Nootropics: what are they and how do they boost your intelligence?

Dietary supplements that help us to improve cognitive skills and memory.

Psychology has long since turned a corner in its approach..

From dealing mainly with psychological disorders and harmful alterations in the functioning of mental processes, it has moved on to propose lines of research and intervention that lead to improving human potential. The drugs and supplements known as nootropics represent a similar paradigm shift in the field of neuroscience and psychopharmacology.

The idea that makes nootropics so promising is simple: They could give us the option to enhance our cognitive abilities by taking a dose, without suffering significant adverse effects.

What are nootropics?

The definition of the concept of "nootropics" is as open-ended as their nature and potential. In fact, since the Romanian chemist and psychologist Corneliu E. Giurgea first coined the term in 1972, what is meant by nootropic has been evolving and gaining fuzzy conceptual boundaries.

Defining the concept

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That the concept of nootropics is confusing and broad does not mean that there is no rough definition. In a nutshell, nootropics are a heterogeneous set of synthetic preparations and supplements that, once administered in certain doses, have shown promising results in improving the functioning of certain brain functions related to cognition, i.e. mental processes related to memory, intelligence, attention management and creativity.

Nootropics, therefore, could be useful in improving performance and mental agility. which are needed to solve complex and difficult tasks, but may also have a role in the prevention of cognitive impairment.

Nootropic is not a synonym of psychostimulant

It should be noted that nootropics are not simply psychostimulants.They are also characterized by the fact that they produce practically no adverse side effects or chemical dependency, and taking an adequate dose does not become an immediate threat to the health of the person taking them. This differentiates them from stimulants such as amphetamines.

That is why, although nootropics are also known as "cognitive drugs," or smart drugsIf we stick to the definition created by consensus, we should differentiate them from substances that damage health and leave clear and irreversible wounds in the organism, or that are toxic. While all substances that affect the functioning of neurons have side effects unrelated to the purpose for which the dose is taken, these may be so minor or of such low intensity that they are not considered harmful.

Not all nootropics are drugs.

It is also worth noting that there are nootropic drugs and nootropic substances that are not considered drugs. The difference between the two is that the drugs are subject to medical indication and are sold in pharmacies, while the rest can be obtained in a wide variety of stores, herbalist shops, etc.

The great claim of cognitive stimulants

The idea of nootropics fits perfectly with an increasingly competitive society in which optimizing work performance becomes more and more a struggle to train the body in the art of working under constant pressure.

These substances offer two types of promises that are highly valued in the Western countries of the 21st century: the possibility of optimizing one's cognitive capacities to adjust to the demands of the labor market, and the immediacy of the results sought.and the immediacy of the results sought. At the end of the day, it is easier and simpler to exchange money for a compound that takes the brain's functioning to another level instantly than to choose a skill to train and dedicate hours, days or years to this task.

This is precisely why workers in certain sectors related to creativity and new technologies, as well as students who aspire to find a place in elite universities, have long been making the consumption of nootropics widespread. For these social groups, the difference between performing well and falling short of their goals can mean an overturn in their job expectations and life plans, so the use of these products becomes one of the many steps necessary to aspire to success. the use of these products becomes one of the many steps necessary to aspire to success..

Selling nootropics over the Internet

The fact that the consumer profile of nootropics is familiar with the use of new technologies and that there are generally no strong legal restrictions blocking their commercialization means that the sale and purchase of nootropics over the Internet has become popular in many countries.

One of the best-selling supplements in Spain is Boost Calm Focus. It is a nootropic developed by the firm Queal. According to Anthony Ripaof its communications team:

"In Queal Boost, we have focused on making a stack, based on solid, reproducible research. This is what makes Queal Boost nootropics different from others on the market. Each component of Queal Boost has a track record of multiple independent controlled trials with respect to the placebo effect. These studies show results and evidence of improvement in certain cognitive abilities.

To this we must add that web portals and forums have been created in which consumers talk about their experiences with these preparations, ask questions and give advice on what to do with them.They ask questions and give advice on what to take, what for and how to take it. The result is the existence of online communities that keep the popularity of nootropics alive and at the same time give them visibility, something that also happens with supplements used to improve performance in physical activities.

The three main nootropic brands, Absorb Health, Power Focus e Incite Elitemarket their canisters through platforms such as Amazon. By clicking on the image you will be able to review the products, in case you feel like trying any nootropic and evaluate its effect on your intelligence and memory.

The Effectiveness of Cognitive Enhancers

Now that we know what the concept of nootropic itself is, it is worth asking what, in practice, these substances are. In other words, how does the definition fit with reality?

The efficacy of nootropics has been called into question by the fact that many of the results obtained after years of research are inconclusive. Results have been obtained that confirm the expected effects through the use of these preparations, but there are also investigations that have given contrary results. Moreover, as nootropics do not necessarily resemble each other in terms of their components or in their proposed preparation or usefulness, to talk about their efficacy or ineffectiveness by lumping them all together is an oversimplification..

In any case, what can be said about virtually all nootropics is that, although some are promising, the extent to which they are effective and useful is not yet known, to what extent they are effective and useful to be introduced in everyday life is not yet known. to be introduced into the daily lives of healthy people or people with symptoms of dementia. To clarify these points, years of research and joint efforts will be needed to scientifically demonstrate their usefulness.

The most popular types of nootropics

Of course, the fact that there is no guarantee of efficacy in the use of nootropics has not prevented some preparations of this type from enjoying particular popularity. Here are some of them.

1. Choline

The potential of this substance could be related to the improvement of motor coordination and tasks requiring the use of memory..

2. Piracetam

Synthesized by Corneliu E. Giurgea himself, could slow down the deterioration of cognitive abilities in the elderly.. It has also been attributed a certain efficacy in improving memory and verbal fluency in wider age groups.

3. Aniracetam

Like piracetam, it is part of a group of substances called racetams. It is attributed with the effect of improving the ability to concentrate and think fluently in pressure situations, as well as slowing the progression of mental deterioration in the elderly.

4. Galamantine

Galamantine is popular among a part of the people interested in onironauticsGalamantine is popular among some people interested in onironautics, since it is attributed with the power to increase the possibilities of remembering dreams well and having lucid dreams.

The consumption of nootropics without medical indication

The fact that the group of nootropics is so broad and heterogeneous means that several of the preparations included in it are consumed without medical indication, in the same way that food supplements are consumed. This has generated a debate about the convenience of people without proper medical training being able to consume certain substances on their own and determine the doses they need.

However, this is a debate that goes far beyond science, and involves the moral criteria and values that guide the creation of laws in different countries. This does not mean that there is no need for much more research into the functioning of nootropics and their long-term effects, the latter being a relatively unknown topic, given that it is only recently that these compounds have started to be marketed. We will continue to monitor the evolution of cognitive enhancers, both in terms of their social implementation and their effects on the environment..