Nootropics

An Introduction to Nootropics The word Nootropics is from the Greek words nous, or "mind," and trepein meaning "to bend/turn." Nootropics are also referred to as smart drugs, memory enhancers, neuro enhancers, cognitive enhancers, and intelligence enhancers.  Nootropics are drugs, supplements, nutraceuticals and certain foods that have shown the potential to improve mental functions such as cognition, memory, intelligence, motivation, attention, and concentration. The term nootropic was invented in 1972 by Corneliu Giurgea, a Romanian psychologist, and chemist. According to Giurgea, nootropic substances should have the following characteristics:   1. They should enhance learning and memory.  2. They should improve...

Beet juice has long been known to deliver several significant health benefits: an increase in stamina, better circulation, lower blood pressure and assisting the liver in its many vital functions. But there is still another advantage from beet juice: brain health. These significant health benefits make a convincing case for drinking beet juice on a regular basis...even though it's not something many people are in the habit of drinking regularly. Get Smarter with Beets The findings on brain health come from Wake Forest University and were reported in Nitric Oxide: Biology and Chemistry. It was already known that beets have...

L-Carnitine reduces physical and mental fatigue and also improves cognitive function in centenarians. A report published in the December 2007 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition described the results of a study conducted by Italian researchers which found a positive effect for L-carnitine (levocarnitine) on energy levels and cognitive function in individuals 100 years of age and older. The age-related decline in L-carnitine, which plays a role in cellular energy metabolism, could be involved in the fatigue experienced by many older individuals. Twenty-four men and forty-six women aged 100 to 106 who reported experiencing fatigue after even slight...

Developed in the late 1960s, Piracetam was the first compound that was classified as a nootropic drug and is the most well-known of the cognitive enhancers. Piracetam was the first racetam to be synthesized and is the chemical from which the word “nootropic” was born. Piracetam was first used in Belgium in the late 1960s, where it was tested in clinical studies. The former Soviet Union was also deeply involved with Piracetam and conducted several studies of their own. Piracetam is perhaps the most famous of the so-called “smart drugs,” for a few reasons. First, it works. Users report enhanced...

DMAE Do you feel that you have lost some of your mental focus? Do you have more trouble concentrating than when you were younger? Are so-called “senior moments” happening more often? If you answered “YES” to any of these questions, join the crowd. As the baby boom generation enters their senior years, a grim reality emerges: they ain't what they used to be. Tasks that used to be routine are gradually becoming more challenging. These senior moments can lead to feelings of frustration...despair...and fear. Yes, fear. Alzheimer's Disease and other forms of dementia are the most feared afflictions of older...

No question about it. More and more people are interested in boosting their brain power through the use of nootropics, or “smart pills” or “cognitive enhancers.” From students faced with the need to cram for an exam, aging baby boomers concerned about increasing “senior moments,” to overworked and highly stressed employees and business owners, our “24/7 connected” society continues to demand more and more from us...and we seem to have less and less time. Therefore, We Need to Work Smarter Working more intelligent does, of course, mean much more than merely taking a pill or supplement. Correct nutrition, sufficient rest,...

Aniracetam Aniracetam without choline -- a nootropic prescription drug -- is a popular cognitive enhancer that many people find useful in becoming more creative, solving problems and allowing both sides of their brain to work together. Specifically, Aniracetam has been shown to have the ability to: Heighten ability to learn and remember Sharpen perception Introduce a calming effect, and combat stress Quicken reflexes Improve Mood Dramatically increase verbal fluency Reduce Brain Fog Aniracetam was developed in the 1970's by Hoffman-LaRoche, a company involved in research, development, and manufacture of medicines, diagnostics, and vitamins. Aniracetam was first introduced as a nootropic in 1979...

Here's What You Need to Know About This Fascinating Nootropic In the movie Limitless, a struggling writer who just couldn't seem to organize his thoughts tried a pill called NZT-48. In a remarkably short period, he developed the ability to finish his novel in just three days, in spite of the fact that before taking the substance, he had been struggling for months to get a single page completed. But that's not all. He suddenly found that his mind had expanded to seemingly unimaginable heights. He had turned into a walking, talking encyclopedia of obscure facts and figures, and possessed...

Pregnenolone: The Most Important Hormone You Haven't Heard About Undoubtedly, you have heard of Human Growth Hormone (HGH); Testosterone, the hormone responsible for males developing masculine characteristics. Estrogen, the female counterpart to testosterone; oxytocin, often referred to as “the love hormone.” Progesterone, which is a significant contributor to the body's support for pregnancy. Dehydroepiandrosterone/ Dehydroepiandrostenedione, also known as DHEA, an essential endogenous steroid hormone that is known to have anti-aging properties, and cortisol, the so-called “stress hormone.” All of these hormones (and much more, too numerous to list) play a vital role in maintaining and regulating our body's internal functions....

Zen masters are known for their tranquility and seem to possess a unique blend of relaxation and alertness. Their monastic lifestyle, combined with decades of daily meditation undoubtedly explain much of how they have attained their calm, well-balanced mindset. But there is another overlooked factor: they consume large quantities of green tea, and one of the main ingredients in green tea is L-Theanine. What is L-Theanine? L-Theanine is an amino acid that is present in the tea plant and some mushrooms. The “L” is a scientific notation of its structure. Its makeup is related to L-Tryptophan, which is another amino...

Phosphatidylserine If you're interested in boosting your ability to learn...developing razor-sharp memorizing skills...dramatically increasing your capacity for learning and retaining new information...and adding a new weapon to your stress-busting arsenal...then it's time you learn about phosphatidylserine (PS). PS is an essential fatty acid that our bodies produce in limited amounts.     Phosphatidylserine is in the family of fats called phospholipids and is a significant component of cell walls. PS helps them repair and maintain cells and improve their ability to communicate with each other.    Aging is associated with cognitive decline, as it is with so many other conditions. Typically, the...

Centrophenoxine Centrophenoxine (CPX) is a drug used to treat the symptoms of senile dementia and Alzheimer's disease. It was one of the first nootropics. Developed in the 1950's, it was designed to help combat mental problems. However, CPX has also been shown to have several additional benefits. CPX can: Increase intelligence and improve the brain's ability to solve problems, make logical decisions and understand language Help the brain retain long-term memory Boost mental alertness Improve mood and develop a positive mental outlook Have potential life extension and anti-aging effects Act as an antioxidant, destroying harmful free radicals and other toxins...