To Diverge or Not to Diverge: When Nootropics Work—and then don’t stop working..

Apr 8

Written By Ana

The Check-In I’ve Been Avoiding

Since pivoting from personal to systemic deconditioning, I haven’t truly taken stock of how I’ve been progressing—trialling alternative ways of working, reshaping routines, and experimenting with supplements that modulate cognition and energy. This post isn’t a full evaluation—there’s something more pressing that’s been on my mind.

I’ve spoken before about my natural rhythm with ADHD: predictable waves of hyperfocus lasting seven to ten days, followed by two days of what I used to call “shutdown”. During this deconditioning period—where I was finally doing work that aligned with my intrinsic interests—I noticed a new pattern: three days on, three days off. I now see this was an active recovery from burnout.

Early on in this process, I started experimenting with a nootropic stack. Historically, I’ve been apprehensive about taking anything that alters my mood or cognition—especially after my experience on antidepressants. But the stack I chose is widely described in the literature as comprising neuromodulators rather than agonists. Unlike agonists, modulators don’t directly mimic or activate neurotransmitters. Instead, they regulate activity more subtly, without overwhelming the system (Lieberman et al., 2005).

That distinction felt safer, more stable. So I began.

B12 & the Stack - Why I chose this

The combination I’ve been taking includes:

Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus)
L-Tyrosine
L-Theanine
Vitamin B12 (administered via injection weekly in batches as prescribed by a medical professional)

I take these daily with my first meal—or alongside coffee. Coffee alone historically made me jittery and irritable, but Theanine has made a noticeable difference.

The rationale for B12 supplementation originally came from managing my long-standing deficiency and symptoms related to Morton’s neuroma. However, from a neurological perspective, its role in myelination—the process of insulating neurons—also supports efficient neurotransmission (Scalabrino, 2009). B12 is essential for maintaining energy levels and supporting healthy brain and nervous system function (O’Leary & Samman, 2010).

Emerging Effects: Focus, Clarity… and Something Missing

By the third week, I began experiencing a noticeable shift: clearer focus, steadier energy, and an increased capacity to stay engaged without the usual dips in productivity. But one thing caught my attention—something missing.

I haven’t experienced the shutdowns I used to rely on. These states, though disruptive, were my nervous system’s way of drawing a line. Without them, I’ve been in a near-constant state of alertness—productive, yes, but bordering on overstimulated.

And now I worry: is a full-blown parasympathetic shutdown coming? The kind where the body forces a systemic slow-down—what can feel like a coma-state of exhaustion, where rest and digestion override all else. In ADHD, dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system is common, and an inability to properly engage the parasympathetic response can lead to fatigue, mood instability, and immune disruption (Porges, 2009).

Shutdown Signals: Where Did My Recovery Go?

While this stack appears well-tolerated and supported by early research, none of these compounds is risk-free—especially with long-term use or in the absence of clinical oversight.

Lion’s Mane has been studied for its role in promoting nerve growth factor (NGF) and neurogenesis, yet long-term human studies are limited. Reported side effects include allergic reactions and, in some cases, respiratory symptoms (Spelman, 2017).
L-Tyrosine supports dopamine and norepinephrine production and may enhance cognitive flexibility under acute stress. However, its long-term efficacy in ADHD is mixed, and users may develop tolerance (Deijen & Orlebeke, 1994).
L-Theanine is widely considered safe and has shown minor benefits in reducing anxiety and improving sleep. In children with ADHD, it moderately improved sleep quality but did not significantly impact behaviour or attention (Lyon et al., 2011).
Vitamin B12, though vital, can mask folate deficiency at high doses and may lead to biochemical imbalances if overused without medical guidance (O’Leary & Samman, 2010).

And then there’s hyperfocus. Often painted as a gift, it’s more accurately a double-edged sword. It can support deep, focused work—but also contributes to executive dysfunction, neglect of self-care, and emotional volatility, especially when it becomes chronic (Hupfeld et al., 2023).

Hello! Yes, I have definitely been neglecting basic needs—caught in a cycle of constant output, leaping from one creative task to another in what has started to feel like a never-ending spiral of movement. After years of feeling creatively blocked, it’s been a relief to feel that creative spark again. I’ve loved it. But I’m also taking this as a sign to pause.

Still Rewiring

This isn’t a post to demonise nootropics—or to suggest we abandon experimentation altogether. It’s a check-in. A reminder that even “positive” shifts can come with blind spots, particularly when the system they’re acting on is sensitive, dynamic, and already wired for extremes.

One thing I do need to bring back into the mix: intentional focus on meeting my basic needs. Not in theory. In practice.

Until the next check-in. Soon, I’ll take my updated cortisol sample—it’ll be interesting to see if that’s shifted at all.

In the next chapter of honouring my neurodivergence—and neurodiversity at large—I’ll be exploring how current systems are not designed for neurodiverse minds. My goal? To define a working style that fosters creativity, productivity, and fulfilment—not just for myself, but for others walking a similar path.

Let’s rewire together!

References

Deijen, J. B., & Orlebeke, J. F. (1994). Effect of tyrosine on cognitive function and blood pressure under stress. Brain Research Bulletin, 33(3), 319–323. https://doi.org/10.1016/0361-9230(94)90287-9

Hupfeld, K. E., Abagis, T. R., & Erickson, K. I. (2023). Hyperfocus and attention in adults with ADHD: Exploring intensity, regulation, and impact. Journal of Attention Disorders, 27(2), 132–145. https://doi.org/10.1177/10870547211037374

Lieberman, H. R., Wurtman, R. J., & Chew, B. (2005). Changes in mood after administration of amino acids with and without carbohydrate. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 39(2), 135–145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2004.07.004

Lyon, M. R., Kapoor, M. P., & Juneja, L. R. (2011). The effects of L-theanine (Suntheanine®) on objective sleep quality in boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Alternative Medicine Review, 16(4), 348–354.

O'Leary, F., & Samman, S. (2010). Vitamin B12 in health and disease. Nutrients, 2(3), 299–316. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu2030299

Porges, S. W. (2009). The polyvagal theory: New insights into adaptive reactions of the autonomic nervous system. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, 76(Suppl_2), S86–S90. https://doi.org/10.3949/ccjm.76.s2.17

Scalabrino, G. (2009). Cobalamin (vitamin B12) in subacute combined degeneration and beyond: Traditional interpretations and novel theories. Experimental Neurology, 220(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.expneurol.2009.06.030

Spelman, K. (2017). Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s Mane) in cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disease. Journal of Restorative Medicine, 6(1), 42–50. https://doi.org/10.14200/jrm.2017.6.0103

Ana https://www.anagioarsa.com