Have you tapped into the buzz around the new “smart supplements” trend? Nootropics experienced a surge in popularity in recent years and are set to continue spreading like wildfire. With wide ranging benefits like better focus, sharper memory, increased creativity and a reduction in anxiety – it’s easy to see where the appeal comes from.
In this article we’ll explore the latest nootropic trends, looking at how these amazing compounds may offer the mental glow-up we all need to thrive in today’s fast-paced ‘hustle’ culture.
What Are Nootropics?
The term “nootropic” originates from the Greek words “nous,” meaning mind, and “tropein,” which means to turn or change. This term first entered the lexicon in 1972, coined by the Romanian psychologist and chemist Dr. Corneliu Giurgea. He developed Piracetam, a substance intended to boost brain function without harmful side effects. In essence, a nootropic is any substance that can safely enhance one’s cognitive ability. Though casually thrown around as “smart drugs,” not all nootropics are pharmaceuticals; they also include natural supplements and functional foods.
How Do they Work?
Nootropics promise to unlock greater cognitive ability, but what exactly is happening under the hood? How do Nootropics fine tune the brain to operate at its full potential? Simply put, these substances dive into the brain’s existing processes, tweaking them subtly (and sometimes not-so-subtly) to enhance cognitive abilities:
- Increasing Neurotransmitter Availability: By ensuring there’s more dopamine or serotonin, your brain feels energized, akin to a well-brewed cup of coffee but in overdrive.
- Improving Brain Circulation: Nature’s own packing and delivery service—some nootropics enhance blood flow to the brain, ensuring necessities like oxygen and glucose reach the neurons efficiently.
- Protection from Stress: Adaptogens such as Rhodiola Rosea help mitigate stress responses, allowing the brain to perform under pressure without faltering.
- Supporting Synaptic Plasticity: Some nootropics facilitate neuroplasticity, our brain’s ability to form new neural connections. This adaptability is akin to upgrading a computer’s hardware capabilities—enabling it to run more sophisticated software without hiccups.
Understanding these pathways can help you gain insight into how nootropics can become focal points for targeted performance goals. In other words, helping you to tailor your nootropic regimen to suit your unique needs and goals.
Natural Nootropics
Nature’s offerings include a wide array of nootropics that fit seamlessly into a healthy lifestyle with few side effects. Natural Nootropics can generally be split into a few distinct categories:
- Vitamins and Antioxidants: Vitamins like B6, B9, and B12 can influence cognitive function, as well as antioxidants like Resveratrol, typically found in berries and dark chocolate.
- Herbal & Botanical: Examples include Retilan, Bacopa Monnieri, and Rhodiola Rosea.
- Amino Acids & Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Substances like L-Theanine (often found in tea) and DHA, an omega-3, both play roles in brain health.
Whether your needs are around personal productivity, studying, mental health or creativity – you can find a huge variety of ‘smart supplements’, each with a unique set of benefits. Some popular options include:
- Bacopa Monnieri: Known for its memory-boosting properties, Bacopa Monnieri is celebrated for reducing anxiety and enhancing focus. It’s a prized herb in Ayurvedic medicine, acting as a natural aid to cognitive function.
- Rhodiola Rosea: This Arctic root is more than just a frost-kissed beauty; it’s an adaptogen that helps the body resist physical and mental stress. Many report improved mood and cognitive performance when using Rhodiola to tackle day-to-day stressors.
- Additional Options: Other notable mentions include Lion’s Mane, known for supporting nerve growth factor production; Ginkgo Biloba, which is believed to improve cerebral blood flow; and Ashwagandha, known for boosting concentration and reducing stress-induced fog.
Nootropics in the Biohacking Community
The essence of biohacking is the notion of optimising the body and mind – from the inside out. For this reason, Nootropics are fast gaining traction in the biohacking community for their ability to optimise cognitive performance.
A popular trend in Nootropics is the creation of “stacks” – cocktail mixes of nootropics that work synergistically. Many biohackers create custom blends of cognitive enhancers, tailored towards particular outcomes. However, it’s not just about grabbing a supplement off the shelf and hoping for nirvana. The perfect nootropic isn’t one-size-fits-all and stacks should be chosen with personal health optimisation goals in mind.
Some popular professionally formulated Nootropic stacks include:
- Mind Lab Pro: A comprehensive stack boasting 11 nootropics targeting overall mental performance. It’s like having an all-in-one chef’s knife, excellent for slicing through mental fog.
- Alpha Brain: Celebrities and top performers often mention this stack—it focuses on boosting verbal memory, speed, and processing tasks.
- Bulletproof Coffee + L-Theanine: A classic combination among morning rituals, driving focus by marrying caffeine’s buzz with the mellow edge of L-Theanine.
Conclusion
Nootropics promise an easy way to fine tune the brain for peak performance, helping us navigate the demands and complexities of everyday life. Their appeal lies not only in the promise of enhanced energy and focus, but the opportunity to tailor them to personal health optimisation goals. These brain boosting substances can offer specific benefits tailored to your unique needs, whether that’s heightened memory, better focus, reduced stress, improved mood, or sustained energy.
Remember, like any tool, their effectiveness lies in how wisely they’re used. Remember that natural doesn’t always equate to risk-free, it is important to avoid interactions with other medications and mitigate potential side effects. Consulting a natural healthcare provider can help you find the right nootropic regimen for you.
