Nootropics: Exploring Cognitive Enhancement Supplements

What are Nootropics?

‘Nootropics’ is the term coined by chemist and psychologist Corneliu Giurgea in the 1970’s. It refers to a group of substances that claim to boost brain function, sometimes called ‘smart drugs’.

Nootropics can enhance memory & learning, attention & concentration, and in some cases, increase creativity.

Giurgea stated that Nootropics should have the following characteristics:

• Enhance memory and learning.
• Make learned behaviour and memory more resistant to disruptions.
• Protect the brain from physical and chemical injuries.
• Have few side effects & low toxicity, unlike typical phychotropic substances.

Types of Nootropics

Nootropics can be synthetic and non-synthetic substances. The three main types of Nootropics are: Prescription Medication, Synthetic Compounds & Dietary Supplements. The following are examples of the different types of Nootropics.

Prescription Medications:

• ADHD Medications
• Medications used to treat Alzheimer’s-such as Memantine.
• Modafinil- used to treat narcolepsy, sleep apnoea, and other sleep related conditions.

Synthetic Compounds:

Synthetic varieties of Nootropics include racetams. These are a type of drug first created by Giurgea, discovered to be able to boost the cognitive abilities of healthy people (those with no pre-existing cognitive impairment).

Common Racetams include:

• Piracetam: The first racetam, developed to treat motion sickness but instead found to have cognitive boosting abilities.
• Aniracetam: Reduces anxiety symptoms.
• Coluracetam: Boosts the brains ability to produce acetylcholine- leading to better learning and memory.
• Nefiracetam: Has the ability to keep neurotransmitters active for longer, improving memory formation and long-term memory.
• Oxiracetam: Reported to clear brain fog and improve focus and motivation.

Dietary Supplements:

Many dietary supplements contain nootropics, some that you might not even realise are nootropics.

• Caffeine: Potentially the most widely consumed nootropic in the world. Caffeine can increase attention and alertness.
• Creatine: Creatine is an amino acid that may have positive effects on memory and reasoning abilities.
• Gingko Biloba: A herbal supplement derived from the leaves of the Ginkgo tree. Popular for its potential for cognitive enhancement. For more information about Ginkgo Bilioba and it’s benefits see: Boosting Brain Health with Ginkgo Biloba: Memory, Focus, and More.
• L-theanine: Another amino acid, L-theanine can be found in many dietary supplements as well as green & black tea. It can boost alertness and improve cognitive performance.
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Omega-3’s are polyunsaturated fats found in fish oil supplements that support cognitive function. Read about The Brain & Omega-3: How Fish Oil Supports Cognitive Function.

Nootropic Supplements from XMiles:

Caffeine Bullet Chew - Caffeine Bullet 

The Caffeine Bullet chew is a convenient and effective way to experience the benefits of caffeine without the drawbacks of regular energy drinks or coffee. Each of these chews contains the caffeine equivalent of a strong cup of coffee (around 100mg).

Edge - Form Nutrition 

Edge from Form Nutrition combines Nootropic Ginkgo Biloba with B vitamins to reduce tiredness and fatigue.

Nootropics offer an intriguing and growing area of interest for athletes, professionals, and anyone looking to support their mental performance. Whether it’s enhancing focus during a long training session, improving memory for daily tasks, or simply staying sharp throughout the day, nootropics can play a valuable role.