Start a liquid stenabolics (sr 9009) / weight training regimen coupled with piracetam (1.5g), choline (.5g), and Steven Hawking's purported vinpocetine supplements, TID, and you'll be like Conan the Barbarian (or Valeria) with a 20pt IQ boost in two months. (sorry, just kidding - a shrink friend recently started that routine and I'm curious to see how it goes)
Thanks. I'll study the information available about these substances and consider experimenting perhaps. But I believe these substances alone are not going to increase the IQ unless combined with actual mind training (in this case they probably can boost progress, I happen to be a very experienced piracetam user BTW). Let me recommend your friend to also consider exercising with BrainWorkshop (the only scientifically-proven way to increase fluid intelligence) some times a day and starting to learn a language that is very different from those they already know (i.e. a non indo-european one) and the synergic effect can actually be impressing.
As for prebiotics and probiotics - I have been getting increasingly enthusiastic about the gut microbiome subject during the recent months and have achieved amazing results this way and switched from extreme treatment to mild support regimen already yet I'm still very curious about whatever findings in this area.
BTW if you know of any tricks (other than taking choline, it's not enough) that can potentially increase acetylcholine secretion and/or sensitivity - I am very interested to learn them. I have been struggling from ACh deficiency symptoms during my whole life and the only efficient solution I've found so far is nicotine but I'd really love to replace it with something that doesn't cause physiological addiction.
Just added that comment for the fun of it but you are exactly correct concerning piracetam. From experience, it does take about two weeks to kick-in in earnest but during that time it's necessary to focus on some mentally-demanding skill. Also personally experimented with aniracetam but found that cognitively it morphs you into the proverbial 'Mr Spock' complete with persona.
Assume for ACh you're eating three eggs a day, soft-boiled for 6 1/2 minutes or fried sunny side up until a cataract forms over the yokes (pro dietician's recommendation I once received)
Start a liquid stenabolics (sr 9009) / weight training regimen coupled with piracetam (1.5g), choline (.5g), and Steven Hawking's purported vinpocetine supplements, TID, and you'll be like Conan the Barbarian (or Valeria) with a 20pt IQ boost in two months. (sorry, just kidding - a shrink friend recently started that routine and I'm curious to see how it goes)