The thought of taking a tablet to increase your mental capacity could sound very alluring, whether you’re a college student wanting to ace your exams, a busy professional hoping for a promotion, or an elderly person worried about dementia. So perhaps it’s not surprising that nootropics, often known as cognitive enhancers or smart pills, are becoming more and more popular. But do they function? Are they secure, too?
Initially, the name “nootropics” applied to substances that matched several strict requirements. But nowadays, it’s used to describe any organic or artificial drug that might have a beneficial effect on cognitive abilities. Nootropics can generally be divided into three groups: prescription medications, synthetic substances, and dietary supplements.
While most medical professionals concur that using a prescription nootropic for an FDA-approved condition, such as donepezil for Alzheimer’s or a stimulant for ADHD, may be beneficial, the usage of any kind of cognitive enhancer in healthy individuals is far more debatable.
Prescribed Nootropics
Most prescription nootropics contain stimulants, including those found in some ADHD drugs. Although many people with ADHD find them to be helpful, they are not advised for those who are just looking to sharpen their concentration and attention. These drugs are frequently obtained illegally by college students, and while they may appear to be beneficial in the short run, they carry significant hazards. Insomnia, hazy vision, high blood pressure, a rapid heartbeat, circulation issues, and addiction are possible side effects.
Modafinil is yet another prescription nootropic (Provigil). The FDA has licenced it for the treatment of shift work disorder, sleep apnea, and narcolepsy, but some research indicates that healthy individuals may benefit from improved learning and memory. Although additional research is required, modafinil seems to be a less dangerous form of a stimulant than others.
Most Effective Options
You should first discuss using nootropic substances with your doctor if you’re thinking about doing so. Like with other supplements, you should ask your doctor if there are any health dangers to be aware of, such as possible interactions with existing medical conditions or prescription drugs.
Although there is some research on the subject, keep in mind that they are typically tiny or only consider the effects on elderly persons.
Caffeine should not be consumed in pill or powder form since it is too simple to overuse. When used in excess, caffeine can be poisonous, resulting in a rapid heartbeat, seizures, or even death. One teaspoon of pure caffeine powder has the same amount of caffeine as 28 cups of coffee. The gap between a safe amount and a dangerous amount, according to the FDA, which has taken enforcement action against producers of pure and highly concentrated caffeine products, is quite small.
More About It
While it may seem like a good idea to combine several of these supplements—and several formulas on the market do exactly that—The doctor doesn’t advise it because the majority of the combinations haven’t been well researched. Instead, he advises experimenting with one or two for a few months, then pausing for a month before returning to them or switching to others. He worries that you can develop a tolerance to nootropics, including coffee, meaning you’ll need more of them to have any effect.
You should also be aware that the FDA doesn’t strictly regulate nootropic pills the way it does prescription pharmaceuticals, as it does with all dietary supplements. Trust your body and choose reputed brands; if you experience any negative effects or don’t observe improvement within the anticipated timeframe, you should stop. Therefore, you must check on the internet that is Qualia Mind safe for your health.
