Nootropics: The Curious World of Smart Drugs

Lifestyle Nootropics, also known as smart drugs, are the latest health craze, promising enhanced mental performance. You’ve likely seen these supplements in the health aisle or at supplement shops, with claims to boost your memory and focus, but do these mental enhancers actually work? Let’s break down the curious world of smart drugs. The term “nootropics” was first coined by Dr. Corneliu E. Giurgea, who is credited with developing piracetam, one of the most effective nootropics available. These supplements work by protecting the neurons in your brain, As you age, these neurons become damaged from toxins, leading to a decrease in certain areas of cognitive function. Fundamentally, nootropics work by stimulating these neurons, leading to an increase in blood and oxygen flow to your brain, though the way this is accomplished varies between different supplements. Brain enhancing supplements typically fall under two different categories: naturally occurring substances and manmade prescription drugs. Some examples of naturally occurring nootropics include caffeine, creatine, phenibut, ginkgo biloba, and many more. Manmade nootropics include Adderall, Ritalin, and over-the-counter products like Noopept. Since nootropics work in various ways, they are commonly taken in what’s known as “stacks” or basically combinations of different supplements. An example of a stack could include caffeine and L-theanine, both of which provide increased focus and energy. People who experiment with nootropics are sometimes referred to as noonauts. These people can essentially be compared to bodybuilders, except instead of working to optimize their muscle, they work to optimize their minds. On the nootropic subreddit, you can find an entire online community coming together to discuss anything from recommended stacks to new, up-and-coming supplements. Studies have shown that there are practical benefits to nootropics, but these benefits are difficult to explicitly pin down, considering each individual’s brain chemistry can react to these […]

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