Can a pill make you smarter?
Can a pill make you smarter?
It sounds like science fiction, or the plot for a science fiction film, but it may be possible. Scientists have been exploring the potential for nootropics and other smart drugs to do just that.
What are nootropics?
The term “nootropics” is often used interchangeably with other terms such as “smart-drugs”, “brain boosters” or “cognitive enhancers’” The loosest definition of a nootropic is a compound which when ingested can enhance the cognitive activities of the brain. This definition is rather broad and if taken literally could include anything from Lavender oil to crack cocaine. Therefore for this article we shall use the definition provided by the man who coined the term “nootropic”, Dr. Corneliu E. Giurgea.
Dr. Giurgea stated that a nootropic must at least:
- Enhance memory and learning
- Help brain function
- Protect the brain
- Facilitate the transfer of information in the brain
- Be virtually non-toxic
The compounds which meet the definition above should, if taken in moderation, be safe for people to use on a regular basis. Other smart-drugs, such as Modafanil, or Adderall are potentially less safe to take on a regular basis and will be the topic of a separate article.
History of nootropics
Many traditional medicines have been used to improve cognitive function for centuries. For example Green Tea, Coffee and Ginko Biloba. However the modern exploration of nootropic research began in 1964 when Romanian psychologist and chemist Corneliu. E. Giurgea was developing the drug Piracetam to treat motion sickness.
Dr. Giurgea discovered Piracetam had cognitive benefits such as improved memory consolidation and information processing. This led Dr. Giurgea to officially coin the term nootropics in 1971.
Throughout the cold war the USSR started investing in nootropic research and it was a direct result of this research than many of the other popular nootropics were developed, in particular the other racetams such as Aniracetam, Oxiracetam and Pramiracetam.
Phenylpiracetam was developed in 1983 as a medication for Soviet Cosmonauts to help with prolonged stresses of working in space. It is considered a performance enhancing substance and banned in sports as it increases cold resistance and physical endurance.
Russian Olympic silver medalist Olga Pyleva was disqualified after 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy for using Phenylpiracetam.
Olga Pyleva was ultimately disqualified for using the nootropic Phenylpiracetam
Following the fall of the soviet empire the soviet research on nootropics was released and nootropics became more common in the west. However even to this day there is limited understanding of nootropics and their efficacy in the general population.
How do they work?
Nootropics work in a variety of ways, not all of them are fully understood, listed below are some of the common mechanisms of action.
Effecting neurotransmitters
In very simple terms neurotransmitters are the means by which neurons in our brains communicate. Many nootropics effect the level of neurotransmitters in the brain, thereby facilitating this communication.
Increasing energy
Some nootropics increase levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), ATP is one of our bodies preferred fuel sources. It is the fuel used to power the contraction of our muscles and is also a critical neurotransmitter in our brains.
Increasing circulation
Circulation is critical to a healthy brain. Some nootropics are vasodilators, meaning they open (dilate) the blood vessels, as a result blood flows more easily to the brain, delivering oxygen and nutrients to where it is needed.
Regeneration
Our brains are constantly repairing themselves and building new cells and connections, certain nootropics provide the brain with the ingredients it needs for this regeneration and growth.
Which ones work for what?
Below is a short selection of our favorite nootropics and the various purposes for which they are best suited – all based on scientific research.
For motivation - L-Tyrosine
L-Tyrosine is a non-essential amino acid, which is used to form dopamine and norepinephrine (1). In the brain dopamine functions as an extremely important neurotransmitter, in particular it plays a major role in the brains reward system which is responsible for driving motivation.
Norepinephrine is another important neurotransmitter, increased levels of which increases alertness, enhances memory and focuses attention. Interestingly the smart drug Adderall also works by increasing levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain.
Studies have shown L-tyrosene can be useful for improving mood (2) as well as for enhancing cognition (3).
For focus and clarity - L-Theanine
L-Theanine is an amino acid which is found in green tea. L-Theanine increases levels of serotonin, dopamine, and GABA in the brain. Some studies have shown L-Theanine increases alpha brain wave activity (4), which lowers anxiety and can therefore promote a feeling of relaxed attention.
L-Theanine works well when paired with a stimulant (such as caffeine). When combined with caffeine it has been shown to improve reaction time and working memory (5). L-Theanine helps “take the edge off” stimulants which can be particularly helpful to people with ADHD, or anyone prone to distraction.
For memory - Bacopa Monnieri
Bacopa monnieri is a herb which grows in wetlands around the world. It has traditionally been used in Ayurvedic medicine to prevent disease, promote longevity and strengthen the mind. Bacopa monnieri contains many alkaloids, flavonoids and saponins, it has been found to have adaptogenic and antioxidant properties.
The exact mechanism by which B. monnieri works is not fully understood however several studies suggest it has positive effects on memory. In a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study it was shown to significantly improve memory acquisition and retention in older healthy people (6). Other studies have produced similar results (7) (8).
For stamina - Rhodiola Rosea
Rhodiola rosea is a flowering plant which grows in arctic mountainous climates in Europe and Asia. Eastern Europeans have been using Rhodiola in traditional medicine for centuries to treat anxiety, fatigue and depression. It has also been used to traditionally to increase endurance and help with altitude sickness.
Rhodiola seems to work by blocking monoamine oxidases (9) which thereby reduces the breakdown of useful neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine.
There are not a lot of high quality studies on Rhodiola Rosea however there are several promising studies which demonstrate it may be effective in increasing the capacity for mental work against a background of fatigue and stress (10) (11).
The all rounder - Citicoline
Citicoline is a brain chemical that naturally occurs in the human body. It is used as a medication to treat Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, brain trauma, stroke victims, for age related memory loss, parkinsons and ADHD. In the United States it is sold as a dietary supplement but in many European countries it is a prescription only medication.
Citicoline provides the building blocks for both Phosphatidylcholine, one of the essential building blocks for neurons and cell membranes and Acetylcholine, which facilitates neuron to neuron communication.
Several studies have shown Citicoline is useful in producing improved attention and memory, especially in older subjects (12) (13).
Stacking for increased benefits
The benefits of nootropics are most pronounced when they are “stacked” or combined, especially when the mechanism of action for the various constituent compounds is different. When stacked the benefits can be accumulative.
The cheapest long term option is to buy your preferred nootropics separately in powder form and mix them yourself, however this is often not practical, especially for someone trying nootropics for the first time.
Buying a prepared blend not only delivers superior benefits but it eliminates the need to measure several pills and powders on a daily basis, and ensures the correct dosage. There are many companies selling nootropics over the internet, our preferred blend is Mind Lab Pro.
Mind Lab Pro is a true all rounder, containing all of the nootropics mentioned above. It is designed to improve memory, performance, mindset and provide building blocks for brain regrowth and repair. The only downside is it is a little expensive at approximately $65 for a 30 day supply.
References
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/026010618400300305
https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/nogeikagaku1924/72/2/72_2_153/_article/-char/ja/
https://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=19921#.VZrQM_lViko
