Mental imagery and discoveries about brain lateralization seems to have been a popular topic of research in the 1970’s resulting in books being published such as the two I’ve recently found and bought online:

  • Experiences in Visual Thinking
    • (Robert H. McKim - 1972)
  • Visual Learning, Thinking and Communication
    • (Academic Press Series in Cognition and Perception - Randhawa, Coffman - 1978)

Besides finding these treasures, Since my initial appointment on 7-21 with a psychiatrist (see 7-7-26 post), I’ve tried both Vyvanse (2-day trial) and Strattera (1-day trial). The immediate negative response I had to these two drugs, included a worsening of feeling “wired”, distracted and even worsening of memory. There were some isolated, momentary benefits (even feelings of pleasure), but otherwise symptoms included chest palpitations, soreness and slight metallic taste in the throat, and gassiness (like acid reflux). The main issue was feeling like my mind constantly wanted to run at 100 mph, and that my body was doing the same - and I felt sick for a large part of the day - perhaps that’s also partially because these drugs seemed to affect my sleep (only getting 5 hours instead of 7 or 8)

Somehow, I remembered about my low COMT genetic profile, discovered last year (2025) via genetic testing (23andMe) and with the help of geneticlifehacks.com.

My current theory, is that instead of having too “little” dopamine/dopamine activity, that I actually have too much (due to low COMT). Having too much can result in similar/same symptoms as too little, including impulsivity. Other factors included realizing recently how one cup of coffee (cappuccino) can leave me feeling incredibly wired (just paying more attention to my body and mind state).

Early childhood febrile seizure, lifelong issue with premature ejaculation (and intense physical/sexual sensitivity), besides ADHD symptoms…perhaps I have “flooding” where dopamine and norepinephrine are just accumulating much faster than they can be “digested” or recycled.

So my current plan is to test (for at least two months, perhaps for a full year):

  • Magnesium L-threonate (144mg / day)
    • supplies magnesium, including the Mg²⁺ that COMT requires as a cofactor.
  • L-theanine (200mg, 3x per day) - This is a big one.
    • more of a modulator; tends to promote relaxation without being strongly sedating and interacts with glutamate/GABA and other neurotransmitter systems.
  • Uridine (250mg /day) - This is the other big one.
    • May modulate dopamine signaling over time rather than directly increasing dopamine; some animal evidence suggests effects on dopamine receptor function.
    • Chronic uridine exposure has produced changes in dopamine receptor density/signaling in animal studies—particularly D2-family receptors
    • may modulate dopamine signaling/receptor function
  • DHA (440mg /day)
    • Works with uridine
  • Avoiding caffeine•**: coffee/tea/chocolate
    • previously drinking 2-4 cups of espresso/cappuccino per week
    • previously 2 cups a day of tea (shou puerh)
    • dark chocolate was a more rare treat, 1-4x a month or so
  • 5-HTP (200mg / day)
    • to boost Serotonin (as a precursor)

Tackling my ADHD symptoms will help me with consistency in achieving my goals, such as being diligent and consistent with imagery training, but also I’d like to see if there’s any chance it may improve my mental imagery. Is it possible that low COMT is resulting in too much brain activity which is blocking or interfering with visuals?



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