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If you buy something through a link on this page, we may earn a small commission. How this works. Nootropics, or “smart drugs,” are a class of substances that can boost brain performance.
Nootropics and smart drugs refer to natural, synthetic and prescription substances that enhance mental function. Prescription smart drugs, such as adderall and ritalin, have the strongest and most significant effects on memory and attention. They’re sometimes taken in combination to boost their effectiveness. The use of nootropics and smart drugs is on the rise in today’s society, but more research is needed to better understand their benefits.
Nootropics ( /noʊ. Əˈtrɒpɪks/ noh-ə-trop-iks ) ( colloquial : smart drugs and cognitive enhancers) are drugs , supplements , and other substances that may improve cognitive function , particularly executive functions , memory, creativity, or motivation , in healthy individuals.
Unregulated substances (e. G. , the racetams – piracetam being the most widely used). Are “smart drugs” really nootropics?. Ritalin and adderall: it’s popular for individuals who want to improve their mental focus to use prescription medications normally prescribed for adhd.
Among them are personal characteristics, drug characteristics, and characteristics of the social context. Side effects[ edit ].
Many are experimenting with drugs such as piracetam and noopepts, which are sold under brand names such as optimind and neurofuse. Online forums are filled with comments from people who credit the chemicals with helping them achieve new clarity of mind and finish tasks at a record pace — and also with warnings from users who said the drugs made them feel foggy and leaden, or caused alarming side effects.
They are sometimes called cognition enhancers or memory enhancing substances. Prescription nootropics are medications that have stimulant effects. They can counteract the symptoms of medical conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( adhd ), narcolepsy , or alzheimer’s disease. Nonprescription substances that can enhance brain performance or focus — such as caffeine and creatine — are also considered nootropics. They do not treat diseases but may have some effects on thinking, memory, or other mental functions. Prescription nootropics include:. Modafinil ( provigil ), a stimulant that addresses the sudden drowsiness of narcolepsy. Adderall , which contains amphetamines to treat adhd. Common side effects of prescription nootropics include:. The term “nootropic” can also refer to natural or synthetic supplements that boost mental performance.
However, the review’s authors note that more research is needed. Also, with prescription nootropics available, ginkgo biloba may not be the most safe or effective option.
I cannot stress this point enough: nootropics should give you benefits and no significant side effects. I believe you can boost your odds of achieving this by being aware of the risks and experimenting cautiously.
I do this to optimize cognitive performance and happiness and help others do the same. But how do you reduce the probabilities of all of these risks and still reap the benefits of nootropics? research every compound and experiment slowly.
This article looks at prescription and nonprescription smart drugs, including their uses, side effects, and safety warnings. A doctor may prescribe a nootropic to treat a medical condition.
Racetams are synthetic compounds that can affect neurotransmitters in the brain. Some nootropic racetams include:. Piracetam. One review states that “some of the studies suggested there may be some benefit from piracetam, but, overall, the evidence is not consistent or positive enough to support its use for dementia or cognitive impairment.
When used in high doses, both can cause high blood pressure, heart arrhythmias, heart attacks, hallucinations, and seizures. So are they nootropics? because they can have potentially serious side effects and withdrawal symptoms, neither fits the true definition of a nootropic. Giurgea’s rules because it can have side effects and withdrawal symptoms. Dietary supplements as nootropics. A significant body of research points to the benefits of dietary supplements – including various botanicals and nutrients – for supporting cognitive function, memory, focus, productivity, creativity, and neurological health.
However, when following dosage guidelines, most users experience no side effects at all. At this time, there aren’t any known interactions between noopept and other nootropics. Side effects associated with phenibut include:. Sedation. The granddaddy of them all, adrafinil is one of the most popular and powerful nootropics on the market. Those who do experience tianeptine side effects complain of issues like:. Dry mouth. One of the most beloved and well-used nootropics on the market, l-theanine is packed with a litany of different benefits. Keep in mind that when combined with caffeine or other nootropics, it’s entirely possible for you to experience side effects. Those who experience side effects complain of the following:. Insomnia. As the most powerful of all the racetam family of nootropics, phenylpiracetam has developed quite a reputation in the nootropic community. Headaches. While nootropics are generally quite safe when taken as directed, it’s important to remember that since every person is different, side effects can vary and may affect some people more than others. While researchers are constantly learning more about nootropics and any potential side effects, there is much more work to be done in the field before we can definitively say what users can expect in the way of side effects or interactions with different drugs.
Even popular brain formulas may combine nootropics that have interactions, producing side effects in some people. Diy nootropic stacks. Do-it-yourself stacking creates even more risk for nootropic side effects.
Even if you've got a great nootropic formula with premium ingredients, an unsafe or unsanitary manufacturing facility may create risks of contaminants and related side effects. Good manufacturing practices (gmp) are a set of regulations that eliminate such risks. For better safety and minimal side effects, always look for the gmp seal on a nootropic.
The most elusive measure on nootropic risk factors: personal variation. Depending on any number of individual factors – genetics, diet, prescriptions, exercise activity, etc.
Side effect risk reduction tips: monitor single dose and daily intake to avoid over-usage. Opt for premium grade nootropic ingredients. If need be, take a nap to reset brain activity.
And at least some of the existing research on modafinil hasn’t turned up serious long-term health risks. But there are some potential side effects, including headaches, anxiety and insomnia.
This practice is particularly popular among millennials and those younger. Some of these meds, such as ritalin and adderall, have a large potential for abuse and are not without side effects, particularly when taken in higher-than-recommended doses. Because of their low side-effect profile and lack of dependency and withdrawal symptoms, supplements better fit the true definition of a nootropic than the so-called smart drugs, although their effects are more subtle and gradual.
Nootropics with "clean labels" will minimize risk of side effects because they do not contain any unnecessary ingredients. Here is an example of what a clean label looks like, on mind lab pro® , the universal nootropic™:.
Mind lab pro® is the cleanest nootropic supplement on the market. To ensure minimal side effects, mind lab pro® is made with:.
Best of all, there are virtually no known l-theanine side effects. On its own, researchers haven’t suggested any potential side effects relating to its use.
In stacking, several nootropics are taken at once. Stacking has the potential to unleash impressive brainpower, but also has the potential for side effects.
While these can be effective in treating specific medical conditions, a person should not take them without a prescription. Like any prescription medications, they carry risks of side effects and interactions, and a person should only take them under a doctor’s care.
These supplements carry a low risk of side effects when a person takes them as directed, but they may interact with medications that affect blood clotting.
Look for reputable brands and trust your body: if you notice any side effects or don't see an improvement in the expected timeframe, it's wise to stop.
Irritability. Gastrointestinal issues. These side effects tend to be mild, and they’re often associated with taking too much of the nootropic. This drug also stimulates dopamine receptors, which play a key role in cognition, focus, and memory formation. As with any nootropic, it’s important you read up on any phenibut side effects before deciding if this drug is right for you. While this nootropic is considered to be quite safe, there are some adrafinil side effects you should be aware of before taking it. But those side effects will likely be related to the other substances you’re taking, and not l-theanine. For nootropic enthusiasts who are looking for a completely safe nootropic that stacks well with other drugs, l-theanine may be a great jumping off point for you. While citicoline is a naturally occurring chemical that’s widely considered to be exceptionally safe for human consumption, there are some citicoline side effects you should be aware of before you begin supplementing with this nootropic. It’s easy to say why phenylpiracetam has become such a popular nootropic. Since phenylpiracetam is a stimulant, it does inherently have some side effects you need to familiarize yourself with before you begin taking the nootropic. As with any nootropic, if side effects persist, you should discontinue use and look for an alternative as quickly as you can. As you continue to search for the best nootropic stack for your needs, always keep your health and wellbeing in mind, and discontinue taking any nootropic that presents moderate to severe side effects.
In addition, caffeine can improve mental focus in the short term. As with any supplement, there is a risk of side effects and interactions with medications.
L-theanine: this supplement seems to enhance the mental effects of caffeine and counteract caffeine -induced jitteriness, d'adamo says. Research has shown that combining caffeine and l-theanine may help you multitask better. There are no known side effects, so it's generally considered safe to try. Creatine monohydrate: frequently found in body-building supplements, creatine helps build muscle mass.
Nootropics may be manufactured in a safe environment, but how you take them determines their safety and potential to cause side effects.
This prompts the question: are nootropics safe?. Any drug or supplement that works has the potential for side effects. Luckily, the majority of nootropics on the market have few, if any.
However, their safety might be compromised due to the wrong use, lifestyle factors, drug contradictions, and genetics. We recommended using nootropics safely by following the recommended dosage, research online on particular nootropics and find out what other users have experienced.
Although in general, nootropics have been dubbed as “safe,” we don’t think there has been enough long term research to determine their complete safety, especially in humans.
If you get cognitive problems or experience side effects from nootropics, it can definitely affect your career and relationships. Neither the mind nor the biochemical building blocks of which it is made exist in a vacuum; they interact with their environment.
The simple answer: by definition, a nootropic must be free of side effects – as written by the father of nootropics dr. Corneliu giurgea. 1. So there you have it, right?. The answer to the titular question: no, nootropics do not have side effects because if they did, then they would not be true nootropics. Of course, it's not so easy as that. This guide goes deeper into whether or not nootropics truly do have side effects.
Well, that is about as good as you can do in terms of predicting nootropic tolerability. Anecdotal tolerability - some nootropics have been used for centuries with minimal side effects.
Not all nootropics work well together. Some nootropics may produce side effects when combined. Negative interactions are major concern in the world of nootropics, due to the popular practice of stacking.
His concern is that you can become tolerant to nootropics (including caffeine), which means you'll need more and more for them to work for you.
Insomnia. One of the most popular nootropics on the market, modafinil is a powerful wakefulness-promoting agent that’s prescribed to those suffering from narcolepsy, shift-work disorder, or sleep apnea.
For this reason, it is important to only purchase supplements from reputable companies that undergo independent testing. Buying nootropics. A prescription is necessary for some nootropics, such as provigil and adderall.
We lay out a very powerful way to use tyrosine in smarter better faster, our digital nootropics guide ( buy it here - it's digital ).
However, there are also more advanced nootropics that can do way more than stimulate your brain. And one of the best of the best is brain food from trubrain. Numerous studies have shown rather conclusively that, taken together, caffeine and l-theanine can improve mental performance, alertness, and mood. However, trubrain’s brain food doesn’t stop there.
Nootropics are not a substitute for good quality sleep. This new class of smart drugs, otherwise known as nootropics, may offer advantages over traditional energy drinks and supplements, but they still aren’t a substitute for a healthy diet and adequate rest.
The main concern with pharmaceutical drugs is adverse effects , which also apply to nootropics with undefined effects. Long-term safety evidence is typically unavailable for nootropics.
Branded nootropics, recognized by a registered trademark (®), may feature patented processes that reduce side effects and improve safety. Many branded nootropics also have human clinical research demonstrating safety.