Gene's Nitric Oxide Stack

Many have used this stack for massive hard pumps in the gym, significant vascularity and excellent erectile function not discounting the health benefits. If you're looking for any of these benefits and more...give it a try!

Nitric Oxide Stack
Bed Time
5 mg of Tadalafil (Cialis)
3000 mg of L-Arginine
1500 mg of L-Citrulline
50 mg of Pycnogenol
150 mg of Icariin (Horny Goat Weed)
1 mg of Doxazosin (Alpha Blocker)


Morning
3000 mg of L-Arginine
1500 mg of L-Citrulline
50 mg of Pycnogenol
150 mg of Icariin (Horny Goat Weed)

Afternoon
5 mg of Tadalafil (Cialis)
3000 mg of L-Arginine
1500 mg of L-Citrulline
50 mg of Pycnogenol
150 mg of Icariin (Horny Goat Weed)
1 mg of Doxazosin (Alpha Blocker)

More Than a Muscle Pump: The Surprising Science of the Nitric Oxide Stack​

In the biohacking world, we often chase complex peptides or experimental compounds, but we frequently overlook the most fundamental currency of life: blood flow. In the quest for longevity, systemic vascular efficiency is the baseline upon which all other health markers are built. As we age, our ability to maintain vasodilatory capacity diminishes, impacting everything from cognitive sharpness to metabolic health. "Gene’s Nitric Oxide Stack," a protocol born and refined within the ExcelMale community, has emerged as a definitive solution for men seeking to optimize this system. This isn't just a gym supplement routine; it is a sophisticated approach to anti-aging that leverages amino acids and targeted pharmaceutical interventions to restore the body’s most vital delivery mechanism.

Beyond the Mirror: The Science of the Sustained Pump​

For the average gym-goer, the "pump" is a transient aesthetic goal—a fleeting moment of muscle fullness. However, for a longevity specialist, a "harder pump" and increased vascularity are indicators of high-functioning endothelial health. The Nitric Oxide Stack is engineered to produce a state of vasodilation that doesn't simply vanish when you rack the weights.

By optimizing the nitric oxide signaling pathway, this protocol facilitates a sustained pump that carries through your daily life. This is a critical distinction: the visual vascularity is a proxy for your body’s ability to keep its "pipes" open. When you maintain that fullness hours after a workout, you are essentially providing proof of concept that your circulatory system is operating at peak efficiency, ensuring constant nutrient delivery to peripheral tissues.

The Foundation of Performance: Hard Science for Sexual Vitality​

One of the most immediate benefits of systemic vasodilation is the restoration of sexual function. From a clinical perspective, erection quality is often the "canary in the coal mine" for cardiovascular health. Because the Nitric Oxide Stack focuses on the root physiological requirements of performance—blood flow and retention—it provides a robust alternative to temporary fixes.

A Serious Solution for Erection Quality and Duration

This stack addresses both the quality and the duration of erections with clinical precision. For men navigating the aging process, this is not a matter of vanity, but of maintaining vital physiological function. By ensuring the vascular system can respond effectively to neurological signals, the protocol allows for a level of performance that many mistakenly believe is lost to time.

The Ultimate Nootropic: Future-Proofing the Neocortex​

Perhaps the most compelling argument for nitric oxide optimization is the "bodybuilder to brain health" pipeline. While most men start this stack for its physical benefits, they are unknowingly deploying a powerful shield against age-related cognitive decline. As we age, the micro-vasculature within the brain tends to narrow and tighten, a process that starves the brain of oxygen and is a primary driver of age-related dementia.

The stack acts as a nootropic by ensuring that the brain's smallest vessels remain dilated and resilient. This ensures that the neocortex and other critical regions receive a constant supply of the nutrients required for cognitive longevity. As the source material highlights:

"by increasing nitric oxide and getting that vascular dilation we're getting oxygen blood and nutrients in the areas of the brain that can provide us with a great anti-aging benefit in terms of neurological health."

The irony is profound: a protocol often associated with the bicep curl may actually be one of your most effective tools for protecting your mind.

Systemic Management: Blood Pressure and Prostate Function​

The benefits of the stack extend into the deeper mechanics of men’s health, specifically regarding the relaxation of smooth muscle tissue. This is particularly relevant for Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) and blood pressure management. Nitric oxide serves as a signal for these tissues to relax, directly easing the "inability to ease the problems" that typically characterize age-related prostate issues.

The secondary physiological advantages of this systemic relaxation include:

• Vascular Tension Reduction: Significant support for maintaining healthy blood pressure levels by reducing resistance within the arterial walls.
• Prostate Relief: Improvement in quality of life by relaxing the prostatic smooth muscle, easing the mechanical symptoms of BPH.
• Reduced Cardiac Load: By improving systemic flow, the heart is not required to pump against the same level of resistance, preserving cardiovascular longevity.

The Future of Your Vascular Health​

"Gene’s Nitric Oxide Stack" is far from a theoretical exercise; it is a "living protocol" backed by years of community peer-review within the ExcelMale community. The "enormously long" and widely viewed thread on ExcelMale.com serves as a testament to the real-world efficacy of this stack, offering a repository of shared experiences and optimization strategies.

This multi-front approach to anti-aging represents the best of biohacking: using fundamental biological pathways to solve complex aging problems. By focusing on the delivery system itself, we can protect our brains, our hearts, and our vitality simultaneously.

If blood flow is the delivery system for every nutrient your body needs, what happens to your longevity when you finally optimize that system?


More on Nitric Oxide in Men:

Nitric Oxide Pages

 

I am having GNC Horny Goat Weed which contain 600 mg of HGW and 250 mg of Maca Root Extract. So how to make HGW 150 mg. Moreover,I hope no problem with Maca to stack.

This link will take you to the Icariin 60 which contains the highest amount of the active ingredient in HGW and is the most effective for our purpose. Most of the supplements here only contain 10 mg of the active ingredient which is very low to be honest BUT does work synergistically with the stack.

http://www.icariinhealth.com/pages/horny-goat-weed-icariin

 

So Gene there's no doubt those supplements help but do you pretty much have to go workout for your vascularity to be pronounced like in the pics you posted?

No, some guys have low body fat and thus are vascular by nature. But if you're of normal stature trying to get this level of vascularity is going to be difficult to achieve...you need help to do that.

I believe this stack, as an anti aging strategy, even for those who don't work out is excellent.

As we age small blood vessels and capillaries narrow making blood flow difficult and the resulting damage as a result.

In fact, age related dementia can be a result.

This stack goes to cause reverse that effect so even if you don't work out the health benefits abound.

It's why many anti aging Docs prescribe a daily low dose Cialis to the male patients to get the same benefits...I just like to super size it LOL

 

That may work for you, but I have found that I cannot get above 6mg a day of tadalafil without side effects. I gradually increased the dose over many weeks from 2mg every other day to 3.5mg at bed and 2.5mg in the morning, and that is as much as I can take.

Interestingly, at that point, if I increase any of the other vasodilation supplements, it pushes me into the same side effects.

+++

By the way, Gene - have you tried the exact same stack with and without HGW ? Or are you basing the synergy concept on theory ?

 

That may work for you, but I have found that I cannot get above 6mg a day of tadalafil without side effects. I gradually increased the dose over many weeks from 2mg every other day to 3.5mg at bed and 2.5mg in the morning, and that is as much as I can take.

Interestingly, at that point, if I increase any of the other vasodilation supplements, it pushes me into the same side effects.

+++

By the way, Gene - have you tried the exact same stack with and without HGW ? Or are you basing the synergy concept on theory ?

Yes, I have tested it without the Icariin and really didn't see much change but stacks are like that where one formula has little impact on the aggregate but all combined provides for the greatest result.

I still believe the Tadalafil and Doxazosin are the foundation of the stack; everything else are simply enhancers.

 

Here's a good read from ergo-log on why the better NO boosters contain a combination of L-arginine and L-citrulline together like in my stack.

http://www.ergo-log.com/better-no-boosters-contain-a-combination-of-l-arginine-and-l-citrulline.html

 

That's a very interesting study, thanks.

It does verfiy the same factor that Examine.com points out, which is that Arginine is gone after an hour or two, and thereafter it is only Citrulline.

So, if you are going to workout, then adding Arginine to the Citrulline is a benefit, but longer term Citrulline alone is as good (and even Citrulline still does not last more then 3-4 hours).

 

No, some guys have low body fat and thus are vascular by nature. But if you're of normal stature trying to get this level of vascularity is going to be difficult to achieve...you need help to do that.

I believe this stack, as an anti aging strategy, even for those who don't work out is excellent.

As we age small blood vessels and capillaries narrow making blood flow difficult and the resulting damage as a result.

In fact, age related dementia can be a result.

This stack goes to cause reverse that effect so even if you don't work out the health benefits abound.

It's why many anti aging Docs prescribe a daily low dose Cialis to the male patients to get the same benefits...I just like to super size it LOL

I'm pretty vascular as you can see in the pic I posted, I don't take any of those supplements and actually haven't been in a gym in over 10 years because of an injury and now my health over this crap. I figure it's just from a lifetime of hard work, I know most people have to work up a pump to get their vascularity to show like you said. I do want to get some of those supplements you have listed to see if it helps some things.

 

I'm pretty vascular as you can see in the pic I posted, I don't take any of those supplements and actually haven't been in a gym in over 10 years because of an injury and now my health over this crap. I figure it's just from a lifetime of hard work, I know most people have to work up a pump to get their vascularity to show like you said. I do want to get some of those supplements you have listed to see if it helps some things.

Probably genetics. Some men are just naturally more vascular than others like some men are naturally small in stature while others are giants.

 

L-Citrulline is probably the most important part of the stack.
L-Arginine is only helpful a half hour before a workout (of whatever kind ), because it dissipates quickly.


"L-Citrulline is an amino acid. It is turned into L-arginine in the kidneys after supplementation, which means L-citrulline supplementation is a more effective method of increasing L-arginine levels in the body than L-arginine supplementation."

I'm new to all of this so please help me understand. Why would you supplement both in the stack if one's just being converted to the other?

 

I'm new to all of this so please help me understand. Why would you supplement both in the stack if one's just being converted to the other?

If you are working out in the gym, and you want to maximized Nitric Oxide during your workout, then taking both will do that. Otherwise, L-Citrulline is more effective (as stated above by Examine.com).

There are actually a lot of subtleties to the concept of increasing nitric oxide and blood flow, including:

* Below 40 years old and above 40 years old.
* Bodybuilding/weightlifting emphasis vs not so much
* Significant poor artery health and/or high blood pressure vs not
* Erectile Dysfunction vs not
* Diet including daily salads, fruits and vegetables vs not

 

I'm new to all of this so please help me understand. Why would you supplement both in the stack if one's just being converted to the other?

Didn't you see this link above?

http://www.ergo-log.com/better-no-boosters-contain-a-combination-of-l-arginine-and-l-citrulline.html

 

If you are working out in the gym, and you want to maximized Nitric Oxide during your workout, then taking both will do that. Otherwise, L-Citrulline is more effective (as stated above by Examine.com).

There are actually a lot of subtleties to the concept of increasing nitric oxide and blood flow, including:

* Below 40 years old and above 40 years old.
* Bodybuilding/weightlifting emphasis vs not so much
* Significant poor artery health and/or high blood pressure vs not
* Erectile Dysfunction vs not
* Diet including daily salads, fruits and vegetables vs not

I was wondering why you'd take it at bedtime if it's out of your system so quickly? Personally, I'm 41, lift weights (nothing crazy) and train BJJ 3X a week while trying to eat healthy most of the time. My last blood pressure was 117/64 a few weeks ago. No ED, I think, not sure of actual definition, just lack of drive in that department and very rarely, if ever, in the morning.

Didn't you see this link above?

http://www.ergo-log.com/better-no-boosters-contain-a-combination-of-l-arginine-and-l-citrulline.html

I missed that completely, thanks!

I've read most of this thread, and many others, so I may be getting some of my terminology and issues confused, I apologize. Please keep in mind that I'm not questioning the validity of your statements, I'm just trying to understand, and sometimes I'm a little slow.

 

I expect that supplementation at bedtime affects the body's repair processes during sleep. Supplements that increase blood flow during sleep might help those repair processes. Certainly the ergo-log graph indicates that by perhaps 3am, Citrulline is gone, but at least it was there during the earlier period.

Here is an oversimplification of how it works:

Nitric Oxide can be generated from Arginine (which in turn can be generated from Citrulline). This method is helped by Korean Red Ginseng or Pycnogenol or Grape Seed Extract or Hawthorn* or Cocoa**, all of which has been shown to inhibit the enzyme that inhibits the production of Nitric Oxide.

Nitric Oxide can also be generated from Nitrites which are generated from Nitrates. Nitrates are found in Beets, kale, salads, arugula, etc. This occurs due to an enzyme which can be stimulated with Hawthorn. (this is explained by the following page which also points out that mouthwash can diminish your nitric oxide: http://theredrushblog.com/2014/05/05/how-red-rush-works-with-bad-illustrations/ )

Nitric Oxide stimulates cGMP production which is what produces all the good effects. cGMP is inhibited by PDE5. PDE5 is inhibited by Sildenafil and Tadalafil and the natural supplement Icariin.

The Arginine pathway decreases with age, while the Nitrates one does not, which is why those over 40 are sometimes recommended to use the Nitrate one (Beets and Hawthorn and No Mouthwash) rather than the Arginine one. PDE5 inhibitors should work with both.

-----

* Note that only Nature's Way Heartcare brand of Hawthorn is standardized for OPCs, the chemical that is similar to Grape Seed, Pycnogenol, etc. (I have no interest in any brand, just what is in the tablets)

** The relevant chemicals in Cocoa - Flavonols - are found in Dark Chocolate, not Milk or White chocolate, and Baking Cocoa, but only if not "Dutched" or not "Alkalinized".

 

I expect that supplementation at bedtime affects the body's repair processes during sleep. Supplements that increase blood flow during sleep might help those repair processes. Certainly the ergo-log graph indicates that by perhaps 3am, Citrulline is gone, but at least it was there during the earlier period.

Here is an oversimplification of how it works:

Nitric Oxide can be generated from Arginine (which in turn can be generated from Citrulline). This method is helped by Korean Red Ginseng or Pycnogenol or Grape Seed Extract, all of which has been shown to inhibit the enzyme that inhibits the production of Nitric Oxide.

Nitric Oxide can also be generated from Nitrites which are generated from Nitrates. Nitrates are found in Beets, kale, salads, arugula, etc. This occurs due to an enzyme which can be stimulated with Hawthorn. (this is explained by the following page which also points out that mouthwash can diminish your nitric oxide: http://theredrushblog.com/2014/05/05/how-red-rush-works-with-bad-illustrations/ )

Nitric Oxide stimulates cGMP production which is what produces all the good effects. cGMP is inhibited by PDE5. PDE5 is inhibited by Sildenafil and Tadalafil and the natural supplement Icariin.

The Arginine pathway decreases with age, while the Nitrates one does not, which is why those over 40 are sometimes recommended to use the Nitrate one (Beets and Hawthorn and No Mouthwash) rather than the Arginine one. PDE5 inhibitors should work with both.

^^^^Good shit right there!

 

Here is an oversimplification of how it works...

Thank you! Great explanation for the layman.

 

I found two articles on the subject (by a Swedish nutrition researcher who is also a bodybuilder). The first explains why Arginine works for some people and not others and the second is about the Nitrate pathway for Nitric Oxide:

http://www.trainergize.com/diet-sup...rginine-based-no-boosters-really-work-for-you

http://www.trainergize.com/diet-sup...izing-pathway-to-boost-performance-and-health

( The articles do have a lot of technical content, but can be skimmed... )

 

More technical stuff for anyone interested.

Basically, an explanation of why antioxidants (Pycnogenol, Grape Seed Extract, Hawthorn Extract, Cocoa extract, etc.) can be important for nitric oxide, is found on:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimethylargininase

Inhibition of DDAH activity causes methylarginines to accumulate, blocking nitric oxide(NO) synthesis and causing vasoconstriction.[4] An impairment of DDAH activity appears to be involved in the elevation of plasma ADMA, and impairment of vascular relaxation observed in humans with cardiovascular disease or risk factors (such as hypercholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus, and insulin resistance). The activity of DDAH is impaired by oxidative stress, permitting ADMA to accumulate. A wide range of pathologic stimuli induce endothelial oxidative stress such as oxidized LDL-cholesterol, inflammatory cytokines, hyperhomocysteinemia, hyperglycemia and infectious agents. Each of these insults attenuates DDAH activity in vitro and in vivo.[5][6][7][8] The attenuation of DDAH allows ADMA to accumulate, and to block NO synthesis. The adverse effect of these stimuli can be reversed in vitro by antioxidants, which preserve the activity of DDAH.

...

These insights into the role of DDAH in degrading endogenous inhibitors of NOS, and thereby maintaining vascular NO production, may have important implications in vascular health and therapy for cardiovascular disease.

Pycnogenol is perhaps the best antioxidant (certainly the best documented), so if it is not a budget buster, go with it. Otherwise, you can find Grape seed extract as a bulk powder from the usual bodybuilding bulk powder sources.

 

Hi Gene,

My name is Dan, I am from the UK I have been following your thread and I have found it very interesting.

I am a regular gym goer..6-7 times a week I am 25 years old and 16.5 stone.

Over the past few years I have suffered with ED. No morning or random erections any more and need to take viagra before sex.. Which at my age is very frustrating and confusing as I am you fit and I would say healthy.

I am not sure what has caused my ED whether it be lifestyle or something I have been taking..

I bought some 60% icariin 300mg per tab, some Pycnogenol 30mg and some L-Arginine AAKG powder and Citrulline powder from primaforce.

I am taking Icariin (1tab), Pycnogenol (2 tabs), L-Arginine (3000-4000mg) and Citrulline (2000mg) every morning and just before gym with BCAA's and Crab powder and then before bed. I am also taking fish oils, vit D, Iron and multivit 2x daily.

I have been taking the stack for about 2 weeks now. I would say its improved my pumps in the gym a fair bit and general fullness of muscles which I sometimes struggled with it also improved my morning erections for a few days then stopped?? I am sure something is blocking my NO production or circulation but I have no idea what to do. Taking Cialis seems pointless to me as I want to cure ED naturally and permanently not actually have to take an ED drug as I already have to buy Viagra for that.

I drink a redbull per day sugar free, I'm not sure whether this is effecting me? because other than that my diet is clean and I only drink water no tea, coffee or sports drinks.

Any advice you could give me would be much appreciated.

 

my diet is clean

The official medical establishment has never given scientifically based diet information, and neither has the government. Of course, the reason is money and politics.

Ironically, I have found that the UK has probably the least amount of scientifically accurate diet and nutrition information - even though all the misinformation originated in the US (first from 7th Day Adventists 100 years ago, and then in the 70's from a US Senate committee).

SO, what do you mean by "my diet is clean" ?

And when you say "something I have been taking." have you been taking any pharmaceuticals regularly ?

 

By clean diet I mean a fairly strict bodybuilding type diet.

Breakfast eggs and porridge
11am Fish and Rice
2pm Chicken and Sweet Potato
6pm Chicken, Rice and Veg
9pm (after gym) Fish and Rice and Veg or Steak
10.30pm - Protein Shake

I only drink Water and I keep this diet pretty much 7days per week.

I do not taking any pharmaceuticals just vitamins and gym supplements and Viagra when needed.

but something I am doing or not doing is causing my ED and I would love to know what I can do to cure it.