The idea of boosted brainpower is universally appealing. If the average person was offered a capsule that promised to enhance their cognition, memory, and learning abilities, they’d probably take it in a heartbeat. Interestingly enough, Nootropics claim to do just that. Coined by Dr. Corneliu Giurgea decades ago, Nootropics has become an umbrella term for any substance that amplifies mental abilities and improves mood. These range from natural substances to prescribed medications and everything in between. So, what are some of the most popular nootropics, and, most importantly, do they actually work? Let’s dive in! 

What are the most common types of Nootropics?

Nootropics aka “smart drugs” have a similar purpose, but are often used to treat different issues. They’ve been employed to prevent dementia and other cognitive diseases, calm anxiety, improve focus, and boost energy. The effectiveness and power of your nootropic are largely dependent on which genre you use.

Most Nootropics can be split up into four categories:

• Plant extracts (ie: Panax ginseng, Rhodiola Rosea, L-theanine)

• Chemicals produced by the body (ie: tyrosine, creatine, magnesium)

• Prescription drugs (ie: Adderall and Ritalin)

• Unregulated substances (ie: piracetam, adrafinil)

These all qualify as nootropics, but they don’t operate in the same way. Each varies in strength and specialty. For instance, Rhodiola Rosea is known to specifically combat anxiety and stabilize moods, whereas Adderall is best at improving focus and managing ADHD symptoms. Additionally, Adderall is likely going to have a much more powerful effect than a nootropic that falls into the plant extract category.

Do they actually work?

There is not a clear consensus on the topic, likely due to its expansive nature. Because the term “Nootropics” covers such a wide range of substances, the extent of their efficacy can’t be black and white. It simply depends on the type. For instance, if you have ADHD, you know for a fact that a prescribed nootropic like Adderall works but a natural supplement like Panax Ginseng might have different effects on everyone. Additionally, there’s a limit to how much some nootropics can help. Case in point, if you already have high levels of magnesium in your body, taking a magnesium supplement would have virtually no effect.  Likewise, because everyone has different body chemistry, some nootropics may work better or worse for different individuals.

The biggest critique nootropics face is that many of them aren’t FDA approved and don’t have the extensive scientific backing that traditional medicines possess. With that being said, a large number of nootropics are naturally found in the body or extracted from plants, a type of medicine that has been practiced since the start of humankind.

While the jury is still out on the efficacy of some of these smart drugs, the experiential data indicates that nootropics can yield amazing results. All in all, they aren’t the magical, mystical pills that their description hints at, but that doesn’t mean that taking nootropics can’t be a huge benefit. It’s all dependent on finding what works for you.