I'm interested in using supplements to help induce lucid dreaming.
Acetylcholine (Ach) is the main neurotransmitter responsible for sustained concentration. As such it correlates to REM sleep. Ach esterase is an enzyme that inhibits Ach. So one option for increasing waking concentration and REM sleep is to take an Ach esterase inhibitor, like Galantamine, which also contains choline. It stands to reason that boosting Ach at the same time you suppress its inhibitor would have a double effect. These substances do boost concentration and REM.
The problem is that choline isn't well understood. Eggs are the richest source of choline and a large study found that men who ate 2.5+ eggs per week had an 81% increase in prostate cancer compared to those who ate < 1/2 egg per week.
Richman EL, Kenfield SA, Stampfer MJ, et al: Choline intake and risk of lethal prostate cancer: incidence and survival. Am J Clin Nutr 2012;96:855-863
Fuhrman draws the conclusion that choline intake should be limited, but I wonder. An extra 2 eggs/week only adds up to an extra 300mg of choline, when the RDA for men is 550mg. We also know that correlation isn't causation. Eggs are also high in cholesterol and sulfur compounds, plus most Americans get them from toxic factory-farms.
Does anyone here take choline? What are your thoughts on it?
Acetylcholine (Ach) is the main neurotransmitter responsible for sustained concentration. As such it correlates to REM sleep. Ach esterase is an enzyme that inhibits Ach. So one option for increasing waking concentration and REM sleep is to take an Ach esterase inhibitor, like Galantamine, which also contains choline. It stands to reason that boosting Ach at the same time you suppress its inhibitor would have a double effect. These substances do boost concentration and REM.
The problem is that choline isn't well understood. Eggs are the richest source of choline and a large study found that men who ate 2.5+ eggs per week had an 81% increase in prostate cancer compared to those who ate < 1/2 egg per week.
Richman EL, Kenfield SA, Stampfer MJ, et al: Choline intake and risk of lethal prostate cancer: incidence and survival. Am J Clin Nutr 2012;96:855-863
Fuhrman draws the conclusion that choline intake should be limited, but I wonder. An extra 2 eggs/week only adds up to an extra 300mg of choline, when the RDA for men is 550mg. We also know that correlation isn't causation. Eggs are also high in cholesterol and sulfur compounds, plus most Americans get them from toxic factory-farms.
Does anyone here take choline? What are your thoughts on it?