Nootropics Claim to Make Your Brain Work Better, But the Science Behind Them Is Murky

Can you boost mental performance with a pill ? A growing number of self-styled biohackers and Silicon Valley types swear that so-called nootropics explain their ability to fit 30 hours’ worth of stuff into a 24-hour day. But the science behind it is a mixed bag. This Supplement Can Help You Look Younger and Live Longer Nootropics are basically cognitive enhancers; users claim that they help memory, aid concentration, or improve brain function without the side effects of dangerous or addictive drugs. Sounds ideal, but when you’re talking about nootropics, things get complicated. First, the term is extremely broad. The attention-deficit drug Ritalin is a nootropic—just ask a college student cramming for finals. So is modafinil, prescribed to treat narcolepsy, which off-label users say enhances decision-making, alertness, and focus. Even caffeine is a nootropic, because it stimulates the brain. But it’s obvious that popping black-market Ritalin is a far cry from a daily Starbucks habit. Notorious Supplement Maker Is Busted In Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Scheme How to Lose Abdominal Fat Causes of Excessive Sweating There is also a plethora of amino acids, vitamins, and herbs that promise to harness the power of natural compounds in an easy-to-take capsule, powder, or drink. A recent global survey revealed that around 30 percent of respondents in the U.S. have tried one of these natural supplements to boost their brains. Which raises two questions: Do they work? And are they dangerous? Even boosters point out that different nootropics—be they herbal or pharmaceutical—carry their own risks. In the meantime, researchers are muddling through scores of specific compounds, trying to deter- mine efficacy and potential side effects. For instance, we know that levels of NAD+, a compound found in cells that protects against neurological damage and fights cellular aging, decreases with age. And nicotinamide riboside—a […]

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