Nootropics are supplements, drugs, or functional foods, that enhance cognitive functions such as intelligence, memory, creativity, and attention.
Nootropics have seen an influx of interest over the last several years as people search for ways to maximize their brains potential.
The word itself, coined by the Romanian psychologist and chemist Dr. Corneliu E. Giurgea who synthesized the first nootropic piracetam over 50 years ago, is a combination of the Greek words nous (mind) and trepein (to bend or turn).
According to Dr. Giurgeas definition, nootropics:
Piracetam, the first nootropic created, is still widely regarded as one of the best nootropics available, particularly a good choice for first-time users.
However, since piracetam was first synthesized, several more nootropics have been created meaning that today we now have a whole array of options to choose from.
While nootropics are not a miracle drugs that will turn an ordinary person into a genius overnight, research suggests that some nootropics are able to augment the power of the human brain, especially its capacity for memory and ability to learn, essentially making people smarter.
Nootropics are not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle. You still need to work hard when learning. However, nootropics may provide an edge that allows your brain to function at its best.
Nootropics are also regarded for their ability to contribute to the brains overall long-term well-being. Billions of neurotransmitters and receptors control the brain and all of its functions and modulating their behavior can result in improved brain function.
In addition to providing enhanced learning ability, the improved responses of neurotransmitters mean greater resistance to the normal cognitive decline that comes with aging as well as to cognitive disorders such as amnesia and dementia.
Some nootropics work by increasing the supply of oxygen-rich blood to the brain or by increasing the brains acetylcholine levels, the neurotransmitter that is largely responsible for the brains memory, learning, and mood functions.
Other nootropics, such as Lions Mane can even stimulate the production of Nerve Growth Factor wherein protein synthesis results in the growth of brain cells, particularly in the cells dendrites that make the communication of impulses possible throughout the central nervous system. Dendritic growth means faster communication, which in turn translates into improved learning and memory. It must be noted that some nootropics must be taken for days or weeks for its beneficial effects to kick in.
There are others, such as Noopept or phenylpiracetam, that have immediate effects.
With so many options out there, its important to do your research and find the right nootropic for your needs.
Nootropics are generally categorized into three main groups: racetams, stimulants, and nutraceuticals. Each nootropic group has a specific set of functions that contribute to preserving and improving the brains capability and health.
It is possible also possible to combine different nootropics, known as stacking, resulting in a powerful synergistic effect where the individual components of the stack produce an effect greater than the sum of their individual effects.
If youre a student facing difficulty in exams, a working professional looking for that extra edge, and an older person that wants to continue enjoying the mental agility of a young mind, nootropics may be the answer youre looking for.
Planning to start a new supplementation regimen? See our medical disclaimer.
Read the original:
What are Nootropics? | Braintropic
- Brain Center - Research News and brain Supplement Reviews - December 12th, 2016 [December 12th, 2016]
- Buy Noopept Powder | View Noopept Reviews and Benefits - December 14th, 2016 [December 14th, 2016]
- Racetam - Wikipedia - December 15th, 2016 [December 15th, 2016]
- Nootropics from Nature - niume.com - December 17th, 2016 [December 17th, 2016]
- Nootrobox - Official Site - December 18th, 2016 [December 18th, 2016]
- What Are Nootropics? A Guide to Nootropic Supplements - December 26th, 2016 [December 26th, 2016]
- Nootropic Supplements [Smart Drugs] Simple Nootropics Guide - December 27th, 2016 [December 27th, 2016]
- 13 Nootropics to Unlock Your True Brain - blog.bulletproof.com - January 3rd, 2017 [January 3rd, 2017]
- Nootropics | The Biohacker Guide by Nootrobox - January 3rd, 2017 [January 3rd, 2017]
- About Us - Nootropics.com - January 17th, 2017 [January 17th, 2017]
- Silicon Valley's 'nootropic' smart drugs a big business - Daily Sabah - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- How to target a niche market at a small business - Telegraph.co.uk - February 8th, 2017 [February 8th, 2017]
- Global Nootropics Market has been expected to grow at CAGR 17.9% CAGR during 2016-2024- Credence Research - PDF Devices - February 14th, 2017 [February 14th, 2017]
- Onnit Earth Grown Nutrients All-In-One Daily Greens Mix Review - BarBend (blog) - February 15th, 2017 [February 15th, 2017]
- Need Some Energy Or Some Better Sleep? The Mad Scientists at Nootrobox Can Help - Magnetic Magazine (blog) - February 16th, 2017 [February 16th, 2017]
- Elevacity Introduces Smart Coffee: "Elevate" - Press Release ... - Digital Journal - February 18th, 2017 [February 18th, 2017]
- Elevacity Introduces Smart Coffee: Elevate - Satellite PR News (press release) - February 20th, 2017 [February 20th, 2017]
- The Nootropics Guy | Testing and Reviewing Nootropics - February 20th, 2017 [February 20th, 2017]
- NEU Brings Nootropics to Energy Shots - BevNET.com - February 21st, 2017 [February 21st, 2017]
- Nootropedia Launches Flagship Brain Conference | Benzinga - Benzinga - March 3rd, 2017 [March 3rd, 2017]
- Le-Vel's new premium nootropic capsule designed to support, optimize mental capabilities - Yahoo Finance - March 7th, 2017 [March 7th, 2017]
- Hacking the Human Body with the CEO of Nootrobox - Paste Magazine - March 7th, 2017 [March 7th, 2017]
- Why Would People Without Diabetes Monitor Their Blood Sugar? - A Sweet Life - March 8th, 2017 [March 8th, 2017]
- Sharp & Energized! IMPRESS! Dietary Supplement for Men Unleashes Nootropic Power of Cereboost from Naturex - Digital Journal - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- Take a Chill Pill (How to Relax in the Modern Age) - Huffington Post - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- Brief Guide To Nootropic Supplements - Serie A Weekly - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- Best Nootropics Smart Pills - Serie A Weekly - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- How Do Various Nootropics Work? - Serie A Weekly - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- Information On Nootropics - Serie A Weekly - June 12th, 2017 [June 12th, 2017]
- Best Nootropics for Sale in 2017 | Reviews and Comparison - June 20th, 2017 [June 20th, 2017]
- Nootropics Market Is Predicted To Hit USD 6059.4 Mn By 2024, Expanding At A CAGR Of 17.9% From 2016 To 2024. - Technorati - June 23rd, 2017 [June 23rd, 2017]
- The Ultimate Guide To Nootropics | Supplement Critique - June 23rd, 2017 [June 23rd, 2017]
- Medical Q&A: So-called smart drugs can turn out to be a dumb idea - Sarasota Herald-Tribune - June 27th, 2017 [June 27th, 2017]
- Duke Neuroscientist: Brain Augmentation Will Allow Us to Make a New Kind of Human - Futurism - July 3rd, 2017 [July 3rd, 2017]
- Nootrobox is now HVMN and will sell biohacking products beyond nootropics - TechCrunch - July 3rd, 2017 [July 3rd, 2017]
- The Top 5 Nootropic Supplements of 2017 Health Ranks - July 4th, 2017 [July 4th, 2017]
- NITROvit 2017 - Brain Enhancement Memory and Focus Pills - July 5th, 2017 [July 5th, 2017]
- Buying a boost: Smart drugs on campus - Emerald Media - Oregon Daily Emerald - July 15th, 2017 [July 15th, 2017]
- NETCENTS Integrates Top Tier Merchants Within the Nutraceutical Sector - Canada NewsWire (press release) - July 20th, 2017 [July 20th, 2017]
- Every Entrepreneur Needs Flow. Nootropics Can Get You There. - Entrepreneur - July 20th, 2017 [July 20th, 2017]
- Nootropics | Our Favorite Nootropics Supplements - July 20th, 2017 [July 20th, 2017]
- True Focus Review (UPDATED 2017): Don't Buy Before You Read This! - Diets In Review (blog) - July 26th, 2017 [July 26th, 2017]
- Nootropics: How Smart Can You Get on Smart Drugs? - Brain Blogger (blog) - July 26th, 2017 [July 26th, 2017]
- Is Qualia Revolutionary or Just Another Nootropic? - HuffPost - August 1st, 2017 [August 1st, 2017]
- New study into 'smart drugs' in the finance industry - Investment Magazine - August 4th, 2017 [August 4th, 2017]
- Pimp my Brain: The Quest for Intelligence - TG Daily (blog) - August 4th, 2017 [August 4th, 2017]
- Nootropic Effects of Psychedelic and Addictive Substances - Brain Blogger (blog) - August 4th, 2017 [August 4th, 2017]
- Smart drugs in financial services: A growing trend? - Professional Planner - August 7th, 2017 [August 7th, 2017]
- Labdoor Special Report: We Tested the Infowars Supplements - Markets Insider - August 11th, 2017 [August 11th, 2017]
- Could new dietary supplements boost brain power? - WNDU-TV - August 12th, 2017 [August 12th, 2017]
- NootroNerd Website Offers Comprehensive Articles About Nootropics and Cognitive Enhancement Methods - Digital Journal - August 25th, 2017 [August 25th, 2017]
- 4 Biohacking Facts You Should Know About in 2017 - Techzone360 - August 25th, 2017 [August 25th, 2017]
- Best Supplements For Your Brain: 4 Nootropics That Work Like ... - February 11th, 2018 [February 11th, 2018]
- Best Supplements For Your Brain: 4 Nootropics That Work ... - February 23rd, 2018 [February 23rd, 2018]
- nootropics / smart drugs - March 26th, 2018 [March 26th, 2018]
- NootropicsDepot - Official Site - April 3rd, 2018 [April 3rd, 2018]
- Modafy Brain Stack | Accelerated Nootropics Formula - April 29th, 2018 [April 29th, 2018]
- Noopept | Smarter Nootropics - July 6th, 2018 [July 6th, 2018]
- About - Pure Nootropics - August 19th, 2018 [August 19th, 2018]
- Buy Bulk Nootropics Online at SmartPowders.com - August 19th, 2018 [August 19th, 2018]
- Nootropics Supply | Smart Drugs & Racetams - September 6th, 2018 [September 6th, 2018]
- Ranking the best nootropics of 2018 - BodyNutrition - September 16th, 2018 [September 16th, 2018]
- What are Nootropics? - Smart Drug Smarts | Fuel Your ... - September 17th, 2018 [September 17th, 2018]
- Lithium Orotate Nootropics Expert - October 9th, 2018 [October 9th, 2018]
- Thrive Naturals Super Brain Renew Review | Brain Supplement ... - October 12th, 2018 [October 12th, 2018]
- Pure Nootropics Review - Are They Reliable? - November 3rd, 2018 [November 3rd, 2018]
- Buy the Best Nootropics in Europe - Mind Nutrition Research - November 3rd, 2018 [November 3rd, 2018]
- Nootropics: Cognitive Brain Enhancers to get Focused - November 3rd, 2018 [November 3rd, 2018]
- Top Nootropics 2018 (200% Increased Productivity) - November 3rd, 2018 [November 3rd, 2018]
- Nootropics & Smart Drug Reviews - November 3rd, 2018 [November 3rd, 2018]
- Nootroo - The Gold Standard In Nootropics - November 8th, 2018 [November 8th, 2018]
- The Complete Introduction To Nootropics, From Beginner To ... - December 11th, 2018 [December 11th, 2018]
- Best Nootropics 2018 (Updated) Nootropics Expert - January 16th, 2019 [January 16th, 2019]
- The Big List of Nootropics | Braintropic - April 6th, 2019 [April 6th, 2019]
- The Complete Introduction To Nootropics, From Beginner To Expert - April 6th, 2019 [April 6th, 2019]
- Nootropics r/Nootropics - reddit - April 6th, 2019 [April 6th, 2019]
- What are "Nootropics"? - Smart Drug Smarts - April 20th, 2019 [April 20th, 2019]
- Best Nootropics 2019 (Updated from 2018) Nootropics Expert - April 29th, 2019 [April 29th, 2019]
- Best Nootropics (Smart Drugs) to Unlock Your True Brain - June 3rd, 2019 [June 3rd, 2019]
- Biohacking: The Art and Science of Upgrading the Human Being - Interesting Engineering - September 21st, 2019 [September 21st, 2019]