Welcome to Nootropicsceinces!
Nootroopics
have a host of benefits for fellow users. A nootropic has to conform to
several conditions to be considered a nootropic. To fully be considered
a nootropic substance it must have the following properties.
a) It
must improve cognition and performance. This includes learning and
memory as well as other cognitive areas relating to focus and reflexes.
Certain nootropics have more advanced qualities in different area.
b) They
must also help protect the brain. This means they can also be
non-toxic. If the substance improves cognition in the brain but is
toxic, it is technically not a nootropic. This is a big discernment.
Also, as being neuroprotective, they must help reduce the risk of
damages and free radicals in the brain
If you want to learn more in depth about nootropics don't forget to check out my favorite
Nootropics Blog
I
Types of Nootropics
There
are several types of nootropics and I am going to review the basics
here. You can get nootropics from multiple sources. The best are the
racetam and ampakine drug classes but some people do not wish to get
their nootropics from drug sources. For these people, there are some
other powerful options such as herbal remedies and Vitamins.
Source 1: Foods
Naturally
you can get nootropic benefits from foods. If you like to go this
route, and do not like to administer drugs or outside supplements, eat
food rich in choline. Foods rich in choline include things like eggs and
meat as well as certain types of protein. You can also get a very high
source of choline from a soy derivative that is fairly cheap and natural
at your health food store.
Choline is
important because it is a precursor for an important learning memory in
the brain. You brain needs choline and the associated chemicals for a
host of important body function. Eat more eggs and meat now or decide to
supplement choline into your diet. This is likely to improve your
cognitive performance.
Source 2: Vitamins
Vitamins
are a great source for nootropic benefits. The B Vitamins are the best
for their nootropic actions and energy benefits. The whole range of
B-Vitamins, are important and it is best to take a B-complex and work it
into your daily diet. Each B-Vitamin has different set of nootropic
actions and each on is important.
Older people
often have a harder time absorbing these vitamins and this often leads
to their cognitive decline. This relates to the absorption rate and
shows you just how exactly the B-Vitamins help and assist in cognitive
performance
Source 3: Amino Acids
Amino
acids are the building blocks of protein. They are sorted into
essential and no-essential. Non-essentail just means it is not created
within your body and has to be prepared from an external
source. All amino acids have some degree of importance in cognitive function, some more than others.
Amino
acids mostly act as a nootropic by acting as precursors to essential
brain neurotransmitters important in learning and memory.
Without many of these amino acids, your brain would not be able to
produce the needed supply of these brain chemicals. This is why amino
acids are important. You can obtain them from food sources but often
they can be supplemented into your diet from sports supplements. These
raw sources give you a great array and range of amino acids to get full
nootropic benefits.
Source 4: Herbal Remedies
Some
people discount herbs as being potent nootropics. This is simply not
true as a lot of powerful drugs are often derived and synthesized from
herbal extracts and remedies. It is also a common myth that all
herbs
are safe because they are natural and this is simply not true. Some
herbs can be dangerous and have interactions just like drugs do.
Regardless,
there are still some powerful nootropic herbs but they should always be
taken with caution and should not exceed the recommend dosages. Below
are a list of nootropic herbs and their basic functions.
Vinpocentine:
Vinpocentine acts as a nootropic and improves the function of chemicals
in the brain. The main method of action is belived to be cause by an
increase in oxygen and blood circulation in the brain. This makes it a
potent vasodilator that potentiates the effects of other nootropics. For
this reason, this herb is also great to stack with other nootropics.
Huperzine A: This
nootropic herb is ver strong. It is belived to work by counteracting a
chemical in the brain that reduces the efficiency of nootropic
neurochemicals and their receptors. It is a partial antagonist and works
very well in conjunction with other therapies. Be very careful will
this herb as it has side effects and should not be mixed with certain
substances.
Bacopa Brahmi:
This is a traditional Indian herb that has been known for decades to be
a potent nootropic. This herb works as a precursor to chemicals in the
brain that help with neurological function. It actually works almost
like a drug and is very potent by itself but is also great to stack. You
can get it in raw form as an extract or by itself but it is slightly
bitter tasting.
These are just some of the
herbs but there are many man others. These ones are the best. I
considered adding Ginko Biloba to the list but I think it’s a scam. It
is said to have nootropic actions but there is data to argue with this.
For this reason, I have not added to the list however you can find more
information online about other nootropic herbs. Stack em and Rack em!
Nootropic Drugs
Drugs
are a very strong source for nootropics. Some people worry about drugs
but nootropic drugs are actually fairly safe. They have low toxicity and
side effects. Also, tolerance and withdrawal do not seem to be an issue
which is always a concern. Just like with the herbal supplements, side
effects can occur so use with care. These side effects are usually not
concerning or serious however it is always good to watch out for this.
At
the moment there are two interesting compound. Ampakines are one drug
class that is being highly investigated and has not been approved to be
used as a nootropic. There is high promise in the ampakine class however
there is limited data at the moment to prove they help in human trial.
The second group is the racetams and these nootropic drugs are actually
in the ampakine class as they also affect groups of the same receptors
Racetam
have been around for many years. In many countries they have not been
approved but in others they have valid medical uses and can be available
to you by a doctor’s note. There are several types in the racetam
family and they all have similar methods of action. Some of the common
types are: Piracetam, Aniracetam, Oxiracteam and Pramiracetam however
there are many others.
Using these nootropic
drugs alone, or by themselves can be very beneficial. They stimulate
receptors in the brain without causing stimulation like other drugs like
caffeine. They are true nootropics and safe for human use. It is
recommend to get enough choline, or even to use a supplement when using
racetams. They really approve efficiency of receptor site that accept
choline and therefor your brain demands more of it. If your body doesn’t
have enough choline when it is using racetams it can often cause side
effects such as headaches.
There is one last
type of nootropic drug. It is usually considered a racetam as it is
closely related however it is technically a peptide derivative. This
nootropic substance is known as Noopept. It is being investigated highly
in the medical field as it may stimulate NGF and could lead to repair
of damaged cells in the brain. This is just in the investigational stage
but it is highly promising. One thing with
Noopept is,
one needs to be careful because it is highly potent, much more so than
racetams. This could lead to overdose and nasty symptoms. No deaths have
been recorded however it is still good to keep in mind if you take.
Summary
I
hope you liked my article on a review of the types of nootropics and
racetam drugs. This article only scratches the surface on nootropics and
constant posts will be coming up to inform people more. Nootropic
stacks still need to be covered.
When one is considering
nootropics they must know that they come from a diverse range of
sources. Also they must know that they can be safe when used properly.
The best idea is to go to a real nootropic blog and get the full
information if you plan on taking nootropic drugs as part of your
routine. The best idea is to find a trusted retailer who supplies high
quality powders. Enjoy!