Table of Contents
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) is the first B Vitamin to be discovered by researchers. “Thio-vitamine” refers to its sulfur-containing content. It’s called B1 because it was the first of the B complex vitamins to be identified.
It was Kanehiro Takaki, surgeon general of the Japanese navy back in 1884 that figured something was amiss. Sailors were dying on his ships from a disease called Beriberi. And Takaki surmised it had something to do with sailors eating only white rice.
It wasn’t until 1897 that Christiaan Eijkman, a military doctor in the Dutch East Indies figured out that the bran removed from white rice was causing problems. Something was missing in the diet.
In 1911, Polish biochemist Casimir Funk isolated what he called a “vitamine” from rice bran. Dutch chemists went on to isolate and crystallize the active agent in 1926. US chemist Robert Williams determined the structure of Vitamin B1. And synthesized it in 1936.[i]
In Japan, it was found that insufficient thiamine led to a central nervous system disorder called Beriberi. But supplementing with thiamine alone didn’t help because of its poor bioavailability. A lot of thiamine was needed to cure Beriberi symptoms.
So Japanese scientists created a derivative of Vitamin B1 called Sulbutiamine in an attempt to quell the health crisis within the Japanese population.
Sulbutiamine is far more bioavailable than standard thiamine. It is fat-soluble (thiamine is water-soluble) which helps it more easily cross the blood-brain barrier.
Advanced neurohackers add Sulbutiamine to their stack instead of standard Vitamin B1 (thiamine) because it’s better absorbed and used by your brain than B1.
Thiamine is a coenzyme used by your body to metabolize food for energy. And to maintain proper heart, nerve and brain function.
Thiamine also helps digest and extract energy from food. It turns nutrients into adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the cellular energy source synthesized within mitochondria.
And thiamine helps convert carbohydrates into glucose. The energy your body uses for your brain and nervous system.
One more thing about this miracle B-vitamin. Thiamine contributes to the development of myelin sheaths which wrap around neurons to protect them from damage.
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) helps:
- Brain Optimization: Thiamine is critical for increasing focus, energy, and preventing memory loss. And can ward off inflammation. Healthy brain function is crucial for good decision making.
- Neurotransmitters: Thiamine is essential for producing the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh). ACh is used to relay messages between neurons in your brain. And is critical for cognition, learning and memory.
- Mood: Thiamine helps your body withstand stress. A lack of energy can contribute to poor mood and motivation. Thiamine can boost your mood, and defend against depression and anxiety.
Overview
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) is the first of the B-Complex vitamins identified. And designated B1 as a result.
Japanese researchers were the first to determine that something was missing in the diet of those who ate only polished rice.
Polished rice is one of the first “processed foods”. And of course there were problems right from the start. The bran coating on rice kernels contained what was later identified as thiamine (Vitamin B1).
The Japanese population were severely thiamine-deficient from this rice-only diet. Large numbers of the population were suffering from Beriberi. A central nervous system disorder caused by a lack of thiamine.
Once scientists determined it was thiamine that was behind a major, country-wide health crisis, they went on to develop Sulbutiamine. It was better absorbed by the brain than standard thiamine.
Your body does not produce thiamine on its own. So you must get it from food including beef, brewer’s yeast, legumes (beans, lentils), milk, nuts, oats, oranges, pork, rice, seeds, wheat, whole-grain cereals, and yeast.
But thiamine has poor bioavailability when taken as a nootropic supplement. A derivative of thiamine called Sulbutiamine is a fat-soluble compound that is easily digested. And readily crosses the blood-brain barrier.
Thiamine vs. Sulbutiamine: What’s the Difference?
Sulbutiamine is a synthetic version of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine). It is two B1 molecules chemically bonded together.
Thiamine is water-soluble and does not easily cross the blood-brain barrier. Sulbutiamine is a fat-soluble compound that easily crosses the blood-brain barrier.
Sulbutiamine functions in the body just like thiamine. But because it’s more bioavailable it’s more effective than thiamine.
How does Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) work in the Brain?
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) boosts brain health and function in several ways. But two in particular stand out.
- Thiamine increases levels of thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP). TPP is directly involved in the citric acid (KREB) cycle in the brain.
This cycle breaks fatty acids, amino acids and monosaccharides into smaller molecules that produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP) energy within your mitochondria. And provide the building blocks of the molecules needed to produce brain cells.
A deficiency of TPP can eventually show up as Wernicke encephalopathy and Korsakoff syndrome. In our society this syndrome is typically caused by chronic alcoholism. But it can also occur after obesity (bariatric) surgery, Crohn’s disease, anorexia, diabetes, and if you’re on kidney dialysis.
Symptoms of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome include confusion, inability to form memories, loss of memories and muscle coordination, confabulation (making up stories) and vision changes. And can ultimately (and very rapidly) lead to coma and death.[ii]
Less severe cases of thiamine deficiency include fatigue, weight loss, irritability and confusion.
- Thiamine also contributes to the production of the enzyme PDH which is essential for making the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. And for the synthesis of myelin, which forms a sheath around the axons of neurons. Ensuring these neurons can conduct signals.[iii]
The citric acid (KREB) cycle and enzyme α–KGDH play a role in maintaining optimal levels of the neurotransmitters glutamate, and gamma–aminobutyric acid (GABA).
When thiamine levels decrease, the activity of these enzymes are reduced.[iv]
How things go bad
We depend on our diet for thiamine. Very little thiamine is stored in your body. And depletion can occur within 14 days.
Thiamine deficiency can be caused by alcoholism, Alzheimer’s Disease, anemia, athletes who reduce food intake, cancer, clogged arteries, Crohn’s disease, diabetes, diarrhea, gastric bypass surgery and kidney disease. And even a poor diet.
Several foods are also considered “anti-thiamine factors” (ATF) and contribute to the risk of thiamine deficiency in otherwise healthy people. Certain plants contain ATF, which react with thiamine to form an oxidized, inactive product.
Consuming large amounts of tea and coffee (including decaffeinated), as well as chewing tea leaves and betel nuts, have been associated with thiamine depletion in humans.[v]
ATF include mycotoxins (molds) that break thiamine down in the blood. If you eat certain raw, fresh-water fish, raw shellfish and ferns you are at a greater risk of thiamine deficiency.[vi] Thiamine is also inactivated by cooking food.
Thiamine is a cofactor of several enzymes including transketolase, pyruvate dehydrogenase, and alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase. Thiamine deficiency decreases cerebral glucose utilization which results in mitochondrial damage.
Scientists have seen through the electron microscope; disintegrating mitochondria, chromatin clumping, and swelling of degenerating neurons. Yikes!
↓ Low thiamine levels can slow creation of ATP
↓ Energy levels drop
↓ Low thiamine levels can cause problems with memory, learning, recall and perception
↓ Acetylcholine levels decline
↓ Blood pressure drops, reflexes decline, and calf muscles get tender
↓ Heart muscles enlarge
↓ Severe thiamine deficiency can result in psychosis
Thiamine supplementation can help nearly every active adult, as well as a student looking to do better in school. By boosting acetylcholine, glutamate and GABA in the brain. Providing increased brain energy by contributing to the synthesis of ATP. And building myelin sheaths that protect our axons needed for brain cell signaling.
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) Benefits
Thiamine occurs in your body as free thiamine and as various phosphorylated forms: thiamine monophosphate (TMP), thiamine triphosphate (TTP), and thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP), which is also known as thiamine diphosphate.
The synthesis of TPP from free thiamine requires magnesium, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and the enzyme thiamine pyrophosphokinase. TPP is required for the metabolism of carbohydrates and branched-chain amino acids.
Thiamine is directly involved in the citric acid (KREB) cycle that provides adenosine triphosphate (ATP) cellular energy created in your mitochondria.
Thiamine also plays a role in maintaining optimal levels of the neurotransmitters glutamate, and gamma–aminobutyric acid (GABA). And contributes to the production of the enzyme pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) which is essential in making the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.
Thiamine will boost cognition, memory and decision-making. And provides very effective anxiolytic (anti-depressant) qualities.
How does Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) feel?
Thiamine is water-soluble, and has been shown to improve glutamate, and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurological transmissions.[vii]
If you are perfectly healthy and don’t have a thiamine deficiency, you’ll likely not feel anything after supplementing with thiamine.
But I’ve come across study after study, and reports on forums, where lab tests showed thiamine and thiamine pyrophosphate within range. And yet people were dealing with “mild thiamine deficiency”. The problem is “mild thiamine deficiency” can turn your world upside down.
If you are hypothyroid or dealing with Hashimoto’s there is a very good chance you would benefit from thiamine supplementation. Same with diabetes, fibromyalgia and inflammatory bowel disease.
Neurohackers report that supplementing with thiamine is an effective mosquito repellent.
Many report thiamine supplementation boosts attention, energy, and motivation. A reduction in brain fog and increased mental clarity with less anxiety.
Those dealing with fibromyalgia and nerve pain report a significant decrease in pain levels.
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) Clinical Research
Most of the research conducted on Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) has been with people dealing with fatigue or pain associated with fibromyalgia, thyroid disease and other debilitating conditions. And most have very few participants. But the results in every trial I’ve reviewed are profound.
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) Improves Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
If you’ve ever had to deal with fibromyalgia, you are familiar with the hell of living with chronic pain, fatigue, insomnia and more.
Some studies suggest that many of the symptoms of fibromyalgia could be related to mild thiamine deficiency due to a dysfunction of the active transport of thiamine from blood to the mitochondria.
One very small study conducted in Italy recruited 3 female patients with fibromyalgia. Levels of thiamine and thiamine pyrophosphate in the blood were measured. The patients then received from 600 mg to 1800 mg of thiamine per day. And the results were astounding:
- Patient 1: 3% reduction in fatigue; 80% reduction in pain
- Patient 2: 37% reduction in fatigue; 50% reduction in pain
- Patient 3: 7% reduction in fatigue; 60% reduction in pain
One patient reported improvement at 600 mg of thiamine. Doses for the other 2 patients were increased by 300 mg every 3 days. And experienced improvement in their symptoms at a dose of 1500 mg. None of the patients experienced side effects.[viii]
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) for Chronic Fatigue
If you deal with chronic fatigue, Thiamine may be a better option than another cup of coffee. Or a stimulant.
Researchers in Italy noted that previous studies on fatigue and related disorders like inflammatory bowel disease improved after therapy with high-dose thiamine.
The team chose 3 stroke patients who also experienced fatigue. Severity of fatigue was assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale. Note that lab tests showed free thiamine and thiamine pyrophosphate levels were within the healthy reference range in all the patients.
High-dose thiamine therapy was started. And resulted in a significant decrease in fatigue.
The researchers concluded that post-stroke fatigue and related disorders could be a manifestation of mild thiamine deficiency. Likely due to dysfunction of intracellular transport of thiamine, or other enzyme abnormalities.[ix]
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
Researchers in Italy hypothesized that the chronic fatigue accompanying inflammatory and autoimmune diseases is a clinical manifestation of mild thiamine deficiency.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is both an autoimmune disease and cause of hypothyroidism. In this study, 3 Hashimoto’s patients complaining of chronic fatigue were recruited.
All 3 patients received 600 mg of thiamine per day, or 100 mg of thiamine intravenously (IV) once every 4 days. Thiamine treatment led to partial or complete remission of fatigue within a few hours or days.[x]
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) recommended Dosage
The recommended dosage of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) according to the American FDA is 1.2 mg per day. Pregnant and breastfeeding women is a whopping 1.4 mg per day.
Many neurohackers would laugh at these recommendations. “Mild thiamine deficiency” affects a significant segment of the population in any country.
Most clinical studies use thiamine doses from 300 up to 1800 mg per day.
The bottom-line is thiamine dosing is completely up to you. No side effects are reported even at higher doses.
The Mayo Clinic recommends:
- Menstrual cramps – 100 mg per day
- Epilepsy – 50 mg per day
- Alcoholic liver disease and withdrawal – 100 mg injections of thiamine hydrochloride
- Coma or hypothermia – 100 mg injections
- Thiamine deficiency due to nutrition – 100 mg injections
- Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome – 5 – 200 mg injections[xi]
Some natural health clinics offer (expensive) thiamine therapy intravenously (IV) and doses are usually 25 – 50 mg per session.
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) Side Effects
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) is non-toxic. So is considered well-tolerated and safe.
Side effects are rare but very high doses can include stomach upset.
If you are taking Digoxin, diuretics or Dilantin you should consult your doctor before supplementing with thiamine.
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) types to buy
Thiamine hydrochloride (HCl): Most Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) supplements available from online retailers and vitamin shops come as Thiamine hydrochloride (HCl). And come in 50 – 500 mg tablets.
Benfotiamine (S-benzoylthiamine O-monophosphate) is a synthetic S-acyl derivative of thiamine. This fat-soluble form of thiamine is much more bioavailable than HCI. Benfotiamine typically comes in 150 – 250 mg capsules. Dosage is up to 900 mg per day.
Tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide (TTFD) (Fursultiamine): TTFD is a disulfide derivative of thiamine developed in Japan for treating Beriberi. It’s a synthetic form of thiamine naturally occurring in garlic.[xii]
TTFD is a form of thiamine that is water-soluble, and much more difficult to find in vitamin shops. Brand names include Lipothiamine, Allithiamane, Adventan, Alinamin-F, Benlipoid, Bevitol Lipophil, Judolor. TTFD comes in 50 mg capsules. And the primary side effect is you smell like garlic after taking it.
Sulbutiamine: Sulbutiamine is my preferred form of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) for cognitive enhancement. Sulbutiamine is sold in tablet, capsule and powder form. Tablets and capsules are usually 750 mg each.
Sulbutiamine is a synthetic version of thiamine (two thiamine molecules bound together). It’s sold as a prescription medication in some countries under the brain names Arcalion, Enerion, Bisibuthiamine, and Youvitan.
Multivitamins: Most multivitamins also include some form of Vitamin B1 in their formula. But many of these multis don’t contain enough for optimum health. And many have an inferior isolated or synthetic version of the nutrient.
The Performance Lab® NutriGenesis Multi offers a nature-identical form of Vitamin B1 (thiamine) and is now my favorite daily multivitamin/mineral supplement.
I prefer the Performance Lab® multi because it’s more potent, it’s biologically active and I’ve found to be a far more effective multi compared to every other multivitamin supplement I’ve ever used.
Performance Lab® uses their own priority NutriGenesis® vitamins and minerals which are grown on probiotic, plant and yeast cultures in a state-of-the-art lab.
Nootropics Expert Recommendation
Vitamin B1 (thiamine) 50 – 100 mg per day
I recommend using Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) as a nootropic supplement.
Your body does not make thiamine on its own. So to get its benefits you must get it from food, or take it as a supplement.
Vitamin B1 is especially helpful for those suffering from low energy levels, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain.
Experience shows thiamine helps stop and reverse the symptoms associated with fatigue. Likely because this nootropic helps boost the activity of acetylcholine, GABA and glutamate in the brain.
Thiamine is also a very effective mosquito repellent. I live in SE Florida where we’re currently under a Zika scare. But I do not experience problems with mosquitoes. Likely because of adequate thiamine levels in my body.
Personally, I’ve found Sulbutiamine to be much better for cognition than standard thiamine. And more effective (and safer) than any prescription anti-depressant I’ve ever tried.
Sulbutiamine is also particularly helpful to students and executives who want to boost cognition, learning and memory.
Vitamin B1 can produce a noticeable increase in mental clarity. And give you a significant energy boost physically and mentally. You’ll feel more awake and alert. Without the side effects you’d get from stimulants like caffeine.
Vitamin B1 is a must have addition for any nootropic stack. If you are using any of the racetams like Piracetam and Aniracetam you may want to consider adding Sulbutiamine as well.
At the very minimum every neurohacker should be using a multivitamin every day that includes Vitamin B1 (thiamine). The best multi I’ve found and use every day is the Performance Lab® NutriGenesis Multi for men or women.
Join The Discussion - 108 comments
Brien Quirk
January 10, 2022
Thanks for this detailed review, but a couple things have caused me some hesitation to consider supplementing with thiamine:
1) There was no mention of insomnia or anxiety as a side effect, yet an Alzheimer’s disease clinical trail by Gibson published in 2020 showed that the thiamine treatment group had a 14% rate of anxiety compared to only 8% in the placebo group. Others have reported insomnia. When I took 100 mg of regular Thiamine HCL, I had both anxiety and insomnia very noticeably worsen.
2) From the following excerpt (below) of what you had written it seems that the water soluble form of thiamine HCL is not well absorbed and is ineffective (I have heard others make this claim as well), being that might be true, what form is found in foods (water soluble or fat soluble) and why are these and the very little found in rice bran able to prevent beriberi in most people? When the Japanese developed beriberi it was stated that much higher dosages of the lipid soluble sulbutiamine form was needed to cure the disorder. Was this due to some physiological damage that necessitated much higher doses now to overcome this defect? If people have not had this damage, but just ordinary fibromyalgia for instance, then why wouldn’t water soluble forms at lower dosages suffice?
Excerpt:
“Your body does not produce thiamine on its own. So you must get it from food including beef, brewer’s yeast, legumes (beans, lentils), milk, nuts, oats, oranges, pork, rice, seeds, wheat, whole-grain cereals, and yeast.
But thiamine has poor bioavailability when taken as a nootropic supplement. A derivative of thiamine called Sulbutiamine is a fat-soluble compound that is easily digested. And readily crosses the blood-brain barrier.
Thiamine vs. Sulbutiamine: What’s the Difference?
Sulbutiamine is a synthetic version of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine). It is two B1 molecules chemically bonded together.
Thiamine is water-soluble and does not easily cross the blood-brain barrier. Sulbutiamine is a fat-soluble compound that easily crosses the blood-brain barrier.
Sulbutiamine is a synthetic version of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine). It is two B1 molecules chemically bonded together.
No side effects are reported even at higher doses.”
David Tomen
January 11, 2022
Brien, the side effects you mention are included in my Sulbutiamine review here: https://nootropicsexpert.com/sulbutiamine/#sulbutiamine-side-effects
The Japanese got Beriberi because they were on a white rice diet and became severely thiamine deficient. Thiamine taken as a supplement does not easily cross the blood-brain barrier according those Japanese scientists and could not cure Beriberi. Which is why they developed the fat-soluble version of Sulbutiamine. My Sulbutiamine article explains the difference between regular thiamine and Sulbutiamine.
Many even in our Western society are thiamine deficient with horrible consequences and which often goes untreated by mainstream medicine. There are several causes of thiamine deficiency including not getting enough thiamine from your diet, lack of nutrients in our modern food supply, alcoholism, Crohn’s Disease, anorexia, bulimia, and those on kidney dialysis.
Brien Quirk
January 18, 2022
Hi David,
Thanks for trying to answer my question, but I’m still puzzled why the small amount of thiamine in unpolished rice was able to prevent beriberi in the first place. Was the form in the rice bran/germ lipid soluble and able to penetrate the blood brain barrier as compared to the water soluble form thiamine HCL used in most supplements? If so, then why does it take such huge doses of sulbutiamine to treat beriberi after it develops when the amounts in unpolished rice were so small in comparison before beriberi had occurred?
I appreciate you referring me to the side effects of sulbutiamine. If I experience insomnia from this could I try tapering the dosage until it goes away? Would benfotiamine be less likely to cause insomnia?
Many thank!,
Brien
David Tomen
January 18, 2022
Brien, not sure about Benfotiamine and insomnia but it may be less likely because it does not cross the blood-brain barrier.
Your reference to rice bran/germ is noted but consider the difference between being severely thiamine deficient and what it takes to correct that.
I imagine long-term use of whole foods like whole rice will keep your thiamine levels high enough to prevent problems.
But remember this was about 70 years ago when the food grown contained a LOT more nutrients than the food we get today. It may have been possible to maintain adequate levels of thiamine to prevent problems by using whole food back then. But it’s not possible in 2022. Which is why we supplement.
Brien Quirk
January 22, 2022
This study supports benfotiamine crossing the blood brain barrier: “The supplementation with 150 mg/kg of benfotiamine for 30 days increased the concentrations of thiamine diphosphate in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex. This led to an improvement in mitochondria enzymes and insulin signaling pathway, with inactivation of GSK3α/β and ERK1/2, which are two tau-kinases related to the progression of AD, which could decrease tau hyperphosphorylation and apoptosis signaling. Besides, we observed an increased amount of Glun2b subunit of NMDA receptors, decreased inflammation, and improvement of cognitive deficit. Together, these results suggest that benfotiamine could be a potential therapeutic approach in the treatment of sporadic AD. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32987117/
David Tomen
January 22, 2022
Brien, I haven’t the time nor the inclination to debate this with you. If you want to use Benfotiamine then use it.
Kodi
January 6, 2022
Is TTFD safe as sulbuthiamine? I heard that TFD component is toxic to the liver.
David Tomen
January 7, 2022
Kodi, according to this study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC6073388/ it is safe to use long-term and does not harm your liver.
Charity
October 2, 2021
Hi David, I’m currently taking sulbutamine and its miraculous! I’m reading that it needs to be cycled so I’m wondering if something like Thiamax would be a good sub to use when I cycle off of sulbutamine. I’m having a hard time understanding the difference in the two supps other than that one is fat soluble and one is water soluble.
David Tomen
October 2, 2021
Charity, I’ve never cycled Sulbutiamine and it works great! I think “tolerance” is way over-rated and the majority of supplements I’ve reviewed do not require cycling. So this is up to you if you decide to cycle it. You can try it by using Sulbutiamine for 5 days then take two days off. And see if that makes a difference. If not then do not bother cycling.
The difference is regular Thiamine does not easily cross the blood-brain barrier. But Sulbutiamine easily crosses into the brain. Taking regular Thiamine on the “off” days if cycling won’t make a difference.
charity smith
October 5, 2021
Thank you! I think the mosquito repelling benefits may be worth taking the thiamine sometimes too!
David Tomen
October 5, 2021
Charity, best mosquito repellant on the planet has been my experience. But you can’t take it “sometimes”. You need to use it every day to make sure there is enough in your system to repel the mosquitos.
Malik
August 22, 2021
Hello David! Can TTFD also cross the blood brain barrier easily?
David Tomen
August 23, 2021
Malik, TTFD must be able to get into the brain because it was developed by the Japanese to treat Beriberi. It’s a synthetic form of thiamine naturally occurring in garlic. The only problem with it is you smell like garlic when using it.
Xisca Nicolas
September 12, 2021
I take TTFD and do not smell garlic at all because now it is the second generation and a different product from the 1st they made. Just try it…
Tony DeChico
July 12, 2021
Love your work David,
There is new evidence that Benfothiamine DOES cross the blood-brain barrier.
https://journals.lww.com/neuroreport/Abstract/9000/The_impact_of_thiamine_deficiency_and_benfotiamine.97798.aspx?fbclid=IwAR0WrZBrgXv56Cl9hZXMOt4EIEy5uS2E-xc1j42sXXa-qebjI6q4IJomPsg
David Tomen
July 13, 2021
Tony, good find. I’ll need to do more research on Benfotiamine. Still think Sulbutiamine is the better choice because of it’s track record.
Tony DeChico
July 30, 2021
Hi David,
I have CHF and SCA. I decide to take the Benfotiamine 150×3 for my heart, and the Sulbutiamine 200×3 for my brain. I’m sure there will be a lot of overlap, but Sulbutiamine, as you say, has been shown to enter neurons.
Btw, I’ve experienced and others have experienced what is called “Paradoxical Response” from high dose HCL and the more potent TTFD’s.
So far for me no adverse reaction to Benfo or Sulb.
You are 100% right imo, Sulbutiamine is the top choice for neuro benefits.
Best Regards, Tony
Tammy
June 28, 2021
Hi David
I’ve got elevated ALT (38) on a liver function test due to overdoing it with alcohol (my liver blood proteins are all within range).
Would Sulbutiamine help restore my liver or would you have any other recommendations?
(i take Np Thyroid, Vit c, Vit D, p-5-p, DLPA, phosphatlyserine and magnesium L-threonate)
Thanks T
David Tomen
June 29, 2021
Tammy, Sulbutiamine will not be much help to your liver. What does helps support liver function are supplements including: Milk Thistle, *Artichoke Extract, *Turmeric, Ginger, *Phosphatidylcholine (PC), *Selenium and *Molybdenum. I’ve done the research for the supplements with an “*” beside them and you’ll find those by searching this site or scrolling down this list: https://nootropicsexpert.com/nootropics-list/
The last two you’ll find in these articles:
https://nootropicsexpert.com/13-vitamins-essential-for-the-optimized-brain/
https://nootropicsexpert.com/13-minerals-essential-for-the-optimized-brain/
Andy
June 15, 2021
I don’t understand, if B1 does not cross the BBB how is it meant to help the brain? also could one safely take 500MG of thiamine a day will the body piss out what it does not need?
David Tomen
June 16, 2021
Andy, regular thiamine is not very bioavailable and many people are thiamine deficient and are not aware of it. Some will cross into your brain. But to get the therapeutic and nootropic benefits of thiamine you need to use Sulbutiamine.
Regular thiamine is water soluble and you will excrete unused thiamine. There is no “maximum” dosage for thiamine.
Andy
June 18, 2021
Okay, I was just wondering since normal Thiamine is water-soluble if the benfotiamine been fat could cause an overdose if taken every day?
I want to start off with 250MG daily, I believe I have a vitamin deficiency in B1 as for many years I have eaten very high sugars and high carbs, not enough B1 foods though maybe occasionally I do eat pork or pees and seafood mussels I’m not sure if there is enough in food to meet the demands of my body
Thanks
David Tomen
June 18, 2021
Andy, great observation. I’ve been using 400 mg Sulbutiamine per day for years without a problem.
Andy
June 18, 2021
okay cool that good, I found some at 200mg, but in your video, you did suggest cycling Sulbutiamine so would it be a good idea for me to start low and slow
for example, take it for two days then have a break for a day then another two days so on, or 1 on and 1 off?
however, you’re suggesting here in your comment that cycling does not really matter?
cheers
David Tomen
June 19, 2021
Andy, some find that cycling is beneficial and others get no benefit from it. The idea behind cycling is to prevent tolerance to a supplement. But it has been my experience that if you use reasonable, recommended doses for most supplements then cycling is not needed.
You will need to decide this for yourself for each supplement you try when someone suggests cycling.
BTW, how you cycle also depends on how your body responds and the characteristics of that supplement. For example, Huperzine-A has a 24 hour half-life so you need to use it every 2nd or 3rd day. The half-life of Sulbutiamine is 5 hours. So what you take at 8 am is completely gone from your system 10 hours later.
Andy
June 22, 2021
The last question I Have since B1 is essential
Would it be safe to take benfotiamine 200MG and sulbutiamine 200MG every morning at the same time since one will work on the brain and the other more liver and body just asking because they are fat-soluble if it was just normal Thiamine I wouldn’t worry as I know that isn’t toxic been water but the other 2 are fat-soluble?
just wanna be safe is all
Cheers
David Tomen
June 22, 2021
Andy, you should be OK with that dose. I’ve been using 400 mg Sulbutiamine twice per day for years without a problem.
Andy
June 24, 2021
Can it help with tinnitus if you know any other nootropic that may help with that please let me know!
David Tomen
June 27, 2021
Andy, as far as I know thiamine does not help with tinnitus. But the supplements I list in this newsletter I sent out awhile ago do: https://mailchi.mp/38c358b3560e/try-these-nootropics-for-tinnitus
ALPHA
May 17, 2021
What is the perfect time to take thiamine
David Tomen
May 18, 2021
Morning and noon because regular thiamine is water soluble. And you need to dose it at least twice per day to keep your levels up.