Our working capacity, the ability to assimilate new material and overall health depend on the proper functioning of the brain.
But constant stress, lack of vitamins, and sleep disturbance worsen the brain’s work.
As a result of the influence of negative factors, the level of attention can decrease.
The person becomes distracted, it is difficult for him to concentrate on work.
Similar disorders are observed in congenital pathologies, after strokes.
There are nootropics that can improve brain function and increase the resistance of the nervous system to negative factors.
However, to date, there are not so many nootropics with proven effectiveness.
They can be taken not only after traumatic brain injuries, strokes or degenerative changes in the brain, but also for improving cognitive performance in general.
When taking any nootropic, it is always worth consulting with a doctor.
What are Nootropic Supplements?
Nootropics supplements are supplements that affect the blood supply to the central nervous system and are aimed at normalizing metabolic processes in neurons.
Their goal is to improve brain activity.
They are used in many directions and are prescribed both to patients with diseases of the nervous system, and to healthy people with psycho-emotional stress or to stimulate brain activity.
Nootropic supplements are good because they are not harmful to the body, and do not affect important processes and reactions. Therefore, nootropics can be used for the elderly and are used in pediatrics too.
They are used in the treatment of encephalopathy, Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia.
Nootropics are also used for depression.
The use of nootropics is aimed at:
- Improvement of cerebral circulation;
- Increase in the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues;
- Increasing the level of activity and vivacity;
- Reduction of mental asthenia, weakness;
- Reduction of irritability, level of anxiety.
By influencing neurotransmitters, nootropic supplement should improve cognitive abilities, help to absorb information more productively, and increase efficiency.
Also, in the list of their effects, a beneficial effect on the autonomic nervous system is indicated, incl. curbing panic attacks with dystonia, relieving spasms and reducing headaches.
Which Nootropic Works Best?
Nootropics for Overall Psycho-Emotional State
Nootropics what improve the overall psycho-emotional state and increase the effectiveness of treatment, improve mood and sleep disturbance might be:
- Nootropil (piracetam) and other pyrrolidone derivatives.
- Analogues of GABA (Phenibut, Aminalon, Pantogam).
- Derivatives of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), such as Deanol.
- Antioxidants, such as Mexidol and Tocopherol.
Nootropics for Cognitive Improvement
As for healthy adults, who want to improve concentration, focus and mental performance, nootropic supplements can be used. The Following variants are most often taken to stimulate intellectual abilities, memory and concentration during the assimilation of a large amount of information, intense mental work, extreme neuropsychic stress and chronic fatigue.
Among the nootropics in this group, the most effective and popular are:
Cogitum
Cogitum is a French-made nootropic supplement that works as a mental stimulant.
Its active ingredient, acetylamino succinic acid, stimulates metabolic processes in the nervous tissue, enhances immunity and physical endurance.
In addition, Cogitum accelerates the excretion of ammonia from the body and reduces the negative effects of radiation.
It is used as one of the components of therapy for asthenic, neurasthenic and withdrawal syndrome, depressive states.
It affects the stability of the nervous system in stressful situations.
Can be used to treat children with developmental delay. Cons – high cost and the possibility of allergies to the components of the nootropic.
Mind Lab Pro
Mind Lab Pro was developed by OptiNutra, a well-known company in the USA.
Since 2016, this supplement has been one of the most popular in its segment.
The composition here is logical. The components are broken into two distinct groups: a few stimulants and “fuel” sources, and “amplifiers” as I call them.
The complex is interesting in two ways: it does not contain caffeine and there is such a thing as a lion’s mane (comb blackberry).
Mind Lab Pro is ideal for people who work under stress, need to multitask, and want to improve their mental performance.
The thing about Mind Lab Pro is that it’s effective as a “Universal Nootropic.” Meaning, it doesn’t just address one aspect of your brain health (e.g. focus) but optimizes mental function across the board.
Alpha Brain
It is the most expensive nootropic complex on the list. And if you look at its composition, it becomes clear why. This is not one complex, but three complexes of ten components.
It has the ingredients that are involved in all biochemical processes of the body, are adaptogens, improve brain function in stressful situations, including increase indicators of concentration and memory.
I can divide them in 3 parts:
- Flow (Flow). L-Tyrosine L-Theanine, Oat Straw, Uncaria (cat’s claw), Phosphatidylserine.
- Concentration (Focus). Alpha GPC, Bacopa Monnieri, Sheep serrate.
- Fuel (Fuel). L-Leucine and Pterostilbene.
Considering that this manufacturer still has many different products, it seems that they initially made really three separate stacks, then after testing them in different combinations, they brought out just such a combination that showed maximum results.
I like this supplement because it is an eco-friendly dietary stimulant, it is a mixture of brain useful herbs of natural origin, free of sugar, vitamins, amino acids and many other components.
Natural Nootropics
In order to improve the functioning of the whole organism, strengthen immunity and combat stress, adaptogens with different compositions are used.
The best are considered natural nootropics.
Ginseng. This is a versatile plant that promotes recovery after illness.
It helps to control emotions, improves memory, normalizes the work of the heart and strengthens blood vessels. Ginseng is used as a natural remedy for weight loss and rejuvenation.
Eleutherococcus. A plant recognized by official medicine. It stimulates mental activity and energizes. Regular intake of eleutherococcus-based supplements is a guarantee of strong immunity, normal blood sugar levels, and stable pressure.
Ashwagandha. It increases nonspecific immunity, helps fight viruses and bacteria. It will be beneficial for insomnia and emotional stress.
Lion’s Mane. The supplement is recognized by traditional Chinese medicine. It has an apoptogenic effect, and also normalizes blood pressure, removes toxins, lowers sugar levels, and protects against the formation of blood clots in the bloodstream.
Cordyceps. Mushroom mycelium works as a powerful immunomodulator. The additive acts in a complex way, not just increasing the defenses, but activating hematopoiesis and rejuvenating the body.
Men will appreciate the beneficial effects of cordyceps on erectile function.
Royal Jelly. The supplement is necessary for people undergoing increased physical and mental stress. It increases efficiency, strengthens the immune system, and improves overall well-being.
It has been proven that royal jelly lowers blood pressure, cleanses the liver of toxins and promotes its regeneration.
Nootropics for Elderly
In addition, nootropics can also be prescribed for prophylactic purposes in order to slow down age-related changes in the neuropsychic sphere associated with cerebrovascular accidents, memory and cognitive impairment.
Among the nootropics used for the elderly, the most common and popular are:
Cavinton
Cavinton, the active ingredient of which is vinpocetine.
Its main therapeutic effect is aimed at improving cerebral circulation by reducing blood viscosity and, accordingly, improving the supply of oxygen to the brain.
It is characterized by a point selective effect on the affected area of the brain, so this nootropics are especially effective in the treatment and rehabilitation after a stroke, vascular dementia, and cerebrovascular accidents.
It is also used in the treatment of vascular and retinal lesions and Meniere’s disease.
Among the side effects, nausea, heartburn, weakness, headache and tachycardia can be observed, which is a minus of the supplement and a contraindication for taking it in case of heart rhythm failures (arrhythmias).
Picamilon
Picamilon is a nootropic popular with doctors and patients that has several effects: a psychostimulant, tranquilizer and antioxidant. It improves metabolic processes and blood supply in the brain tissue, reduces the intensity of headaches, relieves anxiety and nervous tension, and also increases the physical and intellectual capabilities of a person.
It has a positive effect on the restoration of motor and speech functions after a stroke and toxic lesions of the brain.
In the elderly, it gives a good effect in the complex treatment of migraines, cerebrovascular accidents, as well as diseases of the retina.
Among the side effects, one can note the possibility of developing an allergic response to this nootropic.
Phenibut
Phenibut is a nootropic that combines nootropic and tranquilizing effects.
The nootropic lengthens the time of action and enhances the effect of hypnotics.
With prolonged use, it increases physical and intellectual capabilities, normalizes sleep, and improves memory.
Effective in the complex therapy of withdrawal symptoms in alcoholism. The downside is the possibility of manifestation of the withdrawal syndrome after the end of the course of the nootropic.
The use of nootropics in the elderly should be treated very carefully, taking into account the depth of age-related changes, possible side effects, predominant symptoms, the presence of concomitant diseases and the general condition of the body.
Only a specialist can objectively evaluate all these aspects and correctly prescribe treatment with the use of nootropics. It is extremely undesirable and unsafe for their health to prescribe nootropics to their elderly.
Final Words
In conclusion, I want to say that the listed nootropics represent only a small part of the nootropic world, the list of which is constantly expanding, as well as the scope of their application.
The positive effect of nootropics on the nervous system and cognitive performance is generally beyond doubt.
All these strengthens, increases, stimulates, activates, normalizes, stabilizes, etc. really take place.
My advice to you, when deciding to boost your mental activity and memory with the help of nootropics, consult with a specialist.
Maybe, the doctor will offer you a different solution to the problem, in extreme cases, he will select the best nootropic for you.
FAQ
What Nootropics Are Proven to Work?
The Best Nootropics to work are nootropics of natural origin, they work in a complex way, and solve several problems at once.
In addition, they have fewer restrictions and do not cause side effects.
Nootropics and adaptogens of synthetic origin most often perform only one function – improving the functioning of the central nervous system and toning the body.
What Are The Most Proven Nootropics?
Mind Lab Pro, Alpha Brain and Focus & Energy (BrainMD),MindBoost are the most proven nootropics, they have a wide spectrum of action. They not only affect the brain, but also have a sedative and muscle relaxant effect. They act directly on neurons and the connections between them, and also improve cerebral blood supply.
How Do Nootropics Work On the Brain?
They affect the metabolic and bioenergetic processes in nerve cells, which in theory should be manifested by the acceleration of nerve impulses in the central nervous system, improved metabolism in neurons, and improved absorption of glucose (the body’s main energy source) by nerve cells.
