Supplements like BrainON, etc?

[c00013]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Has anyone every taken a "test anxiety" pill or supplement that has helped? I get extreme panic attacks during tests and find it hard to concentrate. I was recommended something like BrainON or Focus Fast because no accommodation is working (time + 1/2, quiet environment, etc.) Has anyone ever tried anything like this and have had good results?

Thanks!

 

[Biochemistry2014]

Look for something that has up to 100 mcg of huperzine A, has vinpocetine, and around 60 mg of gingko biloba. Try taking a few days ahead of time. Not sure what BrainON/Focus Fast have in them.

 

[efle]

I get extreme panic attacks during tests and find it hard to concentrate.

If this is true you should see a doctor about legit pharma help like beta blockers rather than this BrainON type of thing.

 

[yeezuswest]

Try some breathing exercises. During exams, especially between pages, I like to take a few seconds to really focus on my breathing. It's pretty simple, and there's no way of knowing for sure, but I really think it has helped me overcome any test anxiety I had.

I usually breathe in from my nose first, visualizing the air as it enters as a blueish green color, and then breathe out from the mouth, visualizing it leave. I know it sounds incredibly corny, but that's what works for me.

 

[mehc012]

I'm sorry, all I can think with this title is

...except for your brain.

 

[Holmwood]

Pills should never substitute for something that can be addressed with natural coping skills.
"Cognitive enhancers" taken inappropriately can end up hurting you in the long run...

You have to desensitize yourself to the testing condition. Try creating timed practice tests for yourself based off your notes. Or if it's an intro subject, take online practice tests so long as it's timed.

It's similar to stage fright. Just pretending to present in front of people can make you shake for no reason, right. Just keep rehearsing and you'll perform with less anxiety.


If you're anxious all the time (for seemingly no reason) and it's affecting your ability to function in daily task, talk with a doctor. Preferably one that isn't a pill dispenser (hard to find).

 

[Grace184]

Cloazepam with an rx of course...or a beta blocker- both PRN

 

[Grace184]

And legitimately- smelling lavender while you're studying then the day of your test. Sense memory. BOOM! It's real....

 

[ChillDawg]

Seriously, guys?
Straight to the benzos and beta blockers? This is going to help the OP get into, and do well in, medical school?

@c00013, dont look for a quick fix, this is an issue that has to resolved before you think about applying to medical school.
Have you taken the MCAT?

 

[amapples]

I find that I am often quite tired and it really affects my school habits at times. I don't know how I can be so tired so often. Are there any over the counter recommendations you guys have? I'm kind of against the idea of caffeine pills but if anyone has good experience with them, I'm open to hearing about it.

 

[Grace184]

I find that I am often quite tired and it really affects my school habits at times. I don't know how I can be so tired so often. Are there any over the counter recommendations you guys have? I'm kind of against the idea of caffeine pills but if anyone has good experience with them, I'm open to hearing about it.

1800charliesheen


Kidding!!!

 

[Grace184]

Seriously, guys?
Straight to the benzos and beta blockers? This is going to help the OP get into, and do well in, medical school?

@c00013, dont look for a quick fix, this is an issue that has to resolved before you think about applying to medical school.
Have you taken the MCAT?

Did you not read about the lavender?

Edit: as a pharmacist, I cannot ethically recommended OTC supplements as they have been branded by the FTC and there is no regard to the amount of viable product it must contain. Each batch has a different amount of product(s). The only stipulations for the product to be on the shelf is that it must be safe. There only sure way of a consistent product is to buy products that are USP branded.

 

[Holmwood]

I find that I am often quite tired and it really affects my school habits at times. I don't know how I can be so tired so often. Are there any over the counter recommendations you guys have? I'm kind of against the idea of caffeine pills but if anyone has good experience with them, I'm open to hearing about it.

Try having a consistent sleep schedule, sleep adequate amounts (everyone's different as to the amount), and dim the light couple hours before you sleep (preferably no sdning before bed). And take a little nap before you dive into your afterschool studies.

Caffeine is a temporary solution.

 

[goldy490]

I find that I am often quite tired and it really affects my school habits at times. I don't know how I can be so tired so often. Are there any over the counter recommendations you guys have? I'm kind of against the idea of caffeine pills but if anyone has good experience with them, I'm open to hearing about it.

Caffeine pills will end up sticking you with a nasty caffeine addiction pretty quick. Try a regular workout schedule, sleep schedule, etc. If that doesn't work, try green tea with matcha powder, its a natural way to get energy with a little caffeine bump. If none of that floats your boat, you could talk to your Dr. about chronic fatigue syndrome and Modafinil. I know some students who are prescribed it to help regulate their sleep and wakefulness cycles.

 

[sliceofbread136]

Cloazepam with an rx of course...or a beta blocker- both PRN

Lol...

 

[butternutsquash]

I find that I am often quite tired and it really affects my school habits at times. I don't know how I can be so tired so often. Are there any over the counter recommendations you guys have? I'm kind of against the idea of caffeine pills but if anyone has good experience with them, I'm open to hearing about it.

In addition to an adequate and consistent sleep schedule like others have mentioned, are you eating well? Food is your body's main source of energy so try to have at least three, well-balanced meals per day. Cut out the junk food or eat it sparingly. Use snacks in between meals as an energy booster. I literally cannot function without breakfast in some form, and even a small bowl of oatmeal goes a long way to help jump-start my morning.

 

[Grace184]

I'm not gonna lie to, I did a lot of ephedrine products like primatine- made me less shaky than caffeine. NOT RECOMMENDING!!!

When in doubt ask dr oz 😉

 

[Fenixak]

Has anyone every taken a "test anxiety" pill or supplement that has helped? I get extreme panic attacks during tests and find it hard to concentrate. I was recommended something like BrainON or Focus Fast because no accommodation is working (time + 1/2, quiet environment, etc.) Has anyone ever tried anything like this and have had good results?

Thanks!

Yeah, I wouldnt be thinking about taking supplements for "test anxiety". If you have anxiety before a test, thats normal. If you have a lot of anxiety in your life in general, go get some real medication. Supplements don't fix anxiety.

 

[Grace184]

I find that I am often quite tired and it really affects my school habits at times. I don't know how I can be so tired so often. Are there any over the counter recommendations you guys have? I'm kind of against the idea of caffeine pills but if anyone has good experience with them, I'm open to hearing about it.

Have you ever had a full work up with thyroid tests?

 

[RKBrumbelow]

Whatever you do (chemically, mentally, physically etc) make certain you repeat it as closely as possible on the day of your exams. I personally take Provigil and Adderall under my doctor's care, so you can rest assured when test day comes I will take my adderall at the same time I take it every day, then my Provigil the same. I honestly do not think either one will specifically help you, though I have paradoxical reactions to both, so they both help deal with anxiety for me. Again though, this is what I take under a doctors supervision every day anyway, so the point is to have your study sessions as closely meet the same climate as your testing sessions.

Also in addition to Thyroid tests, have the rest of your endocrine system checked low hormones in general can cause a sense of being tired all the time, but then so can a number of other conditions.

 

[deleted393595]

Has anyone every taken a "test anxiety" pill or supplement that has helped? I get extreme panic attacks during tests and find it hard to concentrate. I was recommended something like BrainON or Focus Fast because no accommodation is working (time + 1/2, quiet environment, etc.) Has anyone ever tried anything like this and have had good results?

Thanks!

I recommend 100mg daily capsules of snake oil.

 

[RKBrumbelow]

I recommend 100mg daily capsules of snake oil.

Can my streetside pharmacist rep fill that for me?

All seriousness: Anxiety is a real thing, but unless you have a problem with it in other areas of your life, medication/ supplements etc are not the answer... practice and confidence are.

 

[deleted393595]

Can my streetside pharmacist rep fill that for me?

Absolutely! They can also "prescribe" much higher "quality" stuff too 😀

 

[Ad2b]

I read your post on organic chem. Please seek out the student counseling center and get appropriate medication as well as other types of help (practice tests under normal conditions, like mentioned, etc.)

It sounds like you are advocating for yourself, please don't stop. And don't take supplements unless told to by a licensed physician.

Last: don't go down the rabbit hole of thinking this freshman GPA will kill your med school chances. Think baby steps ... fix the testing issue, fix the GPA.

 

[RKBrumbelow]

I read your post on organic chem.

Whose? There are a lot of voices in this stream now and I don't see any one advocating anything, well other than our resident mobster @ElCapone and they are advocating snake oil and Biochemistry2014 which everyone has refuted.

<.<
>.>
^.^

 

[NeuResurgens]

I this about the "secret brain pill billionaires use" ads I keep seeing?

 

[sliceofbread136]

Like others have said just take benzos and beta blockers. Maybe throw in some ritalin, ketamine, and electroshock therapy.

 

[Grace184]

Getting a full lab/endocrine work up,working with a therapist, using campus study resources, a psychiatrist (if recommended), etc

 

[resiroth]

I recommend 100mg daily capsules of snake oil.

Lol supplements these days actually work, at least the "pre-workout" or "brain" ones. Look up craze, it had an amphetamine analog in it. Conversely, because they actually do work, and are actually a drug, they have real side effects too.

For people saying "Beta blockers" just be aware that if you're stressed about academics, beta blockers are a great way of further reducing your cognitive performance. Beta blockers = A+ for performing in public etc. not for taking tests.

Anyway it seems like OP would best be served by a licensed psychiatrist.

 

[NickNaylor]

If you are having legitimate panic attacks, then that should be something you talk to a doctor or "learning specialist" (or whatever the title at your institution might be) about. I doubt "brain supplements" are going to solve legitimate panic attacks. Since many of them have caffeine to some degree in them, it might actually make them worse.

 

[jagster92]

All jokes aside from the above OP, there are people that are diagnosed with performance anxiety and can get a prescription often for propranolol or clonazepam. Don't feel weird talking to your doc about it cuz this is a legitimate problem and explain to him/her that you've had other accommodations in the past that haven't helped. Obviously meds aren't the first answer but non pharmacological stuff doesn't help everyone. Avoid the crazy supplements - they're crap and coming from another almost pharmacist nobody in good conscience should be recommending them.

 

[Grace184]

If you are having legitimate panic attacks, then that should be something you talk to a doctor or "learning specialist" (or whatever the title at your institution might be) about. I doubt "brain supplements" are going to solve legitimate panic attacks. Since many of them have caffeine to some degree in them, it might actually make them worse.

Yes please please don't turn to supplements. Get a real work up

 

[Ad2b]

Whose? There are a lot of voices in this stream now and I don't see any one advocating anything

Look at profile of OP, look at recent activity; it's on there.

 

[Biochemistry2014]

Whose? There are a lot of voices in this stream now and I don't see any one advocating anything, well other than our resident mobster @ElCapone and they are advocating snake oil and Biochemistry2014 which everyone has refuted.

<.<
>.>
^.^

I suppose I was trying to address the needs of needing temporary concentration for a single test. I love how everybody on this thread immediately treats supplements as if they're all BS. Some of them do work and have pretty solid research backings.

That being said, OP, if you are looking for something for continuous use, then you will be best served by your PCP or a psychiatrist. While you may find a decent supplement to help bring down your anxiety, we do not yet know the long-term effects of continuous use of many different types of these supplements.

 

[RKBrumbelow]

I this about the "secret brain pill billionaires use" ads I keep seeing?

Gotta get some o dat NZT-48

Look at profile of OP, look at recent activity; it's on there.

@Ad2b do you understand how ambiguous your statement was when you quoted nothing and simply said 'your'? 'Your' would typically refer back to the last speaker which was not the OP, it would have been EpCapone. We only have what you type to be able to figure out what you are saying.