Nootropics aren’t just for sitting down and doing finance work (lol). They’re pretty epic for hosts of other applications. And especially, as pre-workouts. The typical pre-workout has the usual suspects in it, right? Arginine, citrulline, L-Carnitine, Caffeine, Theobromine (sometimes), Creatine and whatever else. But what’s MISSING in most pre-workouts is the infusion of a focus agent into the mix, allowing better honing in on physique and lift goals, targeting PRs, and forward motion. You see – I discovered years ago, that it was quantifiably easier for me to push that extra rep, or stay the ..read more

Close-up of calm businessman sitting in the park meditating Humankind has been harnessing the power of nootropics for focus and other mental and physical benefits for over 10,000 years.  No, they didn’t have scientifically-backed nootropics. However, they did have access to Gingko and coca as a way to help positively influence cognition and mood.  Fast-forward to the 2020s and we have access to nootropics that can, in our always-on world, make it easier to be able to focus and stay on task.  For entrepreneurs, keeping your head down and powering through is essential fo ..read more

Did you know that two-thirds of Americans drink coffee daily? Compared to January 2021, this number is nearly 14% higher and beats out popular competitors such as tap water. Most people drink coffee for the slight buzz they get each morning, helping them power through their workday. That ‘buzz’ is a chemical called caffeine. But have you wondered if there are other ways to improve brain power and functioning? Alpha Brain alternatives offer some of the best nootropics for memory, cognitive functioning, and energy. If you have an interest in how alternative nootropics differ from the popula ..read more

Smarter Better Faster A surgical guide to using the nootropics for total mental dominance Ryan Michael Ballow CEO/Founder, Cortex Labs Founder of the Cortex Nootropic Stack, Nootropics Ground Zero, Nootropics Master Class, Nootropics God Course, and Nootropics Consulting Programs Copyright Copyright @ Ryan Michael Ballow, Surrogate Labs LLC (DBA Cortex Labs) Contents SECTOR 1: Nootropics Primer How nootropics work The primary neuro-chemicals that nootropics target Other chemical modulations nootropics target How long do nootropics take to work What sectors of mental functionality do nootropic ..read more

Anxiety. We all know it. We all have it. And we all hate it. Anxiety can be crippling. It can arise out of nowhere, and before you know it, overcome you and exert control over your normal, in control self. Anxiety arises, chemically, for a number of reasons, but as it relates to using nootropics for anxiety, we’ll lay out the most prominent among them: Gabaergic dysfunction, or cortisol overload. Both of these primary reasons for anxiety, nootropics can help alleviate by using targeted stacks, that are striking the right chords. Gabaergic Dysfunction and Nootropics Addressing gabaergic dysfun ..read more

CDP Choline VS Alpha GPC – which one is better? The ages old debate between choline sources. One of the most commonly asked questions in the nootropics industry: CDP Choline or Alpha GPC? Which is the better choline source to use? The answer is: it depends. The TLDR is: they do different things, and you want to choose which one to use based on your “target” for the stack (see nootropics usage methodology, God Course). Yes – they will both allow you to build more usable brain acetylcholine. Yes, they’re both pretty bio-available. And yes, dosed correctly, they should both help you to function b ..read more

Oh the lovely Phenylpiracetam. What a wonderful compound. Often dubbed the “Modafinil of Racetams,” Phenylpiracetam is quite the strong nootropic. I’ve taken Phenylpiracetam on and off for about 13 years, and quite frankly, I love the stuff. I’m happy it exists, it always turns my brain function on, and puts me in a place where productivity is a lot easier. But once you start feeling the positive effects from Phenylpiracetam, the natural question is: how often can I take this? And people usually ask: can I take phenylpiracetam every day? The short answer to the latter question is NO. You shou ..read more

Not everyday. lol – that’s the first important point to make. Nootropics should be cycled, for the most part, with the exception of compounds like ALCAR, and perhaps Vinpocetine. But one can get away with taking Aniracetam somewhat frequently. You’d probably be looking at 3-4 days a week, with the remaining days off of it, to help keep the effects stable and consistent. But just recently marked the 12 year mark of me taking Aniracetam in my nootropics journey. And boy has it been amazing. I use it in a variety of ways, as we discussed on the Youtube channel recently. I use it sometimes in a ..read more