What are cognitive enhancers and how do they work?

Cognitive enhancers are also known as nootropics. Read here all about cognitive enhancers and exactly how they can work for us.

Wouldn’t it be nice just to take a pill and experience unparalleled focus, energy, motivation, memory, and intelligence?

It has been an idea that has been tossed around for over 50 years now and is finally starting to gain some traction.

Cognitive enhancers, or as many refer to them as “smart drugs,” are becoming significantly more popular among college students and innovators in Silicon Valley. Keep reading to discover what exactly they are and how they work to help you.

What Are Cognitive Enhancers ?

In a world where stress and burnout are becoming part of everyday life, individuals are looking for ways to combat it and maintain their hard work ethics.

One way people are finding success is through the use of cognitive enhancers, or smart drugs as they are commonly referred to. Smart drugs come in different types, including:

• Natural supplements

• Synthetic stimulants

• And nootropics

People are using these smart drugs in hopes of enhancing their concentration, memory, mood, motivation, and more. These cognitive boosters are becoming a new trend among college students and business leaders alike.

Cognitive enhancers can come in a prescription form or over the counter. To determine which is best for you, learning more about them in depth can help, check it out.

How Do Cognitive Enhancers Work?

Cognitive boosters all work in a variety of ways, affecting certain mechanisms of the brain to enhance different aspects of your cognition, like memory and concentration.

Depending on the cognitive booster, you decide to take will ultimately determine the function it serves and how it works with your body.

Nootropics 

The word nootropic is derived from the Greek words “nous,” meaning mind, and “tropein,” meaning to bend. Nootropics are substances or compounds that enhance cognitive functions in the brain.

Nootropics, unlike many prescriptions, have very few side effects and are generally extremely non-toxic.

A roman psychologist named Corneliu E. Guirgea was the first to discover these brain boosters in 1964 and determined a set of criteria to be considered nootropics including

• Must enhance learning

• Improve processing

• Non-toxic

• And non-addictive

Nootropics can achieve these effects through the alteration of certain petrochemicals, hormones, or enzymes. To better understand how this process works, let’s take a look at a few of the more popular nootropics on the market to determine how they work with the body.

Piracetam 

The first nootropic developed. It is believed that piracetam has effects on the NMDA and glutamate receptors in the brain, which contribute to the learning and memory processes.

Animal studies have also been conducted using piracetam, showing an increase in cell membrane fluid, making communication through the cells more accessible.

Noopept

Another popular nootropic that is becoming increasingly more accessible.

Noopept is believed to increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that may improve the learning and memory processes.

Noopept is a fast-acting smart drug that works almost immediately, compared to other types of brain boosters.

According to a study conducted to show the effects of Noopept, a single injection of the smart drug activated the NMDA receptors of the brain.

Natural Supplements

An alternative to using synthetic products, individuals are also turning to natural supplements to help achieve some of the effects that cognitive enhancers promote.

Natural supplements can come in the form of herbs, vitamins, minerals, or enzymes that may promote increased concentration, memory, learning ability, and motivation.

Fish oil

By now, you have most likely heard of some of the benefits of using fish oil like

• Improves mood

• Enhances vision

• Promote brain development

• Improves cardiovascular health

• Fights inflammation

The list goes on and on with the benefits of using fish oil. Fish oil consists of omega 3 fatty acids, including EPA and DHA, both being vital to our health.

DHA is an integral part of the brain structure and assists in various functions. A randomized controlled trial showed that supplementing with DHA improved memory and reaction time in participants.

EPA, on the other hand, has been shown to fight inflammation and may even help some psychiatric disorders.

Ginkgo Biloba 

Ginkgo Biloba is a popular herbal supplement that many people take to enhance brain functions.

Ginko is believed to work through promoting blood flow to the brain and, in turn, improving memory and learning abilities.

According to a meta-analysis conducted on the efficiency of taking Ginkgo Biloba for dementia, taking 240 mg of the herbal supplement may help reduce symptoms of the disease.

Synthetic Stimulants 

The use of synthetic stimulants for increasing cognitive function is becoming more prevalent than ever.

Popular prescription medications used to treat certain mental health disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) include Ritalin, Adderall, and Dexedrine.

These stimulant medications are believed to be effective at increasing levels of dopamine in the brain, resulting in increased concentration and reduced hyperactivity.

These medications come in various doses and forms. Some medications you can take just once a day and others you will have to take multiple times.

The problem individuals are running into with these medications is that they are only effective while the drug is in your system. So patients will have to adhere to a strict schedule of taking the medication to get the best results.

These common prescriptions stimulants can have some potential side effects, including:

• Difficulty sleeping

• Restlessness

• Headaches

• Mood swings

• Upset stomach

• Dizziness

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Fast heartbeat

Synthetic stimulants may also raise individuals’ heart rate and should only be taken when under the supervision of a doctor.

These medications have also been known to be addictive and may not be best suited for those with a history of drug abuse. Before taking these types of medication, it is recommended to talk to your doctor to see if it is suitable for you.

Want to Learn More About Cognitive Enhancers?

If you are looking to improve your concentration, mood, motivation, or memory, then trying cognitive enhancers may be a good option for you. They come in all different forms and serve different functions, so it is crucial to decide which one is best suited for you.

For more information on cognitive boosters and how they can improve your life, check out the rest of our website!