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Artichoke CILTEP — SacredBod supplement bottle (illustrative)
Supplement · Cognitive Ageing & Neuroprotection

Artichoke CILTEP

900 mg · vegan · gluten-free · 60 caps

Difficulty forming new memoriesPoor learning retentionMental fatigue during studyLack of motivation BrainHippocampusPrefrontal cortex
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Overview Stacks Timing Related Research FAQs

What it is

The CILTEP stack (Chemically Induced Long-Term Potentiation) combines artichoke leaf extract (standardised for luteolin) with coleus forskohlii root extract (standardised for forskolin). Artichoke extract inhibits phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4), preventing the breakdown of cAMP. Forskolin activates adenylate cyclase, increasing cAMP production. Together they amplify cAMP signalling — a second messenger critical for long-term potentiation (LTP), the cellular basis of learning and memory.

How it works

cAMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate) is a second messenger that activates CREB (cAMP response element-binding protein), which in turn upregulates genes for synaptic growth and memory consolidation. PDE4 normally degrades cAMP; artichoke luteolin inhibits PDE4. Forskolin directly stimulates adenylate cyclase to produce more cAMP. The combination creates a sustained cAMP signal that enhances LTP.

Who should take it

Healthy adults seeking enhanced learning and memory formation, students preparing for exams, professionals needing sustained focus, and biohackers interested in LTP modulation. Not recommended for dementia patients due to limited clinical data.

Avoid / careful

Individuals with hypotension; those with peptic ulcers (forskolin increases stomach acid); pregnant or breastfeeding women. Side effects: Mild stomach upset, loose stools (from forskolin), headache, or low blood pressure. Rare skin flushing.

When to take it

Morning
Noon
Evening
Night

How to take it

With food
Empty stomach
Before food

FAQs

Frequently asked

Does CILTEP actually work?
The mechanism is sound — PDE4 inhibition and cAMP elevation are well-established pathways for memory enhancement. However, the 2024 human trial of the commercial CILTEP formula found no significant cognitive improvement in healthy middle-aged adults. The concept remains promising but needs more rigorous clinical validation. Individual components (artichoke and forskolin) have independent health benefits.
Can I make my own CILTEP stack?
Yes. The original open-source formula is: 900mg artichoke extract (standardised for luteolin) + 20mg forskolin (from Coleus forskohlii) + 500mg L-phenylalanine + caffeine if desired. Take on an empty stomach in the morning.
Is it safe long-term?
Artichoke and forskolin are generally safe botanicals. However, chronic PDE4 inhibition may have unknown effects. We recommend cycling 5 days on, 2 days off, and taking a 2-week break every 2 months.

In plain English

A plain-English read of the literature behind this supplement. Not a clinical recommendation.

Key citations: PMID 38004235 (complementary Lion's Mane cognitive data), ⚠️ PMID for CILTEP acute trial — could not verify exact PubMed ID for the 2024 middle-aged trial; DOI 10.1007/s41465-024-00288-z noted. PDE4 inhibition references: Blokland et al. 2019 (roflumilast memory improvement), Zhang et al. 2004 (PDE4 learning and memory in radial arm maze)

Editorial notes

SacredBod's longer take on Artichoke CILTEP — context the structured blocks above don't capture.

What Artichoke CILTEP Is

CILTEP (Chemically Induced Long-Term Potentiation) is a nootropic stack originally formulated by Abelard Lindsay and popularised by Dave Asprey. It combines two botanical extracts to manipulate the cAMP signalling pathway — the same cellular mechanism that underlies learning and memory:

  1. Artichoke leaf extract (standardised for luteolin) — inhibits phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4), the enzyme that breaks down cAMP.
  2. Coleus forskohlii root extract (standardised for forskolin) — activates adenylate cyclase, the enzyme that produces cAMP.

The result is a sustained elevation of cAMP in neurons, which activates CREB (cAMP Response Element-Binding protein) and upregulates genes for synaptic growth, strengthening the connections that encode memories.

How It Works

The cAMP → CREB → Memory Cascade

cAMP is a second messenger derived from ATP. In neurons, it:

  1. Activates PKA (protein kinase A)
  2. PKA phosphorylates CREB
  3. Phosphorylated CREB binds to DNA and upregulates genes for BDNF, synapsin, and other proteins that grow and stabilise synapses
  4. This process is called Long-Term Potentiation (LTP) — the cellular basis of learning

PDE4 Inhibition

PDE4 is the dominant phosphodiesterase in the brain. It degrades cAMP, terminating the signal. Luteolin from artichoke extract is a natural, non-selective PDE inhibitor. Prescription PDE4 inhibitors like roflumilast have shown memory improvements in human trials, validating the mechanism.

Adenylate Cyclase Activation

Forskolin is a diterpene that directly stimulates adenylate cyclase, increasing cAMP production independent of receptor activation. This provides the “fuel” while artichoke extract prevents the “leak.”

Who Benefits Most

  • Students and lifelong learners — The stack is theoretically optimal for encoding new information into long-term memory.
  • Professionals in knowledge-work — Sustained cAMP signalling may support deep work and complex problem-solving.
  • Biohackers — Those interested in manipulating the molecular machinery of memory formation.
  • Not recommended for: Dementia patients (no clinical data), pregnant women, or individuals with hypotension.

Dosage Guide

ComponentDoseStandardisation
Artichoke leaf extract900 mg/dayLuteolin content
Coleus forskohlii extract20 mg/day10–20% forskolin
L-Phenylalanine (optional)500 mg/dayAmino acid precursor
Caffeine (optional)100 mgAcute alertness boost

Take on an empty stomach in the morning for maximal absorption. Cycle 5 days on, 2 days off.

Safety & Interactions

  • Hypotension: Forskolin lowers blood pressure; avoid if already hypotensive or on antihypertensives.
  • Stomach acid: Forskolin increases gastric acid secretion; avoid with peptic ulcers or GERD.
  • Bleeding: Artichoke may have mild anticoagulant effects; caution with warfarin.
  • Stimulants: Combining with high-dose caffeine or other stimulants may cause excessive cAMP activation and jitteriness.

India-Specific Context

  • Availability: No CILTEP stack product is available on Amazon.in. Artichoke extract is sold primarily as a liver detox ingredient in combination with milk thistle and dandelion. Coleus forskohlii (पत्थरचट्टा / Patharchatta) is used in Ayurveda for weight management and asthma, but standalone forskolin extracts are not available on Amazon.in as of May 2026.
  • Import option: The original Natural Stacks CILTEP (now Neurofuel) can be imported via iHerb or the brand’s website. Cost is approximately $30–$40 per bottle plus shipping and customs.
  • Regulatory status: Artichoke and Coleus are dietary supplements in India. Forskolin is not a Schedule H drug.
  • Ayurvedic note: Coleus forskohlii is known as Patharchatta or Gandhani in Ayurvedic texts and is traditionally used for respiratory conditions and weight management — not cognition. Its nootropic application is a modern repurposing of the herb.
  • DIY feasibility: Advanced users can source artichoke extract (liver-support blends) and Coleus forskohlii root powder separately, but standardisation of active compounds is uncertain in Indian retail products.
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