[ComebackKid]

The problem that I have with making lifestyle changes, introducing new supplements, etc. is that most the time I can't understand if it really works. There are like 100s of different factors impacting well being and life is pretty chaotic and I tend to have rather shit memory, so I can't pinpoint if something is really working. This is particularly a problem with stuff which affects you gradually over long time. So to sum up my experiences with different things:

• Working out - works. No discussion needed.
• Omega 3 - I can't see any positive impact. Research says it helps though.
• ACV. Again I don't see impact.
• Juicing. Makes me feel better and effect is noticable.
• Zinc. No idea if it works. Keep in mind i am in low twenties.
• Modafinil (nootropic, reduces fatique). Works, however effect is somewhat subtle, With higher doses side effects begin to appear.
• Caffeine. Obviously works.
• Meditation. Makes me calmer short term. Don't know what long term benefit is.
• Good sleeping habits. Noticable impact.
• N-back training. IDK if works.
  

[Faust]

I saw no effect with zinc either.

Creatine pills doubled the number of pushups I could do in a single set. I was doing them every other day for months, and it doubled literally within 3 days of starting the pill. I have no explanation for this, and it seems far, far out of line with the experience of other users. But it happened.

[RXB]

Even if it doesn't end up working for you, it's still worth trying.

[reino341]

(03-03-2013 09:52 AM)RXB Wrote:  

Even if it doesn't end up working for you, it's still worth trying.

What if it's working but you just don't notice it. That's probably the crux of the matter.

[Pete]

-Creatine: I take Cellmass and while I've seen improvement and can do heavier weights, it inflates my muscles and I really look bigger, but my abdomen gets bigger, thus hiding my abs. (creatine makes your muscles retain water). So I use it more sparingly and in lower doses.

-Zinc: while I've noticed no improvement in fitness, I've noticed that while I take Zinc 2 times a day I'm pretty healthy. What I mean is in the past if I was very close to someone who was pretty sick (cold, flu, bronchitis, etc) I would get easily sick, but after that I haven't gotten sick once.

-Clonazepam: I was given these by a doctor after I had a bad case of bacterial meningitis and couldn't sleep. When I was at uni there were times when I had too many works and stuff to do and it stressed me out. I popped one clonazepam before going to sleep and all that stress was gone when I woke up. I felt like I had energy to run 20 miles and I get very productive. Be careful they're very addictive.

-b12: take it before I work out and I notice a very very slight improvement on energy. I also take them before drinking and they reduce or eliminate hangover.

-Green Tea: supposedly helps burn fat but I haven't noticed anything. (I'm not overweight, but I want more definition in my abdomen so I can see my abs even better)

-Milk thistle: I take it as soon as I get home from a night of heavy drinking, it reduces or eliminates my hangovers.

[Ensam]

1. Find an objective metric that you can measure, e.g. free testosterone
2. Keep a daily log of your activities for a week, everything you eat, how much you work out, how much you sleep, etc.
3. Measure your objective.
4. Change the one thing about your routine you're curious about for 4-6 weeks
5. Remeasure your objective.

A slightly less cumbersome way would be to journal. Keep a record of your mood, energy level, libido, etc. That way when you think you feel better after making a certain change you can go back into your log and see if your average levels actually moved around at all.

[The Pirate]

Omega 3 is not something you will notice now, it is a long-term benefit for you. Good for your joints and your blood-preassure!