Nootropics

A review of the 14 Best Nootropics and Smart Drugs

Nootropics and smart drugs can be taken to improve mental performance. This article examines the 14 best nootropics and how they enhance performance.

Nootropics and smart drugs are natural or synthetic substances that can be taken to improve mental performance in healthy people.
A review of the 14 best nootropics

They have gained popularity in today’s highly competitive society and are most often used to enhance memory, focus, creativity, intelligence, and motivation.

Here’s a look at the top 14 nootropics and how they boost performance.

1. Caffeine

Caffeine is the most widely consumed psychoactive substance in the world.

In its natural form, it is found in coffee, cocoa, tea, cola nuts and guarana, it is added to many sodas, energy drinks and medicines. It can also be taken as a supplement, alone or in combination with other substances.

Caffeine blocks the adenosine receptors in your brain, making you feel less tired.

Low or moderate consumption of caffeine in the amount of 40-300 mg increases alertness and attention and reduces reaction time. Such doses are especially effective for tired people.

General Information: Caffeine is a naturally occurring chemical that increases alertness, improves attention, and shortens reaction time.

2. L-theanine

L-Theanine is a naturally occurring amino acid found in tea, but can also be taken as a supplement.

Several studies have shown that taking 200 mg of L-theanine calms down without causing drowsiness.

Taking even as little as 50 mg, the amount contained in about two cups of brewed tea, led to an increase in alpha waves in the brain, which are associated with creativity.

L-theanine is even more effective when taken with caffeine. For this reason, they are often used together in performance enhancing supplements. Moreover, they are both naturally found in tea.

General Information: L-Theanine is an amino acid found in tea that can enhance feelings of calmness and may be associated with increased creativity. Its effectiveness is further enhanced when combined with caffeine.

3. Creatine

Creatine is an amino acid that your body uses to produce protein.

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After consumption, creatine enters your brain, where it binds to phosphate, forming a molecule that your brain uses to quickly nourish cells.

This increased energy availability to your brain cells is associated with improved short-term memory and reasoning skills, especially in vegetarians and people experiencing severe stress.

Studies show that taking 5 grams of creatine daily is safe without any negative effects. Larger doses are also effective, but studies on long-term safety are lacking.

General Information: Creatine is an amino acid that can improve short-term memory and reasoning skills. It is most effective in vegetarians and stressed people. Doses of 5 grams per day are safe in the long run.

4. Bacopa monnieri

Bacopa monnieri is an ancient herb used in Ayurvedic medicine to improve brain function.

Several studies have shown that Bacopa monnieri supplements can speed up information processing in your brain, shorten reaction time, and improve memory.

Bacopa monnieri contains active compounds called bacosides that protect your brain from oxidative stress and improve signaling in the hippocampus, the area of the brain where memories are processed.

The effects of Bacopa monnieri are not immediately felt. Therefore, doses of 300-600 mg should be taken for several months to maximize benefits.

General Information: Bacopa monnieri is an herbal supplement shown to improve memory and information processing for several months.

5. Rhodiola rosea

Rhodiola rosea is an adaptogenic herb that helps your body cope with stress more effectively.

Several studies have shown that Rhodiola rosea supplements can improve mood and reduce burnout in both anxious and highly stressed people.

Taking small daily doses of Rhodiola rosea has been shown to reduce mental fatigue and enhance college students’ sense of well-being during stressful exam periods.

More research is needed to determine the optimal dosage and understand how the herb causes these effects.

General Information: Rhodiola rosea is a natural herb that can help your body adapt to periods of high stress and reduce the mental fatigue associated with it.

6. Panax ginseng

Panax Ginseng root is an ancient medicinal plant used to enhance brain function.

Taking a single dose of 200-400 mg of Panax ginseng has been shown to reduce brain fatigue and significantly improve performance when performing complex tasks such as mental math tasks.

However, it is unclear how Panax ginseng enhances brain function. Perhaps this is due to its strong anti-inflammatory effect, which helps protect your brain from oxidative stress and improve its functioning.

Some longer-term studies have shown that your body can adapt to ginseng, making it less effective after a few months of use. Therefore, additional studies of its long-term nootropic effects are needed.

General Information: Occasional doses of Panax ginseng may help improve mental function, but more research is needed on its long-term effectiveness.

7. Ginkgo biloba

Extracts from the leaves of the ginkgo biloba tree can also have a positive effect on your brain.

When ginkgo biloba supplements are taken daily for six weeks, they have been shown to improve memory and mental processing in healthy older adults.

Taking ginkgo biloba before performing a high-stress task also reduces stress-related high blood pressure and reduces levels of cortisol, a type of stress hormone.

There is a hypothesis that some of these benefits may be related to increased blood flow to the brain after taking ginkgo biloba supplements.

Although these results are promising, not all studies have shown beneficial effects. More research is needed to better understand the potential benefits of ginkgo biloba for your brain.

General information: Some studies show that ginkgo biloba can improve memory and mental processing of information and may be useful in stressful situations. However, more research is needed.

8. Nicotine

Nicotine is a naturally occurring chemical found in many plants, especially tobacco. It’s one of those compounds that make cigarettes so addictive.

It can also be consumed through nicotine gum or absorbed through the skin using a nicotine patch.

Studies show that nicotine can have a nootropic effect, for example, to improve alertness and attention, especially in people with naturally weak attention.

It has also been found to improve motor function. Moreover, chewing nicotine gum is associated with an improvement in the speed and smoothness of handwriting.

However, this substance can be addictive and deadly in high doses, so caution should be exercised.

Due to the risk of addiction, nicotine is not recommended. However, nicotine use is justified if you are trying to quit smoking.

General Information: Nicotine is a naturally occurring chemical that increases alertness, attention, and motor function. However, in large doses, it is addictive and toxic.

9. Noopept

Noopept is a synthetic smart drug that can be purchased as an additive.
Unlike some natural nootropics, the effect of Noopept is felt within minutes rather than hours, days, or weeks, and usually lasts for several hours.

Animal studies have shown that Noopept accelerates the rate of memory formation and retrieval by the brain by increasing levels of brain neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a compound that promotes the growth of brain cells.

Human studies have shown that this smart drug helps people recover faster from brain injuries, but more research is needed to understand how it can be used as a nootropic in healthy adults.

General Information: Noopept is a fast-acting synthetic nootropic that can improve memory by increasing BDNF levels in your brain. However, more human studies are needed.

10. Piracetam

Piracetam is another synthetic nootropic molecule similar to Noopept in structure and function.

It has been shown to improve memory in people with age-related mental decline, but it doesn’t seem to have much benefit in healthy adults.

In the 1970s, several small, poorly planned studies suggested that piracetam could improve memory in healthy adults, but these results have not been replicated.

Although piracetam is widely available and advertised as a “smart” drug, there is no research on its effects.

General information: Piracetam is marketed as a nootropic supplement, but there is not enough research to confirm its effectiveness.

11. Phenotropil

Phenotropil, also known as phenylpiracetam, is a synthetic “smart” drug that is widely available as an over-the-counter supplement.

It is similar in structure to piracetam and noopept and helps the brain recover from various injuries such as stroke, epilepsy and trauma.

One study in rats showed that phenotropil slightly improves memory, but there are no studies confirming its use as a “smart” drug in healthy adults.

General information: Phenotropil is advertised as a “smart” drug, but there are no studies showing the benefits of improving memory in healthy adults.

12. Modafinil (Provigil)

Commonly sold under the trade name Provigil, modafinil is a prescription drug that is often used to treat narcolepsy, a condition that causes uncontrollable drowsiness.

Its stimulating effects are similar to those of amphetamines or cocaine. However, animal studies show that it has a lower risk of addiction.

Several studies have shown that modafinil significantly reduces fatigue and improves memory in adults suffering from sleep deprivation.

It also improves executive functioning, or the ability to properly manage your time and resources to achieve your goals.

Although modafinil appears to have a strong nootropic effect, it is available in most countries only by prescription.

Even if the drug is prescribed, it must be used responsibly to avoid negative side effects.

Although modafinil is generally considered non-addictive, cases of addiction and withdrawal syndrome have been reported at high doses.

General Information: Modafinil is a prescription drug that can reduce drowsiness and improve brain function in healthy adults, especially those who lack sleep. However, it should be taken only as prescribed by a doctor.

13. Amphetamines (Adderall)

Adderall is a prescription drug that contains highly stimulant amphetamines.
It is most often prescribed for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy, but healthy adults are increasingly taking it to improve attention and concentration.
Adderall works by increasing the availability of dopamine and norepinephrine in the prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain that controls working memory, attention, and behavior.
The amphetamines contained in Adderall make people feel more alert, attentive, and optimistic. They also reduce appetite.
A review of 48 studies showed that Adderall significantly improved people’s ability to control their behavior and improved short-term memory.
Depending on the dose and type of prescribed pills, the effect lasts up to 12 hours.

It is important to note that these drugs are not without side effects.

Adderall is widely abused on college campuses, and according to some surveys, up to 43% of students use stimulants without a doctor’s prescription.

Side effects of adderall abuse include anxiety, low libido, and sweating.

Recreational abuse of Adderall can also cause more serious side effects such as a heart attack, especially when mixed with alcohol.

The evidence that Adderall increases mental performance is convincing, but it should only be taken as prescribed by a doctor.

General Information: Adderall cannot be purchased over the counter, but it appears to improve brain function in healthy adults and people with ADHD.

14. Methylphenidate (Ritalin)

Ritalin is another prescription drug used to manage the symptoms of ADHD and narcolepsy.

Like Adderall, it is a stimulant and increases the concentration of dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain. However, it does not contain amphetamines.

In healthy adults, Ritalin improves short-term memory, information processing speed, and attention.

It is usually well tolerated, but it can have the opposite effect and worsen thinking if you take an excessive dose.

Like Adderall, Ritalin is widely abused, especially by people aged 18-25.

The most common side effects of Ritalin include insomnia, stomach pain, headache, and loss of appetite.

It can also cause hallucinations, psychosis, seizures, cardiac arrhythmia, and high blood pressure, especially in high doses.

Ritalin is a powerful stimulant that should be taken only as prescribed by a doctor and carefully monitored so as not to abuse it.

General information: Ritalin is a smart drug that improves information processing, memory, and attention. It is only available with a doctor’s prescription.

Resume

Nootropics and smart drugs are natural, synthetic, and prescription substances that enhance mental function.

Prescription smart drugs such as adderall and ritalin have the strongest and most significant effect on memory and attention.

Synthetic nootropic supplements such as noopept and piracetam are widely available, but there are no studies on their effectiveness in healthy adults.

Many natural nootropics are used in alternative medicine, but their effects are usually more subtle and slow-acting. Sometimes they are taken in combination to increase their effectiveness.

Nootropics and smart drugs are on the rise in modern society, but more research is needed to better understand their benefits.