This week’s article isn’t entirely on topic but it’s close enough. In doing my “research” some weeks, I occasionally come across nootropics. I didn’t know what they are not what they claim to do. So, this is the week to go down the rabbit hole.

 

What Are Nootropics?

Nootropics, sometimes called smart drugs or cognitive enhancers, are drugs, supplements, and other substances that are claimed to improve cognitive function, particularly executive functions, attention, memory, creativity, or motivation, in healthy individuals. In other words, these substances claim to enhance what you have. They don’t cure any condition.

Nootropics range from commonly known to exotic sounding substances. Below is a smattering of nootropics and their effects.

 

 

Caffeine

Caffeine is the most widely consumed psychoactive substance in the world. Caffeine works by blocking adenosine receptors in your brain, making you feel less tired. A low to moderate caffeine intake of 40–300 mg increases your alertness and attention and decreases your reaction time. These doses are especially effective for people who are fatigued.

 

L-Theanine

L-theanine is a naturally occurring amino acid found in tea, but it can also be taken as a supplement. Several studies have shown that taking 200 mg of L-theanine has a calming effect, without causing drowsiness. Taking even just 50 mg — the amount found in roughly two cups of brewed tea — has been found to increase alpha-waves in the brain, which are linked to creativity.

L-theanine is even more effective when taken with caffeine. For this reason, they’re often used together in performance-enhancing supplements. What’s more, they are both naturally found in tea. Kudos British Empire.

 

Creatine

Creatine is an amino acid, which your body uses to make protein. It’s a popular bodybuilding supplement that promotes muscle growth but is also beneficial for your brain. After it’s consumed, creatine enters your brain where it binds with phosphate, creating a molecule that your brain uses to quickly fuel its cells. This increased availability of energy for your brain cells is linked to improved short-term memory and reasoning skills, especially in vegetarians and highly stressed people. I’m a highly stressed vegetarian. It’s time to start taking it again.

 

 

Rhodiola Rosea

Rhodiola rosea is an adaptogenic herb that helps your body handle stress more effectively. Several studies have found that Rhodiola rosea supplements can improve mood and decrease feelings of burnout in both anxious and highly stressed individuals. Taking small daily doses of Rhodiola rosea has been shown to reduce mental fatigue and increase feelings of well-being in college students during stressful exam periods.

 

Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo biloba supplements have been shown to improve memory and mental processing in healthy older adults when taken daily for six weeks. Taking Ginkgo biloba before a highly stressful task also reduces stress-related high blood pressure and decreases levels of cortisol.

It’s hypothesized that some of these benefits may be due to increased blood flow to the brain.

 

Nicotine

Good news smokers, you are already consuming nootropics! We all know it’s found in tobacco. It’s also found in lower quantities in tomato, potato, eggplant, and green pepper. It must be much lower in other plants since I have never heard of anyone becoming addicted to vegetables.

Studies show that nicotine’s effects include improved alertness and attention, especially in people with naturally poor attention spans. It has also been found to improve motor function. What’s more, chewing nicotine gum is linked to better handwriting speed and fluidity. Maybe Dr. Nick can administer it to kids with ADHD.

 

 

This week’s music is definitely about other drugs. I’m old enough to remember Nancy Reagan telling kids, “Don’t do drugs.” I suspect she was as good a drug salesman as Obama was a gun salesman. If you want kids to avoid drugs, this is how you do it.