Nootropins – What Are They And Can They Make Us Smarter?

Nootropins are also known as “smart drugs” because of the significant benefits they offer. Proponents say they increase mental capacity and improve cognitive function. Their popularity has skyrocketed over the past few years. Thousands of people are now combining this little golden pill with their breakfast to become more productive at work.

To put nootropic context, recalls the movie  Unlimited (Limitless). In the film, Eddie (Bradley Cooper) took an experimental drug called “NZT-48”. Soon after taking it, his world became more vibrant. His senses sharpened and his cognitive function was at 200%. He was able to easily learn multiple languages, master Wall Street, and remember everything he had seen, read, and heard.

This seems like you could be more productive than Stephen King writing a book one after another. You could learn anything from the outside or activate the structures of the nervous system that evoke mathematical or musical genius within you. We say “affect” because the truth is not quite as wonderful as this. In reality, the effects of the drug are limited and less effective, but still interesting.

The pharmaceutical industry invests millions of dollars each year to develop new nootropins. They do this for a very simple reason – demand is on the rise.

The pressures at work are becoming more intense all the time. We all know that. You need to be vigilant, you need to improve your concentration and be mentally “agile”. In your workplace, you want to be more creative, more productive… Everyone would like to be able to give more without resorting to hazardous substances. This is where nootropins, or “smart drugs,” come into play.

Today, we know that university students, military pilots, programmers, and creative marketing designers often use these seemingly harmless drugs. They want to broaden their minds, focus better, and do their best.

The question is… Do nootropins really work?

Nootropins – a discovery that was made by mistake led to “smart drugs”

Some call nootropins a “medicine of the future”. It is a product of a fast-paced society that wants to challenge the limits of possibilities. However, supporters do not like or accept this term because they usually have no harmful side effects. Nor are they psychostimulants. They also have another, inspiring name that is “cognitive healer”.

There are also people who dare to say that soon nootropins will be on our evolutionary menu. Their idea is that they help us get to the next level in our brain development.

As strange as it sounds, this is precisely the proposal of big business and well-known organizations. In fact, Silicon Valley, the capital of the world’s technology industry, has been working with nootropins for years. They have even discovered new mechanisms by which they can enhance their properties and, consequently, their duration and usefulness.

They don’t just improve attention and creativity. They have enabled the back and levels of relaxation experienced by people who have practiced meditation for years. To many of our readers, these claims seem completely fictional. Therefore, we need to go through this step by step. So what is the origin of nootropins?

From sleep aids to activators of concentration

Let’s go back to the 60’s, to a Belgian laboratory called ” Union Chimique Belge “. Romanian neuropharmacologist Corneliu Giurgea worked on the synthesis of various chemical compounds and had one goal in mind: falling asleep.

But what he discovered was a really special molecule that made him create the very first nootropin. This was Piracetam. This drug did not reduce nerve cell irritability or promote falling asleep. In fact, it did just the opposite. It alerted the mind and improved cognitive functions such as memory and concentration.

• Chemical modulation of mediators such as acetylcholine and glutamate make this possible. The amazing thing is that they do it without any harmful side effects.

• Corneliu Giurgea’s Piracetam was rapidly commercialized, which meant that other similar drugs came on the market soon after. Oxiracetam, aniracetam, aramiracetam and phenylpyracetam to name a few.

The mechanism of action in nootropins varies. However, most of them affect vasodilation, which means that they improve blood circulation to the brain. Increased blood circulation means that the brain receives more oxygen, more nutrients and more glucose. Glucose is an important source of energy that the brain uses to concentrate.

In addition (and this is interesting to consider) we know that Silicon Valley works with nootropins along with biohacking. In other words, they try to use different chemicals to “hack” certain brain functions and improve brain performance.

It looks like we may be turning the key to the door that will lead to the next leap of evolution in our brains…

What are the effects of nootropins? Are they as useful as they seem?

The goal of the pharmaceutical industry with nootropins is twofold. First, as we know, they want to improve our cognitive processes. And most of the time, they succeed. Second, they want nootropins to act as neuroprotectors and minimize (if not completely eliminate) side effects.

One of the primary problems health professionals see with nootropins is that students, business people, etc., buy them online. These people  are not very worried about where the drugs they are ordering are coming from or, worse, how they are supposed to use them.

Here is an example. Caffeine is a natural nootropin, like Omega-3 fatty acids. If I drink 10 cups of coffee one night, I will most likely experience headaches, dizziness, and high blood pressure. Students who buy nootropins online have no idea what they are made of or what the correct dosage is. They just buy them to get through tomorrow’s exam. So it is very likely that they will experience harmful side effects rather than benefits like concentration or memory improvement.

It is important to understand that while nootropins can help, they are not a panacea. In addition

An interesting side note is that Russian laboratories have created a new family of nootropins. These are derived from the stress hormone corticotropin and GABA receptors such as fenibut or tolibut. These drugs are now in high demand due to their relaxing and stress relieving properties. However, it is important to note that their

How to use nootropins

Experts say that some basic guidelines must be followed if you want to take any nootropins.

• Choose the Nootropin that best suits your needs.
• Ask an expert who can tell you about the different options on the market.
• Each person has a unique neurochemistry. Generally, you should start with very low doses of nootropin. Try different options until you find the one that is right for you.

• If you experience any side effects such as headache or dizziness, stop taking the medicine immediately.
• In addition, it must be remembered that these drugs do not work immediately. The brain needs time to get used to them. In fact, you won’t notice the effects until a few days or weeks after you start using them.

They only work if you have the right diet and mobile lifestyle

If you want to regulate brain chemistry to maximize its function, you need to follow a healthy diet. There are certain nutrients that activate the mechanism of action of nootropin. So a balanced diet with lots of fresh fruits, vegetables and Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids is essential for nootropins to work.

And  if you don’t exercise enough, your metabolism will slow down and be less efficient. As a result, your liver is unable to fully process parts of the nootropin.

Exercise and a balanced diet low in saturated fats are essential for the proper functioning of nootropins.

Various nootropins

It is important to understand that not all nootropins are drugs. Many nootropins do not require a prescription because they are made up of natural ingredients. Some are very easy to find in a health food store. Nevertheless, it is important to consult an expert before taking any kind of cognitive stimulants.

You should know what you are looking for because as we have seen, there are several nootropins. And it feels like we’ll see even more in the years to come. Currently, nootropins exist in the following categories:

• Mood healers
• Nootropins that improve concentration
• Nootropins to relieve anxiety
• Nootropins improve memory
• Improves rest, recovery and sleep
• Anti-aging and longevity-enhancing nootropins

Finally, don’t forget that nootropins are not supplements. You should not take them too lightly, especially since they are more available all the time and their effectiveness is questionable. We know that we would all like to improve our cognitive functions in a demanding job market. Nevertheless, it is always better to look for alternative strategies to achieve these goals.

Keeping an eye on drugs that improve cognition and their impact on our future.

Sources:

Ruiz Franco, J. (2005). Drugs Intelligent . Editorial Paidotribo.

Evan Brand (2016). The Everything Guide To Nootropics . Berkley Books