In today’s hectic, hurry-up world, it’s common for competitive business professionals, stressed students, and exhausted moms to look for ways to give their tired brains a much-needed boost. One method that’s becoming increasingly popular is to use cognitive enhancing substances, called nootropics.

A nootropic is a supplement, plant, mineral, vitamin, herb, amino acid or any other substance that may improve at least one category of cognitive functioning such as memory, focus, learning, creativity, mental energy, mood, anxiety and attention span. There are natural and man-made nootropics.

You probably already use the nootropic in coffee and other drinks, caffeine, daily. Even chocolate, because of the stimulant theobromine in cocoa, gives you a quick cognitive lift. Many supplements, which you may already take, can be considered nootropics. Nootropics have also been around for decades in the form of prescription drugs. When drugs are used for the off-label purposes of brain-boosting, they’ve earned the nickname “smart drugs.”

While there will never be a substitute for a brain-healthy lifestyle, science is showing that some substances can help your brain shift into a higher gear.

Prescription Nootropics

In 2016, the American Medical Association adopted the policy of discouraging the nonmedical use of prescription drugs for cognitive enhancement in healthy individuals, due to the lack of research on long-term use. The data below is for informational purposes only.  I do not endorse the off-label use of prescription drugs for cognitive enhancement. The most common prescription smart- drugs are:

Modafinil

Modafinil, an FDA-approved substance originally developed to treat narcolepsy, a sleeping disorder, is probably the most popular prescription drug used off-label as a smart drug.  It works by directly and indirectly increasing the levels of some neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and norepinephrine. A systematic review of studies on the drug’s neuro-enhancing abilities in nonsleep deprived individuals found that it does improve executive function, attention, memory, and learning.

Racetam

The Racetam family of compounds includes several nootropics of which the best-known is Aniracetam. Racetam drugs act on the brain’s glutamate receptor sites to slow the decay of neural signaling.  Studies show that aniracetam increases dopamine and serotonin in the prefrontal cortex, your thinking brain. The substance is being studied for therapeutic use in treating anxiety, depression, dementia, and Alzheimer’s.

Amphetamines

Amphetamines are central nervous system stimulants and include prescription drugs, like Adderall and Ritalin, and other recreational drugs.  When used in high doses or long-term, amphetamines can be highly addictive, break down muscle mass, and even reduce cognitive abilities and cause psychosis along with many other unpleasant and serious side effects.

Natural Nootropics

All-natural nootropics originating from plant, herb, and root extracts have been used all throughout history. Natural nootropics are generally deemed safe. However, please recognize that each nootropic compound affects the brain and body differently. Factors to consider when taking any supplement are age, body weight, dosage, possible interactions with other drugs, and individual health issues. It is safest to ask your healthcare provider if any supplement you’re considering taking is right for you. For the FDA supplementation recommendations,  

If you’re looking to give your brain a boost in the new year, science is showing that some substances can help your brain shift into a higher gear.

 The most popular natural nootropic substances are:

1. Caffeine  – Caffeine is a stimulant which works by blocking the neurotransmitter adenosine’s receptors, increasing excitability in the brain. Caffeine also influences other neurotransmitters, including norepinephrine, dopamine, and acetylcholine. This affects mood and mental processing.
2. L-Theanine – L-Theanine is an amino acid found most commonly in green and black tea leaves. Research indicates that L-theanine promotes relaxation without drowsiness. Many people take L-theanine to help ease stress and unwind. 
3. TheaCrine – Theacrine is an alkaloid structurally similar to caffeine, and preliminary evidence suggests that it activates similar signaling pathways. It is known to increase mental clarity, energize workouts, and increase overall mood and motivation. 
4. Citicoline – CDP-choline (citicoline) is a brain chemical that occurs naturally in the body. Citicoline seems to increase a brain chemical called phosphatidylcholine which is important for brain function. It might also decrease brain tissue damage when the brain is injured.
5. Bacopa – Bacopa monnieri is a nootropic herb that has been used in traditional medicine for longevity and cognitive enhancement. Supplementation has been shown to reduce anxiety and improve memory formation.
6. Rhodiola – Rhodiola rosea is a plant whose roots are known to have “adaptogenic” properties helping the body handle stress. Rhodiola is most commonly used for increasing energy, endurance, strength, and mental capacity. Preliminary research shows it to have neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory benefits.
7. Curcumin –  Curcumin, the main bioactive substance in turmeric, is a potent anti-inflammatory herb that has been shown to have many benefits for your body and especially your brain. Researchers have shown it to reduce anxiety and depression, promote neuron growth, and induce brain plasticity.  In preclinical and animal studies, curcumin has proven to promote the activity of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a vital signaling factor that promotes the growth and strengthening of nerve networks essential for cognitive and memory skills.
8. Ginseng – Panax Ginseng Ginseng is an herbal plant that has been used for thousands of years in Eastern medicine. It can improve fatigue, performance, fertility, cognition, and even potentially prevent and fight cancer. It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Research has shown ginseng to positively affect stress-related anxiety depression and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
9. Pycnogenol – Pine bark extract is one of nature’s super antioxidants. It’s loaded with oligomeric proanthocyanidin compounds (OPCs) which possess antibacterial, antiviral, anticarcinogenic, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties.
10. Omega 3’s – Fish oil and krill oil are the most common types of omega-3 fat supplements. The omega-3fatty acids play important roles in brain function and development.  In addition to many health benefits throughout your body, omega-3 supplementation has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression,  reduce symptoms of ADHD in children, improve psychiatric disorders, and fight age-related mental decline and Alzheimer’s disease. One study even found that people who eat fatty fish had more gray matter in the brain and improved memory.

Supplements are combined into what’s known as a “nootropic stack” to achieve a synergistic effect to boost the effects further than any single supplement could do on its own.