Monthly Archives: June 2017

How Cognitive Enhancers Have Become More Mainstream

There have always been scientists and researchers looking for ways to increase the intellectual capacity of the human race. Additionally, there have been governments, militaries, and others also wanting to enhance brain power but sometimes for nefarious reasons. Lately, though, there has been a number science fiction movies and TV shows that have helped to bring the idea of cognitive enhancers into the mainstream. Studies are now showing that a huge percentage of college students are now using various methods to get better grades, learn more, stay more alert, and in the end, get better jobs. There are a lot of different ways to achieve various levels of enhancement, let’s take a look at a few.

There Are Everyday Foods That Are A Great Start

To begin with, there are a lot of things you can do in your everyday lifestyle that can enhance your cognitive ability without going to any great lengths. The first, of course, is to cut back on the alcohol that you drink, get plenty of real quality sleep, and then exercise at least some, every single day. Some studies have shown that just 20 minutes of brisk daily exercise in the morning is almost as good as any other thing you can do.

The next step is to eat a well-balanced diet that is high in vegetables, fruits, lean protein, nuts, fiber and whole grains. This is because many of the worst things for us are the same food items that tend to slow us down when we really need energy. A well-balanced diet will supply a steady stream of high-quality nutrients to the blood and then the brain, that will keep us alert, not drowsy, and mentally able to handle whatever comes our way. Avoiding processed meats and sugar can help us avoid the blood sugar spikes that make us sleepy and groggy every afternoon.

Many Cognitive Boosters Are Stimulants

When you start reading the labels of a large number of the advertised nootropics or alertness boosters you’ll find they’re loaded with caffeine or other natural stimulants. They still are somewhat effective in what they do, but they can also drop you off a cliff as soon as they wear off. You’ll need to learn to read labels to find all of the stimulants and the amounts some “all natural” products contain in order to be educated as to what you’re taking and how much. Plus, you’ll not want to spend a lot of money on supplements that are merely equal to a strong cup of coffee.

There are other cognitive enhancers that are not stimulants and are not food related either which might be a good idea to research. Nutrients such as choline and phosphatidylserine are well-known brain enhancers that are in lots of supplements as well. They help boost memory, reduce stress, and counteract cortisol which is an inflammatory protein involved in many stress reactions.

If you are just now becoming interested in nootropics or brain enhancers there is a lot of new information coming out every single day. Read lots of forums to see how others have found solutions, or been disappointed, with what they’ve tried and you’ll avoid some of their mistakes as well. Click here to check out the best nootropic stacks.

Nootropics: Smart Drugs and Supplements

Nootropics are the modern way of “hacking” your brain to ramp up the creativity, memory, motivation, or executive functions of your brain. The term was originally applied to pharmaceutical drugs, but those who wish to experiment with improved cognitive function without dramatic side effects have also turned to natural supplements as well.

Below are several of the most common nootropic “smart drugs” and supplements for use in brain boosting.

Nootropic Drugs

Adderall – This medication has been prescribed for ADHD patients for many years, and it is often abused by non-ADHD people as well, especially on college campuses. Adderall is an amphetamine, which stimulates normal brains, but helps those with ADHD to calm down and focus better. There are a lot of risks to taking amphetamine, such as feeling jittery, increased anxiety and stress, and it can be addictive. It’s not the most effective nootropic option.

Modafinil – This drug improves your memory, boosts motivation, increases focus, and gives you more clarity. Modafinil makes you feel like “more” of who you really are which could get you into trouble if you’re not a nice person. One benefit to modafinil is that it helps with the release of dopamine while binding to dopamine receptors in a different way than cocaine and amphetamines do, which makes it less likely to cause addiction or symptoms of withdrawal. This medication does have a slight risk of having an immune reaction that could be life-threatening, particularly if you’re already sensitive to NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory) medications like ibuprofen.

Nootropic Supplements

Bacopa monnieri – Bacopa is a water plant originating in India. This natural supplement lifts the mood, improves memory, reduces stress, and increases your attention span. Bacopa has a cumulative effect and may take 4 weeks to see results. In order to be effective, it should be taken in amounts of 750 mg per day, so the small amounts found in many nootropic combination supplements aren’t likely to be effective. Bacopa also may suppress sperm production, so those hoping to conceive may want to avoid this supplement. Since it is a fat-soluble supplement, it should be taken along with some form of fat.

L-theanine – This is one of the active components in green and black teas. When combined with caffeine, it can improve memory, increase reaction time, and boost mental endurance. L-theanine can be consumed in its natural form, green tea, or taken in a capsule.

Huperzine-A – Derived from a Chinese club moss, huperzine-A actually comes with a little bit of laboratory processing, and so may be considered by some to be a semi-natural nootropic. With little to no side effects and no toxicity like most medications, huperzine-A has shown dramatic results in memory for patients with vascular dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

Forskolin – As an ancient Ayurvedic medicine, forskolin is a supplement that can increase cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), which is crucial to forming memories and learning. Forskolin works synergistically with artichoke extract, which inhibits PDE4, the enzyme that breaks down cAMP. Together, they give you a significant increase in motivation, learning, and memory. Some people may experience a headache and a drop in energy when “coming down” off forskolin and artichoke extract.

If you decide to try pharmaceutical nootropics, it’s essential to consult your physician first, to make sure that there are no contraindications to you taking it. If prescribed, take the nootropics only as much and as often as it is prescribed. If you can’t decide which nootropic stack to start first we recommend either Qualia or Nootrobox. Make sure you read a Qualia review and a Nootrobox review first to find out which stack best fits your body.

If you prefer a natural method of boosting memory, focus, and energy, consider one of the natural supplement options, which may be easier to find than their pharmaceutical counterparts, and safer for you in the long run.

Update 7/10 – Here is a video review of Qualia that you can take a quick look at: