Do you ever think about the things that could be done if the full potential of the human brain was untapped? What would suddenly happen humans were able to fulfill the complete potential of their minds? (OK, maybe I’m the one who’s using my mind a little too much!)
Enter nootropics.
These are classified as various substances, drugs, and supplements with the potential to enhance brain function. Nowadays, people are eager to get their hands on the latest quick-fix to solve their problems. Brain fog? Just take a pill! Trouble focusing? Again, just take another pill! But let’s give nootropics a fair chance by deciphering what they actually do, and whether or not taking them is worth it at the end of the day. Ready to dive in? Come with me!

Nootropics 101

Calling nootropics “brain enhancers” is an oversimplification. We need to get down to specifics. What exactly does a nootropic do to your brain? According to research, they’re often referred to as “cognition enhancers” that can affect the three cognitive areas of the brain: memory, attention (or focus), and creativity. Beyond these, nootropics may aid in problem-solving, decision-making, stress and relaxation, motivation or relieving malaise, and sleep. [1]

Nootropics act in a number of ways as they enhance brain function.
First, they function as vasodilators in the brain… or, to put it simply, they increase blood flow in both the body and the brain. This is very beneficial since the increased flow of blood helps to increase circulation and nutrient absorption in the brain, therefore giving it a “boost” in performance. [2]
Second, nootropics help to lower stress and inflammation. Both of these factors are known to significantly affect cognitive performance. From a practical sense, stress is most definitely going to impact your ability to focus and think. But from a physiological perspective, it can actually become detrimental if left unchecked. Researchers from the University of California Berkeley found that chronic stress can dramatically alter both the structure and behavior of the brain. It can cause imbalances in the gray and white matters of the brain that are responsible for things like sending signals to the rest of the body and decision-making. [3] And what also jeopardizes brain health is inflammation. Nootropics are beneficial because they help to protect brain cells from the damaging effects of inflammation. [4]

And as a bonus, they can also help to fight age-related neurodegeneration or cognitive decline. Although there is still so much to be discovered in the research, nootropics are promising preventatives, since they keep the brain active and strong by way of stimulation. Think of them as a means of keeping your brain from becoming lazy. As we age, our body tends to have a “use it or lose it” approach, so if we are not regularly engaging our mind as much as we should, then a steady but sure decline is going to be well underway. (Why else are seniors encouraged to do crossword puzzles and other brain activities? It’s for this reason!) All the more reason why nootropics might be a good adjunct to lifestyle when it comes to slowing down the mental aging process! [5]

Lastly, nootropics play a role in neurotransmitter regulation, resulting in a number of cognitive benefits. What they do is balance neurochemicals like dopamine, serotonin, GABA, adrenaline, and epinephrine and neurotransmitters like cortisol and glutamate. In doing so, we’re more relaxed, less anxious, and able to process information more efficiently. Our sleep also improves since we’re able to fall asleep quicker and enter a deeper state of rest. [6] Yet another mechanism behind this has to do with nootropics increasing what is known as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF). These two also regulate the neurons in our brain, and by increasing them we increase the overall function of our brain. And it gets even better. By increasing BDNF and NGF, we enhance a process known as neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to respond to both internal and external stressors like physical trauma and disease. [7]

Sources of Nootropics

Nootropics can be found in nature and synthesized in a lab. They can also be a product made from the lab processing of a specific compound derived from an otherwise natural source.
On the natural side, some nootropics include herbs like ashwagandha, Bacopa monnieri, ginkgo biloba, Rhodiola, and ginseng. Adaptogens, which help the brain adapt to stress, are also nootropic and include medicinal mushrooms like Reishi, Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, and Chaga. And on the synthetic side, you’ve got piracetam, Adderall, Modafinil, Concerta, aniracetam, oxiracetam, and pramiracetam (to name a few). As for the nootropic compounds derived from natural sources, there’s Huperzine-A, 5-HTP, Phosphatidylserine, Choline Bitartrate, Alpha GPC, Creatine, GABA, and L-Tyrosine (again, just naming a few).
You might also have taken a nootropic without even realizing it: caffeine. It’s probably the most commonly used nootropic out there, and many people can attest to it being their “daily wakeup” to help kickstart focus, energy, and alertness. Of course, not everyone feels those effects (myself included), which brings me to the next point about nootropics: the risks and side effects of nootropics.

Nootropics: Risks and Side Effects

Most nootropics derived from herbs and natural compounds (i.e., GABA, creatine, ashwagandha, Reishi) are generally recognized as safe. However, there is no such thing as a completely safe or effective supplement. Just like diet is down to a host of factors including genetics, gender, age, and lifestyle, so too are nootropics. Despite a certain compound working for someone else doesn’t mean it’s going to turn out the same way for you. Another thing to keep in mind is that many of the nootropic supplements out there combine multiple ingredients in one in order to see any substantial effects. They also tend to act slower and subtler, so patience is key. As for nootropic “smart drugs” or prescriptions, you’ve got to be extremely careful. Get them from a real, licensed healthcare practitioner, and not some suspicious website off the internet. And keep in mind that any nootropic, whether it’s from a natural source or a prescription, can potentially cause reactions like brain fog, headache, stomach upset, hallucination, anxiety, and addiction. [8]

Should You Be Taking Nootropics?

Nootropics have a number of applications, so consider the following and decide if dabbling with a nootropic or two might be worth your while:

• You’re dealing with irregular moods, lack of concentration, trouble memorizing things, brain fog, and constant energy slumps
• Your job has a high cognitive demand (writing, personal assistant, law, healthcare, customer service, engineer, computer programming)
• You are a student or actor (both involve study and memorization!)
• Brain health and brain-related disease prevention are a high priority for you

At the end of the day, we ultimately know what’s best for ourselves. Like I mentioned in the risks and side effects, not everyone reacts the same way to nootropics. Be smart, do your research, and talk with your doctor to make sure they’re appropriate for you and your lifestyle. If and when you start taking them, pay close attention and see how they affect you whether it’s your mood, energy, focus, or sleep.
But let me hear from you- do you think nootropics are a good idea? Have you ever taken them before (natural or synthetic), and which ones do you recommend?

Sources:

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18353672
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5021479/
[3] https://www.verywellmind.com/surprising-ways-that-stress-affects-your-brain-2795040
[4] https://health.usnews.com/wellness/mind/articles/2018-09-27/what-are-nootropics
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8920174
[6] https://perfectketo.com/what-are-nootropics/#3
[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24266378
[8] https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/nootropics