How I Went From Aphantasia to Photographic Memory With Nootropics

Applying the 3-Step Process to Find the Right Nootropic

I used to be very bad at visualizing relationships between concepts, objects, or people.

No technique, specific object, or intention would help me.

I tried and tried, but my mind wouldn’t give me any images. None!

I diagnosed myself with Aphantasia.

“Aphantasia is the suggested name for a condition where one does not possess a functioning mind’s eye and cannot voluntarily visualize imagery.”

Unlucky me, I thought.

But then, a couple of months later, I discovered nootropics.

My use of nootropics would eventually yield me hyperphantasia, photographic memory.

I found hyperphantasia to be unsustainable, I’ll tell you why later.

The biochemistry of your brain determines your experiences.

Nootropics are supplements that alter your brain biochemistry.

One example is Caffeine, which is often used for focus, energy, and motivation.

In this article, I outlined how you can find the right nootropic for you, following a 3-step process.

The 3 steps were:

Step 1: Define cognitive function to improve

Step 2: Identify corresponding neural substrates/processes

Step 3: Engineer your brain for the experience you want

Applying the 3 steps:

Step 1: I had terrible visual imagination.

Step 2: I started my research and quickly, by searching google for “Neuroscience of visual imagination.” found that some brain areas (frontal cortex and primary visual cortex) are involved.

I divided my problem into sub-problems to be able to conquer it, and realized that my free recall (long-term) memory was also very bad. Maybe that was the root of it, I thought.

What neural substrates/processes are involved in free recall memory?

I concluded my research on this topic with a simple answer: Acetylcholine.

Step 3: Generally, though not always, it is hard to target specific brain regions with nootropics.

So I started looking into ways of increasing levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the brain.

I found that there are hundreds of cholinergic compounds that may give memory-enhancing effects.

I had to narrow it down. I decided to start with the one that had the best probabilities of helping me.

So I scouted google, r/nootropics, google scholar, pub-med, examine.com, selfhacked.com, and frontiersin.org to gauge which cholinergic nootropic had the most scientific evidence for benefits without probable side-effects.

After several hours of research (I recommend you read several different sources and try to get a meta-view of the scientific consensus), I decided to order some Bacopa Monnieri.

I had read in a study on BM that the effects would become more noticeable after several weeks of use.

So I started using 300mg Bacopa Monnieri every day for several weeks.

Bacopa Monnieri gave me incredible benefits. But also some side-effects.

The side-effects: I stopped feeling pleasure, acquired anhedonia, which gave me depression. This also contributed to a lack of motivation.

The benefits: Bacopa Monnieri gave me great memory-enhancement. I discovered a new part of myself. I could now tap into the past with my mind by volition, and create images of whatever I tried to visualize. Another benefit I experienced was an amazing speed of information processing.

Mission accomplished!

Due to the side-effects, I eventually stopped using it.

I am now, several weeks after stopping BM use, constantly motivated and happy.

The side-effects of BM ceased when I stopped using it.

I do think that some of the benefits have lasted though. I no longer believe I have Aphantasia, but I certainly do not have as vivid mental imagery as I had when I had taken BM for several weeks. My speed of information processing is still very good. These improvements correlate with my other biohacks that I’ve implemented during the past year; sleep, exercise, nutrition, and mindfulness.

Another lasting benefit is the development of self-awareness that nootropics bring. In the case of BM, it showed me what my mind is capable of in regards to memory retrieval and visualization.

Want to learn more about the 3-step process to find the right nootropic for you?

This blog post is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

This blog post was originally published at nootralize.com.