Nootropics
Nootropics, popularly referred to as "smart drugs," are
substances which boost human cognitive abilities (the
functions and capacities of the brain). The word
nootropic is derived from the Greek words noos or mind
and tropos, a bend. Typically, nootropics work by
increasing the brain's supply of neurochemicals
(neurotransmitters, enzymes, and hormones), by improving
the brain's oxygen supply, or by stimulating nerve
growth. With a few notable exceptions, nootropics have
very low or no toxicity, making overdose unlikely. Most
have few or no side effects, and many nootropics
potentiate each other.
Most nootropics are nutrients or plant components
(herbs, roots, beans, bark, etc.), available over the
counter at health food and grocery stores, and are used
as nutritional supplements. Some nootropics are drugs,
used to treat retardation, neural degradation
(Alzheimer's and Parkinson's), and for cases of oxygen
deficit to prevent hypoxia. These drugs have a variety
of human enhancement applications as well, are marketed
heavily on the World Wide Web, and are used by many
people in personal cognitive enhancement regimens.
With some nootropics the effects are subtle and
gradual, such as with most nerve growth inducers, and
may take weeks or even months before any cognitive
improvement is noticed. At the other end of the spectrum
are nootropics which have effects that are immediate,
profound, and obvious.
General strategies
Neurotransmitter support - supplying the body with the
precursors and cofactors it needs to produce
neurotransmitters. Keeping the brain's neurotransmitters
at high levels improves concentration, mental focus,
calculation ability, memory encoding, recall,
creativity, mood, and cures and prevents most
depressions. The three main neurotransmitters are
acetylcholine, dopamine, and serotonin.
Note that cardiovascular exercise performed on a
regular basis also has nootropic effects, by increasing
the body's capacity to supply brain cells with oxygen.
Exercise is highly synergistic with nutritional
supplementation, and a health regimen is incomplete
without it.
Nootropic substances
Nootropic drugs are generally only available by
prescription or through personal importation. The other
nootropic substances listed below are either nutritional
supplements or plant components, and are generally
available over the counter at health food and grocery
stores. The term "drug" here is used as a legal
designation, and does not indicate greater efficacy.
With nootropics, the effects, effectiveness, and potency
differ from substance to substance and from individual
to individual. See the substance descriptions below for
more detail.
Replenishing and increasing neurotransmitters
Thinking is hard work. It involves the firing of
neurons which requires plenty of neurotransmitters, and
even though these are reuseable to some extent, they do
get depleted. Depletion of neurotransmitters generally
results in reduced mental performance, which may include
difficulty concentrating, slowed reasoning, decreased
learning efficiency, impaired recall, reduced
coordination, lowered moods, inability to cope,
increased response times, and mental fatigue. This also
generally increases the likelihood of human error on
tasks and activities performed. Stress causes
neurotransmitters to be depleted even faster. The
brain's neurotransmitters need to be replenished
frequently, made by the body from substances ingested in
the diet. Maintaining neurochemicals at optimal levels
has a corresponding affect on brain performance,
supporting improved mental agility and stamina, even
beyond the individual's normal limits.
As the brain ages, its ability to produce and maintain
youthful levels of neurotransmitters declines. Providing
the brain with ample raw materials to make the
neurotransmitters it needs can restore them to more
youthful levels to help maintain cognitive function at
vigorous youthful levels as well.
Cholinergics
Cholinergics are substances which affect the
neurotransmitter acetylcholine or the components of the
nervous system which utilize acetylcholine. Cholinergic
nootropics include acetylcholine precursors and
cofactors, and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors:
Acetyl-L-carnitine
(ALCAR) - Amino acid. Precursor of acetylcholine
(donating the acetyl portion to the acetylcholine
molecule). It is synergistic with lipoic acid.
Choline
- precursor to acetylcholine (an essential component
of the acetylcholine molecule). Alpha-GPC (L-alpha
glycerylphosphorylcholine, Choline alfoscerate) - most
effective choline precursor, readily crosses the
blood-brain barrier.
CDP-Choline (Cytidine Diphosphate Choline) -
choline precursor, a more economical alternative to
Alpha GPC.
Choline bitartrate - precursor of acetylcholine,
general nootropic, anti-depressant.
Choline citrate - precursor of the neurotransmitter
acetylcholine, general nootropic, anti-depressant.
DMAE - approved treatment for ADD/ADHD, precursor of
acetylcholine, cholinergic agent, removes lipofuscin
from the brain, anti-depressant.
Huperzine A - potent acetylcholinesterase inhibitor
derived from Chinese club-moss.
Lecithin - precursor of acetylcholine.
Vitamin B5
- cofactor in the conversion of choline into the
neurotransmitter acetylcholine, cholinergic agent,
increases stamina (including mental stamina).
Dopaminergics
Dopaminergics are substances which affect the
neurotransmitter dopamine or the components of the
nervous system which utilize dopamine. Dopamine is
produced in the synthesis of all catecholamine
neurotransmitters, and is the rate limiting step for
this synthesis. Dopaminergic nootropics include dopamine
precursors and cofactors, and dopamine reuptake
inhibitors:
L-dopa - Prescription drug. Precursor to the
neurotransmitter dopamine, general nootropic,
anti-depressant.
Phenylalanine
(requires Vitamin B6 and Vitamin C) - Essential amino
acid. Precursor to dopamine, general nootropic,
anti-depressant, sleep reducer.
Theanine
- Amino acid. Found in tea. Increases serotonin and
dopamine levels in the brain. Increases alpha-wave
based alert relaxation.
Tyrosine
(requires Vitamin B6 and Vitamin C) - Amino acid.
Precursor to dopamine, general nootropic,
anti-depressant, sleep reducer.
Vitamin
C- improves cardiovascular elasticity and
integrity, membrane stabilizer and major anti-oxidant
(protects brain cells and prevents brain cell death),
cofactor in the production of the neurotransmitters
dopamine and serotonin.
Vitamin B6
- co-factor used by the body to produce dopamine.
Yohimbe - Bark. Boosts dopamine levels as much as
80%, though how it does this is not yet understood.
Aphrodesiac. Yohimbe poses some health risks through
its side-effects: it is a neuro-paralytic which slows
down breathing and induces acidosis, some symptoms of
which are malaise, nausea, and vomitting.
Contraindicated for users of megadoses of acidic
vitamins or nutrients.
Serotonergics
Serotonergics are substances which affect the
neurotransmitter serotonin or the components of the
nervous system which utilize serotonin. Serotonergic
nootropics include serotonin precursors and cofactors,
and serotonin reuptake inhibitors:
5-HTP
- higher bioavailable form of tryptophan, precursor to
the neurotransmitter serotonin, promotes relaxed poise
and sound sleep.
Theanine
- Amino acid. Found in tea. Increases GABA and
dopamine levels in the brain. Increases alpha-wave
based alert relaxation.
Tryptophan (requires Vitamin B6 and Vitamin C) -
Essential amino acid. Precursor to serotonin, found in
high concentration in bananas and poultry (especially
turkey), also in milk, promotes relaxed poise and
sound sleep.
Anti-depression, adaptogenic and mood stabilization
Depression and depressed mood negatively affect
cognitive performance. Feelings of sadness, guilt,
helplessness, hopelessness, anxiety, and fear caused by
depression detract from productive thought, while apathy
(which is also induced by depression) is the lack of
motivation and driving moods (like curiosity, interest,
determination, etc.) Other symptoms include disturbed
sleep patterns, mental fatigue and loss of energy,
trouble concentrating or making decisions, and a a
generalized slowing and obtunding of cognition,
including memory. Obviously, removing these effects
improves intelligence and mental performance, and
therefore, counteracting and preventing depression are
effective nootropic strategies. There is a high
correlation between depression and a reduction or
depletion of neurotransmitters (dopamine, acetylcholine,
and serotonin) in the brain, therefore it is no surprise
that increasing the brain's supply of neurotransmitters
alleviates (or at least reduces the symptoms of) most
depressions. Stress is another major factor in
neurotransmitter depletion, being both a cause and
effect of it (creating a visious downward cycle),
therefore stress management and anti-stress substances
are also very useful nootropic strategies.
All of the "nergics" listed above have been found to
increase stress tolerance and alleviate depression (by
replenishing or increasing the brain's supply of
specific neurotransmitters), especially when used in
precursor/co-factor combinations.
Here are some more nootropics which affect mood and
stress:
Ashwagandha
(Withania somnifera) - Root. Also known as
Indian ginseng. Adaptogen used as tonics to normalize
body processes and reduce stress and anxiety.
Inositol
- Is a B-like substance ("B" as in B-vitamins) with
anti-anxiety effects. It is believed to produce its
anti-anxiety effects by improving the binding of
gabaergics to GABAA receptors. Inositol is a sugar,
and is therefore an alternative energy source for
brain and muscle tissues. It produces a sugar high
without a sugar low, making it especially suited for
sweetening tea (instead of sugar). It is also a
membrane stabilizer which can strengthen (and
therefore help protect) neurons.
Lemon
Balm (Melissa Officinalis) - Herb.
Anti-depressant.
Rhodiola
Rosea - Herb. Adaptogen; elevates mood,
alleviates depression. Promotes mental energy and
stamina, reduces fatigue.
St
John's Wort - Herb. The active components:
hypericin and hyperforin, are clinically indicated to
be effective in cases of mild to medium depression.
Ginseng,
Siberian (Eleutherococcus senticosus) - Root.
Anti-anxiety adaptogen that normalizes physical stress
and mental consequences.
Sutherlandia
Frutescens - Herb. Adaptogen, blood detoxifier.
Tea - Herb. Contains theophylline and theanine.
Increases alpha-wave based alert relaxation (relieves
stress).
Theanine
- Amino acid. Found in tea. Increases serotonin and
dopamine levels in the brain. Increases alpha-wave
based alert relaxation.
Vasopressin - Drug. Memory hormone, produced by the
pituitary gland, improves both memory encoding and
recall. Rapidly counters chronic apathy syndrome and
drug-induced vasopressin depletion.
Nicotinic
acid (vitamin B3) - Essential nutrient. Mild
enhancer of concentration and memory. Vasodilator.
Mood stabilizer, with a powerful anti-anxiety effect —
perhaps the best and most immediate stress reliever
available (note that other forms of vitamin B3 do not
have this effect). Side effects: gastric upset (which
is easily prevented and relieved with antacids),
reduced blood pressure and flushing of the skin
(caused by vasodilation), and itchy sensation in the
skin caused by histamine release.
Brain energy and improved oxygen supply
Acetyl-L-carnitine
(ALCAR) - Amino acid. Transports fatty acids
through cellular membranes and cytosol into cells'
mitochondria, where the fats undergo oxidation to
produce ATP, the universal energy molecule.
Synergistic with lipoic acid.
Chromium - stabilises blood sugar levels promoting
concentration.
Coenzyme q-10- increases oxygen transport through the
mitocondria of the cells. Appears to slow age-related
dementia.
Creatine - increases brain energy levels via ATP
production.
Inositol
-
Lipoic acid - synergistic with Acetyl-L-carnitine.
Vinpocetine - micro-circulation enhancer, improves
oxygen supply to brain cells.
Mental agility, concentration, stamina, and focus
Caffeine - improves concentration, idea production,
but hinders memory encoding. Also produces the
jitters. Caffeine is the most widely used psychoactive
substance in the world.
Coffee - Bean. Contains caffeine; brewed coffee is
high in antioxidants.
Theophylline - in tea.
Creativity boosting and idea stimulation
All nootropics boost creativity to some degree.
Nootropics of special note for their affect on
creativity include:
Inositol
-
Memory enhancement and learning improvement
All of the "nergics" listed above improve memory
(encoding and recall). So do all nootropics which
improve general brain performance such as the brain
energy and oxygen suppliers listed above, and the nerve
growth stimulants and protectants listed in their own
section below. Other nootropics with specific effects on
memory encoding and recall include:
Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi) - Herb. Elevates curiosity,
enhances memory and concentration.
Vasopressin - Hormone, prescription drug.
Nerve growth stimulation and brain cell protection
Acetyl-L-carnitine
(ALCAR) - Amino acid. Inhibits lipofuscin
formation.
Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi) - Herb. Improves protein
synthesis in brain cell repair and new dendritic
growth.
Ergoloid mesylates (Hydergine) - Drug. Mimics nerve
growth factor (NGF), and is a powerful anti-oxidant
capable of delaying brain death in cases of heart
failure and stroke by several minutes with regular
use.
Idebenone - stimulates nerve growth, and has same
effects as Coenzyme q-10 without its harmful
side-effects.
Inositol
- Membrane stabilizer. Strengthens neurons, making
them less suseptible to damage.
Vitamin
C - Membrane stabilizer, involved in collagen
synthesis. Strengthens neurons, making them less
suseptible to damage. Vitamin C is also a co-factor in
the brain's production of dopamine, and therefore it
also has general nootropic effects.
Sleep enhancement or reduction
Vitamin B12
- Can greatly enhance the color of dreams. Stimulates
brain neuron RNA synthesis.
Recreational drugs with purported nootropic effects
Amphetamines (Adderall, Dexedrine) - Schedule II /
Class B drugs. Prescribed for attention-deficit
disorders, narcolepsy, and certain cases of obesity;
and issued as an anti-fatigue pill for pilots in the
armed forces. These also heighten alertness, mental
focus, vigilance, stamina, and sex drive. They are
highly addictive, and have many side effects. Personal
importation is prohibitted. Using these recreationally
or for performance enhancement is illegal in most
countries.
LSD - Schedule I / Class A drug. At minuscule doses
(1 mcg) the drug has effects similar to Hydergine.
Overdose and side-effects: produces inebriating
hallucinogenic and entheogenic effects at doses as low
as 20–30 μg (micrograms), with the likelihood of
having a bad trip increasing as dose is increased. May
also cause cognitive shifts, synaesthesia, and
flashbacks. The drug sometimes spurs long-term or even
permanent changes in a user's personality and life
perspective, can cause Hallucinogen Persisting
Perception Disorder, and post-LSD psychoses. For more
details, see Albert Hofmann: LSD - My Problem Child.
Other nootropics
Celastrus Panicaltus - Herb.
DHEA -
Essential Fatty Acids- EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) are the best known. EPA
in particular, has an anti-depressant function and is
positively indicated in trials with autism and
learning difficulties.
Gabapentin -
Gerovital H3 -
Ginkgo biloba - Root. Increases blood flow to the
extremities including the brain, nootropic effects are
disputed.
Gotu Kola - Herb and root.
Phosphatidyl-serine- reduces age-related memory loss
and promotes concentration.
Pyroglutamate -
Semax -
Somatotropin -
Xanthinol -
Books
The Edge Effect. Reverse or prevent Alzheimer's, aging,
memory loss, weight gain, sexual dysfunction and more.
By Eric R Braverman MD. Excellent book describing the
four primary neurotransmitters, the role they play in
mental and physical functioning, and how to increase
levels in the brain. ISBN-10: 1-4027-2247-8. ISBN-13:
978-1-4027-2247-9.
Brain Boosters. Foods And Drugs That Make You Smarter.
(A quote from the book: "It's hard to distinguish
between the health and anti-aging uses of the smart
drugs and nutrients.") By Beverly Potter & Sebastian
Orfali. Ronin Publishing. 1993. Paperback, 257 pages.
ISBN 0914171658
Brain Fitness. Anti-Aging Strategies To Fight
Alzheimer's Disease, Supercharge Your Memory, Sharpen
Your Intelligence, De-Stress Your Mind, Control Mood
Swings, and Much More... By Robert Goldman, M.D, D.O.,
Ph.D., With Ronald Klatz, M.D., D.O., and Liza Berger.
Doubleday. 1995. Paperpack, 346pp. ISBN 038588696
Brain Longevity: The Breakthrough Medical Program that
Improves Your Mind and Memory. By Dharma Singh Khalsa.
Life Extension. A Practical Scientific Approach. Adding
Years to Your Life and Life to Your Years. Part III,
Chapter 4: Revitalizing Your Brainpower. By Durk Pearson
and Sandy Shaw. Warner Books. 1982. Hardcover, 858pp.
ISBN 044651229X
Mind Boosters: A Guide to Natural Supplements that
Enhance Your Mind, Memory, and Mood. By Ray Sahelian.
St. Martin's Griffin; 2000. Paperback, 300 pages. ISBN
0312195842
Mind Food and Smart Pills. How To Increase Your
Intelligence and Prevent Brain Aging. By Ross Pelton.
1986. Paperback, 170pp. ISBN 0936809000
Smart Drugs & Nutrients. How To Improve Your
Membory And Increase Your Intelligence Using The Latest
Discoveries In Neuroscience. (Many of the substances in
this book have life-extending or cell regenerating
effects.) By Ward Dean, M.D. and Joh Morgenthaler.
B&J Publications. 1990. Paperback, 222pp. ISBN
096271892
Smart Drugs II: The Next Generation : New Drugs
and Nutrients to Improve Your Memory and Increase Your
Intelligence. By Ward Dean (M.D.), John Morgenthaler,
Steven Wm Fowkes. Smart Publications. 1993. Paperback,
287 pages. ISBN 0962741876
Your Personal Life-Extension Program. A Practical Guide
to the New Science That Can Make You Stronger, Smarter,
Sexier, More Energetic, and More Youthful. Chapter 14:
Therapies to Improve Memory and Intelligence. By Saul
Kent. Morrow. 1985. Hardcover, 384 pages. ISBN
0688006299
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