Nootropics
Nootropics are supplements, amino acids, drugs, minerals, foods, and vitamins that improve at least one of your mental functions. These include your memory, attention, anxiety, learning, motivation, focus, mood and creativity.
There are no dependency issues or serious side effects related to smart drugs. A good counter-example is cocaine. It cannot be considered a nootropic because it is addictive and often has serious health consequences.
Do Nootropics Work
Despite the skepticism many people have when they first learn about then, nootropics do work. They all work differently as no two individuals have the exact same brain chemistry. You will probably have to try several before you find the one that serves you best.
Once you find a substance that works, you may be surprised at how well it does so. Nootropics change certain chemical levels in your brain and their interactions. The chemicals in question are called neurotransmitters.
Neurotransmitters are responsible for your pain, pleasure, libido, memory, appetite, motivation, focus, anxiety, mood, etc. When specific levels are changed, it affects certain traits.
A good example is your dopamine. This is critical for your motivation. The more dopamine you have, the more motivation you feel. This is a very simplistic explanation of your incredibly complex brain. Though modern science is still learning how the brain functions, one thing is sure. Changing your neurotransmitter levels will change how you feel.
Are Nootropics Legal
Most nootropics sold in the United States are classified as dietary supplements and are, therefore, legal. A prescription is not required.
It is legal to possess smart drugs in the UK, but illegal to sell them. They have to be purchased from a different country.
A prescription is required in several European countries for certain nootropics such as Piracetam.
There are also stimulants in the United States that are considered nootropics. These include modafinil, methylphenidate, and amphetamines. All stimulants require a prescription.
Will Using Nootropics Make Me Smarter
Despite the fact nootropics will not quite make you smarter, the benefits can include an improvement in your learning ability, focusing your attention, an easier time recalling and memorizing information and additional motivation.
These changes will improve your ability to participate in intellectual activities. They can increase your intelligence as time passes provided you continuously engage in these mental activities. Do note that none of these benefits are currently backed by scientific studies.
Will Nootropics Show up on a Drug Test
This question is somewhat difficult to answer. For the most part, no, smart drugs should not appear on your drug test. The tricky part is false positives do occur. A false positive shows up when your drug screen shows positive for any substance you have not taken.
A drug screen does not test for any specific substance directly. The test shows the metabolites in your body from when the drugs break down. Certain drugs are unrelated but cause the same metabolites. This can cause a false reading.
A common drug screen is not designed to detect smart drugs. They generally test for opiates, amphetamines, cocaine, PCP and THC. A false positive should not be caused by nootropics for any of these drugs, but it is a possibility.
Always proceed with caution if you are required to have extensive drug testing. If you take Dexedrine, Vyvanse or Adderall, they will undoubtedly show up on any screens. This will not be an issue if you have a prescription. If, however, you do not, avoid taking any nootropics containing amphetamines.
Are Nootropics Addictive
Anything that can change how you feel and think has the potential to become addictive. There have been reports showing certain individuals have become addicted to specific nootropics. This type of occurrence is rare and usually involves an individual who was already suffering from another addiction.
The majority of drugs considered to be nootropics do not cause withdrawal or an increased tolerance. These characteristics are generally linked to addictive drugs.
Although there are always exceptions stimulants, which include substances like modafinil and caffeine, have been known to cause withdrawal symptoms when used for a prolonged period of time.
Under most circumstances, smart drugs are not addictive. Since there are exceptions, it is essential to do a bit of research before beginning anything new. If you have a pattern of addictive behavior, you should be cautious.
Do Nootropics Have Side Effects
Nootropics rarely cause side effects. But, just like any other supplement or drug, the potential does exist. This can be anything from an allergic reaction to a mild headache.
According to most definitions, there should not be any severe reactions to nootropics. They appear to be safe for most individuals. It is important to note you can experience unwanted results from anything you put in your body. So while unlikely, the possible side effects include:
- Anxiety
- Headaches
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Allergic reactions
An allergic reaction is rare, but it can happen. Again, this is true of anything you consume. If you experience a minor side effect such as insomnia or a mild headache, you should stop using the substance which caused the reaction.
If the symptom continues or worsens, you should consult with your physician. If you experience difficulty breathing, a rapid heartbeat, extreme panic or anxiety or a severe rash, you must immediately seek medical help.
What Is Nootropics Stacking
Nootropics stacking is when you take more than one nootropic simultaneously to maximize or optimize your results. Doing so is not unusual.
The most common nootropic stacks include a choline source such as Alpha GPC in addition to another nootropic. The reason these stacks are so widely used is the neurotransmitter acetylcholine is affected by nootropics. If there is not enough of it in your brain, you will not receive the full benefits of any other smart drug you take.
There are a lot of people who take numerous nootropics simultaneously without experiencing any side effect at all. But, you must realize an adverse interaction is always a possibility.
It is essential to conduct your research before stacking any smart drug. You should always check for any known interactions before proceeding. A good example is stacking modafinil with another stimulant. This can cause your cardiovascular system to undergo a very dangerous strain.
What Are the Different Types of Nootropics
The main categories for nootropics include cholinergics, nutraceuticals, stimulants, and racetams.
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Racetams
Racetams are for focus, learning, decreasing anxiety, motivation, memory, and overall mood.
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Nutraceuticals
This family of nootropics includes nutritional supplements such as ginkgo biloba, ginseng, isoflavones, Bacopa monnieri, and Salvia officinalis.
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Stimulants
As the name implies, stimulants stimulate your central nervous system, which increases your mental performance to a certain point. Do note, however, that too much stimulation will have the opposite effect.
The United States requires a prescription for many stimulants. Though some legal alternatives do exist. These include ephedrine, nicotine, and caffeine.
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Cholinergics
The final smart drug category, cholinergics help with your memory and learning. They affect the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. A few examples of these substances are choline, DMAE, phosphatidylcholine, lecithin, Alpha-GPC, centrophenoxine, citicoline, choline bitartrate, and choline citrate.
Where to Buy Nootropics
Most nootropics in United Kingdom and the United States can be bought online. They are also available in supplement and health food stores.
One of the best retailers online is Pure Nootropics. They have been around for a long time, offer reasonable prices, excellent products, exceptional customer service, and fast shipping.
Nootropics City is another excellent company. Their selection is extensive, and they too provide fast shipping, reasonable prices, excellent customer service and have been in existence for a long time.
Peak Nootropics has a good track record, fast shipping and a great selection of smart drugs in powder form.
Absorb Health offers a vast selection of capsules and pills with a few powders. They too provide reasonable prices and one of the best customer service departments around.
On the stimulant side of things, ModafinilStar is new but reliable. They specialize in armodafinil and modafinil (typically sold under the brand names Nuvigil and Provigil respectively). Their prices are reasonable, and all the products they sell are pharmaceutical grade.
ModafinilXL, another great source to buy modafinil online, offers discreet shipping, high-quality products, fantastic customer service, and a friendly website (almost as good as Amazon’s). The one caveat with ModafinilXL is that they only service the United States.
Stimulants
Stimulants are drugs that increase the body’s function. Contrary to nootropics, they’re frequently used to treat different health conditions, including:
- Narcolepsy
- Obesity
- Binge eating disorders
Do Stimulants Help With ADHD
Yes, stimulants like Ritalin and Adderall help with ADHD, although there’s some concern they may lead to substance abuse later in life.
How Long Do Stimulant Drug Effects Last
The half-life of stimulants varies depending on the individual stimulant. The half-life of amphetamines, which are found in most ADHD medications, is usually around 11 hours.
Other factors can affect how long the effects of a drug last. These include:
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Metabolism
People who metabolize food faster eliminate drugs faster.
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Age
The older you are, the longer it takes to eliminate drugs from your system.
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Dose
The higher a dose you take, the longer it takes for your body to eliminate the drug.
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Strength
The stronger the stimulant is, the longer it takes to eliminate it from your system.
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Health
People in good health eliminate stimulants faster than people in poor health.
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Size
Larger people eliminate stimulants faster than smaller people.
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Hydration
Because drugs are eliminated through urine, people who are well hydrated will eliminate medicines faster than those who aren’t.
Are Stimulants Addicting
Yes, stimulants can be addicting if they’re used for long periods of time and can have lasting adverse effects. Common signs that you may be addicted to stimulants include:
Behavioral Symptoms
- More energy
- Erratic behavior
- Violent or aggressive behavior
- Not taking part in activities you used to enjoy
- Engaging in risky behaviors
- Behaving hyperactively or manically
- Rapid speech
- Stealing or borrowing money to pay for stimulant drugs
Physical Symptoms
- Less appetite
- Larger pupils
- Higher blood pressure
- Loss of coordination
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Chest pains
- Palpitations
- Stomach cramps
- Vomiting
- Profuse sweating
- Collapsing
Cognitive Symptoms
- Hallucinations
- Difficulty concentrating
- Lack of good judgment
- Experiencing breaks from reality
- Paranoia
- Psychosis
Psychological Symptoms
- Anxiety
- Being aggressive and hostile
- Feeling restless
- Delusions
- Panic
- Suicidal and homicidal tendencies
Common Side Effects of Stimulants
There are many frequently encountered adverse effects of stimulants. Some of these include:
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Sleep Problems
Sometimes stimulant medications make it hard to fall asleep. The problem usually improves in four to six weeks. Making changes to your bedtime routine can help alleviate these issues.
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Reduced Appetite
Stimulant medications can also make it harder for you to eat. You can help with this by ensuring you eat breakfast before takings your medicine and making sure you eat whenever you feel hungry. Your appetite will most likely return later in the day when there’re lower levels in your system, meaning you may be extra hungry at dinner. Another way to ensure you get sufficient nutrition through the day is by keeping healthy snacks around.
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Weight Loss
Stimulant drugs can also cause weight loss. You can prevent or lessen this by visiting and talking to your doctor about either lowering the dosage of the medication, taking it less frequently, or changing from the extended release to the immediate release version of the medicine.
Rare Side Effects of Stimulants
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Tics
Tics or spasms caused by stimulants are sudden, repetitive movements or sounds that you may make. Ticks may improve or go away on their own. If they don’t, there are a few things you can do to reduce them:
Avoid stress, anxiety or boredom. Find activities you enjoy doing, and read more about other ways to help reduce stress. Always try to get a good night’s sleep.
It’s crucial that you don’t draw too much attention to your tic; this can make it worse. Avoid talking about it too much with other people. And don’t come down hard on yourself when the tic occurs – you have no control over it.
Personality changes, such as being way too serious and lacking spontaneity or enthusiasm.
Adderall can cause anxiety. This can lead to personality changes such as irritability and even rage. If you experience sudden personality changes while on Adderall, the best treatment for it is to change the dosage.
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Seizures
Another rare side effect of Adderall use is seizures. If you already take medication for seizures, be sure to let your doctor know about them. Even if you don’t have a seizure disorder, as long as you experience seizures while on Adderall, let the doctor know. He may want to discontinue Adderall or decrease the dosage.
