Nootropics for Brain Health: Do They Really Do Anything?

This article was medically reviewed by professor emerita of psychological and brain sciences Susan Krauss Whitbourne, PhD, a member of the Prevention Medical Review Board , on April 18, 2019. More Americans than ever are focusing on improving their brain health by reducing stress and lowering their risk of Alzheimer’s, so it’s no surprise that the MIND diet took the fourth spot on U.S. News & World Report ‘s best overall diets for 2019 . But some people want to go beyond following a healthy diet and take supplements to enhance their mental performance. That’s where nootropic supplements—aka smart drugs—come in. Proponents of nootropics says that they can do everything from boost mood to increase creativity and brain power, so you not only feel good but have the energy and focus to be productive. But what are these "smart drugs," anyway? Do they really offer any health benefits, and are they safe to take? We tapped some health experts about the nootropic craze and what they can do for you. What are nootropics, exactly? Nootropics are supplements and prescription drugs that are meant to optimize your mental performance, reduce stress, and decrease your risk of cognitive decline. But what makes a supplement a nootropic isn’t clearly defined because theoretically, many vitamins and nutrients could help boost your brain health. For example, if you jumpstart your mornings with a cup of coffee, you’re taking a nootropic because caffeine is considered one. And l-theanine—a compound in green tea that’s known for improving mental focus—is a nootropic. "Nootropics is kind of a made-up term. It’s an arbitrary and imprecise term that people would say is a cognitive enhancer, but there are many cognitive enhancers," explains Richard S. Isaacson , MD, director of the Alzheimer’s Prevention Clinic at New York-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell […]

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