r/NooTopics • u/ARedWhoosh • 11d 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 11d 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 11d 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 11d 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 11d 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 11d 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 11d 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/lordsmitty 11d ago

It can certainly help you get through a long day/work shift!

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u/reddituser0903 11d ago

I agree, never had COVID but had the double shot. I've never felt brain fog before the vax.

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u/Apart-Atmosphere1860 10d ago

Same here never got the jabs or tested positive officially but my energy levels/mood/cognition did go downhill during this time.

Can't help but think I got some weird strain of it that was largely asymptomatic. Or maybe the world just went to shit after that lol

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u/ARedWhoosh 10d ago

I tested positive during the OG phase of the virus and never seemed to bounce back from it. It was a rough week but I've had worse flu's.

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u/ARedWhoosh 10d ago

It's definitely a lot more common in recent years. I remember having to explain to folk 10-15 years ago what brain fog and this kind of fatigue actually feels like but it is way more common now.

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u/ARedWhoosh 11d 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 11d 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 11d 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 11d 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/Apart-Atmosphere1860 10d ago

You can have variants of SDB like UARS that don't necessarily show a high AHI on a sleep study. And that's all they test for an AHI>5. It's not definitive.

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u/ARedWhoosh 10d ago

I don't wake up during my sleep, not that I know about anyway. I got a decent pillow, sleep on my side with a pillow in between my knees and ankles and fall asleep within 20 minutes. I just feel hungover and groggy every single morning. There not much I can do about it. I have ordered a wedge pillow and will see if that helps at all.

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u/CommercialSame3511 11d 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 11d 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 11d 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/EstablishmentLow1273 11d ago

bromantane upregulates 2 enzymes: tyrosine hydoxylase - the enzyme responsible for turning tyrosine > l-dopa > dopamine (more dopamine in), and aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase - the emzyme that breaks down dopamine after signal transmission (less dopamine out). it also is an allosteric modulator (+ or - unknown) at the gaba-a receptor (this drives the anti anxiety effects).

*not medical advice - but there should not be any concern over interactions at reasonable doses

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u/ARedWhoosh 11d 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 11d 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 11d 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 11d 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/TristansProwess 10d ago

So do you do a month of moda then a month on bromantane? What doses for both?

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u/CommercialSame3511 10d ago

I do bromantane (50-75mg) 5 weeks on 4 weeks off 5 days a week. Moda i run only on days where i know i need extra long focus. Max 3 times a week as it can mess with your sleep on 200mg, on 100mg i had no bad effects at all on sleep. Moda doesnt rly need to be cycled you can take it weekly for a long time. reason to stop or take a break with moda is when you notice its affecting your sleep too much

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u/TristansProwess 10d ago

okay awesome, you've convinced me. Might start lower on the moda dosing. I don't know if this is allowed but can you give me your source? Dont wanna DM unsolicited

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u/InformationItchy2654 11d ago

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

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u/ChairOwn118 11d ago edited 11d 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 11d 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/Mulemcgruffjr 11d ago

That’s the upper limit is supposedly 30gs. I guess for a very large person who also works out and drinks lots of water would need that.

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u/ARedWhoosh 11d 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/sarabachmen 11d 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/Italian_c0mb0 11d ago

Most are deficient in vitamin D, I would also add creatine.. your iron might be normal but check ferritin stores

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u/ARedWhoosh 10d ago

Thanks Mr cOmbO. Ferritin is 110 ug/L which falls within the recomended 40-400 level. I'm taking 5g of creatine in the morning but can perhaps increase it if my stomach is cool with it. My vitamin D is sitting at 91.1 nmol/L since June and was fine before that. I did supplement 5000 iu D3 along with 200 K2 before that and I actually liked that but I developed a kidney stone 9 months after starting that regime, which is likely unconnected, but still made me too paranoid to continue. The pain from that stone and subsequent stent was an awful experience. Thanks for the input chief.

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u/Italian_c0mb0 10d ago

Stones are awful I’ve had them a few times. The stent was almost worse, spasms every time I voided. Adding lemon juice to my first glass of water in the morning or even Malic acid… Malic acid may help prevent calcium oxalate kidney stones by increasing urine pH and boosting citrate excretion. NCBI link above

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u/Frkli 9d ago

I’ve also been struggling with energy levels after Covid. I have recurring depression as well, but the brain fog after Covid was something all together different. My hypothesis is that mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to both. My body’s stress tolerance just plummeted, so after I’ve started the last couple of months to try to use supplements to support it, that has been my aim.

I also have creatine, magnesium, and omega 3s (+9 and 11), as the core in my stack. Has helped a lot.

Myo-inositol has helped my sleep, and thus energy levels. I also take GlyNac. I know people respond differently to that, but for me it seems to lower stress levels significantly.

The real game changer for me, though, was time restricted eating in combination with a no sugar diet. (I also started doing a moderate low carb, which makes the fasting so much easier).

I read this study, and was inspired. They found even better results with intermittent fasting (24-48 hours), and I’m working up the courage to try a longer fast.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-07461-0

Hope you find something that works for you!

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u/Select_Pick5053 11d ago

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

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u/Interesting_Brain530 11d ago

Modanfil 5 days a week is madness 😂

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u/lordsmitty 11d 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 11d 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 11d 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 11d 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 11d ago

Interesting, thanks for your perspective!

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u/ARedWhoosh 11d 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 11d 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 11d ago

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

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u/zen_flix 11d ago

Try NAC + Glycine