Cognitive enhancers can be brain supplements, smart drugs, or nootropics, and naturally sourced or totally synthetic. Learn how to make the best choice.
The use of cognitive enhancers has been booming for years now.
Students, scientists, older people, and entrepreneurs are among those using brain supplements, nootropics, and so-called smart drugs to gain a mental edge.
If you want to increase your productivity, alertness, and ability to learn and remember, you may be considering them too.
But your brain is your most valuable asset, so you need to know all the facts before using any cognitive enhancer.
While there is some overlap, all neuroenhancers can be divided into three groups based on how they are sourced and processed.
In this article, we look at some of the most popular and effective cognitive enhancers in each group and tell you what you need to know to make a smart decision about using them.
Cognitive Enhancement Supplements
There’s a wide array of natural supplements that are cognitive enhancers — herbs, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and even mushrooms!
There are numerous benefits to using quality brain supplements rather than cognitive-enhancing drugs.
Brain supplements have long histories of use and are generally very safe.
They can actually make you and your brain healthier.
They are readily found at any health food store or online vitamin shop.
The downside is that, compared to cognitive-enhancing drugs, the effects of brain supplements are more subtle and can take a while to kick in.
Here’s a list of top brain supplements and how they work:
1. Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
Ginkgo is one of the most popular herbal remedies in the world.
It’s mostly sold for memory loss, but is also beneficial for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, and depression.
Ginkgo works by a variety of mechanisms.
It improves blood flow to the brain, reduces brain inflammation, and contains potent antioxidants which protect vulnerable brain cells from free radical damage.
2. Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri)
Bacopa is a traditional herbal brain tonic for improving memory, learning, and concentration.
Its recorded use goes back at least 3,000 years.
Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that regulate every aspect of our lives, including our mood and ability to focus, concentrate, learn, and remember.
Bacopa is a master neurotransmitter regulator that adjusts the production of these brain chemicals up or down as needed.
In one study, bacopa was tested against both the herbal supplement ginseng and the popular smart drug modafinil.
Bacopa exhibited superior cognitive benefits to both.
3. American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius)
Ginseng is a quintessential traditional Chinese herb that’s been called the “elixir of life.”
All species of ginseng contains ginsenosides, a unique set of compounds that have antioxidant and neuroprotective properties, and may stimulate the release of acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter associated with learning and memory.
American ginsengis now considered superior to Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng).
American ginseng especially excels as a cognitive enhancer.
Research shows that it gets to work quickly to improve short-term memory and reaction times within a few hours of ingestion.
4. Lion’s Mane Mushroom (Hericium erinaceus)
Lion’s mane mushroom has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years.
It is said to impart “nerves of steel and the memory of a lion.”
Lion’s mane contains two unique groups of compounds, hericenones and erinacines, that heal and protect existing nerve cells and stimulate the growth of new ones.
It also contains amycenone, a potent anti-inflammatory compound that is believed to be responsible for lion’s mane’s antidepressant properties.
5. Amino Acid Cognitive Enhancers
Not all natural cognitive enhancers are sourced from plants.
Some are amino acids that are building blocks of important neurotransmitters.
Tyrosine
Tyrosine is needed for the formation of dopamine (the “motivation molecule”) and norepinephrine, a dual-purpose compound that acts as both a stress hormone and a neurotransmitter.
Tryptophan
Tryptophan is the precursor of serotonin (the “happiness brain chemical”) and the sleep hormone melatonin.
Taurine
Taurine behaves much like the calming neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) and, once in the brain, activates GABA receptors.
L-Theanine
L-theanine is one of the most noteworthy natural brain enhancers.
It’s found almost exclusively in tea and increases levels of the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and GABA.
L-theanine also alters brainwave patterns to help attain an optimal state of relaxed concentration.
6. Essential Brain Nutrients
Some cognitive enhancers are essential brain nutrients, like vitamin B12, vitamin D, magnesium, and omega-3 essential fatty acids.
Note that these won’t power up your brain if you already get enough of them — but few of us do.
Surprisingly, deficiencies of these essential brain nutrients are rampant even in wealthier countries.
If you are deficient in one or more of these essential nutrients, overcoming that deficiency can have a very positive impact on brain function, mental health, and general well-being.
So, while taking vitamins or fish oil is definitely not as trendy as taking the latest smart drug, these basic nutrients are sometimes the best brain supplements to take.
Cognitive-Enhancing “Smart” Drugs
Cognitive-enhancing drugs, often referred to as smart drugs or study drugs, are manufactured pharmaceuticals taken to improve memory, learning, focus, attention, and other mental functions.
They are commonly used by people who feel a strong need for a cognitive edge, such as college students, Silicon Valley coders, Wall Street traders, entrepreneurs, biohackers, scientists, and military personnel.
Many of these drugs were created to treat non-cognitive disorders, but have been appropriated for off-label use, an medically unapproved use of an approved drug.
These drugs are supposedly available by prescription only, but it’s not hard to get them without one.
These are currently some of the most popular cognitive-enhancing drugs:
Adderall and Ritalin
Adderall and Ritalin are prescription stimulants for treating ADHD that are used off-label to increase focus and energy.
They work by raising brain levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine or norepinephrine.
Modafinil
Modafinil (brand name Provigil) is a trendy study drug that was originally created to treat sleep disorders.
Its only medically approved uses are for narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea.
The legal status of modafinil varies by country.
In the US, modafinil is legally available by prescription only, but it can be found online.
Piracetam
Piracetam was developed by the scientist who coined the term nootropic and is often considered the first nootropic.
“ According to its original definition, a nootropic is a cognitive enhancer that should improve the health of the brain and do no harm.
It is a synthetic derivative of the naturally occurring neurotransmitter GABA.
It belongs to a group of cognitive enhancers called racetams.
Other members of the racetam group include aniracetam, oxiracetam, and Noopept.
The mechanism of action of racetams remains incompletely understood.
Prevailing theories speculate that racetams work by improving the function of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, enhancing brain cell membrane fluidity, or protecting the brain from oxidative stress.
Studies demonstrate piracetam improves memory in older individuals with dementia or cognitive impairments.
There’s also evidence that it can help with some central nervous system disorders, such as epilepsy and stroke.
But there’s little evidence that it offers any noticeable cognitive benefits in healthy adults.
The Downside of Cognitive-Enhancing Drugs
Unlike cognitive-enhancing supplements which make the brain healthier, there is no such pretense when it comes to cognitive-enhancing drugs.
These drugs aim to provide a short-term boost in energy, memory, learning, focus, and attention, with little regard for long-term usage or side effects.
Here are some examples of potential long-term adverse effects of taking these drugs.
Adderall and Ritalin are amphetamines which undoubtedly make you feel alert and mentally clear initially.
But long-term use leads to tolerance, so you need to use more to get the same results.
Regulators classify these drugs as highly addictive and include them in the Schedule II controlled substances list, alongside opium and cocaine.
Side effects of long-term amphetamine use can be extremely serious — mental health problems, irregular heartbeat, physical collapse, and even death.
Many consider modafinil relatively safe.
And that’s a good thing, as this drug circulates widely on college campuses, where up to one in five students use it as a study aid.
Known short-term side effects of modafinil include insomnia, headache, nausea, anxiety, nervousness, hypertension, decreased appetite, and weight loss.
The long-term effects of modafinil remain poorly understood, but it significantly disrupts sleep cycles, producing brainwave patterns similar to those seen in cocaine users during sleep.
Be aware that modafinil has a quasi-legal status, at least in the US.
Unless prescribed by a doctor, obtaining modafinil typically involves acquiring it from a friend, dealer, or ordering it online.
What Are Nootropics?
It’s generally clear which cognitive enhancers are drugs and which are supplements.
But when it comes to categorizing which are nootropics, it gets rather murky.
Nootropic is not a regulated term and what exactly constitutes a nootropic is subjective.
The original meaning of the term “nootropic” intended a substance specifically used to enhance cognitive function, but its usage has broadened.
There are well over 100 substances that have made it on to some nootropics list.
So, nootropics have come to encompass everything from all-natural supplements to all-synthetic cognitive-enhancing drugs, and everything in between.
The Original Nootropics Definition
According to its original definition, a nootropic is a cognitive enhancer that should improve the health of the brain and do no harm.
Corneliu Giurgea, a Romanian psychologist and chemist who developed the popular cognitive enhancer piracetam, coined the term.
He described a nootropic (which means “turn the mind” in Greek) as any substance that enhances learning and memory, protects the brain, and is very safe with few side effects.
Therefore, according to Giurgea, any brain-enhancing drug, supplement, nutraceutical, or functional food qualified as a nootropic provided that it was safe and promoted brain health.
He also stipulated that a nootropic should not be psychoactive or mood-altering, and should not make you feel wired, high, or sedated.
Are All Today’s Nootropics Safe?
According to the original definition, all nootropics should be safe.
But are they?
Today the definition of nootropics has expanded to mean any substance — natural, synthetic, or a mix — that has the potential to improve mental functions, such as memory, intelligence, motivation, attention, and concentration.
The cognitive-enhancing supplements you read about at the beginning of this article — vitamins, herbs, and amino acids — fit the original criteria of nootropics.
They improve mental functions, support brain health, and do no harm.
However, this is seldom what people mean by the term “nootropics” nowadays.
To many, the desire to improve mental performance at any cost is paramount, and worry about risk and side effects has become relatively unimportant.
Now, let’s take a look at examples of the two main kinds of nootropics, natural-based supplements and synthetic drugs.
Supplements That Qualify as True Nootropics
Nootropic supplements contain compounds that begin in nature.
During processing, natural source components may be extracted or synthetically enhanced to enhance effectiveness.
A good example of this is magnesium l-threonate.
Magnesium plays a critical role in numerous brain-related and neurological conditions.
Unfortunately, little of the magnesium found in typical supplements can make its way into the brain, limiting its therapeutic usefulness.
When magnesium chelates to threonate, a vitamin C metabolite, it forms a new magnesium type that readily crosses into the brain.
Many nootropic supplements are based on naturally occurring compounds found in plants:
Curcumin
Manufacturers extract curcumin from the Indian spice turmeric (Curcuma longa).
It’s one of the best brain boosters available.
Curcumin is as effective at increasing blood flow to the brain as physical exercise.
It raises levels of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), a protein that stimulates the creation of new brain cells.
Curcumin also increases neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to change and grow throughout its lifetime.
One study found that just a single dose of curcumin resulted in a noticeable improvement in attention and working memory in healthy older people.
Always look for a curcumin supplement that contains piperine, phosphatidylserine, or the use of nanoparticles.
These measures greatly increase curcumin’s bioavailability, your body’s ability to utilize it.
Huperzine A
Manufacturers extract Huperzine A from Chinese club moss (Huperzia serrata).
It works by increasing acetylcholine and stimulating the formation of new brain cells.
Studies have found that huperzine A enhances memory and learning in people of almost all ages, from middle school students to older people with Alzheimer’s.
Vinpocetine
Vinpocetine is a neuroenhancer that straddles the line between nootropic supplement and drug.
Manufacturers synthesize it from vincamine, a compound found in periwinkle (Vinca minor).
Vinpocetine enhances brain function by a variety of mechanisms.
It increases cerebral blood flow, reduces brain inflammation, and balances neurotransmitter levels.
In some countries, vinpocetine is available as a prescription drug.
In the US, it’s available as a supplement, but that could change.
A few years ago, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada banned it.
At that time, the US FDA also initiated proceedings to take vinpocetine off store shelves because they believe it should be classified as a drug rather than a supplement.
However, according to the FDA’s latest update, that motion has stalled.
For now, you can still buy vinpocetine from most supplement vendors.
Choline-Based Nootropic Supplements
Choline is an essential nutrient for brain development, healthy brain cells, and neurotransmitter formation.
It is a precursor of acetylcholine.
But unfortunately, choline (like magnesium) does not effectively enter the brain.
Choline-based nootropic supplements offer a workaround for this dilemma.
Alpha-GPC
Alpha-GPC (alpha-glycerophosphocholine) is a synthetic form of choline that can enter the brain as needed to create the neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin, and GABA.
Throughout much of the world, people buy it as a memory supplement, but some European countries also prescribe it for Alzheimer’s.
Citicoline
Another cholinergic nootropic is citicoline.
Upon ingestion, it transforms into choline and uridine, both sold separately as nootropics.
Citicoline naturally occurs asa building block of healthy brain cell membranes.
It raises levels of several important neurotransmitters, including acetylcholine and dopamine.
Citicoline increases blood flow to the brain and mental energy by increasing the activity of brain cell mitochondria, energy production centers of the cell.
Nootropic Drugs
Manufacturers of synthetic nootropic drugs make no claims regarding their natural origin.
You won’t find them at your health food store, Amazon, or online vitamin shops.
They are exclusively sold through websites specializing in nootropics.
While these sites all carry a slightly different inventory, here are some of the products you’re likely to find.
Racetams
Racetams are the quintessential nootropic drugs.
This group includes piracetam, the original nootropic.
Other racetams you’ll find for sale include aniracetam, oxiracetam, pramiracetam, phenylpiracetam, and Noopept.
All bring slightly different benefits, and side effects, to the table.
Phenibut
Phenibut, a GABA derivative developed in the former Soviet Union, is beneficial for stress and anxiety.
But be careful with this one, it can be addictive.
Adrafinil
Adrafinil provides a workaround for those who want the power of modafinil without the hassle of obtaining it.
Once ingested, it gets metabolized into modafinil.
Long-term use isn’t advisable due to concerns about its potential impact on liver health.
The World Anti-Doping Agency bans adrafinil, similar to modafinil, as a nonspecific stimulant compound.
The Legality of Buying Nootropics Online
When purchasing nootropic drugs, be aware that their legality varies by country.
If you are buying from a website that operates outside of your country of residence, do your homework on their international shipping policies.
Customs may confiscate or hold up your order if not properly handled.
Why the Best All-Around Cognitive Enhancers Are Not Pills
Just as beauty does not come from a jar, lasting intelligence, success, and creativity do not come from a pill.
While cognitive enhancers can give the brain a boost, no drug or supplement will ever take the place of living a brain-healthy lifestyle.
Some of the most brilliant people in history attribute their success to positive lifestyle habits like:
- meditation (Steve Jobs)
- physical exercise (Richard Branson)
- power naps (Thomas Edison)
- playing music (Albert Einstein)
- lifelong pursuit of learning (Elon Musk)
You may already be among the billions of people who regularly use the most popular cognitive enhancer in the world, caffeine.
And, of course, every bite of food you take either nourishes your brain or stresses it further.
Explore our dozens of articles showcasing proven ways to achieve peak mental performance naturally.
Recommended: Upgrading brain health is key to making your brain work better.
Brain supplement can help you:
- Improve your mental clarity and focus.
- Boost your memory and your ability to learn.
- Increase your capacity to think critically, solve problems, and make decisions.
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