What’s the Deal with Nootropics, Anyway, and Are They Safe?

Nootropics have become something of a superstar on the health stage. But as these brain-boosting supplements continue to grow in popularity, it becomes increasingly important to address one of the biggest questions on our minds: are nootropics even safe? But to answer that, we first need to dive into a different question, which is what even are nootropics, really? On the surface, yes, nootropics are essentially any kind of drug, supplement, or even food that’s meant to enhance your mental capabilities in some way. It could be that your memory and learning are boosted, or that your brain functions more efficiently. Basically, a nootropic can be anything that gives your brain a positive boost in some meaningful way. Now, does any of this mean that mainstream (or non-mainstream, for that matter) nootropics going to be giving you Bradley Cooper-level capabilities a la Limitless? No. No, it doesn’t. Nootropics can work wonders on your brain power, yes, but within, well, limits. Plus, since there are plenty of classes of nootropics – even your morning cup of coffee can be considered a nootropic because of its effect on your alertness – it’s difficult to talk about these brain-boosting supplements as a single, homogenous thing. Which, naturally, carries over into safety. Of course, when we’re talking about nootropic safety, we’re probably not referring to your triple shot, almond milk latte. For the most part, concern around nootropic safety is linked nootropics that fall under the supplement umbrella, since these are the ones that tend to have a heightened effect for the purposes of boosting your brain activity. Ultimately, as more and more nootropic supplements pop up, the question becomes whether or not adding such a supplement to your daily routine is a safe way to improve your focus and cognitive function on […]

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