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“Nootropic” is the name given to any chemical substance that can improve brain function without negatively affecting the brain.
Supplements that fall into this category are known to enhance cognitive abilities such memory formation and recall, learning, logical reasoning, creative thinking, concentration, motivation mood and mental energy.
How do these “smart drugs” actually work and what are the typical nootropic effects that you can expect when taking these compound? There are a multitude of different nootropics and their mechanism of action are equally diverse.
While it would be an over-simplification to characterize nootropic effects based on a single supplement we can broadly classify seven types of common nootropic mechanisms of action.
These seven classes include: Cholinergics, Racetams, Dopaminergics, Serotonergics, Adaptogens, Metabolics, and Stimulants.
Mental Function
Mental Function
Brain Health- Promotes brain health & communication
- Supports memory, reasoning & cognition
- oosts focus, mental clarity & attention
Cholinergics
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Cholinergics are any type of supplement that increase levels of acetylcholine in the brain.
Acetylcholine is one of the primary neurotransmitters involved in retaining new information, accessing memory, performing calculations and analysis and in controlling our attention span and inhibitions.
Higher levels of acetylcholine can increase the rate at which new connections are created in your brain and make your neurons more adaptable or plastic.
Cholinergic supplements are known to specifically increase acetylcholine levels in the hippocampus which is the part of the brain associated with storing long-term memories as well as the process of memory consolidation.
We make Acetylcholine by combining acetate with Choline from our diet which is found in foods such as egg yolks, certain meats and soy beans. However, most of us do not get the required amount of Choline from foods that we eat which is why supplementing with Cholinergics is so important for brain function.
You can use Choline Bitartrate supplements, but Centrophenoxine, CDP Choline (Citicoline) and Alpha GPC Choline are regarded as better quality for nootropic effects.
Other acetylcholine supplements include acetylcholinesterase inhibitors such as Huperzine A which prevents the breakdown of this compound in your brain.
Racetams
The Racetams are a family of nootropics that work similarly to Cholinergics. However, instead of raising acetylcholine levels in your neurons, these supplements actually improve the sensitivity of your acetylcholine receptors so that communication is more efficient between neurons.
The most popular Racetam is called Piracetam which is a supplement that was first discovered in the 1960’s and is really consider the founding member of the class of nootropic compounds. Other derivatives of Piracetam include Aniracetam, Oxiracetam, Pramiracetam, and Phenylpiracetam.
Noopept is also sometimes considered an honorary Racetam even though it has a slightly different mechanism of action and is over 1,000 times stronger than Piracetam.
Each of these Racetams has a different individual range of effects, but in most cases they are able to heighten Cholinergic activity in the brain. Some of these compounds are known to promote the development of more neurons while others increase receptor density in areas like the hippocampus.
The result is enhanced cognition and mental performance especially in areas of memory, verbal fluency, abstract reasoning, problem solving and fluid intelligence.
Piracetam and its derivatives are also known to be virtually non-toxic to humans with the most common side effect being headaches. You can alleviate these headaches by using Racetams with a high quality Acetylcholine precursor like Citicoline or Alpha GPC.
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Dopaminergics
Dopaminergics are any smart drugs that increase dopamine levels or activity in the brain.
This neurotransmitter is part of our psychological rewards system and is responsible for causing sensations of pleasure and happiness like when you win a competition, receive praise from your significant other or eat something delicious.
Higher levels of Dopamine can reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, stress and anhedonia while also boosting your motivation, confidence and ability to focus.
When you stimulate the release of Dopamine in the pre-frontal cortex, it can lead to improved cognition, alertness and energy levels. There are a number of different Dopaminergic nootropics, but some of the most popular include L-Tyrosine, Sulbutiamine and L-Dopa.
Serotonergics
Much like the aforementioned supplements, Serotonergics also increase levels of one of our key mood neurotransmitters called Serotonin. This neurochemical controls a number of different processes in the brain related to sleep patterns, appetite as well as mood regulation.
Individuals with low Serotonin levels may suffer from depression, insomnia, low attention span and lack of impulse control. You can boost Serotonin levels by using 5-HTP or L-Tryptophan as well as with exposure to sunlight.
Many mood-enhancing nootropics also have the effect of increasing Serotonin levels either as precursors to this chemical or by working as Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors.
Adaptogens
Adaptogens are one of the lesser understood categories of nootropics, but they do offer some significant benefits for improved brain health and performance. These herbal-derived compounds work to support the on-going maintenance of your body to return brain cells to proper balance.
Adaptogens are noted for decreasing sensitivity to environmental stressors that can damage your cellular systems by interfering with proper maintenance. Some of the most popular adaptogens for cognitive function include Ginseng, Kava Kava, Passion Flower, St. Johns Wort, and Gotu Kola.
Metabolics
Metabolics are perhaps the vaguest category included in this list, consisting of any supplements that optimize the energy supply of your body or brain cells.
Nootropics that affect the metabolic function of your neurons include cerebral vasodilators such as Vinpocetine that promote increased blood flow to the brain.
When circulation is improved, the brain will receive more oxygen and glucose which are the two ingredients needed to make ATP – the type of energy that your neurons use to power their many cellular processes.
Other Metabolics may work by promoting increased fluidity in the cell membranes of your neurons which will allow needed nutrients and raw materials to be taken up by your cells more easily.
Creatine, Phosphatidylserine and Ginkgo Biloba are three supplements that employ this nootropic mechanism of action to boost brainpower.
Stimulants
The final type of Nootropic effect is provided by stimulants as epitomized by caffeine, amphetamines like Adderall and the immensely powerful Modafinil. Central nervous system stimulants do function as brain enhancers by promoting increased energy levels, wakefulness and alertness.
These supplements can help you stay focused, become more driven and improve many of our basic thought processes related to information processing and retrieval. The biggest downside is that many of these stimulants can leave you feeling burned out and have a high risk of side effects.
However, among the class of stimulants, the best suited for use as a smart drug is Modafinil (or it’s legal cousin Adrafinil which does not require a prescription). Modafinil uses a distinct mechanism of action to increase wakefulness and reduce feelings of fatigue and studies have found it effective at improving mental performance.
This is still a nootropic best reserved for occasional use, but it is growing in popularity among students and people who work in highly demanding industries.
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Article last updated on: March 1st, 2018 by Nootriment
1 Comment
Thanks for the info. I have been diagnosed with ALS and I have been looking at nootropics to repair my neurons. So thanks again!!!!
T.Lynam