Smart Drugs
There are several natural Nootropics used in alternative medicine. However, the effects they have are typically more subtle and slower acting. They are sometimes taken in along with something that will boost their effectiveness. The use of smart drugs is on the rise in today’s society, but more research is needed to better understand their benefits.
Smart Drugs or also known as Nootropics are a class of substances that can boost the performance of the brain. This type of drug is sometimes called cognition enhancers or memory-enhancing substances.
There are various Nootropics. Some are pharmaceutical drugs that are intended to treat conditions such as sleepiness or narcolepsy. It also improves attention and focuses on people with attention disorders. However, some healthy people use these drugs in an attempt to improve their cognitive performance.
Claims that Nootropics improve a healthy individual’s cognitive processes and performance are weak although the side effects do pose health risks. While it may help mask fatigue, boredom, or procrastination, they do not make people more intelligent and their effects only last as long as the drug remains in the body. Some of these drugs might cause dependence and could have a range of side effects. They can be particularly harmful to young people as their brains continue to develop into their mid-twenties.
How do Smart Drugs or Nootropics work?
The research is still lacking on how the drug exactly works to stimulate the mind. However, early research indicates they may act on a variety of different systems within the body simultaneously.
- The drug increases blood flow to the brain, which allows the brain to use more oxygen.
- Some Nootropics may increase the adrenalin levels of the body and produce effects similar to drinking large amounts of caffeine, which means people can stay awake for extended periods.
- Several Nootropics also increase the number of certain chemicals such as dopamine. It is released in the part of the brain associated with dependence.
Types of Smart Drugs or Nootropics
- Eugeroics
Eugeroics are a class of medicine that promotes alertness and wakefulness. It is introduced in the late 1990s for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and narcolepsy. Eugeroics may also have some value in treating stimulant withdrawal and could be effective in lessening drug craving and dependence.
- ADHD Medications
- Dexamfetamine
- Lisdexamphetamine
- Methylphenidate
These medications change the brain chemistry along with risk-taking behavior, sleep disruption, and other undesirable effects such as weight loss according to research. ADHD Medications were introduced during the 1950s and were used extensively in the 1990s.
- Nootropic Supplements
Certain vitamin B, fish oil, and herbal supplements such as extracts of Bacopa monnieri and Gingko Biloba may offer a safer option to pharmaceutical drugs to enhance cognitive performance. The benefits may not be as immediate but the effects are reportedly much longer-lasting.
The most commonly used Nootropic supplements are Ciltep and Alpha Brain. On the other hand, it is recommended that several products being advertised as Nootropic supplements have not been examined in terms of safety and efficacy.