Category Archives: Nootropics

NooCube is TSR.orgs #1 ranked Nootropic brain supplement. It contains the highest quality, most clinically studied and most potent ingredients among all the supplements in this category.READ THE REVIEW

Brain Pill is a new supplement on the nootropic scene that has made some waves.We believe it certainly deserves the attention it has been getting and we ranked it high on our list. Check out this Brain Pill review to learn whyit earned its spot anda few of its shortcomings that prevented it from being #1. READ THE REVIEW

Addy Focus is a unique supplement that should have been invented a long time ago. It is exactly what it sounds like: an alternative to the drug Adderall. Can you really experience the benefits of Adderall without needing a prescription or having to suffer from the side effects? Check out this review to learn how Addy Focus makes it possible.READ THE REVIEW

Lumonol is without a doubt one of the best brain supplements on the market. It uses a combination of very potent and proven ingredients that makes for a super powerful formula. Based on the high overall potency, positive user experiences, and high quality formula, this is definitely a solid bet when it comes to brain supplements. It may not be #1, but it certainly earned its spot on the top 10 list.READ THE REVIEW

Geniux is a brain supplement that has been getting a lot of attention lately because of its apparent ability to improve brain function and cognitive performance. But just because of its widespread popularity, it is at the bottom of our top-1o list for a reason. Checkout this Geniux review to learn why.READ THE REVIEW

OptiMind is by far one of the most popular brain supplements on the market. We certainly consider it to be one of the ten best brain supplementsbut it failed to crack the top 5. Read this OptiMind review todiscover the positives and the negatives. READ THE REVIEW

Alpha Brain is one of the top 10 brain supplements on the market because of the high quality ingredients, diverse formula, and wide array of benefits. Its certainly a good supplement, but is it the best? Read this Alpha Brain review to find out why it made the top 10 but didnt crack the top 5. READ THE REVIEW

Adderin is another supplement designed to mimic the effects of the A.D.D. drug, Adderall. Is it possible for a natural supplement to work as well as Adderall? Read this Adderin review to find out just how effective it is and why it rankedwhere it did in our list. READ THE REVIEW

Smart Pill, by Only Natural, is one of the many brain supplements out there that claims to be able to boost overall function and cognitive performance, but does it live up to the claims?Though it deserves a top-ten ranking, it is far removed from the best of the best.READ THE REVIEW

Smart X is ranked #2 in our top 10 list because it is loaded with proven ingredients, and in high potencies. This popular brain supplement won the Best Brain Supplement of 2015. Find out why it didnt rank #1.READ THE REVIEW

Brain Pill is a new supplement on the nootropic scene that has made some waves.We believe it certainly deserves the attention it has been getting and we ranked it high on our list. Check out this Brain Pill review to learn whyit earned its spot anda few of its shortcomings that prevented it from being #1. READ THE REVIEW

CogniMaxxXL is a brain supplement formula that according to the manufacturer claim, gives the best brain of your life especially if your age is above 40.The manufacturerdeclares that their proprietary cognitive enhancer improves memory, the ability to focus and improves overall concentration. And for the most part, we agree.READ THE REVIEW

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Nootropics | Our Favorite Nootropics Supplements

VANCOUVER, July 19, 2017 /CNW/ -NetCents Technology Inc. ("NetCents" or the "Company") (CSE: NC) is pleased to announce the rapid expansion of its merchant portfolio, further validating the company's robust suite of eCommerce-based plugins; such as WooCommerce and Magento (See news May 23, 2017 and July 5, 2017).

The latest fully integrated, additions to NetCents' diverse merchant base include four, top tier market leaders within the burgeoning Nutraceutical vertical. Since the successful integration of these four merchant-partners, NetCents has realized a significant boost in both active users and transactional volumes.

Automated, onboarding processes have facilitated the accelerated growth of NetCents' merchant portfolio. These processes allow prospective merchants to realize a practically instantaneous integration into the NetCents Gateway. One of the preeminent features of the NetCents' platform is its ability to immediately onboard merchants through its low-touch online gateway.

"NetCents has created revolutionary, low touch, high growth merchant integration procedures. This is because of our fully automated merchant application and on-boarding process. We have completely streamlined the merchant integration process by removing non-value added activities," said Clayton Moore CEO & Founder, NetCents Technology Inc.

Another prominent feature of the NetCents' platform is the company's AI 2.0 proprietary processing algorithm, pre-validation of transactions before the final transaction is processed with the merchant. "This process eliminates 99.9% of all chargeback related events, which is a multi billion-dollar problem," said Clayton Moore CEO & Founder, NetCents Technology Inc. "The NetCents solution opens up a huge market opportunity, particularly in industries where merchants are labelled as high risk. The Nutraceutical industry in the most part has been deemed high risk where payment processing has not been available to these merchants. NetCents' cryptocurrency processing allows these online merchants the ability to conduct business and allowing NetCents the opportunity to corner lucrative markets such as Nutraceuticals for payment processing."

NetCents will be providing updates on these events in the coming weeks with more detailed information.

The cognitive enhancement supplement industry also called Nootropics or smart supplements are drugs, supplements, or other substances that improve cognitive function, particularly executive functions, memory, creativity, or motivation, in healthy individuals.

"Global Nootropics Market To Reach Over USD 6 Billion By 2024" according to the latest report published by Credence Research, Inc. "Nootropics Market - Growth, Future Prospects and Competitive Analysis, 2016-2024," the global Nootropics market was valued at USD 1.3 Billion in 2015, and is expected to reach over USD 6 Billion by 2024.

If your company or organization wishes to integrate the NetCents platform into your website, visit http://www.netcents.biz and click on our "Payment Gateway" tab to complete the online form to get the digital integration process started. A NetCents payment icon will be placed on your website at no cost.

About NetCents

NetCents is a next generation online payments processing platform, offering consumers and merchants online services for managing electronic payments. The Company is focused on capturing the migration from cash to digital currency by utilizing innovative Blockchain Technology to provide payment solutions that are simple to use, secure and worry free. NetCents works with its financial partners, mobile operators, exchanges, etc., to streamline the user experience of transacting online. NetCents Technology is integrated into the Automated Clearing House ("ACH") and is registered as a Money Services Business (MSB) with FINTRAC, which ensures our consumer's security and privacy. NetCents is available for deposits from 194 Countries around the World, providing you with the freedom to choose to Pay. Your Way.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors NetCents Technology Inc.

"Clayton Moore"Clayton Moore, CEO, Founder and Director

NetCents Technology Inc. Suite 880, 505 Burrard St (Bentall 1), Vancouver, BC, V7X 1M4

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Information

This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include regulatory actions, market prices, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

SOURCE NetCents Technology Inc.

For further information: please visit the corporate website at http://www.netcents.biz or contact Robert Meister, Capital Markets at Ph: 604.676.5248 or email: Robert.meister@net-cents.com.

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NETCENTS Integrates Top Tier Merchants Within the Nutraceutical Sector - Canada NewsWire (press release)

When Alexis got to the University of Oregon her freshman year, she was introduced to Adderall by someone selling it in her dorm. She went on to use it a couple of times a month for long readings and writing essays, as well as during exam periods.

If I needed to get things done quickly or jam a bunch of info into my head, it would be crazy easy, Alexis said.

Alexis, who asked that her real name not be used because its illegal to possess Adderall without a prescription, is just one of many UO students introduced to prescription stimulants when they come to college. A 2016 study conducted by the University of Maryland reported that 61.8 percent of students are offered prescription stimulants at some point during their college career. The same study found that up to one in five college students reported using those prescription stimulants.

These students take and sell the drug despite the legal risks. Its against the law to sell stimulants or possess them without a prescription. In 2005, a UO student was arrested for selling the drug from his dorm room.

Smart drugs

Nootropics, or smart drugs, are establishing themselves in mainstream society, similar to how athletic performance-enhancing drugs like anabolic steroids grew in popularity and notoriety in the past. The dangers of athletic doping are well documented. In the world of cognitive enhancement, the jury is still out on determining whether taking these drugs are worth the possibility of unknown long-term side effects.

In 1957, businessman Peter Drucker predicted that the most valuable asset of a 21st-century institution, whether business or nonbusiness, will be its knowledge workers and their productivity. This prediction seems to have come true. Knowledge workers, workers whose main capital is knowledge, are increasingly sought after as opposed to service and production employees in the information age that we live in. Many jobs are becoming more automated or outsourced elsewhere.

Unlike previous classes of working people who competed based on physical prowess or through their ability to do repetitive menial tasks, knowledge workers require a different set of skills. Brainpower being able to think critically and creatively to solve complex problems has become the differentiating factor required to succeed in knowledge-based jobs.

Best-selling author and entrepreneur Tim Ferriss explains that in business, The difference between completely failing and losing all of your money, and going home with your tail between your legs, making a million dollars, and making a billion dollars is right here [pointing to his head].

With an increased emphasis on critical thinking and problem solving, it makes sense that people are becoming more interested in cognitive-enhancing substances that hold the promise of potentially increasing focus, motivation, mood, attention and even out-of-the-box thinking ability.

Nootropics encompass a wide array of natural and synthetic drugs, dietary supplements, amino acids and other substances that are said to improve some aspect of cognition. Nootropics range from common and well-studied substances like caffeine and nicotine to pharmaceuticals like Modafinil and Adderall.

Most people are already smart drug users on a daily basis, whether they realize it or not. The FDA estimates that 80 percent of adults in the U.S. use caffeine daily. Caffeine can also improve energy, attention and certain aspects of memory.

Caffeine seems to be enough of a kick for most, though stronger stimulants such as Adderall or Ritalin Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder drugs make common appearances as study drugs on college campuses.

Potential Danger

Adderall increases dopamine levels in the brain, hitting the pleasure centers such as the ventral tegmental area and the nucleus accumbens to elevate mood, focus and vigilance.

That 10-page paper thats due tomorrow morning might be enough of a temptation for a student to take Adderall in an attempt to pull an all-nighter and get more done in less time. While Adderall may help in the short run, its side effects can include insomnia and loss of appetite, and consistent use can cause withdrawal symptoms.

For Alexis, the benefits of using Adderall came at a high price.

A side effect Ive had nearly every time Ive used it is a nasty comedown I get a really lonely and depressing feeling for a couple of hours after it wears off.

According to university physician Dr. Anna Hejinian, Adderall is a Schedule II drug the same category as cocaine and methamphetamine. The FDA classifies medications as Schedule II if they have a high abuse potential, leading to possibly severe psychological or physical dependence. Despite the problems with drugs classified in Schedule II, these medications still have effective medical uses, according to the FDA.

The process of filling a prescription for Adderall and other prescription psychostimulants is similar to the opioid painkillers Vicodin and Oxycontin, Hejinian says. In order to get legally prescribed ADHD medications, Hejinian explained that patients must undergo rigorous testing to determine whether they really have ADHD.

Because its so time intensive, the health center doesnt usually prescribe for or diagnose ADHD, Hejinian says.

Its illegal to the point where you could be in jail if you offer these medicines [prescription stimulants] to someone else for their use, she said.

Alternatives

There are other cognitive-enhancing pharmaceutical alternatives to amphetamines, such as Modafinil, a wakefulness-promoting drug (not a traditional stimulant) prescribed to counter fatigue in conditions such as narcolepsy or sleep apnea. While commonly studied in sleep-deprived individuals, recent studies have shown benefits in healthy subjects. Twenty-six percent of students at Oxford University had taken the drug, according to a campus newspaper survey in 2014, and many professionals already use Modafinil in an effort to enhance their performance. Modafinil, a Schedule IV drug, has gentler side effects than ADHD stimulants.

Dave Asprey is an entrepreneur and founder of Bulletproof, a lifestyle brand that sells coffee and supplements engineered to improve performance. He went on CNN and ABC Nightline to publicly discuss the impact of Modafinil in his life. He gives the drug credit for allowing him to work full-time at a startup that sold for $600 million, while getting an MBA from Wharton.

One reason I like [Modafinil] is that it shares many of the benefits other stimulants do, without the addiction or withdrawal, Asprey said. Modafinil is a prescription drug though, so you will need to talk to a physician to obtain it.

Modafinil is compared to the fictional NZT-48 pill that Bradley Coopers character takes in the movie Limitless. In the movie, Coopers character is a disheveled bachelor with writers block who starts taking the pill and is able to quickly finish a novel, learn multiple foreign languages and make millions trading stocks.

A review paper found that Modafinil improves decision making, planning ability and performance on lengthy tasks. Anna-Katharine Brem, a co-author of the study, stated, In the face of vanishingly few side effects in these controlled environments, Modafinil can be considered a cognitive enhancer.

While smart drugs steal the show and gain lots of media coverage, natural substances can also enhance brain performance. Vitamins and minerals are essential for healthy brain function. Vitamin B12 deficiencies can cause cognitive difficulties and memory issues, and can even result in severe depression and paranoia in extremely deficient individuals. Low vitamin D levels can result in as much as twice the cognitive impairment as compared to people with optimal levels, according to a recent study.

Steven Fowkes, an organic chemist and founder of the Cognitive Enhancement Research Institute, said fixing nutritional deficiencies can result in the same effects that a drug delivers.

The first place to start is with B-complex vitamins. See if theres an objective increase in cognitive performance, said Fowkes.

This approach, working from the ground up to improve our neurochemistry, is a safer and potentially more impactful option than taking pharmaceuticals that carry risks.

Asprey said exercise, sleep, and nutrition are bigger levers than drugs.

While popping a pill is much easier than developing a healthy lifestyle to increase your brainpower, it might not be the most effective choice.

An Uncertain Verdict

Smart drugs also carry risks, many of which are not well-studied in humans, and the long-term side effects have not been determined in many of these substances. Smart drug usage certainly presents ethical dilemmas. Some argue that smart drugs, like doping in sports, provide an unfair advantage. People might feel compelled to take smart drugs if their co-workers and classmates are taking them and doing better as a result.

Smart drugs and other cognitive enhancing substances offer the possibility of altering human cognition. A radical leap ahead in human consciousness is possible in the ever-expanding world of nootropics, although weighing the rewards with the risks of taking cognitive enhancers is a necessary component.

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Buying a boost: Smart drugs on campus - Oregon Daily Emerald

Believe The Hype?

Brain augmentation is a hot topic; from nootropics, to brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), and even implants designed to restore movement to those with paralysis. But how much of the buzz is just hype? To find out, Edd Gent of SingularityHub interviewed Duke University neuroscientist Mikhail Lebedev, who works on brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) and has recently won a $100,000 prize for his work in brain augmentation.

Lebedev thinks we will see both realistic visual prostheses and technologies for the rehabilitation of patients withspinal cord injury and stroke within the next 10 years. Further advances like the ability to type directly from your brain to a screen using implanted electrodes will take more time perhaps 20 years. And Lebedev thinks itll take much longer before were decoding brain activity or free-floating thoughts.

When it comes to augmenting brain function, almost anything is potentially possible. Sensors can be added to the brain, interacting with sensory functions. Lebedev cites adding a sensor of electromagnetic fields or visual sensors around the heads perimeter for panoramic vision as examples.

Current research into micro-stimulation of the brain seems to show that its possible to suppress some processing steps not really to enhance function, Lebedev points out. However, he also points out that suppression can itself be helpful, like when the brain is producing biased responses rather than useful solutions.

There are several basic areas of brain augmentation work currently happening: non-invasive tactics such as electroencephalogram (EEG) systems, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIR); invasive approaches such as BCIs, implants, and BMIs; pharmacological approaches such as nootropics and molecular drug treatments; and genetic approaches such as optogenetics and implanted neurons. There is sometimes even significant overlap between some of these areas, and as technologies advance, we may see these categories bleeding together even more.

While access to technology is always a concern, Lebedev points out that continued discovery will always help the problem. Further development tends to make technologies cheaper and more accessible to everyone. (We can see an example of this happening as blockchain and access to cell phones is fostering opportunities in developing countries where infrastructure for landlines was never created.)

And while there are risks that will come with more advanced brain augmentation technologies as there are with any breakthrough tech Lebedev has a positive outlook on what the future may hold, Im optimistic, so I see mostly upsides. We really want to improve; we want to become less primitive people.

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Duke Neuroscientist: Brain Augmentation Will Allow Us to Make a New Kind of Human - Futurism

If none of whats in the above headline makes sense, you probably havent been following the biohacking trend for the last couple of years. But Silicon Valley is brimming with tech execs trying to become faster, stronger and smarter by hacking their genetic code through various experimental methods called biohacks.

These would be the people drinking buttered coffee, taking cold showers and not eating every other day not because of some psychological disorder but because they believe caloric restriction will turn on certain genes to help them live longer.

HVMN (formerly Nootrobox and pronounced human) has been peddling a form of biohacking with something called nootropic supplements since its launch in 2014. These supplements are meant to help the brain become more productive. Sort of. Think the movie Limitless where Bradley Cooper takes a pill that makes him become the smartest man alive. Does it work? Maybe (you dont gain magical smartest-man-alive powers, but it might help you focus). And theres some debate on safety right now, depending on the ingredients. But the pills HVMN sells seem to be FDA OK so far.

The startup now wants to go deeper into the matrix by offering more biohacking products and felt a name fitting the change was appropriate.

The way we talk about the space is we consider the human body is the next platform, says co-founder Geoffrey Woo. Renaming our company HVMN is reallyreflective of that, its like a human 2.0.

His company will start to developboth metabolic performance products and products to do what he calls closing the loop. Its not clear what he intends to do by that as he didnt want to name any specific products just yet. However, Woo did mention a lot of experiments with sensors.

HVMNs team of 12, including the two co-founders, also will be experimenting with various methods and utilizing these sensors to get ideas of what to put out in the market next.

Employees already participate in up to 60 hours of intermittent fasting every week. Some start to fast on Sunday, breaking Tuesday evening, while others skip meals on Monday, breaking bread with the team the following work day. Woo and his partner Michael Brandt were actually fasting as they spoke to me over the phone about the changes to their company going forward.

You really start to see benefits beyond 20 hours, Brandt explained. You can track your biomarkers from the things Geoff has mentioned. And its manageable. Ive been fasting every week for a year and a half.

You cant sell fasting as a product, of course, but you can sell the biohacker lifestyle through books, podcasts and other methods like Tim Ferris and Dave Asprey from Bulletproof have done. Asprey, for instance, sells his own brand of specialized coffee and other products he promotes through various online channels.

So far HVMN has created a brand around its special pills, but its hard to tell right now what the name change and addition of other products will do for the company. The biohacker space is not low on gurus touting their methods, and HVMN may not be able to rise above the din.

Theres also a snake oil stigma attached to the industry, often overlooked by the FDA. The various pills, oils (and coffees) out on the market can get expensive, and a lot of the claims out there need regular Snopes checks to protect consumers from getting suckered.

HVMN says its doubling down on internal research and has just hired former rowing world champion Dr. Brianna Stubbs to lead in those efforts.

We see the opportunity here that we think our express goal is to make everyone a biohacker in the same sense that Nike says everyone is an athlete, Woo told TechCrunch. This is the next natural trend and everyone is going to be a biohacker.

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Nootrobox is now HVMN and will sell biohacking products beyond nootropics - TechCrunch

Q: What are nootropic drugs, and do they really boost brainpower?

A: Cognition-enhancing drugs known as nootropics some prescription, some over-the-counter, others available on a worldwide gray market of private sellers are said to improve memory, attention, creativity and motivation.

The word "nootropic" was coined in 1972 by a Romanian scientist, Corneliu Giurgea, who combined the Greek words for "mind" and "bending." Caffeine and nicotine can be considered mild nootropics, while prescription Ritalin, Adderall and Provigil (modafinil, a drug for treating narcolepsy) lie at the far end of the spectrum when prescribed off-label as cognitive enhancers. Even microdosing of LSD is increasingly viewed as a means to greater productivity.

But when aficionados talk about nootropics, they usually refer to substances that have supposedly few side effects and low toxicity. Most often they mean piracetam, which Giurgea first synthesized in 1964 and which is approved for therapeutic use in dozens of countries for use in adults and the elderly. Not so in the United States, however, where officially it can be sold only for research purposes.

Piracetam is well studied and is credited by its users with boosting their memory, sharpening their focus, heightening their immune system, even bettering their personalities. But it's only one of many formulations in the racetam drug family. Newer ones include aniracetam, phenylpiracetam and oxiracetam. All are available online, where their efficacy and safety are debated and reviewed on message boards and in podcasts.

A number of companies now market nootropic "stacks," or formulas, some of which include piracetam, herbal remedies, amino acids and citicoline, a naturally occurring brain chemical that can be taken orally as a supplement, intravenously or as a shot.

Because they are sold as nutritional supplements and natural products that refrain from making health claims, they avoid close government scrutiny.

"Who doesn't want to maximize their cognitive ability?" asks Murali Doraiswamy, who has led several trials of cognitive enhancers at Duke University Health System and has been an adviser to pharmaceutical and supplement manufacturers as well as the Food and Drug Administration. He attributes the demand to an increasingly knowledge-based society that values mental quickness and agility above all else.

But while some studies have found short-term benefits, Doraiswamy says there is no evidence that what are commonly known as smart drugs of any type improve thinking or productivity over the long run.

"There's a sizable demand, but the hype around efficacy far exceeds available evidence," notes Doraiswamy, adding that, for healthy young people such as Silicon Valley go-getters, "it's a zero-sum game. That's because when you up one circuit in the brain, you're probably impairing another system."

Although piracetam has a history of "relatively few side effects," it has fallen far short of its initial promise for treating any of the illnesses associated with cognitive decline, according to Lon Schneider, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. "We don't use it at all and never have."

As for newer nootropic drugs, there are unknown risks.

"Piracetam has been studied for decades," says cognitive neuroscientist Andrew Hill, the founder of a neurofeedback company in Los Angeles called Peak Brain Institute. But some of the newer compounds "are things that some random editor found in a scientific article, copied the formula down and sent it to China and had a bulk powder developed three months later that they're selling. Please don't take it, people!"

Sara Solovitch, The Washington Post

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Medical Q&A: So-called smart drugs can turn out to be a dumb idea - Sarasota Herald-Tribune

A lot of people made the same bad joke on Twitter when Senator John McCain seemed confused during former FBI Director James Comeys senate testimony last week. Get John McCain some Prevagen! The joke makes no sense unless you know what Prevagen iswhich you probably don't, unless you frequently watch one of the major news networks. It's a nootropic dietary supplement, aka a smart drug, mostly marketed to baby boomers on TV as a memory enhancer . "Prevagen is a dietary supplement that has been clinically shown to help with mild memory problems associated with aging," its marketing materials say.

The thing is, though, theres no evidence the drug works.

In January of this year, the New York State Attorney General sued the makers of Prevagen for false advertising claims, since theres no evidence its jellyfish-based formula can help improve memory as it claims. We sent letters to at least five major networks who were airing these ads," says Bonnie Patton, director of the consumer watchdog group Truth in Advertising. "And guess what? Prevagen ads are still airing.

Prevagen is hardly alone. Though it's targeting the 59-and-older set who watch cable news, Prevagen is just one of many nootropics on the market, each aimed at a different kind of audience. There's Brain Dust, made by spiritual hippie foodie guru Amanda Chantal Bacon , which targets the Gwyneth Paltrow-admiring Goop set. There's Qualia, made by a group called Neurohacker Collective, that appears targeted at professionals and emphasizes its scientific approach, and Nootrobox, which offers a whole cocktail of different brain enhancers and a complete guide to biohackingto name just three. As baby boomers hit the age that memory normally starts to fade, and as Silicon Valley pours money into the biohacking fad, the market for chemical cognitive enhancers like these is booming.

And while demand for such miracle pills is high, the laws about supplement advertising are incredibly lax. If I were looking for opportunities to make a lot of money while deceiving people, I think going into the brain supplement business would be real high on my list, says Pieter Cohen of Harvard Medical School, a leading expert in the efficacy and risks of dietary supplements. You can make a lot of money, do something entirely legal, and youre good to go.

Like sports or dietary supplements, these brain supplements are not regulated by the FDA. Almost no research has been done into their exact formulations. And theres no real oversight of how much of any given ingredient they contain. The potential for deception plagues the supplement industry as a whole, thanks to a 1994 law that classified supplements as food rather than medication. According to a study from 2015, dietary supplements lead to at least 23,000 emergency room visits a year in the US.

The regulatory framework is all set up for this. You can advertise pills as if they support or improve brain function even if you dont have one bit of research in humans to demonstrate thats true, Cohen says. The law is pretty much clear: You can say pretty much anything short of saying this is a cure for Alzheimer's .

None of this is to say that users don't think these drugs help them out. The chemicals in these formulations may not have proven cognitive effects, but their presentation clearly is doing something to customers' brains.

As demand for cognitive enhancers increases, VC money is flooding the market. The supplement industry as a whole brings in $30 million a year, according to Cohen, and Silicon Valley appears to want to get in on itVC firm Andreesen Horrowitz, for instance, invested $2 million in Nootrobox. All that money could fund researchbut more immediately, it buys a slick website, which can do a lot to sell the promise of a brain boost.

Go to Qualias website, and youll see a neatly organized list of its ingredients, which range from neuro-vitamins to adaptogenic compounds to amino acids. This medicalese lends the pills an air of credibility, as do the links to scientific studies about each ingredient. Really, though, its an over-the-counter supplement that theyve thrown everything in the kitchen sink at, says Kimberly Urban, a scientist at the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, who has studied brain-enhancing medicines.

Also on the list of ingredients in most of these? Caffeine. Part of the reason caffeine is so often found in dietary supplementsweight loss, cognitive, or otherwiseis because you feel it. And when you feel it, you think its working. The same reason that caffeine in weight loss drugs makes you feel that its doing something: It wires you up, says Urban. Many supplements dont contain enough of any of their given molecules to actually produce an effect, so they rely entirely on the placebo effect to work.

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The overlap with diet pills is what most worries Cohen about the trend of memory supplements. He and his research team have long studied the illegal inclusion of amphetamines or methamphetamines in diet pills. (You thought caffeine made you feel sped up?) Though he hasn't tested nootropics, he sees no reason to believe companies wont try to sneak the same tweaked amphetamines into them, compounds which are both incredibly addictive and very hard to test and find.

But even without illegal drugs snuck into the formulations, supplements can be dangerous on their own. Though they are ostensibly made with only natural ingredients, lots of natural things are deadlyand without oversight, you'll never know exactly how much of each compound you're getting. You should be especially careful if you are sensitive to caffeine or take other medications, since many of the natural ingredients found in supplements can interact with prescription medications. (Did you know that St. Johns Wort can render oral contraceptives less effective? Me neither! But if you are taking the pill, thats something youd want to bear in mind before taking Qualia.)

Most of these nootropics also contain amino acids and plant extracts. Some of these things may be beneficial to the brain, say Cohen and Urban. Urban points to one nootropic listed in Qualia, phosphatidylserine, as something preliminary research has shown interesting results on. On Qualias website, under a section of the FAQ headlined Is Qualia a scam or snake oil? the company writes this:

Qualia is not a scam. We have a non-proprietary formulationwe publish exactly whats in our product, with the exact amounts. We publish links to the research that support their safety and efficacy, which includes Phase II & III university and clinical trials, strong quantified self research data, and over 40+ years international research on nootropic stack formulation.

But most of those studies are basic research into individual compounds done in animals or with animal cells in petri dishes. The leap from there to this specific formulation is helpful to the human brain is huge. (WIRED reached out to Neurohacker Collective for comment but didn't hear back before publication.) Neuroscientists are only beginning to understand how memory even functions in the human brain, let alone how a specific compound might affect it. This is not about science," says NYU professor of nutrition Marion Nestle. "Its about wishful thinking."

Wishing to be smarter, better, more productive is natural. Unfortunately, even as most things in 2017 are available at the click of a button, maintaining brain health is still complicated. Doctors recommend you get a good night's sleep, limit your caffeine and alcohol consumption, exercise regularly, and keep your brain stimulated. None of that's as easy as popping a pill, but hey, at least it works.

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Don't Fall for the 'Memory' Pills Targeting Baby Boomers - WIRED

Smart drug enthusiasts have been curious about provigil (aka modafinil) for decades, but the drug has recently become the darling of Silicon Valley executives and Wall Street financial traders. In this well-outlined review of provigil you can better understand the pros and cons of this nootropic substance, but here we will focus on something a bit more sinister.

Most nootropic experts believe provigil to be an epitome of cognitive enhancement because it is able to increase many aspects of cognition in a reliable way. Even though this seems like a Limitless pill to some, this is far from the truth. There are plenty of side effects associated with provigil that either go unnoticed or undiscussed.

Below we will explain the origins of provigil, why it is effective, how it compares to other stimulant based drugs, and a few suggestions for anyone interested in this synthetic compound. It may be powerful, but it does come with risks.

The origins of provigil are humble. The drug was invented as a solution for the common disorder called narcolepsy. With narcoleptic patients, they are unable to get adequate rest during the night. This leaves them feeling disoriented, lowers their cognitive abilities, and creates a host of other problems.

The drug was first invented in the late 1970s and was lauded as one of the best solutions for the condition. Although many people have used and continue to use provigil for narcolepsy today, it is most often used for off-label purposes.

Many people who are using provigil find that it is an alertness enhancer when they are sleep deprived or do not get high quality of rest. There is even intellectual discourse about this drug and how it shows a potential discrepancy between our physiological needs. For example, some people claim that provigil shows humans dont need as much sleep as we currently get.

Whatever the case may be, provigil is used both by those in need of prescription help so that they can perform well low on sleep. It also is used by high performance individuals who are trying to get more from their typical workday.

When many people first take provigil, the comparison is immediately with high-powered stimulants like Adderall or Ritalin. These prescription drugs are based off an amphetamine backbone, which means they are very potent and can be potentially dangerous depending on the age and other factors.

Stimulants of any kind can create significant side effects, such as increased heart rate, blood pressure, and stress. One of the benefits of provigil is that the addiction potential is lower when compared to Adderall in several studies.

Some people take Adderall for feelings of euphoria, but this is not an experience many people have with modafinil. That being said, both provigil and Adderall both interact with the adrenaline and dopaminergic systems within the brain. These are very closely tied to the reward circuits so it is important to be mindful of these facts.

Luckily, the military has use for stimulants, which has led to a lot of added research. Studies on air force pilots have found that an equitable dose of provigil has the same effect on preserving cognition as Adderall does during periods of sleep deprivation.

Even those who are taking recreational drugs (like methamphetamine) find that provigil is an adequate substitute to help their cognition.

The greatest upside of taking provigil is to improve focus and concentration. Those who are sleep deprived can enhance their skill of alertness, but those with enough sleep can have even greater concentration than otherwise possible.

Most people like provigil because it is not as addictive as Adderall, but it still has a similar effect. Of course, one of the greatest reasons for provigils popularity is the fact it can increase some aspects of memory and creativity. A specific cognitive marker called working memory is related to creative thinking. It is difficult to find nootropics that will improve both markers of focus and concentration, but also creativity.

It is valuable to work on both of these things in almost every professional setting. Whether you are a creative type or a simple office worker, the provigil drug will provide some type of benefit.

The greatest challenge is facing the side effects of provigil realistically. Even though Adderall is a more addictive and exhausting drug to take, many people in the online communities report anecdotally that provigil creates more side effects than Adderall.

Some people experience chest pains (common with stimulants) while other people have allergic reactions (rashes). Still others have longer term issues, such as increased heart rate and blood pressure. This is one of the things most of the experts will not mention: you must be responsible for your own cognitive health.

Do not make the mistake of thinking that because provigil is helpful, it doesnt come with risks. It does come with risks, but there are ways that you can mitigate these risks and prevent yourself from long-term health problems.

To learn more about how to mitigate these risks you can find a full provigil review online here:

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The Provigil Secret Few Experts Want to Tell You - HuffPost

According to the latest report published by Credence Research, Inc.Nootropics Market - Growth, Future Prospects and Competitive Analysis, 2016-2024,theglobal nootropics market was valued at USD 1,346.5 Mn in 2015, and is expected to reach USD 6,059.4 Mn by 2024, expanding at a CAGR of 17.9% from 2016 to 2024.

Browse the fullreport Nootropics Market Growth, Future Prospects and Competitive Analysis, 20162024 at http://www.credenceresearch.com/report/nootropics-market

Market Insights

Nootropics, also known as cognitive enhancers are drugs and natural extracts that improve cognitive functions such as memory, creativity, motivation in healthy individuals. Nootropics have been available in the market for several decades and were made of ingredients such as multivitamins and caffeine substances that the FDA has approved as dietary supplements and classified as GRAS (generally regarded as safe). At present, these products are being repackaged, repurposed and sold to academic and professional overachievers to augment their brain function. Companies operating in this space primarily succeed as lifestyle brands through smart marketing. However they can only be recognized as healthcare brands only after they develop products that secure regulatory approval thus establishing certified efficacy and safety to their products.

Among the key applications of nootropics, memory enhancement currently holds the largest revenue share and it is anticipated that the segment will maintain its lead through the forecast period 2016-2024. Major factors favoring the demand for memory enhancing nootropics include growing awareness among students and executives about the promised benefits of nootropics, easy accessibility, and the booming market for supplements. The memory enhancing nootropic drugs enhance learning and memory effect, enhance the ability of learned behaviors to resist disruption, enhance the efficiency of your brain functions and protect the brain from chemical injuries. Memory enhancement segment for nootropics was valued at USD 391.6 Mn in 2015.

Geographically, North America is the largest consumer of nootropics and is also characterized by domicile of topmost market players. Large population pool, high awareness in consumer population for preventive and cognitive health, rise of the self-directed consumer, and channel proliferation are the key factors driving the dominance of North America nootropics market. On the other hand, Asia Pacific is anticipated to be the fastest progressing regional market for nootropics. While in countries like China and India having a great history of natural and herbal based cognitive drugs that boosts the brain functions and other body functions, the foreign investment in collaboration with the local players have determined substantial growth in the nootropics market and the overall dietary supplements market.

Nootropics is a relatively new entrant in the supplements market and is featured by emergence of several new and niche market entrants. Some of the key players in the global nootropics market are Nootrobox Inc., Cephalon Inc., PureLife Bioscience Co. Ltd., Peak Nootropics, Nootrico, SupNootropic Biological Technology Co. Ltd., AlternaScript LLC, Accelerated Intelligence Inc., Onnit Labs LLC, Powder City LLC, Ceretropics, Nootropic Source, Clarity Nootropics and several others.

Download Sample:http://www.credenceresearch.com/sample-request/58257

Excerpt from:

Nootropics Market Is Predicted To Hit USD 6059.4 Mn By 2024, Expanding At A CAGR Of 17.9% From 2016 To 2024. - Technorati

According to the latest report published by Credence Research, Inc.Nootropics Market - Growth, Future Prospects and Competitive Analysis, 2016-2024,theglobal nootropics market was valued at USD 1,346.5 Mn in 2015, and is expected to reach USD 6,059.4 Mn by 2024, expanding at a CAGR of 17.9% from 2016 to 2024.

Browse the fullreport Nootropics Market Growth, Future Prospects and Competitive Analysis, 20162024 at http://www.credenceresearch.com/report/nootropics-market

Market Insights

Nootropics, also known as cognitive enhancers are drugs and natural extracts that improve cognitive functions such as memory, creativity, motivation in healthy individuals. Nootropics have been available in the market for several decades and were made of ingredients such as multivitamins and caffeine substances that the FDA has approved as dietary supplements and classified as GRAS (generally regarded as safe). At present, these products are being repackaged, repurposed and sold to academic and professional overachievers to augment their brain function. Companies operating in this space primarily succeed as lifestyle brands through smart marketing. However they can only be recognized as healthcare brands only after they develop products that secure regulatory approval thus establishing certified efficacy and safety to their products.

Among the key applications of nootropics, memory enhancement currently holds the largest revenue share and it is anticipated that the segment will maintain its lead through the forecast period 2016-2024. Major factors favoring the demand for memory enhancing nootropics include growing awareness among students and executives about the promised benefits of nootropics, easy accessibility, and the booming market for supplements. The memory enhancing nootropic drugs enhance learning and memory effect, enhance the ability of learned behaviors to resist disruption, enhance the efficiency of your brain functions and protect the brain from chemical injuries. Memory enhancement segment for nootropics was valued at USD 391.6 Mn in 2015.

Geographically, North America is the largest consumer of nootropics and is also characterized by domicile of topmost market players. Large population pool, high awareness in consumer population for preventive and cognitive health, rise of the self-directed consumer, and channel proliferation are the key factors driving the dominance of North America nootropics market. On the other hand, Asia Pacific is anticipated to be the fastest progressing regional market for nootropics. While in countries like China and India having a great history of natural and herbal based cognitive drugs that boosts the brain functions and other body functions, the foreign investment in collaboration with the local players have determined substantial growth in the nootropics market and the overall dietary supplements market.

Nootropics is a relatively new entrant in the supplements market and is featured by emergence of several new and niche market entrants. Some of the key players in the global nootropics market are Nootrobox Inc., Cephalon Inc., PureLife Bioscience Co. Ltd., Peak Nootropics, Nootrico, SupNootropic Biological Technology Co. Ltd., AlternaScript LLC, Accelerated Intelligence Inc., Onnit Labs LLC, Powder City LLC, Ceretropics, Nootropic Source, Clarity Nootropics and several others.

Download Sample:http://www.credenceresearch.com/sample-request/58257

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Global Nootropics Market Is Predicted To Hit USD 6059.4 Mn By 2024, Expanding At A CAGR Of 17.9% From 2016 To ... - Technorati