 mg

And if you’re a pro at taking this stuff, you can move on to even heavier doses:

Adrafinil: 250 – 300 mg

Citicoline:    600 mg

Phenylpiracetam:  100 mg

It’s VERY important to note that you should take all of these on a completely empty stomach.

I would also highly recommend that you take them first thing in the morning.

If you take them later in the day you risk insomnia, especially from the Adrafinil.

Where Can I Buy It?

My preferred vendor for all of these is Nootropics.com.

I’ve tried probably a dozen different companies that sell these particular compounds, and they seem to produce the highest quality effects at a reasonable price.

You can buy all of these individually on their website, or you can purchase their Ultimate Focus Stack which comes with all of them.

Unlike many of the other vendors that sell these as a powder, they ALL come in capsule form.

There’s no measuring or “guessing” how much you need to take.

Check it out here: www.Nootropics.com/product/ultimate-focus-stack

What Can I Expect To Feel?

Within about 15 minutes of your first dose, you’ll start to feel the effects. The best way I can describe it is like a fog being lifted from your head.

Instead of blindly staring at the computer screen, book, or whatever you’re doing, you’ll feel more engaged and motivated to start getting things done.

The effect is subtle at first, so much so that you might think it’s not working.

But it is, it just takes a little while to kick in.

Generally speaking, you’ll start to feel the best effects in about 45 – 60 min. This of course depends on the individual, but that’s been my experience.

Much like with Adderall itself, when it kicks in to its peak effect, you will surely notice.

One of the most pleasant surprises from taking this stack is, unlike with Adderall, you won’t get that hyped up, cracked out, awful comedown feeling.

You’ll get the focus and mood enhancing effects similar to Adderall, without all of the unwanted effects.

When it comes to taking Nootropics, it’s all about the dosage and how your body responds to it.

Some people (like myself) get a good response from a relatively low dose, and some people need a massive quantity to get an effect similar to that of Adderall.

It’s always recommended that you start off with the lowest dose FIRST. You can always move up, but once you’ve taken a dose you can’t go back!

Option 3 – 1,3 Dimethylamylamine (DMAA)

1,3 Dimethylamylamine is a stimulant that was VERY popular in a wide variety of pre workout supplements, fat burners, and weight loss pills, mainly because of one reason…it works!!

In fact, a number of Nootropic supplements I’ve tested in the past such as AddTabz and Addieup contained a significant quantity of the stuff, and at the time they were probably the closest thing to adderal I tested.

Otherwise known as DMAA, 1,3 dimethylamylamine was first invented by the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly in 1944 and used in inhaled nasal decongestants.

It was voluntarily withdrawn from the market in 1983, and since 2006 was sold as a dietary supplement when the substance Ephedrine was banned (more on that below).

By all accounts, DMAA was a GOD SEND for athletes and students across the country.

Users reported an insane increase in energy, mood, and concentration, and became so popular that the NCAA banned it from use in collegiate athletics.

All the major retailers like GNC, Vitamin Shoppe, Walmart, Walgreens and CVS were carrying what some people were calling the “next best thing to adderall” you can buy in stores.

However, as a result of a couple of random deaths and cardiac related events that were attributed to DMAA use, the FDA issued a nationwide warning on the substance, effectively taking it off of the market forever.

It’s important to note the irony in that last sentence…

You know when you watch TV and a commercial pops up for a drug and they talk about how great it is? Then they quickly follow with the potential side effects, which sometimes sound worse then the actual ailment it’s treating…

In my personal opinion, the FDA is in cahoots with the pharmaceutical companies because every SINGLE time the supplement market comes out with something that ACTUALLY works, it is quickly withdrawn / banned from the market because a couple people had some adverse reactions.

Meanwhile, the FDA actually approves drugs with KNOWN side effects like “an increased risk of death or stroke, uncontrollable muscle movements, coma, decreases in white blood cells, trouble swallowing, etc.”

For example, watch the commercial for Abilify and listen to the potential side effects:

Funny, right???

Well, it turns out after I did a bit of research there are still a handful of products sold online that actually STILL do contain 1,3 Dimethylamylamine.

Here’s a few I recently found on A1supplements.com:

EPH 100
Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals Black Widow
Hi-Tech Pharma Fastin
HydroxyElite
APS Nutrition White Lightning

It’s not clear how long they will be selling them on there, but as of this update (5/31/2016) they are all available for sale. At pretty decent prices too!

One thing you should note is that because 1,3 dimethylamylamine is structurally similar to amphetamines, it WILL give a false positive for amphetamine on a drug test for meth!

So if you’re involved in NCAA / Professional sports, USE WITH CAUTION! Or not at all!

Option #4 – L-Theanine and Caffeine

The last combo I would recommend that produces effects similar to those of Adderall would be the combo of L-Theanine and Caffeine. Like Phenibut, L-Theanine is a stress and anxiety relief supplement that has .

The combo of L-Theanine and Caffeine has actually been shown in clinical studies to promote faster simple reaction time, faster numeric working memory reaction time and improved scientific verification accuracy.

It gives a slightly enhanced euphoria, and in my opinion improves overall thinking ability, motivation, and focus / concentration.

Basically, L-Theanine seems to work on counteracting the negative effects you get with taking too much caffeine / stimulants, allowing for a better overall high.

I personally recommend the Nootropics.com brand of L-Theanine. It comes on smooth and lasts for hours.

It’s a very high quality theanine that synergizes well with caffeine, and has been my go-to for years.

It’s relatively cheap as well, click here to check it out!

How Adderall Works

In the United States, Adderall is a pharmaceutical drug that contains a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine stimulants and keeps the dopamine and norepinephrine neurotransmitters functioning in the brain. Adderall works by increasing the release of those two neurotransmitters, which are reported to be involved with ADHD.

Stimulants, such as Adderall, increase attention, alertness and energy. They release feel-good chemicals into the brain, producing euphoria and the feeling that one can achieve whatever they set out to do.

Historically, stimulants were used to treat respiratory problems such as asthma, obesity, neurological disorders and other medical conditions. However, stimulant use started to decline in medical settings when their potential for abuse became transparent. Today, stimulants are prescribed only for specific health issues, including ADHD and narcolepsy.

Adderall comes in both an instant release and extended release form. The instant release form starts working quickly, but has a tendency to fall off quickly. The extended release comes on a bit slower, but lasts longer.

Potential Dangers of Adderall

Although Adderall can make you more efficient, it has been associated with a number of alarming risks, including “come-down” or “crashing” effects. Adderall releases the chemicals serotonin, dopamine and adrenaline into the brain. These chemicals are naturally stored in the brain and are released whenever you feel happy about something. When you take Adderall, the drug releases those chemicals from storage, giving you a pumped-up feeling.

When the drug wears off, you may experience withdrawal symptoms, including acute cravings, sleep problems, fatigue, depression, excessive hunger, panic attacks and suicidal thoughts. Like many other powerful stimulants, Adderall makes you want to consume more of it. This is because Adderall prevents dopamine from replenishing itself, which creates the need to take more of the drug.

Ultimately this leads to dependence as you build a tolerance to it.

Other side effects of Adderall may include:

• Irritability
• Dry mouth
• Increased heart rate
• Restlessness
• Headache
• Loss of appetite

Click Here to see a full list of side effects.

Other Pharmaceutical Alternatives To Adderall

Stimulant Alternatives

Other stimulants which are designed to treat ADHD and improve mental functioning and behavior include:

• Ritalin
• Concerta
• Vyvanse
• Dexedrine
• Dextrostat

These stimulants have the same goal as Adderall, but they don’t always share the same mechanism of action. For example, Adderall prolongs the action of the dopamine and norepinephrine neurotransmitters for four to six hours. Ritalin, however, is shorter-acting (two to three hours).

In my experience, there is a fairly big difference in Vyvanse Vs. Adderall. For me, Adderall seemed to help more with focus and concentration, and getting things done. On the contrary, Vyvanse seemed to just give me a huge burst of physical energy, and not as much in the focus / concentration department.

Non-Stimulant Alternatives

Non-stimulants prescription drugs impact the brain differently from stimulants. They affect neurotransmitters, but they do not raise dopamine levels. Non-stimulants usually take longer to produce results, but they typically have a smoother, longer-lasting effect than stimulants.

Non-stimulants include:

• Strattera
• Kapvay
• Intuniv

Kapvay and Intuniv are usually prescribed for people who react poorly or have difficulty tolerating Strattera.

Although non-stimulants do not tend to cause stimulant side effects, such as sleeplessness and agitation, there may be exceptions. For example, Strattera might cause loss of appetite, nausea, dizziness and fatigue.

Generally, non-stimulants can be used if you would like to avoid the adverse effects of stimulants, or when stimulants prove ineffective or unsafe.