I’m really of the anti-supplement mindset. I’ve used them in the past especially when doing triathlons and bicycle racing but for the last 8 years I’ve stayed away from any kind of supplements. I guess I think I’m always eating enough variety and it’d be a waste of time to take more of what I already have plenty of. I lucked into a good health stream here in Thailand and I’ve not been sick at all in more than two years.
Most supplements are unnecessary. That’s my thinking anyway (Vern-logic).
During graduate school in 1995 I was having trouble holding it together to study. I’ve mentioned that I have ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), and especially during grad school when I had classes, practicum, big brother volunteering, work, exercise and a girlfriend I had a heck of a time studying when I needed to. My mind was going every which way. I’ve never taken Ritalin or anything to treat ADD, though at times in the past I’ve considered it. My brother has taken it and said his creativity just dies when he’s on it – so that was the deciding factor for me. Better to live with monkey-mind than lose my creativity.
I’d read about Ginkgo biloba in a couple of magazines I subscribed to. These appeared to be minimally biased articles (nothing is unbiased!) about the benefits of it. In addition to helping Alzheimer’s patients with memory deficits other benefits were mentioned like concentration increasing in intensity and duration. I found more articles by researching health journals in the university library and it seemed like pretty safe, natural stuff with side effects including: possible increased risk of bleeding, gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, dizziness, heart palpitations, and restlessness. I noticed death was absent as a side-effect and the rest I could live with once. I decided to try it on a trial basis and see if it helped me concentrate while studying.
I started taking the minimal recommended dosage (60mg) 150 minutes before I was to study. That was when it was at it’s peak in the blood stream. While I didn’t have any side effects at all I didn’t notice any real improved concentration effects at first either. Over one week I ramped up to the maximum suggested dosage of 200mg. At this dosage I noticed a difference immediately.
I was studying – reading through a book and highlighting important bits when I realized – I’ve paid absolute attention to what I was doing for the past 90 minutes! I was in the flow – while studying! That had never happened to me before in my life. I wasn’t even necessarily very interested in the material, I think it was something about biochemical aspects of disability – and yet I was sitting there in complete attention to the process of studying. That was an amazing moment in my life.
I was floored. I attributed it to the Ginkgo as that was the only thing I’d changed recently. Over the next few weeks it got even better. If I wanted to do study or think about something – I was able to with little problem. My mind wasn’t jumping around to analyze extraneous sounds, sites or thoughts. I was able to focus on just what I wanted to focus on. I remember thinking what a powerful feeling it was. I remember asking myself over and over – is this what normal people feel their entire lives? No wonder people can pull it together and write a book or graduate top of their class at Yale. If you can concentrate you can do anything requiring extended bouts of sustained, focused thought.
I continued to use Ginkgo on and off during graduate school usually at the end of a term when I really needed the level of focused mind it seemed to give me. I was wary about using it all the time because I’m concerned about taking any kind of supplements over the long-term. I did use it often though.
I noticed no change in level of creativity while taking Ginkgo and I haven’t heard about others experiencing such side effects.
After grad school I stopped taking it. The level of stress in my life decreased substantially and it was right about this time that I found meditation. Meditation has since taken the place of Ginkgo. It gives me a peace of mind, a balance and equanimity that is available anytime without supplements.
Recently I’ve been in book writing mode and I asked my family to find some Ginkgo and send it here to Thailand to see if it helps me focus on writing for extended periods of time about one subject. Blog posts are easy enough – since they’re only a couple thousand words max. Books are another animal and I’m thinking I need to call in the “Big G”.
The price for good Ginkgo here in Thailand is around $100 USD for a two month supply. Twelve years ago in the USA it was around $30. I hope the price hasn’t risen over the years. Isn’t it supposed to decrease? That’s my private logic anyway.
Anyone else using Ginkgo and want to relate your experience? Please leave a comment!
Best of Life!
Vern
ADHDKid! – If you think your child has symptoms, check here.
Notes:
I encourage you to read more about Ginkgo Biloba before trying it for yourself. The effects that are claimed by companies manufacturing Ginkgo biloba are not wholly supported by research. The success I seem to have had could be the result of the ‘placebo effect’. There are many articles cited in the Wikipedia entry to help you understand more about Ginkgo. Here are three below that apply to improving concentration in healthy persons:
Elsabagh S, Hartley DE, Ali O, Williamson EM, File Se (2005 May). “Differential cognitive effects of Ginkgo biloba after acute and chronic treatment in healthy young volunteers”.
Psychopharmacology (Berl) 179 (2): 437–446. PMID 15739076.
BBC News: Herbal remedies “boost brain power”.
None of what I’ve written should be taken as medical advice or persuasion. I am simply relating a first-person account of my experience with Gingko Biloba. Your experience may differ. Please research fully before embarking on your own experiment! If you haven’t yet, please read this disclaimer.
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia. Image links to original.
About Vern Lovic
Aloha! I'm "Vern". I created this site to focus on Hawaii - all the islands - Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Big Island and even Molokai and Lanai and Kahoolawe when I can find information on them. I love living in Hawaii, and I think you would too. I hope you come away with something positive as a result of visiting Aim for Awesome. Feel free to add comments or contact me through email. All written content on this site by Vern Lovic. Contact me at Google+. Best of Life to You in 2013 - Aloha!
I started taking Ginkgo last year for circulation problems. In the winter my fingertips would get so cold that it would hurt to type and sometimes my fingernails turned a light purple. I was always bundled up and always wearing fingerless gloves. I had always heard Gingko Biloba was good for memory, but also started hearing it could help with circulation too. So I decided to try it. Within a week I stopped wearing my fingerless gloves very much…just occasionally…and I felt a lot warmer. Winter hasn’t been so horrible this year for me.
Anyway…after a month of taking Gingko I started realizing I was getting a little more accomplished. After two months it really started to notice an even bigger difference, that I was concentrating without trying and I was getting even more done than in the first month. Things I had been “procrastinating” were getting finished. I still don’t think I am anywhere “normal” compared to someone without ADD, I still struggle in many ways. But there is definitely a noticeable improvement in my concentration, which has been great.
I love ginkgo now.
I have noticed my insomnia is worse, but I don’t know if that is a coincidence or not as I haven’t really heard much about insomnia being a side effect.
You might try meditation also. I virtually cleared up ADD/ADHD with a Vipassana type meditation practice. I wrote a book on the meditation process I followed. You can find it at: Meditation for Beginners – A 22 Day Course, by Vern Lovic, at Amazon.com, Apple Books, Sony, Barnes, Kobo, Smashwords, etc. Best of luck – Cheers! Vern
can you recommend a good brand for the GB pills please? I purchased the whole foods brand but wonder if there is something better.
I’ve tried GinkoMax and a brand called Nature’s Purest. Both seem to be working for me. I think a product made from a whole foods brand would be a good idea. I am leaning more and more towards less refined foods/products (which supplements are) and whole foods supplements, while still refined are less so.
Oh, sorry. I just looked it up. It’s Ginkgold Max, not GinkgoMax.
I’m a 17 year old who wants to excel in studies. I’m an average student but have a hard time focusing in classes, especially when we are told to read almost the whole 75 minutes. Maybe this ginkgo biloba can help me out. One question, before i start taking 60 mg every morning, can somebody please tell me if it is too early right now since I’m not 18 yet or not really? I don’t want to mess myself up aha
I’m not falling for that trap! Consult a doctor Nick. A sports nutritionist. Anybody, but me… Aloha, Vern
Hey Vern,
How much did you weight and what was your height during grad school. I am having some trouble studying for grad exams right now. I am going to take Ginkgo and it was also suggested by my mother who takes all types of natural and herbal supplements. She is very Chinese… lol anyhow, I will be traveling to Hawaii later this year as well.
Best Regards,
Charlie
I don’t know. Average. lol.
hey Vern,thanks for sharing yours…I m a doc…n while studying in my textbooks for treatment for Alzheimers, I ve wondered but never tried…but it’s highly crucial time for me to gain extra memory n focus as my entrance exams ahead shortly…except this supplement I don find anythin better for trial n less risky n manageable withdrawal symptoms…anyway I m gonna try it and ll let you know de effects…!!
Ginkgo Rocks!!!
Hello Vern,
Can you recommend a good place to buy it in Bangkok, Thailand?
Thanks
Marc
I took high quality ginkgo and felt really good, sort of fresh and alert, after like a few days to a week of taking it. After about 2 or 3 months it no longer seemed to provide such beneficial effects, perhaps it isn’t meant for long term as it may thin the blood or an accumalation of natural toxins from the plant may occur.
Hi, Vern.
I find your article about Ginkgo Biloba very interesting for the reason that I have bought it myself and am very concerned whether it might fail in its effect of improving my concentration abilities. I don’t doubt your description of your great experiences you perceived with this herb, but in many other articles it is said that G.B. should be taken for a longer period before you will notice any improvement. You wrote that your increase of your concentration occurred immediately after increasing the dosage. Was this a striking change or a step by step improvement? I would be glad to know.
Another question: when taking Ginkgo Biloba, had you any problems to be able to speak to people because of your mind being busy with some “school questions”, or did G.B. effect also the general work of your brain, in other words, were you more quick-witted or could you notice any increase of intelligence?
And when stopping taking G.B., did feel in a way addicted to it or didn’t you have any difficulty replacing it with meditation. Sometimes I read articles about this medical plant and am amazed about its marvellous effect, but on the other hand it might be very alike that it is also addictive and that is the last thing I want to be-addicted to any drugs.
I know my English isn’t perfect, but I think you got what I want to know.
Hi Markus,
Thanks for writing. I’m really not too sure that my experience was all that generalizable to other people taking it. I just reported what happened with me. There have been some studies that purport to show no effect, and others – some effect.
For me – it could have been a pure placebo effect.
This was 1995-1996 for me so my recall is less than stellar. I had no problems stopping it when I was done with grad school – I’ve never had any problem stopping anything I didn’t want to do though. Those with the addictive personality type may have some withdrawal or other negative symptoms when stopping.
I didn’t notice any increase in intelligence per se, or being more quick witted while taking Ginkgo…
For me – I like to try things and see what happens. If you’re concerned about being addicted to it after trying it – I think, better not to try.
Good luck to you – if you do try it – I hope it affects you as it did me.
I have cerebral insufficiency ,white matter lesions on the brain, including the basal ganglia, caused parkinsons type problems, given statins to reduce chances of stroke, could not take them. Somehow i found ginkgo,started at 30mg, i experienced considerable headache, then every other day, then every day, each time causing nasty headaches,then ok, each 6 weeks, i increased, each time again severe headaches, subsiding after 24 to 48 hours.I am now just into my second year on ginkgo, i use pharmaceutical grade slow release,best quality i can find, German monograph, and i now take 240mg three times a day. I was referred to an herbal specialist in UK,on the NHS,waste of time. I now continue to self medicate,all of my parkinsons symtoms have now gone, and eyesight and neuropathy problems in my feet have gone.I have stopped taking my 75mg aspirin, it appears with high dose ginkgo especially, this is a good idea, to reduce risk of cerebral bleed.As they say in Masterchef, a UK food program, IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE,well it did mine. Obviously this is my experience,if you are desperate, it is worth trying, but realise, it is very difficult to get guidance, except searching the web, and accepting most research is done on rats, and there is a lot of conclusions stating that it is dose dependent, and i experience that,i did try after my last 4 months on 720mg to reduce back to 480 mg, but after 10 days, symptoms returned, again, on increasing back to 720mg, i experienced severe headaches for 48 hours, now ok again and symptoms gone again. I am told that my problems all stem from my thyroid problems, that is i do not have a thyroid, thyroidectomy and autoimmune, 23 years ago. I obviously have had other circulation problems, because i had diverticuler disease and vascular deafness diagnosed about 4 years ago , but i inadvertently cured both, yes cured, by taking whole adrenal supplements for fatigue, which i still take to this day along with large doses of pigs thyroid. It appears that adrenal, not cortex, supplements dopamine, which in turn, improves blood supply by vasodilation, maybe this also helped the ginkgo to work, any way, i hope you find this interesting, but do not forget, this is my experience only, i am not medically qualified in any way.
Thanks for the comment Richard, sounds like you’re having an amazing experience with Ginkgo overall. I too noticed some headache as I took it – and they also stopped with continued use. Good luck!
This was just what I needed to read. I just started taking it, 60mg twice a day, I started a new billing position and I felt I needed some help concentrating. Currently I am at 120mg a day, only been taking it for 4 days. I haven’t noticed a difference and I’m afraid to take more.
Did you take 200mg all at once?
I would love to hear more about this.
Thank you
Hi Joanne,
Wow – this was quite a long time ago and I cannot remember how I worked up to it. I believe I started with a small dose and worked up to that over a month’s time. Not positive about that though! Good luck and please report back if you have any success. Thanks. Vern
An excellent article about Ginkgo and your personal experience. Valid information like this serves as a good testimony for others that are interested.
Thanks
Hi,
I just wanted to suggest to you the use of a timer for concentration. Just get a kitchen timer and set it for 15 min. and just write. When the timer goes off, take a break. Clean, start dinner, read a fun book, whatever for 15 min. Then when that timer goes off you go back to writing. I think this is a great method for someone who has ADD and suppliment free. It is amazing what you can do in 15 min.!