WHAT ARE THE TOP 4 NOOTROPIC SUPPLEMENTS?

 

Nootropic supplements, also known as smart drugs, are substances that boost brain and cognitive functions in healthy people. These Nootropic supplements can be natural (like ginseng or rhodiola) or synthetic.

Dietary supplements are more common than pharmaceutical nootropics, which are prescription medications regulated by the FDA. These include herbal extracts, vitamins, and minerals.

 

1. BACOPA MONNIERI:

Bacopa Monnieri is an aquatic herb native to the wetlands and marshy areas of India and Southeast Asia. Also known as water hyssop and Brahmi, this nootropic supplements is used as a cognitive enhancer. It has been shown to improve logical and verbal memory and decrease anxiety levels. It is a popular herbal supplement in Ayurvedic medicine for its cognitive, mood, and stress health benefits.

The herb contains bacosides, which help sharpen cognitive function by improving the transmission of nerve impulses. One animal study found that bacosides increase the length and branching of dendrites in the brain, a process that is essential for learning. Other studies have demonstrated that bacopa improves mental control and logical memory, as well as the ability to process visual information.

It is also a potent antioxidant, protecting against the formation of plaque in the arteries. Research has also found that it can reduce the levels of cortisol in the blood, a hormone linked to stress.

2. L-TYROSINE?

L-tyrosine has been getting a lot of attention lately for its ability to reduce stress and enhance mental performance. This nonessential amino acid—often referred to as simply tyrosine—helps your body build proteins, produce thyroid hormones and melanin, and promote communication between nerve cells. It's also been shown to prevent a decline in mental function following physical stressors of interest to the military, such as cold stress, high-altitude stress, and extended wakefulness.

Its benefits are likely due to the fact that tyrosine acts as a substrate for the catecholamine neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine, and adrenaline. It can increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels by forming a pool from which these neurotransmitters draw substrate when they are depleted. It's LIKELY EFFECTIVE for improving alertness and attention, but more research is needed to support its effectiveness for depression and other psychiatric disorders. Tyrosine is LIKELY SAFE for most adults when taken in food amounts or in nootropic supplements short-term. It may interact with certain medications, including MAOI and thyroid drugs, so check with your doctor before taking it.

3. OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS:

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential polyunsaturated fats that can be found in fish and plant-based foods, such as flaxseed, walnuts, chia seeds, and certain vegetable oils. The human body cannot make omega-3 fatty acids, so they must be obtained through diet. Omega-3 fatty acids have been linked to a variety of health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease and cognitive conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Several observational studies have linked higher intakes of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids eicosatetraenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), with lower risks of cardiovascular diseases, such as coronary heart disease, ischemic stroke, and sudden cardiac death. However, it is difficult to determine whether the benefits are due solely to the EPA and DHA content of seafood or if they also reflect the substitution of less healthy foods or other healthful behaviors. Several clinical trials have also found that LC omega-3 supplementation reduces the risk of colorectal cancer, although results vary by study and genetic characteristics.

4. CAFFEINE:

A naturally occurring stimulant, caffeine increases activity in parts of your brain and nervous system. It's found in coffee, black and green tea, cocoa, cola soft drinks, and energy bars. In addition to boosting cognitive performance, it helps you exercise longer by increasing your metabolism and the amount of fat your body burns for fuel. It also reduces the time it takes for your muscles to reach exhaustion during a workout.

Dietary supplements marketed as nootropics can contain herbs, vitamins, minerals, and other natural compounds, such as bacopa monnieri, ashwagandha, ginkgo biloba, huperzine A, and omega-3 fatty acids. They're often formulated in proprietary blends and can be difficult to track. Some are regulated as drugs, like prescription medications for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and are therefore only available under medical supervision.

CONCLUSION:

Prescription nootropic supplements are primarily used to treat disorders that impact the central nervous system, such as ADHD and Alzheimer's disease. They're usually FDA-approved and regulated.