What Are Nootropics?
Nootropics, also known as "smart drugs," are supplements designed to enhance brain functions and increase mental capacity. These supplements have become increasingly popular in an era where both work life and daily life demand high levels of creativity and productivity. Nootropics can help you reach your full potential by improving cognitive functions such as memory, learning, and concentration.
Do Nootropics Work?
The effects of nootropics can vary from person to person and between different types of nootropics. While many users report positive effects, there is still limited scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness. It is important to note that most nootropics on the market have not yet undergone extensive clinical studies.
How Do Nootropics Work?
To understand how nootropics work, we can go back to the 1960s and the Romanian neuropharmacologist Dr. Corneliu Giurgea. He discovered a molecule that led to the creation of Piracetam, the world's first nootropic. Piracetam was found to improve cognitive functions and concentration by increasing blood flow to the brain, providing it with more oxygen and nutrients needed for optimal function.
What Characterizes Nootropics?
Dr. Giurgea established six criteria that substances must meet to be classified as true nootropics:
Improve memory and learning ability.
Enhance intellectual functions under stress.
Protect brain cells.
Promote communication between brain cells.
Supported by research showing bioactivity in human brains.
Lack common pharmacological effects of psychotropic drugs.
Only a few substances meet all these criteria, but the definition of nootropics has expanded as research into brain functions has advanced.
