Have you ever watched a movie series that portrays protagonists with special cognitive skills and mental powers? Are you also one of the people who got amazed with the drastic changes that these people have undergone and how these developments affected their normal lives?
Guess what, such incredible cognitive skills can also be achieved in real life, although with a touch of realism and sensibility. Through some cognitive enhancers and smart pills, you may now enhance your cognitive capacities and skills.
What Are Nootropics?
Tired of seeing an ‘F’ mark on your report cards because of low exam scores? Although you’re sure that you reviewed for the test, but still failed, then there must be something wrong with your memory retention. Similarly, if you’re having a hard time focusing on a simple task that requires mental skills, you might be in need of some nootropics.
Widely known as the smart pills, these capsules are believed to improve mental capabilities. To know more about these wonderful supplements, you may check resources, such as https://wholisticresearch.com/best-nootropics/.
Besides that, here are some important things that you ought to know about nootropics:
- Commonly known as cognitive enhancers or smart pills, nootropics are a type of supplement that are said to increase one’s capacities in terms of cognitive aspects. While there are other various enhancers that you can utilize to boost your cognitive skills, nootropics prove to be one of the most efficient ones.
- Nootropics are one of the most popular medical advances that have been reported to boost mental capacities and bolster cognitive proficiency. Such a term is also used to refer to any organic or prescribed chemical that could improve mental aptness and cognitive faculties.
- These smart pills are mainly formulated to enhance memory retention and promote attention span among people who usually have concerns about lack of focus and poor cognitive performance.
- Despite their fast-rising popularity in the medical field, there’s still a need for sufficient studies and clinical trials to prove the efficacy and competence of these cognitive enhancers.
- While the use of nootropics is gradually gaining prevalence in recent years, issues about their harmful side effects continue to affect their applicability. Some of their aftereffects may include palpitations, visual impairments, disruption in the circadian rhythm, hypertension, and addiction.
Cognitive Enhancers: Types And Benefits
To have a better understanding of these smart pills, here are the two most common types of nootropics and some advantages of using them:
1. Natural Nootropics
Smart enhancers are primarily grouped into two major classifications, natural and synthetic nootropics. The former group is known to have organic and all-natural ingredients, including medicinal herbs, succulents, and plant extracts. Such supplements are also said to regulate cognition and metacognitive faculties.
Some of the most common types of natural nootropics may include:
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L-Theanine:
L-theanine is one of the most popular forms of natural nootropics that may enhance the attention span and bolster levels of attentiveness of many people. This particular cognitive enhancer is also said to work on upgrading mental focus and enhancing certain brain waves, which may increase creativity and promote feelings of ‘relaxed alertness.’
Caffeine is the most common stimulant people use. It’s also a nootropic and psychoactive drug. Commonly known as one of the most common types of nootropics that belong to the central nervous system (CNS), caffeine can provide tremendous benefits to many people in terms of bolstering cognitive and metacognitive functions.
Particularly, there are many studies that prove that caffeine can help improve one’s focus and alertness, as well as reduce perceived fatigue.
Apart from that, researchers also suggest a moderate intake of caffeinated food and drinks as they may help regulate cognitive functions, promote weight loss, and boost mental awareness.
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Lion’s Mane Mushroom:
Lion’s mane is a type of edible mushroom that has long been used as alternative medicine in the medical field. Known for its scientific name Herizium Erinaceus or hedgehog mushroom, lion’s mane mushrooms are considered nutritionally functional food and are primary sources of advantageous medicines, including β-glucan polysaccharides (beta-glucans).
This type of mushroom has been reported to contain physiologically important components, such as antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and anti-diabetic activities. Such characteristics allow these mushrooms to efficiently treat various illnesses and diseases, including cancer and diabetes.
Besides that, Lion’s mane mushrooms also contain two natural products called hericenones and erinacines, which have been reported to stimulate the growth and development of brain cells.
2. Synthetic Smart Drugs
These are pharmaceutical agents that can have a strong effect on mental functions. These prescription drugs often work on neurotransmitters and are used under medical supervision.
These types of nootropics often need special recommendations and prescriptions from licensed medical professionals before they’re used for medication as they may pose a negative impact on one’s body.
Specifically, nootropics, like piracetam, can only be used by older generations as they’re believed to treat early signs of cognitive decline, which are apparent symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
However, such a cognitive enhancer isn’t advisable for younger and healthier people as they may experience insomnia, blurry vision, palpitations, and hypertension. One of the most common types of synthetic smart drugs is modafinil.
Modafinil is a type of prescription drug that’s often used to reduce the recurrence of symptoms of several sleep disorders, including narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea.
However, you must know that this medicine doesn’t generally treat the aforementioned sleep disorders. It’s only used to regulate the circadian rhythm of a person and help them obtain quality sleep at night.
Apart from that, modafinil can also be used to enhance the overall functioning of certain substances in the brain that are connected with one’s sleep cycle. Similar to amphetamines, this also works to promote wakefulness by stimulating the brain by increasing the amount of dopamine in the nerves.
Key Takeaway
Enhancing your cognitive aspect may take some time and effort on your part. While the processes it entails may sound intimidating, especially for first-time users, there’s no denying that cognitive enhancers are crucial in boosting one’s cognitive skills.
Nootropics, in particular, are one of the most common types of smart pills that most people take to improve their mental capacities. Through these incredible supplements, you can now effectively bolster your cognitive capabilities.
