Nootropics and Brain Health – Part 2 of 3

Nootropics and Brain Health – Part 2 of 3  Nootropic Drugs and Medications and Chemicals and
Did You Know Caffeine is a Nootropic?!

NOOTROPICS AND BRAIN HEALTH
– NOOTROPICS THAT I DON’T NECESSARILY RECOMMEND!
(Part 3 of 3 will have NOOTROPICS THAT I DO RECOMMEND!)

We are going to discuss some of the top Nootropics.  Most of this section talks about Nootropics that can be habit-forming, or have side effects, or have to be prescribed (drugs/synthetics).   My other section in Part 3 of 3 deals with Herbal and Food Nootropics.

Caffeine

• Caffeine is probably the most widely used psychoactive product in the world. Yes, you probably have your portion of caffeine every morning as you rush out the door on your way to your daily activities, but caffeine is to be found in many other substances like tea, cocoa, kola nuts, and guarana too.
• Caffeine is added to most energy drinks, sodas and plenty of medications too.
• How it works is that it blocks the adenosine receptors of your brain, helping you to not feel so tired anymore. If you consume quite a low to moderate bit of caffeine, say no more than around 40–300 mg, you can actually increase your attention and alertness. The above doses are good for people who are generally fatigued.
• Caffeine is undoubtedly the most widely used nootropic. While most people don’t think of their daily cup of coffee as a nootropic, they would probably admit that they’re often looking to improve their focus or boost their energy with that cup of coffee. So, in a sense, they are using caffeine as a nootropic.

NOOTROPICS AND BRAIN HEALTH

Diana Walker’s Note:
I was able to get off 8 cups of coffee a day by drinking Sunrider Calli Tea.
See my video here (15,000 views, 15 years ago when I put this up on YouTube)
  https://youtu.be/2BMk6ibJEek?si=3BgzClN5RWNxgwqn

L-Theanine

• You might have heard also of this important amino acid, although there are plenty of amino acids; in fact, there are around 20 of them.
• You will find L-Theanine naturally in tea, and also as a supplement from your local health shop.
• L-theanine is an amino acid found primarily in green and black tea and some mushrooms. It’s also available in pill or tablet form. It’s said to help ease anxiety, stress, and reduce insomnia.
• A few studies completed on L-Theanine show that just taking around 200 mg will have a calming effect on you, without causing you any drowsiness and if you just take around 50 mg; that’s about 2 cups of tea – you can increase your alpha-waves in your brain. This is the part of the brain linked to creativity.
• This amino acid becomes even more effective when you take it with caffeine, as mentioned above. So you can imagine that the two are often used together to enhance performance and you will find them in supplements as well.

Creatine

• Creatine is another amino acid. This is the one that the body will use to make protein.
• Many people take creatine because it is a very popular bodybuilding supplement, promoting muscle growth and at the same time enhancing your brain. When you consume creatine, it will enter your brain. There it binds with phosphate and creates a molecule which your brain will use to feed or fuel its cells. A lot more energy is available for your brain cells which means your reasoning skills and short-term memory are going to get a real boost, which is particularly beneficial for vegetarians and people who are highly stressed.
• From studies, it is found that it is quite safe for people to take in around 5 grams of creatine each day without experiencing any negative effects. However, if you do take in larger doses which can be effective as well, there is no research yet on the long-term safety.

Bacopa Monnieri

• Ever heard of this one – Bacopa monnieri? It’s an ancient herb, used in Ayurveda medicine and capable of enhancing your brain function.
• There have been studies completed on Bacopa Monnieri and which show that if you take supplements, you will be able to speed up the processing of information that your brain needs to deal with. What you get are faster reaction times to problem-solving and a better memory.
• This ancient herb contains chemical compounds called bacosides, which are known to protect your brain from oxidative stress.
• When you take Bacopa monnieri, you don’t immediately feel the effects and therefore you need to take doses of around 300?600 mg for a few months to get the real benefits.

Nicotine

• This natural chemical, nicotine, is found, mainly from the tobacco plant. It’s a compound in cigarettes that has made cigarette smoking so addictive.
• There are nicotine gums and nicotine patches to put on your skin. But studies show that nicotine improves alertness and attention span, and even improves motor function. Some people claim that when you chew the nicotine gum, your handwriting fluidity and speed improves.
• Caution is given though on taking nicotine, as it can become addictive and can also be lethal when taken in high doses.

Noopept (Synthetic Drug)

• This is a synthetic smart drug which you can buy as a supplement.
• When you take Noopept, it is unlike some of the natural nootropics, where the effects take longer to be noticed – with Noopept the effects are able to be felt within minutes of taking it, and these effects can even last several hours.
• Studies completed shows how Noopept helps people who have had brain injuries to recover faster, but more studies are needed to be undertaken to understand it more.

Piracetam (Synthetic Drug)

• Another synthetic nootropic is Piracetam – this one is very similar to that of Noopept in its function and structure.
• When you take Piracetam, you will improve your memory. It is particularly excellent for older people who typically show signs of age-related mental decline.
• It has not been shown yet to show much benefit in healthy adults though.
• In the 1970s, a few studies suggested that piracetam can improve memory function in healthy adults, but these fairly insignificant studies have not yet been re-studied or confirmed.
• Piracetam is available on the market but there is not much research completed on its effects as yet.

Phenotropil (Synthetic Drug)

• It is also known as phenylpiracetam, another synthetic smart drug, a widely available over-the-counter supplement.
• It is similar to Piracetam and Noopept as well, helping the brain when it has suffered an injury such as trauma, stroke, and epilepsy.
• A study done on rats concluded that phenotropil has the ability to slightly enhance the memory, but research to support this in healthy adults is not available.

Modafinil (Provigil) (Synthetic Drug)

• This drug is commonly sold under the brand name of Provigil.
• It’s a prescription drug used to treat uncontrollable drowsiness. Therefore it does reduce feelings of tiredness and is able to improve memory in adults that are sleep-deprived.
• When you are on this drug, you feel more on top of your time management and able to accomplish your goals more easily.
• You need to use this drug in a responsible manner, so as to not encounter any negative side effects.
• It is sold as a drug that is non-addictive, but there have been instances where people have become dependent on it with withdrawal symptoms experienced. Use with care.

Amphetamines (Adderall) (Synthetic Drug)

• This drug is also a prescription medication that has some very stimulating amphetamines in it.
• If you suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD you might know about this drug. Today, it is often taken by healthy adults who want to improve their focus and attention spans.
• Because there are amphetamines in this drug, people note feeling much more alert and awake, even attentive and optimistic with reduced appetite.
• From studies, it was found that it helps people more to control their behavior. Their short-term memory is also enhanced.
• However, remember that with many of these drugs, they often come with side effects, and on many college campuses, it has been found that Adderall has been widely abused. Some surveys indicate that some 43% of students use these stimulant type drugs without a prescription. So look out for side effects from using Adderall which can include anxiety, sweating and lowered sex drive. Even though there is evidence that this drug does enhance mental performance, it is best to use it as prescribed.

Methylphenidate (Ritalin) (Synthetic Drug)

• Most of us have heard of Ritalin because we know of children who are on Ritalin; touted to help with ADHD and narcolepsy. But like Adderall, it increases the dopamine and noradrenaline concentrations in your brain because it is a stimulant.  Noradrenaline is a hormone that is released by the Adrenal Medulla and by the sympathetic nerves and functions as a Neurotransmitter.  Ritalin does not contain amphetamines but Adderall does.
• For healthy adults, Ritalin improves information processing speed, short-term memory, and attention. The thing is, if it is taken in excess it will work in exactly the opposite way and impair your thinking. In the same way that Adderall is abused, so is Ritalin, especially in the age groups of 18–25.
• Side effects can be stomachache, insomnia, loss of appetite, and headaches. Worse side effects can include psychosis, seizures, hallucinations, heart arrhythmias, and high blood pressure – this is when you take it in high does.
• Remember it is a powerful stimulant, to be used only as prescribed.

MENTAL FATIGUE AND BRAIN FOG

Are you living in a state of continual mental fatigue and brain fog?

Between your work, your home life and your social life, your schedule and plate feels so hectic; too full – and sometimes you feel like your brain is busy burning out.

Nootropic supplements have the ability to increase brain function and overall focus.

SYNTHETIC INGREDIENTS

CAUTION!!!  – there are synthetic ingredients in 6 of the 10 Nootropics listed above.
(where I have indicated “Synthetic Drug”)
Synthetic ingredients can wear out the Adrenal Glands.
I will cover this more in my next blog post.
Diana

Thank you so much for trusting me to provide valuable health education, free ebooks, and the chance to win valuable Healthy Gift prizes in my contests.  I have been passionate about health and nutrition for over 50 years. I was trained as a Naturopath in the 1980s.  NOTE: I’m not a practicing Naturopath, but my passion and education on Holistic Health have been with me for over 50 years!

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and

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(NOOTROPICS AND BRAIN HEALTH ~ PERSONAL NOTE FROM DIANA WALKER ~ I have been using wonderful Brain-Boosting Sunrider herbal nutrition for Vibrant Health since 1996.  I’m in my late 70s now and feel Amazing.)  Join me on this wonderful health journey here:
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