Canberra, humans have long been searching for a "magic elixir" to make you smarter and improve our focus and memory. It includes traditional Chinese medicine used thousands of years ago to improve cognitive function.
Now we have nootropics, also known as smart drugs, brain boosters or cognitive enhancers.
You can buy these gummies, chewing gums, tablets and skin patches online or from supermarkets, pharmacies or petrol stations. You do not need a doctor's prescription or consultation with a health professional.But do nootropics really boost your brain? Here's what the science says.
What are nootropics and how do they work? Romanian psychologist and chemist Cornelius E. Giurgia coined the term nootropics in the early 1970s to describe compounds that can promote learning and memory. The term comes from the Greek words nos (thinking) and tropei (guide).
Nootropics may work in the brain by improving the transmission of signals between nerve cells, maintaining the health of nerve cells, and helping with energy production. Some nootropics have antioxidant properties and may reduce damage to nerve cells in the brain caused by the accumulation of free radicals.But how safe and effective are they? Let's take a look at the four most widely used nootropics.
1. Caffeine You may be surprised to learn that caffeine is a nootropic. It's no wonder that many of you start your day with coffee. It stimulates our nervous system.
Caffeine is rapidly absorbed into the blood and distributed into almost all human tissues.It also involves the brain where it increases our alertness, reaction time and mood, and makes us feel like we have more energy.
For caffeine to have these effects, you would have to consume 32-300 mg in a single dose. This is equivalent to approximately two espressos (for a 300mg dosage). So why the wide range? Genetic variation in a particular gene (CYP1A2 gene may affect how fast you metabolize caffeine. So this may explain why some people need more caffeine than others to detect any neurostimulant effects. it occurs.Unfortunately, too much caffeine can cause anxiety-like symptoms and panic attacks, sleep disturbances, hallucinations, bowel disturbances, and hearing problems.
Adults are therefore advised not to drink more than 400 mg of caffeine a day, which is equivalent to three espressos.2. L-theanine
L-theanine comes as a supplement, chewing gum, or beverage. It is also the most common amino acid in green tea. Consuming L-theanine as a supplement may increase the production of alpha waves in the brain.These are associated with increased alertness and a perception of calmness.
However, its effect on cognitive functioning is still unclear. Different studies, including comparing a single dose to daily doses over several weeks in different populations, show different results.
But taking L-theanine with caffeine as a supplement in one study improved cognitive performance and alertness. Young adults who consumed L-theanine (97 mg) plus caffeine (40 mg) could switch more accurately between tasks after a single dose, and they said they were more alert.Another study of people taking L-theanine with caffeine found improvements in several cognitive outcomes, including being less sensitive to distraction.
Although pure L-theanine is well tolerated, there are relatively few HUMA trials to show whether it works or is safe over the long term. Larger and longer studies examining optimal dosage are also needed.3. Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is a plant extract commonly used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine to improve memory and cognitive function. In one study, taking 225–400 mg daily for 30 days improved cognitive performance in healthy men.There were significant improvements in cognitive flexibility (ability to switch tasks), visual memory (recalling an image), reaction time (reacting to a stimulus) and executive functioning (recognizing rules and categories, and managing to make rapid decisions) .
Similar effects occur in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.
But we should be cautious about the results of studies using ashwagandha supplements; Studies are relatively small and only treat participants for a short period of time.4. CreatineCreatine is an organic compound that is involved in producing energy in the body and I use it as a sports supplement. But it also has cognitive effects.In a review of the available evidence, healthy adults aged 66–76 who took creatine supplements had improved short-term memory.
Long-term supplementation may also be beneficial. In another study, people experiencing fatigue after COVID took 4 grams of creatine daily for six months and reported that they were able to concentrate better, and were less tired. Creatine may reduce brain inflammation and oxidative stress, improve cognitive performance, and reduce fatigue. Side effects of creatine supplements have rarely been reported in studies.But these include weight gain, gastrointestinal disturbances, and changes in the liver and kidneys.
Where to go now? There is good evidence for the brain-boosting effects of caffeine and creatine. But the jury is still out on the efficacy, optimal dosage, and safety of most other nootropics.
So until we have more evidence, consult your health professional before taking a nootropic.
But drinking coffee daily is not likely to cause much harm.Thank God because for some of us it is a magical elixir. (talk) NSANSA
Now we have nootropics, also known as smart drugs, brain boosters or cognitive enhancers.
You can buy these gummies, chewing gums, tablets and skin patches online or from supermarkets, pharmacies or petrol stations. You do not need a doctor's prescription or consultation with a health professional.But do nootropics really boost your brain? Here's what the science says.
What are nootropics and how do they work? Romanian psychologist and chemist Cornelius E. Giurgia coined the term nootropics in the early 1970s to describe compounds that can promote learning and memory. The term comes from the Greek words nos (thinking) and tropei (guide).
Nootropics may work in the brain by improving the transmission of signals between nerve cells, maintaining the health of nerve cells, and helping with energy production. Some nootropics have antioxidant properties and may reduce damage to nerve cells in the brain caused by the accumulation of free radicals.But how safe and effective are they? Let's take a look at the four most widely used nootropics.
1. Caffeine You may be surprised to learn that caffeine is a nootropic. It's no wonder that many of you start your day with coffee. It stimulates our nervous system.
Caffeine is rapidly absorbed into the blood and distributed into almost all human tissues.It also involves the brain where it increases our alertness, reaction time and mood, and makes us feel like we have more energy.
For caffeine to have these effects, you would have to consume 32-300 mg in a single dose. This is equivalent to approximately two espressos (for a 300mg dosage). So why the wide range? Genetic variation in a particular gene (CYP1A2 gene may affect how fast you metabolize caffeine. So this may explain why some people need more caffeine than others to detect any neurostimulant effects. it occurs.Unfortunately, too much caffeine can cause anxiety-like symptoms and panic attacks, sleep disturbances, hallucinations, bowel disturbances, and hearing problems.
Adults are therefore advised not to drink more than 400 mg of caffeine a day, which is equivalent to three espressos.2. L-theanine
L-theanine comes as a supplement, chewing gum, or beverage. It is also the most common amino acid in green tea. Consuming L-theanine as a supplement may increase the production of alpha waves in the brain.These are associated with increased alertness and a perception of calmness.
However, its effect on cognitive functioning is still unclear. Different studies, including comparing a single dose to daily doses over several weeks in different populations, show different results.
But taking L-theanine with caffeine as a supplement in one study improved cognitive performance and alertness. Young adults who consumed L-theanine (97 mg) plus caffeine (40 mg) could switch more accurately between tasks after a single dose, and they said they were more alert.Another study of people taking L-theanine with caffeine found improvements in several cognitive outcomes, including being less sensitive to distraction.
Although pure L-theanine is well tolerated, there are relatively few HUMA trials to show whether it works or is safe over the long term. Larger and longer studies examining optimal dosage are also needed.3. Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is a plant extract commonly used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine to improve memory and cognitive function. In one study, taking 225–400 mg daily for 30 days improved cognitive performance in healthy men.There were significant improvements in cognitive flexibility (ability to switch tasks), visual memory (recalling an image), reaction time (reacting to a stimulus) and executive functioning (recognizing rules and categories, and managing to make rapid decisions) .
Similar effects occur in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.
But we should be cautious about the results of studies using ashwagandha supplements; Studies are relatively small and only treat participants for a short period of time.4. CreatineCreatine is an organic compound that is involved in producing energy in the body and I use it as a sports supplement. But it also has cognitive effects.In a review of the available evidence, healthy adults aged 66–76 who took creatine supplements had improved short-term memory.
Long-term supplementation may also be beneficial. In another study, people experiencing fatigue after COVID took 4 grams of creatine daily for six months and reported that they were able to concentrate better, and were less tired. Creatine may reduce brain inflammation and oxidative stress, improve cognitive performance, and reduce fatigue. Side effects of creatine supplements have rarely been reported in studies.But these include weight gain, gastrointestinal disturbances, and changes in the liver and kidneys.
Where to go now? There is good evidence for the brain-boosting effects of caffeine and creatine. But the jury is still out on the efficacy, optimal dosage, and safety of most other nootropics.
So until we have more evidence, consult your health professional before taking a nootropic.
But drinking coffee daily is not likely to cause much harm.Thank God because for some of us it is a magical elixir. (talk) NSANSA
