What Are Nootropics And Do They Work?
20 min read
1. What Are Nootropics?
Nootropics are derived from two Greek words: "nous" meaning “mind”, and “tropein” meaning to “bend or turn.” This classification of drugs has been commonly entitled as “smart drugs,” in slang and urban dictionaries. Nootropics are substances used to boost the brain’s performance. Sometimes also referred to as memory-enhancing substances, or cognition enhancers. Yet, this wide class of brain enhancers consists of 80+ other different substances that are mostly futile and wildly different. They even include coffee, Adderall, and psychedelics.
In the beginning, the term ‘nootropics' was referred to as chemicals with minimal criteria. However, now, it refers to any synthetic or natural substance that has some kind of positive impact on the skills and mind of the user. Generally nootropics are categorized under prescription drugs, dietary supplements, or synthetic compounds. Health experts are of the view that taking nootropics may be useful for an FDA approved purpose. But for some prescription based cognitive enhancers, there is much controversy.
Prescription Smart Drugs or Non Prescription Nootropics?
Adderall and Ritalin
The word nootropics is popular among individuals for improving concentration and focus. It is equally as popular to get prescription medicines, which are usually recommended for ADHD. This practice is most common amongst the youngsters, particularly the Millennials. Some of these medications are abused, causing many side effects; especially when taken in a higher dose, more than recommended.
Ritalin, the most infamous ADHD medication, is not an amphetamine. But Ritalin still has the capability of being a powerful stimulant, whereas, Adderall is characterized as an amphetamine; side effects of both of these drugs include loss of appetite, insomnia, headaches, and anxiety. Overdosed may result in heart attack, high blood pressure, seizures, and hallucinations.
So far it seems that only the prescription nootropics have any true, long lasting, negative side effects; this is why they now require a prescription from a licensed physician, to prevent abuse and misuse by the user. On the other hand, many clinical studies dating back as far as the 1940s have shown certain non prescription nootropics maybe more effective and perhaps all around better than prescription nootropics; with users experiencing little, to no, side effects.
Piracetam
Piracetam belongs to a class of substances, called racetams. It may include oxiracetam, phenylpiracetam, and aniracetam; out of which, piracetam is readily available and popularly used. Piracetam is a synthetic substance, that has similar features as gamma-Aminobutyric acid, developed by Dr. Giurgea. In some countries such as the UK, Italy, and Australia, this nootropil is known as a prescription drug; but in the US it is not considered to be dangerous, classified as a dietary supplement, and is sold as a research compound for human consumption. Minor side effects, such as headache, has been reported with the ingestion of racetams.
What Substances Are Commonly Referred To As Nootropics?
The list of substances commonly referred to as nootropics varies greatly. Depending on if you strictly adhere to the definition of nootropics, given by Dr. Giurgea; or believe in the aspect, anything that helps to promote any part of your brain functions deserves the title of nootropics.
The Following substances are generally referred to as nootropics:
Botanical extracts (e.g., Panax ginseng, Ginkgo biloba, Bacopa monnieri, and Rhodiola Rosea)
Exclusive dietetic ingredients, e.g., L-theanine, creatine, (combined with caffeine), acetyl-L-carnitine, resveratrol, and phosphatidylserine
Prescription drugs (Adderall, Ritalin, Modafinil)
Free substances, e.g., the racetams, piracetam (most widely used)
2. So, Do Nootropics Work?
Using nootropics, as a supplement, is still not a clear choice; but yes, a few of them work. Mostly, ‘smart drugs’ are stimulants, which means that they are chemicals that act to give a temporary boost to your brain’s ability to concentrate and focus for a period of time.
As previously mentioned, some of the drugs which are evident to work, such as Modafinil and Adderall, are usually used for patients to recover from a coma; these are prescription drugs. Very few other smart drugs, which are sometimes illegal or not prescribed, do have evidence of effectiveness. Diatom Nutrients has a “perfected” nootropic stack, Brain Nutrients, that has been clinically backed by evidence of effectiveness without side effects; while not needing a prescription to obtain in the United States.
Are Nootropics The Only Way To Increase Brain Function?
Brain health can naturally improve with the following three things:
1. Exercising
Get the heart rate up; best is to cross-train with cardio and weight lifting, starting with lighter weight to create strength for heavier High Intensity Interval weight lifting.
2. Meditation
Try transcendental training or engage yourself in some intelligence testing at home, or during spare time at work. Solve some puzzles or attempt brain training games, like those found on apps.
3. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Known to be the most well-researched brain booster, and can be easily obtained from fish rather than opting for pills. Only if fish is not available, or difficult to find, then the pills are an excellent second option. Omega-3 fatty acids are actually nature’s perfected smart drugs. You may not find a visible difference immediately, but will notice the change over time, then if you never added them in your diet.
3. What Will You Feel When Taking Nootropics?
Increased Concentration
According to elemental chemistry, the gathering of molecules of a specific compound will concentrate out other compounds. For instance, non-active compounds of a chemical are removed by another highly concentrated chemical compound; leaving behind the bioactive compounds, in a denser quantity. This concentration game is said to be, “less is more;” nootropics work on this same principle of chemistry.
By acting upon the brain, by strengthening its cerebral defence system against various un-productive and un-important disruptions, increasing the concentration of chemical compounds that result in a brain’s ability to focus. Many people use cheap caffeine and other artificial stimulants to increase their concentration towards work; but as expected, these substances, solitary, offer temporary and possibly harmful boosts to the brain. This is why nootropics are now being highly used, instead, for boosting brain concentration.
Ability To Multitask And Prioritize Better
Recently there's been a significant rise in the use of nootropics, as they are the vitamins essential for your brain; which were developed to increase cerebral performance. It may be time consuming to explore all the nootropic options, but in the end it is worth it. It might require some experimenting to find something that genuinely works with your specific biological makeup.
It is essential to take time to find the proper nootropic balance for you, since the wrong nootropic substances have the potential to disturb your sleep patterns, even though many of them are very effective. Diatom Brain Nutrients takes this into consideration, and has developed a safe balance for the general user. But even the Diatom Nutrients company expresses concern for a user of nootropics to try every safe combination available, to find the unique balance of nootropic substances that works best for the individual taking nootropics.
Reduced Anxiety and/or Depression
Stress is one of the most common distractions to productivity. Stress, whether it be psychological or hormonal, always has a negative impact on a person's capacity for thought. If not addressed properly, stress can have a long-term negative degenerative affect on the human body. Likewise, anxiety may also lead to an increased fear response; promoting negative behaviour, thoughts, and feelings. Negative feelings, such as uncertainty, are one of the critical and essential aspects of finding what is essential; problem solving, answering questions, and all around thought becomes hindered.
People with high stress and anxiety have a high tendency to exhaust themselves by over-thinking their decisions. In contrast, the people with low-stress burden tend to follow their passion and goals emphatically. Nootropics tend to reduce the risk of distracting stress levels rising, by regulating the HPA stress hormone cortisol response. Similarly, anxiolytic nootropics help to soothe the brain's hyperactivity, by relaxing the cerebral system, for a more natural method to produce something substantial and important.
Increased Productivity
Nootropics are of great help when talking about productivity. By providing a boost to brain concentration and motivation, while reducing distracting stress and anxiety, brain boosters tend to create an efficient ‘go to work’ perception that produces worthy content.
Boost In Confidence
Dopamine is a chemical, which plays a vital role in the ‘pleasure-reward’ response for achieving tasks. By enhancing dopamine activity, as a component of the catecholaminergic pathway, a confidence affect is felt by the user of nootropics. Nootropics also boost serotonergic activity, which is linked with the feeling of well-being and emotional stability. Serotonin is a chemical that helps to regulate mood and behaviour, plus impulsivity and appetite. Discipline and dedication lead to a highly productive worker; though, none of which, is possible without good mood and motivation.
Increased learning ability
Attending classes regularly, attentively, is one heck of a struggle; on top of the attempt to learn efficiently and adequately. To truly process, retain, and recall learned information is the game with college or University. And although, we might have our complaints and grievances with the current way academy operates, without any doubt, the capacity to learn, without, or within the school system, is important for our personal development and growth.
Nootropics help with the brain’s process of remembering, resulting in a better capacity for understanding new concepts and ideas. This is due to nootropics improving the conversion rate of perceived information, to learned information. Learning isn't possible without the willingness to absorb new information. Similarly, without the mental capacity to retain the learned information, recalling is also not possible; but fortunately, nootropics tend to improve both.
4. Is It Safe To Use Nootropics?
Any chemicals, whether it occurs naturally in nature or laboratory-made, have a potential for a negative impact on the normal chemistry of the human brain. Nootropics can be harmful and dangerous, when used at a higher dosage than recommended by a healthcare physician. Prescription nootropics have the highest potential for side effects ranging from simple apprehensions, to complete psychosis causing insomnia.
What else Should People Know about “Smart Drugs?”
The ways, and ideas, of getting something to make people smarter are ever prevailing in today’s society. As the population is aging, it is increasingly becoming more relevant to find ways of keeping our wits about us. Medicines that are prepared in laboratories and are expected to cure people with dementia, and other mental disorders, quickly are on the rise. In spite of, the charm in becoming smarter using these drugs, many of us are unaware of the fact that these “drugs” naturally exist in our skulls already. Your brain releases those smart chemicals, as a result of healthy food intake, workouts, and while doing a work of interest. Your brain’s apothecary is the richest in smart drugs and a safe trove to tap into first, and often.
5. Are There Any Side Effects Of Taking Nootropics, And What Are They?
Nootropics, when taken at accurate dosage levels, most likely will not have any side effects. But when they do occur, the most frequently reported ones are:
Foggy Brain
An abstract condition, or difficulty to explain in words what one wants to say. A ‘foggy brain’ is characterized by a typical deficiency of mental clarity, focus, and energy; usually caused by fatigue, after the cognitive demands induced by nootropics wear off. A fatigue similar to that of muscle trying to repair itself after a strenuous workout. Diatom Brain Nutrients evades the side effect of ‘brain fog’ by adding a compound to their stack, Alpha GPC, to assist your brain in repair; taking the pressure off your brain, while it normalizes, after your nootropic wears off. To learn more about Brain Nutrients read “Diatom Brain Nutrients Ingredients Explained.”
Headache
Headache is one of the most reported side effects of nootropic use. If you’re pondering about nootropics side effects, headache is usually the first, and the most likely side effect you will experience. These headache side effects are most likely due to the fact that nootropics cause a rise in blood pressure in the skull, so that our brains can have more of the needed nutrients to function better. Diatom Nutrients made their Brain Nutrients stack with the headache side effects in mind; they stacked in Omega-3 oil to help with heart rate, to steady blood flow and pressure on the brain.
Sleeplessness
Since nootropics are known to stimulate focus and alertness, some of them may also alleviate anxiety and over-excitation. Intuitively, you can deduce how having any nootropic stimulation before going to bed, will only lead to sleeplessness. Nootropics should be taken earlier in the day; only for the analytical tasks, or any intelligence tasks you have ahead of you. Any stimulation within 6 hours of bedtime, i.e. caffeine, has reportedly been found to disturb healthy sleep patterns; even if sleep is achieved, the chances of restful, deep, and restorative sleep decrease.
Other Possible Side Effects
Classified from a range of extremely rare to strange, other numerous nootropic side effects include the following:
• Mood Imbalance
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Anxieties
• Strange Dreams
The last, above mentioned, effect of nootropics is considered to be a planned goal of supplementation, by some. Provided that the linkage between acetylcholine augmentation and vivid dreams is correct. The impact of some strange effects of nootropics are considered as a benefit by some recreational users. Likewise, keep in mind that the threats of nootropic side effects are usually measured in short-term lengths. For herbal and synthetic supplements like Brain Nutrients, there is no history of strange side effects reported. Some have reported an increase in positive effects, when mixing Diatom Brain Nutrients with cannabis use; though, this is not at all endorsed nor recommended by Diatom Nutrients.
In Conclusion
Doctors are of the view, and agree upon the fact, that the most significant way to boost the brain’s performance is by getting sufficient sleep, regular exercise, nutritious food intake, and stress management. But in some cases, if people want to improve their cognitive function quickly, nootropics supplements can be of great help.
If you’re a student thriving to ace your finals, or a professional striving for his promotion, a person concerned with dementia, or you are looking to reverse Alzheimers, cracking a pill pack of Brain Nutrients may boost your brain power; and that kind of power sounds very attractive. It is not that surprising that the use of nootropics, or smart drugs, is rising. But for a person trying it for the first time, you should consult a doctor for further assistance before use.
