Energy Pills?

Hi,

Im not even sure if im posting in the right forum but I am lookig for some form of pills to give me energy / help me stay awake.. (Lots of work/exams coming up)

Something that I can buy without a prescription in Ireland - I dont want to get into the world of ordering pills online!

I dont actually like coffee so thats out.. I dont really like energy drinks either, but even when I did try them I didn't really think they done anything (same goes for the likes of berroca)

anyone have any ideas?

Weight loss would be a much loved side affect! (I joke, but I have heard that some of the 'energy' pills you can get online do have this effect)

All help appreciated!

cafecolour

Just a warning that they make you feel more awake and focused, but they don't actually counteract the affects of sleep deprivation on your brain's abilities.

ie I had a friend in law school who snagged some ritalin (actually an amphetamine) and used it to study for one of her exams. Said it was great - kept her really focused on the material, etc. Then she ended up bombing the exam. She gathers now it was great for keeping her staring at the page, but nothing was actually sticking.

Transform

Deleted User wrote: »

Hi,

Im not even sure if im posting in the right forum but I am lookig for some form of pills to give me energy / help me stay awake.. (Lots of work/exams coming up)

Something that I can buy without a prescription in Ireland - I dont want to get into the world of ordering pills online!

I dont actually like coffee so thats out.. I dont really like energy drinks either, but even when I did try them I didn't really think they done anything (same goes for the likes of berroca)

anyone have any ideas?

Weight loss would be a much loved side affect! (I joke, but I have heard that some of the 'energy' pills you can get online do have this effect)

All help appreciated!

i will give this about another hour to be locked!

Eating right and taking even just 15mins of exercise - even stretching will massively improve concentration and without the side effects.

Pembily

Transform wrote: »

i will give this about another hour to be locked!

Eating right and taking even just 15mins of exercise - even stretching will massively improve concentration and without the side effects.

In the OP's defence I was kinda looking for something similar, yet other side, more natural!!!! I take Red Lightning! It is all natural and meant to give energy!! I exercise and mostly eat well (read my food diary) not allowed stretch much at the minute due to a back problem but I am doing 80% of what I should yet sometimes (right now for example) I would love to fall asleep but its not practical as have 1000 words of one project to do and the list for the rest is endless!!!!

I was thinking of something natural like ginseng?? Is it a good idea?? Its not long term only 4 weeks left!! Last semester I went through 6cans of Coke Zero in 4 days :eek: Would much rather take a healhty tonic or something!!! I take B12, EVO, Fish Oils, Vit D, Cal Mag and Vit C!!! I try go to bed no later than 12 and sometimes I take a sleep tincture to help me switch off!

Suggestions please!!

Transform

Transform wrote: »

i will give this about another hour to be locked!.

I dont see why, Im just looking for the kind of thing I can get in boots.. not ritalin or anything. Even a cup or two of coffee in pill form seen as I dont drink it..or a scahet of something..

I was kinda looking for something similar, yet other side, more natural!!!!

I never said I wouldn't go for something natural... think this thread has picked up what I was saying all worng!

And for the most part I get enough sleep... but slump pretty bad if ye know what I mean..

Pembily

Deleted User wrote: »

I never said I wouldn't go for something natural... think this thread has picked up what I was saying all worng!

And for the most part I get enough sleep... but slump pretty bad if ye know what I mean..

Its just when you joked about weight loss I thought it was a bit more chemically!!!! I hear you on the slumps - they are wicked...

Fingers crossed one of the brains here can give us some insightful advice!!!

Not sure about caffine pills so can't comment and I don't drink coffee either!

AvaKinder

try Pro Plus caffeine pills. You can get them in most chemists, they're quite good but be very wary of how many your taking and don't exceed the reccommended dose as it can cause problems.

El_Dangeroso

There's no such thing as a free lunch unfortunately.:)

Anything that will give you an energy boost will eventually give you an energy slump later, sometimes leading to a cycle of slumps and highs, which I'm sure is the last thing you'd want.

But FWIW, Siberian ginseng gives me a slightly weird energetic feeling, only tried it as it was a free sample with an order from iherb.. horrible insomnia followed.

Careful with 'natural' formulas, they're all basically chemicals at the end of the day, naturally derived or no.

The most natural route is to avoid sugar, get enough sleep and most importantly drink enough water. Studies show large drops in concentration from only being slightly dehydrated. Agree with Transform, some light exercise can be great to clear the head and it's great weather for a walk right now!

Transform

Temple_Grandin wrote: »

There's no such thing as a free lunch unfortunately.:)

Anything that will give you an energy boost will eventually give you an energy slump later, sometimes leading to a cycle of slumps and highs, which I'm sure is the last thing you'd want.

But FWIW, Siberian ginseng gives me a slightly weird energetic feeling, only tried it as it was a free sample with an order from iherb.. horrible insomnia followed.

Careful with 'natural' formulas, they're all basically chemicals at the end of the day, naturally derived or no.

The most natural route is to avoid sugar, get enough sleep and most importantly drink enough water. Studies show large drops in concentration from only being slightly dehydrated. Agree with Transform, some light exercise can be great to clear the head and it's great weather for a walk right now!

green tea is a total winner also - http://thetransformationcatalyst.wordpress.com/2009/08/20/the-green-fat-loss-secret/

yes you can take proplus etc but you will get burn out from it, green tea would be best option if you do not drink coffee

Iristxo

Heheh I have two under-fours and a part-time job, if there is such a thing as an "energy pill" that helps you loose weight too I will kill someone to get my hands on it!

Seriously though to the OP sorry I am only joking I can not help with you query but as Temple says I agree there is not such a thing as a free lunch... good luck with your studies

yomchi

Deleted User wrote: »

Hi,

Im not even sure if im posting in the right forum but I am lookig for some form of pills to give me energy / help me stay awake.. (Lots of work/exams coming up)

Something that I can buy without a prescription in Ireland - I dont want to get into the world of ordering pills online!

I dont actually like coffee so thats out.. I dont really like energy drinks either, but even when I did try them I didn't really think they done anything (same goes for the likes of berroca)

anyone have any ideas?

Weight loss would be a much loved side affect! (I joke, but I have heard that some of the 'energy' pills you can get online do have this effect)

All help appreciated!

You could try l-tyrosine. Although not an immediate ass kicker, in good doses over time it can really aid alertness the same with DMAE which is a natural brain stimulator however you need to be taking it for about 2 weeks.

l-tyrosine - http://www.nutritional-supplement-educational-centre.com/benefits-of-l-tyrosine.html

DMAE - http://ezinearticles.com/?DMAE-Nutrition&id=436215

Both are available in health shops, although I've only ever come across DMAE in Nourish on Wicklow street.

eclectichoney

I find taking a good B-complex vitamin a bit of a help (maybe it's psychological, but sure, hey, if it works does it matter lol!), but that's more of a longer term approach I guess than an 'instant hit' type effect. Could be worth giving a shot though for a few months.

Thanks for all the help guys.. gonna try out the green tea option for now and maybe ask someone in a health store about supplements, etc.!

yogy

The best natural product on the market is Korean Gingseng which has been proven over thousands of years to be effective.

Be sure to go to a proper herbal shop or pharmacy and buy a good quality product. This will give you a sustained increase in energy levels over time.

For a more immediate effect maybe Berocca Boost might help as, along with a variety of vitamins, it also contains Guarana which is somewhat similar to ginseng.

The odd can of red bull might help for a quick fix but in excess will do more harm than good, as will pro plus pills. i.e. you get wired, stay awake but your concentration levels and powers of retention are not worth a fuck...

Transform

yogy wrote: »

The best natural product on the market is Korean Gingseng which has been proven over thousands of years to be effective.

Be sure to go to a proper herbal shop or pharmacy and buy a good quality product. This will give you a sustained increase in energy levels over time.

For a more immediate effect maybe Berocca Boost might help as, along with a variety of vitamins, it also contains Guarana which is somewhat similar to ginseng.

The odd can of red bull might help for a quick fix but in excess will do more harm than good, as will pro plus pills. i.e. you get wired, stay awake but your concentration levels and powers of retention are not worth a fuck...

i agree on ginsing but guarana is NOT like ginsing and is more similar to caffeine.

overall i would not bother with any of them unless the individual was taking some form of exercise and keeping the diet on track, exams or no exams it all comes down to allocating time to do 10-30mins of activity (yoga, walking, run, weights etc) and being more prepared with your diet so you do not fall into the 'just eat whats available' - thats just not valuing your nutrition enough.

Sapsorrow

Deleted User wrote: »

Hi,

Im not even sure if im posting in the right forum but I am lookig for some form of pills to give me energy / help me stay awake.. (Lots of work/exams coming up)

Something that I can buy without a prescription in Ireland - I dont want to get into the world of ordering pills online!

I dont actually like coffee so thats out.. I dont really like energy drinks either, but even when I did try them I didn't really think they done anything (same goes for the likes of berroca)

anyone have any ideas?

Weight loss would be a much loved side affect! (I joke, but I have heard that some of the 'energy' pills you can get online do have this effect)

All help appreciated!

Hi don't know if someone mentioned it yet as I haven't read the thread but I use proplus for studying, fifty mg caffeine per tab and you can buy them over the counter. I can only drink so much coffee as it puts my stomach in knots so I use these intead. I don't find you get a crash off them like you would from a strong coffee either it seems to last a lot longer too. Just don't go too mental on them (consider your poor liver) and bare in mind they're addictive if you're sensitive to stimulants in general.

EDIT: just read this thread, in the OPs defense as someone also working hard for exams at the moment myself (and for the last 3 years) I know first hand that eating well, sleeping 8 hrs and exercising is only going to do so much when you're trying to concentrate/work for 10-12 (or even more) hours a day, day after day for weeks on end and you find what you're doing extremely challenging. Really its nearly impossible to do it without some help, the way I look at it is I do this for 1-2 months of the year while the college stuff gets mental and after I get my degree I'll never take it again no big whoop I'm sure my liver can recover and it'll have been worth it if I get a good grade and get my careers of the ground. Telling someone to exercise or drink water or whatever isn't much help when you're as deep in the sh*t with deadlines piling upo around you as most students are right about now.

figrolls

Cant help with the energy pills I'm afraid, but I did take a combination of Ginsing, berroca and pharmaton capsules each year when i did exams, helped with energy levels and fought off illness which I usually get when stressed. Have a look in boots if your getting them, theres usually a 3 for 2 offer on around this time of year.

Hope the study/exams go well!

psmuppet

Hi! You could try Co Enzyme Q10, a natural supplement found in health stores (Such as Holland and Barret, Natures Way, Good N' Natural, Vitamin World) which helps the body's cells work more efficiently and effectively in releasing energy from food. Unlike most energy products, it won't raise the heart rate and there is no crash - in fact it is good for the heart (particularly for statin users). For your exams, a fish oil or Cod Liver oil supplement will raise alertness and will allow you to focus more easily. Gingko Biloba improves circulation and so also helps with memory and concentration. Good Luck

Well I tried boots pro plus today.. it might just be starting at a computer for hours but im pretty sure they too contributed in some way to my headache and irritability!

Sapsorrow

Deleted User wrote: »

Well I tried boots pro plus today.. it might just be starting at a computer for hours but im pretty sure they too contributed in some way to my headache and irritability!

Thats not unlikely, do you get headaches from freshly brewed strong coffee? You're probably like me and quite caffeine sensitive. Although real coffee gives me bad headaches I don't find the proplus do myself. Make sure and drink lots of fresh water of herbal tea with them, caffeine is a diuretic and makes you loss water through the kidneys so its likely that causing your headache.

khrystyna100

khrystyna100 wrote: »

Thats not unlikely, do you get headaches from freshly brewed strong coffee? You're probably like me and quite caffeine sensitive. Although real coffee gives me bad headaches I don't find the proplus do myself. Make sure and drink lots of fresh water of herbal tea with them, caffeine is a diuretic and makes you loss water through the kidneys so its likely that causing your headache.

Well I dont actually drink coffee... as in i really dont like the taste of it and done think iv ever made it through a full cup! Maybe im just not used of it.. because I dont really drink energy drinks or coke or anything like that either..

If I do use them again it will definately be with lots of water - Thanks!