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Is it nothing less than difficult for you to memorize things? Learn relationship between Cognitive Enhancers and Brain Supplements with brain boosting powers!
You don’t need to worry at all. There are hundreds of ways through which you can increase your mental strength and ability.
One of the easiest ways is to use cognitive enhancers or brain supplements. You can find them in the markets or e-stores without facing any difficulty.
We will be discussing everything in detail. Let’s have a look at every single thing.
What Are Cognitive Enhancers?
Cognitive enhancers are available at an extensive range.
They are of two types; natural supplements and the other one are synthetic drugs. People usually use these drugs to improve their memory and enhance their mental strength.
These drugs help you in concentrating and understanding everything. They boost up the body’s energy by decreasing stress and wakefulness.
Nowadays, these enhancers are widely used by students, entrepreneurs, scientists, and seniors.
These brain supplements increase the mind’s productivity, ability to memorize, and learn. But you need to be very careful before selecting any enhancer because the brain is the most important part of your body.
This article will help you in choosing the perfect and effective neuroenhancer for yourself. So go through it and make a smart decision.
Meaning of Nootropics
You should be clear about the difference between cognitive enhancer drugs and cognitive enhancer supplements. But coming towards the categorization of nootropics, it becomes a bit difficult.
Any substance that the user uses to boost their cognitive functions is now known as a nootropic.
However, this is not the actual meaning. Nootropics are quite popular with the title of smart drugs or cognitive enhancers.
They are supplements, substances, elements, or drugs that help in improving the cognitive functions, executive function, and memorizing. It also increases the creative ability of the user.
These supplements provide a healthy and smart brain. The most effective nootropics will be discussed in this article.
They will help you with a lot of purposes. But these supplements have some disadvantages as well. You need to know everything before consuming them.
Best 4 Brain Supplements for Boost Cognitive Function
There are various types of natural cognitive enhancers supplements available in the market.
Some of them are vitamins, mushrooms, herbs, and amino acids. These supplements have a lot of benefits and are used for a long period.
They are not at all harmful and make your brain healthy. Cognitive enhancers and brain supplements are very similar to each other.
Some of the widely used brain supplements are:
1) Ginkgo
This enhancer is one of the fastest-selling herbs and supplements available in the market. It is also known as Ginkgo biloba.
This herb is indeed great and useful for individual who are suffering from memory loss, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), anxiety, stress, and depression.
These brain supplements improve the flow of blood to the brain. It contains antioxidants that help in protecting weak brain cells. It protects the cells from free radical damage.
2) Bacopa
Bacopa, which is usually sold in the markets by the name of Bacopa monnieri, is a herbal tonic(supplement) of the brain.
This drug provides a better memory, ability to learn, and concentrate. People have been using these supplements for more than 3000 years.
Brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) helps in regulating every single aspect of your life that includes your mood and memorizing capability.
It provides improved focusing, learning, and concentrating ability. Bacopa is one of those neurotransmitter regulators that enables the movement and production of brain chemicals.
Research shows that Bacopa is an excellent cognitive enhancer that enhances brain capabilities.
3) Lion’s Mane Mushroom
For a thousand years roughly, the medical industries of China have been using this element in their supplements.
It provides you nerves similar to steel and memory as sharp as a lion. These drugs contain two different and unique sets of compounds.
This helps in healing and protecting the existing cells of the brain. It also produces new nerve cells.
Mane mushroom supplements also include amycenone, which is an effective anti-inflammatory product. This compound is responsible for the properties of this antidepressant mushroom.
4) American Ginseng
This typical herb of China is also known as the elixir of life.
All ginseng supplements contain a unique and different set of ginsenoside compounds. These compounds are neuroprotective and antioxidant supplements.
They stimulate the production of acetylcholine, which is also a neurotransmitter.
This is responsible for learning and memorizing activities. American ginseng is usually sold as a cognitive enhancer.
According to some recent research and reviews, this compound works at a very fast speed in improving short-term memory issues. It also improves the reaction time for anything after the dosage is taken by the user.
Cognitive Enhancers of Amino Acid
If you are thinking that all cognitive enhancers (natural ones) are made up of plants, then this is not true.
Some enhancers are made by using amino acids. They play a vital role in building important neurotransmitters.
Some of them are:
1) Tryptophan
It is formed by serotonin, which is the brain chemical responsible for happiness. It also manages the sleep hormones (melatonin).
2) Tyrosine
Tyrosine is essential for the production of dopamine, also known as the motivation molecule. [f]
It also produces norepinephrine that helps in managing two tasks. This compound works as a neurotransmitter and a stress hormone.
3) L-Theanine
This L-Theanine supplement is one of the widely used natural cognitive enhancers in the world. You can find this element mostly in teas.
It increases the neurotransmitter serotonin level, dopamine level, and GABA level. This brain enhancer alters the patterns of the brainwave.
It helps in maintaining the optimal state of the brain for relaxing and stronger concentration.
4) Taurine
This amino acid enhancer acts like a gamma-aminobutyric acid, also known as a calming neurotransmitter.
It activates the GABA receptors and enhances mental stability. It will provide you enough energy for memorizing anything.
Essential Nutrients of the Brain
It is a surprising fact that some of the cognitive enhancers are helpful in providing the basic nutrients to the brain.
A few of the essential nutrients are vitamin B12, magnesium, vitamin D, and important fatty acids from omega-3.
They will never produce any harmful effects that might damage your brain.
The deficiency of these nutrients is commonly found in industrial areas. The deficiency of these nutrients can lead to a lot of problems.
For example, it might affect the functions of the brain, mental strength, and health.
Thus, you must take these brain supplements to provide your body with basic nutrients.
Cognitive Enhancers and Smart Drugs for Brain
Cognitive enhancers are usually known as study drugs and smart drugs.
They are pharmaceutical manufactured drugs that help in improving the memory, ability to learn, focus, and pay serious attention.
These drugs also increase mental skills and abilities. People who are suffering from cognitive issues use these brain enhancers.
These people include college and university students, traders, biohackers, military personnel, entrepreneurs, and scientists.
These drugs help treat non-cognitive maladies.
Let’s have a look at some of the popular and fastest-selling cognitive enhancers.
1) Ritalin and Adderall
You can buy these supplements only if you have a doctor’s prescription.
These stimulants are useful for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
They help in focusing on and increasing the brain’s energy. Ritalin and Adderall increase the levels of dopamine (norepinephrine) neurotransmitters.
2) Piracetam
Piracetam was introduced by a scientist who launched the nootropics term.
People usually consider it the first nootropic. This enhancer is a synthetic derivation of the natural neurotransmitter GABA. It helps in creativity and executive functions.
This supplement is a member of racetam ( a group of cognitive drugs). Other parts of the racetam set include oxiracetam, Noopept, and aniracetam. But the main point you should understand is that how does the racetam works.
According to some famous theories, racetams operates and provides several benefits.
It improves the performance of neurotransmitter acetylcholine and enhances the membrane fluidity of the brain cell. This cognitive enhancer also avoids the oxidative stress that might affect the brain.
Piracetam is commonly used by seniors who are facing mental issues due to their age. This can help them in memorizing things and providing different cognitive advantages.
3) Modafinil
The brand name of Modafinil is Provigil.
This is a trendy and popular study drug. It was originally developed to sort out sleep disorders.
Doctors suggest their patients; take this drug for treating narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and sleep disorder due to shift work. You can easily find this supplement in shops and online pages.
Advantages of Cognitive Enhancers
As we all know, there are a lot of advantages of cognitive enhancers. By using these drugs, you can have a healthy and strong brain.
These brain supplements help to increase your body’s energy, strength, and power.
They also provide a better memory, learning, and focusing ability.
It also helps you concentrate on and observing keenly. It motivates the user’s brain towards creativity and imagination.
These cognitive enhancer supplements can decrease the stress and depression of the user. It provides a relaxed mind.
Disadvantages of Cognitive Enhancers
You should be aware that everything has some disadvantages as well.
Cognitive enhancers like Adderall and Ritalin can make the user feel better.
It can provide clear mental alerts and information. But let us tell you that using these enhancers for a long period can lead to tolerance issues.
You need to use them frequently to have the same tolerance levels. These brain drugs are very addictive, so you need to be careful about their dosage.
These drugs contain amphetamine, and their regular use can cause serious issues. Some of them are irregular mental health and heartbeats. A high dosage can also lead to physical collapse and death later on.
Now coming towards Modafinil.
What is Modafinil?
It is safe and causes fewer side effects than the other cognitive enhancers. Many of the students and entrepreneurs use it as a study drug.
The effects of this drug last for a shorter period. Some of the side effects are headache, hypertension, insomnia, nausea, and nervousness.
This can also lead to anxiety, which in turn decreases the appetite of the user. It can also decrease your body weight.
Using these supplements for a longer period can also disturb your sleep cycles, similar to the people who use cocaine. Thus, you should never use these drugs without your doctor’s guidance and prescription.
Are the Nootropics Safe?
According to the real definition, each and every nootropic must be safe. But the question arises that are they really safe?
Nootropics have expanded and covered any substance ranging from natural to synthetic to mix. It has the potential of improving mental functions like concentration, memory, attention, intelligence, and motivation.
The supplements for cognitive enhancement discussed above in the article- amino acids, herbs, and vitamins- matches the original parameter of nootropic.
How the cognitive skills and your main mental abilities can be improved?
These nootropics are beneficial in improving mental functions and support your brain health. It inflicts no harm to its users.
But the nootropics available in the market shed light on the other meaning of the term nootropic too. Due to the ongoing stress and environment, every other person has the desire to improve mental health and performance.
How Nootropic Supplements Work for Cognitive Function?
Even these substances have very strong marketing that affects the audience greatly. All of its side effects and risks are relatively insignificant to other aspects then.
Performance is the main goal and paramount of all users.
Now have a look at the two main types of nootropics, synthetic drugs, and natural-based supplements-Supplements that are qualified as the real Nootropics.
There are compounds present in the nootropic supplements that are naturally occurring. During the process of processing, the natural sources’ parts can be synthetically enhanced or extracted to make sure it is more effective and efficient.
Unfortunately, the magnesium found in specifically the typical supplements, it may enter the brain making its own way. In this manner, the therapeutic usefulness is limited.
But when threonate and magnesium are mixed, then vitamin C metabolite is formed. This creation is the new form of magnesium, which may easily cross in the brains.
Plant-Based Nootropic Supplements
Many of the nootropic supplements available in the market are based on the compounds occurring naturally.
These compounds are found in plants.
1) Curcumin
It is the naturally occurring substance that is extracted from turmeric. Turmeric is the Indian Spice called Curcuma Longa. [2]
It is counted as one of the main and most effective brain boosters present in the world.
The brain-derived neurotrophic (BDNF) levels are raised by the curcumin. This protein is responsible for stimulating the creation of brain cells that are completely new.
The attention, as well as the working memory, improved considerably in the healthy seniors with the usage of a single dosage of curcumin found out in one study. The results were very impressive.
You must remember to look for supplements of curcumin that may contain phosphatidylserine, piperine, or the nanoparticles’ usage.
Such measures taken will increase the bioavailability of curcumin greatly. The ability of the body to utilize it will also enhance considerably.
2) Huperzine A
Huperzine A is the extraction of the compound from Huperziaserrata (Chinese Club Moss). When the acetylcholine increase, it works. The stimulation leads to the formation of brain cells on a completely new basis.
According to the studies, Huperzine A is good for enhancing the learning and memory of people in every stage of life.
The age does not vary much and ranges from students of middle school to senior people with Alzheimer’s disease.
3) Vinpocetine
The neuroenhancer that demarcates the difference between nootropic drugs and supplements is the Vinpocetine.
It is the compound synthesized from the vincamine. It is found in Vinca Mirror (periwinkle). With the help of the various mechanism, the brain function is greatly enhanced by Vinpocetine.
The blood flow to your brain will also increase drastically; brain inflammation will also reduce; the creation of brain cells on a new basis will be stimulated too. The neurotransmitter levels will also be balanced.
You will be available to listen that Vinpocetine is present as the prescription drugs around various parts of the world.
It is available as a supplement in the US, but it might change too. FDA is convincing to take Vinpocetine out of the stores because they believe it to be classified as the drug instead of being a supplement.
It is readily sold by some of the vendors like iHerb and Vitacost but no more available on Amazon.
Nootropic Supplements Based on Choline
Choline is the acetylcholine’s precursor. It is the essential nutrient required for neurotransmitter formation, healthy brain development, and brain cells.
But you must remember that, unfortunately, Choline, such as magnesium, may not enter the brain effectively. [5]
1) Alpha-GPC
Alpha-glycerophosphocholine (Alpha-GPC) is Choline’s synthetic version. It may enter the brain because it is needed for the creation of neurotransmitters GABA, serotonin, and dopamine.
In many parts of the world, it is available as a memory supplement. In Europe, it is sold as the prescription drug of Alzheimer’s.
2) Citicoline
Citicoline is the other cholinergic nootropic. It may convert into Choline and uridine when ingested. Uridine itself is available as a nootropic.
It is basically the building block that occurs naturally for the healthy cell membranes of the brain.
The several worthy and significant neurotransmitters like dopamine and acetylcholine are raised with it. The blood flow to the brain may also increase with it.
It succeeds in increasing the mental energy too by enhancing the brain cell’s activity (mitochondria). It is the cell’s powerhouse.
Nootropic Drugs
It is the kind of drug which comprises of synthetic drugs. It cannot be termed as natural because no such claims have been made.
Certainly, no health food store may have it besides Amazon or online vitamin shops. Websites specializing in nootropics sell them online.
You won’t find them at your health food store, online vitamin shop, or even Amazon.
1) Racetams
These are the nootropic drugs that are quintessential.
Piracetam, the original nootropic, is included in this group. There are many other Racetams, including Noopept, phenylpiracetam, aniracetam, pramiracetam, and oxiracetam. All of them had their own side effects and benefits. [3]
2) Phenibut
It is developed in the Soviet Union as the GABA derivative. It is highly beneficial for coping with stress and anxiety.
But please ve careful as it can be equally addictive-like the anti-anxiety medicines.
3) Adrafinil
It works well enough for those who want to obtain their power without getting into the hassle of getting it.
It is mobilized into Modafinil, once ingested. It is not advised to consume it for a longer time as it cannot be safe enough for the liver. The World Anti-Doping Agency has banned Adrafinil just like the Modafinil as the unspecified stimulant compound. [4]
The Purchasing of Nootropics Online Legally
You should keep in mind the various legalities of the nootropics in every country when you are planning to purchase it.
If you have planned to purchase it from the website that is operating outside your resident country, do review all of its international policies for shipments.
Otherwise, keep in mind that it might be confiscated or retained by the custom.
Why may every best Cognitive Enhancer not be a pill?
Do you know that every other best and overall cognitive enhancer cannot be a pill because everything is available in its own kind?
You must have known that beauty is not confined to a jar. Similarly, success, creativity, and intelligence my not come from a pill.
These cognitive enhancers might give a good boost to your brain, but surely you must know and acknowledge the fact that no supplement or drug can replace a healthy lifestyle for the brain.
Nothing is able to replace the worth and value and significance of living healthy lifestyles for your brain.
There are many examples in the history who lived the lives that are exemplary for the people of every age group and of all times. The adopted positive habits for their lifestyles.
Have a glimpse at the below mentioned famous/popular names:
- Steve Jobs was the one who adopted meditation.
- Richard Branson selected physical exercise.
- Thomas Edison was a firm practitioner of power naps.
- Albert Einstein revived his mind with the magic of playing music.
- Elon Musk has been enjoying his life with a lifelong and strong pursuit of learning.
Surprisingly, you may be among those billion of people who are using Caffeine as the most famous cognitive enhancer on this planet.
And to further surprise, every morsel of food intake is responsible for either stressing out nourishing your brain further.
Scientific Backup
The US thriller, Limitless, portrayed a character of struggling author as the main character who used NZT-48 as the chosen drug.
He was able to consume 100 percent of his brain that is more than the usual 20%. The film shows the possibility of enhanced capacity, and the whole idea revolved around it. The opportunities reaped were dramatic and wild, which finally ended in the personal laboratory.
There he worked as a scientist for deriving derivatives that were more effective. It highlights the significance of cognitive enhancers.
However, these are eluded by the recent press when these agents are used for image and performance enhancement.
Many people have been utilizing it for medical conditions for improving their focus or memory.
News night and New Scientist, in 2011, revealed that 38% of the participants of the survey have used cognitive enhancers once in their lives. 92% said to consume it again in their lives.
The mentioned drugs for it included Modafinil for treating sleep disorders. Attention, deficit hyperactivity disorder is treated with Adderall and Ritalin.
The Anecdotal experiences were interesting. The users reported having increased capacity for concentrating for more hours.
The student at Harvard University told the Washington Post that he never appeared in his papers without using Rifalinsunce, his junior high school.
In June 2009, a discussion went on in The Independent for human enhancement as the natural process to evolve. Society is in need of development and improvement. Ritalin was the main drug during the discussion that was considered to be safe for the children.
The arguments against it were not strong enough to persuade others.
It is believed that the future brain enhancement may be comprising of surgeries more instead of relying on the cognitive enhancement supplements. Surgical will be preferred diver pharmacological for brain repair and enhancement.
The process may involve the replacement of dead cells with the stimulation of new brain cells by the stem cells.
The mental and physical exercises, as well as diet regimens, will enhance mental performance with or without the medications ( pharmacotherapy).
Conclusion
The usage of these cognitive enhancers is a good option for healthy people as it affected them positively in many aspects.
It impacted regular fronts, ethical, economic, health, and social aspects. The regulatory mechanisms for these supplements are weak enough.
The potential social changes, as well as competitive commercial environments, may lead to its excessive usage.
If it is successful and effective in every aspect, then it may be contradicted on the ethical grounds for personal enhancement healthily.