Nootropics, also known as smart drugs or cognitive enhancers, are compounds that are used to improve brain health and cognitive function.
Medications that treat cognitive disorders can act as nootropics. While these medications are beneficial for treating disorders that cause cognitive impairment(e.g., ADHD), they only provide slight benefit in some aspects of cognition for individuals without these conditions.[1] Given the fact that many cognitive-enhancing medications are stimulants, using these drugs may result in unpleasant side effects such as headaches, nausea, palpitations, and vomiting. Additionally, the lack of studies examining the long-term consequences of cognitive-enhancing drug use in people without cognitive disorders raises additional safety concerns.[2]
Other nutritional supplements that are considered nootropics include L-tyrosine, Alpha-GPC, Bacopa Monnieri, and Ginkgo Biloba. Current research indicates that some nootropic supplements slightly improve cognitive function, but additional research is needed to identify appropriate dosing and supplementation duration.[3]
References
- ^Roberts CA, Jones A, Sumnall H, Gage SH, Montgomery CHow effective are pharmaceuticals for cognitive enhancement in healthy adults? A series of meta-analyses of cognitive performance during acute administration of modafinil, methylphenidate and D-amphetamine.Eur Neuropsychopharmacol.(2020-Sep)
- ^Schifano F, Catalani V, Sharif S, Napoletano F, Corkery JM, Arillotta D, Fergus S, Vento A, Guirguis ABenefits and Harms of 'Smart Drugs' (Nootropics) in Healthy Individuals.Drugs.(2022-Apr)
- ^Cristina Lorca, María Mulet, Catalina Arévalo-Caro, M Ángeles Sanchez, Ainhoa Perez, María Perrino, Anna Bach-Faig, Alicia Aguilar-Martínez, Elisabet Vilella, Xavier Gallart-Palau, Aida SerraPlant-derived nootropics and human cognition: A systematic reviewCrit Rev Food Sci Nutr.(2022 Jan 3)