Can nootropics maximize your cognitive performance?
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The bottom line
A nootropic is a substance that improves cognitive function or delays cognitive decline. Among the many substances sold as nootropics, we only have scientific evidence for prescription medication, caffeine, and omega-3 fatty acids. Side effects vary but may involve gastrointestinal, neurological, cardiovascular, and central nervous systems.
Prevention Tips
Store nootropics up, away and out of sight of children.
Check with your doctor or other health professional before taking nootropics if you have pre-existing medical conditions or are pregnant or breast feeding.
Check with your pharmacist or other health professionals to see if there are interactions with your other medications.
Start with the lowest effective dose.
Increase the dose gradually.
Be aware of possible side effects.
Do not share prescription nootropics with others.
This Really Happened
A 14-year-old girl presented to the emergency department with nausea and vomiting. Despite treatment with anti-vomiting drug and intravenous fluids, she continued to vomit. She was transferred to another hospital. She was still vomiting and tensing abdominal muscles on physical exam, and her level of consciousness decreased. Abnormal blood work included low potassium and acidosis. She was treated supportively with intravenous fluids. Various diagnostic tests were performed but the reason for her symptoms was not identified.
Over the next 3-4 days, her vomiting and level of consciousness improved. She then admitted to taking an overdose of caffeine tablets (12.4 g) in a suicide attempt. The serum caffeine concentration in blood obtained on the day of admission was very high. After she was medically cleared, she received psychiatric care.
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What are nootropics?
Nootropics are drugs, herbals, and dietary supplements that improve cognitive function. They are also known as “smart drugs” or “cognitive enhancers.” Some claim that nootropics improve memory, attention span, and alertness as well as the ability to tolerate stress and regulate mood. Cognitive function is an umbrella term for many mental processes, like memory, attention, mood, and intuition. A drug improving any of these processes could be called a nootropic.
What are the primary types of nootropics?
You can group nootropics by clinical effect, chemical structure, or their original clinical use. These groups often overlap.
The most consumed nootropics are caffeine and L-theanine.
Prescription stimulants, which are prescribed for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and include methylphenidate (Ritalin), amphetamine salts (Adderall), and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse), improve focus even in those with no known ADHD. Modafinil (Provigil) is effective for narcolepsy and seems to improve decision-making even in those with no known sleep disorders. Memantine seems to decrease cognitive decline and improve memory and focus in those with Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease.
Piracetam is a nootropic approved in Europe but not the United States for vertigo and other neurological conditions. Other substances ending in “-racetam” like phenylpiracetam or oxiracetam are synthetic nootropics. None of the “-racetams” are approved by the FDA. They cannot be marketed as dietary supplements, which is why they are usually labelled as “for research purposes.” Possession and use are not illegal.
Another type of nootropic are chemicals with cholinergic effects on the brain such as alpha-GPC and CDP-choline.
Examples of herbals, vitamins, natural substances, and dietary supplements that are nootropics include caffeine, creatine, ginkgo biloba, L-theanine, lion’s mane mushroom, omega-3 fatty acids, and rhodiola rosea.
Do nootropics really improve cognitive performance?
Evidence of significant cognitive improvement for most nootropics is meager. Research on their effectiveness is limited and regulation is lacking. Prescription drugs for specific medical conditions are effective. There is also evidence for improvement of cognitive performance with caffeine and omega-3 fatty acids.
Are nootropics safe?
Since there are many types of nootropics, safety depends on the type, the exact chemical involved, and the dose in question. Possible side effects include nausea, stomachache, diarrhea, change in appetite, dizziness, headache, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, and agitation. Some stimulant prescription nootropics can cause increases in heart rate and blood pressure. If there are prior mental health conditions, psychosis or paranoia can occur.
Have a question about nootropics? Talk to our experts.
If you have a question about using nootropics safely or are concerned about side effects of nootropics, use the webPOISONCONTROL® online tool to get help, or call your poison center at 1-800-222-1222. Whether online or by phone, expert guidance is always free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.
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