What Exactly Are Nootropics?

Nootropics are drugs, supplements, or foods that can enhance the way the brain works, whether through improving mental clarity, improving intelligence, or increasing focus. They are often called cognitive enhancers or smart drugs due to the way they work, and are something that has become ever popular in recent years. VIDEO OF THE DAY The first nootropic was created in 1963 by Dr Corneliu E. Giurgea . Called piracetam, it can help to boost the mood while improving memory. Despite being created over 50 years ago, it is still one of the most common nootropics in use today, and is also one that has had the most research conducted on it. That said, there are a lot of different nootropics available nowadays, each with its own benefits. What is Classified as a Nootropic? When developing his nootropic, Dr Giurgea created a list of five criteria that he believed a product needed to meet in order to be labeled as such. These include: It should be non-toxic and have no side effects; It should increase neuronal efficiency in the sub-cerebral cortex and the cerebral cortex; It should protect the brain against physical and chemical assaults, such as those caused by barbiturates; It should improve resistance levels to memories and learned behaviors that disrupt them; It should enhance learning and memory. Nowadays, it would be unfair to say that every nootropic developed meets every single one of the criteria listed by Dr Giurgea. However, all nootropics do meet the final criterion – they benefit mental energy and thinking. Because of this, though, it can be hard to classify exactly what is classed as a nootropic and what isn’t. Everything from controlled substances like Adderall to everyday substances like caffeine can technically fall under the modern-day classification. They’re Not a Miracle Drug […]

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