Nootropics. Miracle smart drugs or dietary supplements?
Nootropics are cognitive enhancers, produced by mixing a blend of ingredients that stimulate the brain into a better cognitive response. They are said to stimulate memory, creativity, and learning and allow you to keep your composure and drive for a longer amount of time. A successful capacity trend that seems to have more and more convinced buyers as time passes. These so-called smart drugs are fast gaining popularity among active, resourceful, innovative professionals in all fields. They are used by corporate workers, lawyers, designers, programmers, business owners, start-up innovators and students alike. And companies delivering nutritional supplements have not failed to take notice. But are nootropics just coffee on steroids or is there more to the story of instant brainpower?
Giurgea stated that nootropic drugs should help with memory and learning, they should enhance the power of behavior patterns to conditions that tend to disrupt them, they should increase the effectiveness of the tonic cortical/subcortical control mechanisms and have very few side effects.
You can see how that sounds instantly appealing to people looking to improve focus, creativity, and productivity on the job.
Compounds like Giurgea’s Piracetam are legal to buy and use in the US, but that has not stopped people from coming up with different blends of ingredients that promise the same effects. Nootropics ingredients include minerals, herbs, vitamins, amino acids, antioxidants or phospholipids. There are dozens of substances with smart drug potential being used right now and it seems like people cannot get enough of them.
These drugs influence neuronal and vascular functions as well as cognitive ones, without acting as a sedative or stimulant. They boost the brain energy level, support better cell response, help with the cerebral blood flow, support alpha brain waves (responsible for creativity) and help the brain to regenerate.
Alongside their primary use, people tend to resort to them for alleviating stress, fatigue or anxiety because certain nootropics work by affecting the levels of serotonin or dopamine in the brain.
As of yet, no independent study has confirmed any major side effects for consumers using these substances.
Racetams and indeed all compounds derived from Piracetam (the original nootropic) were shown to have only negligible levels of toxicity and side effects, but there is also little evidence that they do enhance cognitive functions on healthy individuals.
Some doctors, like Dr. David Hogan, author, and professor of medicine at the University of Calgary in Canada, say that “supplements cannot replicate the complexity of natural food and provide all its potential benefits.”
Others think that there is some truth to the claims made by nootropic enthusiasts, but it may take a while for the scientific evidence to back them up to be available.
Whatever the case, people will continue to believe in the miracle, brain-enhancing, smart drug of their choice. Communities are pretty strong already, with people sharing stories and advice on how to best make use of these cognitive enhancers. Just take a look at the r/Nootropics, Reddit’s go-to community, with almost 190.000 members.
It is probably one of the most used Nootropics on the market, next to Adderall. Scientists have concluded that it works by raising the levels of key chemicals and neurotransmitters in the brain including glutamate, dopamine, serotonin, and histamine.
Though approved for narcolepsy it has reportedly been found to be used by students, professionals and businessmen alike, as a smart drug, as well as an energy booster. And there are several reports of the substance being tested and used by the military, as a replacement for dexamphetamine (Adderall).
It also promises to help with long-term brain health and function.
Mind Lab Pro uses premium quality ingredients that come in 100% natural vegan plantcaps large enough to the delivery satisfying nootropic doses.
Onnit’s moto for Alpha Brain is: Shown to help support. Not at all far-fetched, considering that the company has released two studies that prove the use of their product brought a 2% greater improvement in verbal recall over placebo subjects. And a 21% faster completion time in executive function assessment compared to baseline. Numerous other increases in brain cognitive functions are cited as well.
https://www.onnit.com/clinical-studies/#alphabrain
Regardless of the environment, people tend to be very competitive. Be it in athletics or your everyday office routine, getting ahead could prove crucial in your quest to achieve your goals. In the end, it’s up to you to decide if cognitive enhancers are the kind of edge you need. Just remember that the most important component in this equation is your brain.
What are Nootropics?
First off, the very name sounds legendary. The term "nootropic" comes from the Greek words νους (noos) meaning "mind" and τρoπειn (tropein) meaning "towards". The man responsible for the word was Corneliu E. Giurgea, a Romanian psychologist and chemist, that invented Piracetam and referred to it as a nootropic.Giurgea stated that nootropic drugs should help with memory and learning, they should enhance the power of behavior patterns to conditions that tend to disrupt them, they should increase the effectiveness of the tonic cortical/subcortical control mechanisms and have very few side effects.
You can see how that sounds instantly appealing to people looking to improve focus, creativity, and productivity on the job.
Compounds like Giurgea’s Piracetam are legal to buy and use in the US, but that has not stopped people from coming up with different blends of ingredients that promise the same effects. Nootropics ingredients include minerals, herbs, vitamins, amino acids, antioxidants or phospholipids. There are dozens of substances with smart drug potential being used right now and it seems like people cannot get enough of them.
These drugs influence neuronal and vascular functions as well as cognitive ones, without acting as a sedative or stimulant. They boost the brain energy level, support better cell response, help with the cerebral blood flow, support alpha brain waves (responsible for creativity) and help the brain to regenerate.
Alongside their primary use, people tend to resort to them for alleviating stress, fatigue or anxiety because certain nootropics work by affecting the levels of serotonin or dopamine in the brain.
Are nootropics harmful?
The first thing to remember is that most of these cognitive enhancers fall under the category of dietary supplements and are categorized accordingly by the FDA. Both the FDA and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have warned various companies in regards to unsubstantiated claims about the benefits of nootropic substances and misleading information or illegal marketing.As of yet, no independent study has confirmed any major side effects for consumers using these substances.
Racetams and indeed all compounds derived from Piracetam (the original nootropic) were shown to have only negligible levels of toxicity and side effects, but there is also little evidence that they do enhance cognitive functions on healthy individuals.
Some doctors, like Dr. David Hogan, author, and professor of medicine at the University of Calgary in Canada, say that “supplements cannot replicate the complexity of natural food and provide all its potential benefits.”
Others think that there is some truth to the claims made by nootropic enthusiasts, but it may take a while for the scientific evidence to back them up to be available.
Whatever the case, people will continue to believe in the miracle, brain-enhancing, smart drug of their choice. Communities are pretty strong already, with people sharing stories and advice on how to best make use of these cognitive enhancers. Just take a look at the r/Nootropics, Reddit’s go-to community, with almost 190.000 members.
Tips if you want to buy nootropics
There are two kinds of nootropics currently available for legal use in the US. Prescription and over the counter dietary supplements. That being said, most nootropics compound manufacturers rely on general data regarding ingredients to substantiate the advantages their products provide. Some are undergoing testing right now, while others don’t feel compelled to do that under current FDA dietary supplements regulations. That doesn’t mean you can’t find some good examples out there, which are bound to get you the brainpower boost you require.Provigil (modafilin)
Modafinil is a prescription drug usually employed in treating sleep disorders like sleep apnea or narcolepsy. In addition to helping people stay awake, it improves wakefulness, decision making, alertness, enhances thinking and perception.It is probably one of the most used Nootropics on the market, next to Adderall. Scientists have concluded that it works by raising the levels of key chemicals and neurotransmitters in the brain including glutamate, dopamine, serotonin, and histamine.
Though approved for narcolepsy it has reportedly been found to be used by students, professionals and businessmen alike, as a smart drug, as well as an energy booster. And there are several reports of the substance being tested and used by the military, as a replacement for dexamphetamine (Adderall).
Mind Lab Pro
Mind Lab Pro is an over the counter drug, that markets itself as the cleanest brain supplement ever developed. A true vegan supplement, this dietary supplement uses premium ingredients and takes pride in its high-potency nootropic nutrients. It supplies premium forms of nootropics that feature enhanced potency, activity, and bioavailability. The natural formula it employs is said to meet all your mental performance demands. Unlike Provigil, it concentrates less on keeping you awake and functioning and more on keeping you creative and productive.It also promises to help with long-term brain health and function.
Mind Lab Pro uses premium quality ingredients that come in 100% natural vegan plantcaps large enough to the delivery satisfying nootropic doses.
Onnit Alpha Brain
Alpha BRAIN helps you remember, focus on complex tasks, and improve the speed at which your mind responds to stimuli. Whether it is a work project, a social gathering, or an athletic performance, taking Alpha BRAIN is like adding another gear to your brain. It too is an over the counter nootropic. It uses ingredients such as bacopa, cat’s claw, huperzia serrata, oat straw, and vitamin B6.Onnit’s moto for Alpha Brain is: Shown to help support. Not at all far-fetched, considering that the company has released two studies that prove the use of their product brought a 2% greater improvement in verbal recall over placebo subjects. And a 21% faster completion time in executive function assessment compared to baseline. Numerous other increases in brain cognitive functions are cited as well.
https://www.onnit.com/clinical-studies/#alphabrain
Regardless of the environment, people tend to be very competitive. Be it in athletics or your everyday office routine, getting ahead could prove crucial in your quest to achieve your goals. In the end, it’s up to you to decide if cognitive enhancers are the kind of edge you need. Just remember that the most important component in this equation is your brain.
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