Sign up to Get FREE Steroids, SARMS, Peptides eBooks
Intro
In today's high pace society, we are expected to juggle multiple things at a time and there is a lot of pressure to have a full-time job along with side hustles. in fact, according to tech company Zapier, currently, 33% of Americans work a side hustle. That number is 50% among young adults and is expected to rise as more people work from home during and post-pandemic. Most of us are mentally exhausted and the need to take something to improve the cognitive functions of our brain is becoming a necessity to succeed so you don't fall behind. In this article, we will share information on nootropics that you need to learn about.
History
The discovery of nootropics can be considered an accident. It started in the '60s when scientists wanted to develop a form of GABA, which is an important neurotransmitter that fires off in the brain to help us relax and sleep better. In the process they stumbled across a molecule called piracetam and the term nootropic was termed by Professor Corneliu Giurgea in 1972.
5 Criteria of nootropics
Giurgea came up with 5 criteria for a molecule to act selectively towards the integrative activity of the brain, aka a nootropic.
They are as follows:
*It must aid with improving working memory and learning ability
*Helps support brain function even with the brain is lacking oxygen or has an electric current going through it
*Protects the brain from chemical toxicity or physical toxins
*Enhancement of natural cognitive functions
*Non-toxic to humans while also not causing depression
What they are and how they help
Nootropics by definition are smart drugs or natural substances that can improve brain function. They can be made from plant extracts or synthetic drugs produced in a lab. Some people use them to improve their life by making their brains work better.
There are several different ways they work to our advantage. The first way is that they increase blood flow to the brain along with feeding the brain with oxygen. Another way they work is by protecting our brains from damage from aging or toxins we might be exposed to.
One of the main complaints we see today from overworked and under-rested individuals is the dreaded brain fog. This is due to brain fatigue and nootropics promote the transfer of fatty acids into cells.
Another benefit of nootropics is the ability to promote receptor sensitivity in the brain by firing off neurotransmitters like GABA, adrenaline, dopamine, and acetylcholine.
The next is the ability of nootropics to increase brain waves like L-theanine.
Finally, brain regeneration can help slow down the aging of our brain activity as we get older.
Fitness benefits
Nootropics are not just popular in the board room, but also in the gym too. One of the things they can help athletes with is producing a stronger mind to push through personal limits and goals. By helping with mental energy and motivation they can help give you that extra edge in the gym.
Types and how to use
Amphetamines like Ritalin and Adderall are very strong and usually used with ADHD patients.
Another powerful drug called Provigil can also be classed as a stimulant to help with narcolepsy, while piracetam is a drug for myoclonus. All 4 of the above are synthetic drugs that need a prescription and we do not recommend using these unless directed by a doctor.
The most popular types of nootropics for those in fitness are:
- Rhodiola Rosea- up to 600mg a day
- N-acetyl L-tyrosine- up to 2000mgs before exercise
- phosphatidylserine-up to 800mg a day
- L-theanine- up to 900mg a day
- Creatine up to 5g a day helps with muscle growth but also with short-term memory.
Other nootropics that are strong include:
Caffeine taken up to 600mg a day can reduce the reaction time for tasks in humans. However, if you overdose on caffeine it can have counterproductive results so make sure to cycle it only.
Caffeine anhydrous is simply dehydrated caffeine, where the water has been extracted down to 0.5%. Normal coffee beans contain 8.5% water, or 17 times that of caffeine anhydrous. Read more..
Nicotine has been used by some to improve alertness and motor function. Users will chew nicotine gum or use patches. However, we do not recommend using it.
Additional safe and natural nootropics:
Gingko Biloba is popular with the elderly to boost brain function but also helps reduce cortisol with younger people taken before exercise.
Ginseng up to 400mg a day helps with brain fatigue and math.
Resveratrol helps with the memory of the brain and comes from the skin of certain fruits
Ashwagandha up to 600mg a day helps with stress and anxiety.
Cytomel T3 (chemical name: liothyronine sodium) is a synthetic form of thyroid hormone that is mostly used to treat hypothyroidism and myxedema coma. These conditions can be triggered by thyroid cancer, Graves' disease, and even by an unhealthy lifestyle. Read more..
Coconut oil added to your foods is a great option or you can simply eat a spoonful a day.
There are many more nootropics including things like 5HTP, curcumin, cacao, Tumeric, Vitamins B and D, and Zinc. You can see a full list here click here
Side effects
Some nootropics are safe to use daily while others should be used with caution. While others on the list have little to no side effects. It is best to start slow and work your way up with the dosages to gauge the proper dosage.
Prescription-based nootropics carry the most side effects such as addiction, hallucinations, and insomnia.
Some of the natural nootropics mentioned above like caffeine can cause more mild side effects if abused like trouble falling asleep, vision issues, higher heart rates, and addiction. Nicotine is also highly addictive and can be dangerous at high dosages.
Conclusion
Nootropics have been developed and researched for almost 50 years. Specifically, over the past few decades, people are trying them out and using them to better their cognitive deficits. Some in society today depend on them to function correctly, while others use them for an edge with their careers, or with pushing them along in their fitness journey.
In the medical community, some think nootropics are a good idea, while others disagree.
Dr. Barry Gordon of Johns Hopkins Medicine says that there isn't enough evidence to show they are safe, or that they work, and he is skeptical. While Dr. Chris D'Adamo from the University of Maryland thinks that nootropics can help give you an edge, and he says combined with proper sleep, diet, and managing stress, they can help mitigate brain decline and help you think better.
Forums
Forums on our forums? read on:
Ashwagandha is an adaptogen herb that is used to deal with high stress levels. It will do nothing for libido. Read more...
I'm looking for guidance on supplements I can use to enhance my brain functions and health. Read more...
I was taking creatine as preworkout but I felt it didn't work as I expected, so I'm thinking to get something more powerful like lunacy, it contains. Read more..
What is a good way to take the edge off a stim if you take too much? I kinda took too much of the LG "Epic" preworkout and now I'm back to work and jittery as heck and I have a meeting in 1hr. Read more..
Absolutely. You can take creatine with food or on an empty stomach. When are you taking the casein shake? Read more..
References
- Rhodiola rosea L.: an herb with anti-stress, anti-aging, and immunostimulating properties for cancer chemoprevention
- N-acetyl-l-tyrosine is an intrinsic triggering factor of mitohormesis in stressed animals
- Effects of L-Theanine Administration on Stress-Related Symptoms and Cognitive Functions in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- Phosphatidylserine and the human brain
- An Overview on Ashwagandha: A Rasayana (Rejuvenator) of Ayurveda