What many do not know is there are different kinds of supplements out there and they all serve different purposes. While some look for supplements to gain weight, lose weight, eat well and have radiant skin, only a few look for that which would help them boost their brain capacity. The truth is, rarely would you find a smart pills in the market, and even if you do find one, it might not be original or genuine. Not many would love up to their names, so you need to be cautious about it.
First, we shall discuss what nootropics are.
What are nootropics?
Nootropics, such as piracetam are supplements or anything that facilitates learning and retrieval of information and also protects the brain from any physical and/or chemical intoxication. These nootropics may even produce these effects through an enhancement of the acetylcholine or dopamine release.
They are called smart drugs because they are a class of substances that stimulate and boost brain performance. In other contexts, they may be referred to as cognition enhancers or memory enhancers.
Some come as a prescription, mostly for those managing ADHD, narcolepsy, dementia and even in Alzheimer’s disease. In this case, the drug would contain a type of stimulant called amphetamine.
Others like this stimulant include Adderall, methylphenidate, modafinil, methylphenidate and memantine.
And while these drugs are all used for specific reasons, you should never take them without a prescription. All drugs have their side effects and interactions, and for these sets of drugs, their side effects may be unmanageable and dangerous, if you do not use them under the guidance of a doctor.
The common side effects include
- High blood pressure
- Tachycardia
- Insomnia and other sleep irregularities
- Trouble with sight
- And of course, addiction.
Some other nootropics can be sold without a prescription, that is over the counter, they are
- Caffeine
- L-theanine
- Omega-3 fatty acid
- Racetams
- Gingko Biloba
- Panax ginseng
- Rhodiola
- Creatine
Some of these over-the-counter nootropics do not have a special claim as to their use in boosting brain performance yet, however, some have claimed to use them in this regard. Even with them, you will need to take them as directed by your physician. Some carry side effects – albeit minimal but they still would affect your livelihood. An example is a coffee, which you cannot take if you have any preexisting medical condition like hypertension, an active ulcer etc.
