His pre-workout or pre-work stack (dopamine newsletter)

Cautions he mentions

• Alpha-GPC
  • A study suggests alpha-GPC taken chronically over many years could increase vulnerability to stroke; his read is that the data are not very conclusive.
  • The stroke concern seems related to increases in TMAO; he offsets this with 600 mg garlic whenever he takes alpha-GPC.
  • Half-life is about four to six hours; you wouldn't necessarily want to take it right before bed.
  • He takes it early in the day so it does not disrupt his sleep.
• Phenylethylamine (PEA)
  • Don't take these after 2-3 p.m. if you intend to sleep that night.
  • If you have bipolar depression or any other dopamine-sensitive condition, be very cautious.
  • Check with your healthcare provider before you take anything or remove anything.
• L-Tyrosine
  • I do not recommend following the dosages that were used in these two studies because they are exceedingly high; start with the lowest possible dose.
  • If you have a pre-existing dopaminergic condition (schizophrenia or psychosis of any kind, bipolar, anxiety), L-tyrosine will not be good for you.
  • People vary tremendously in sensitivity; for some people the best dose is zero milligrams.
  • People with preexisting hyperdopaminergic conditions like mania should probably not take L-tyrosine.
  • With bipolar depression or any other dopamine-sensitive condition, be very cautious.
  • There is a crash; not massive at appropriate doses, but it can come about a day later.
  • He says he personally tends to crash pretty hard afterward.
  • Keep an eye on whether you're combining it with caffeine or any other stimulants, and whether you crash the same day or the next day.
  • Don't take it after 2-3 p.m. if you intend to sleep that night.
• Caffeine
  • Start on the lower end of the 1-3 mg/kg range; if sensitive, start lower.
  • Avoid caffeine within 10-12 hours of bedtime; for some people 8 hours is fine.
  • If you experience anxiety or panic attacks, be very careful with your caffeine intake.
  • Avoid extended consumption of high levels of caffeine: increased risk of headaches, anxiety, irritability and blood vessel damage.
  • Large commercial coffees can contain as much as 1 gram (1,000 mg) of caffeine.
  • Caffeine is a diuretic (loss of fluid, sodium and other electrolytes); consume equal volumes of water with your caffeine.