By definition, nootropics are supplements and compounds that enhance cognitive performance, mental function, or moods. Nootropic can be used to treat brain injuries and neurological problems. However, in recent years, it has become more popular as a dietary supplement. In its form, nootropics are not always synthetic. It also comes from organic compounds. One example of organic compounds is bacopa monieri and Centella Asiatica.
I have written plenty of organic compounds that contain nootropic properties. However, in 2021, I want to explore synthetic nootropics further.
Nootropics are regulated differently in different countries. Therefore, it is always best to check the regulation that applies to synthetic nootropics. An example of this regulation is Piracetam. In the US, Piracetam is not approved by the FDA to be sold as a dietary supplement. However, they support another type of racetams called levetiracetam, an antiepileptic medication. Even though it does not have FDA approval, this racetam is still available in the market 1.
Meanwhile, in some Asian countries, Piracetam can be found over the counter easily. The price is relatively low in comparison to other racetams. Hence why always make sure to check the regulation and discuss it with the physician.
My experience with nootropics started when I had a brain injury. I frequently went to a neurologist, but it did not help with low energy, low mood, and depression. The doctor had prescribed some racetams and choline, which did not work quite optimally. Only in late 2017, I started exploring what happened to my brain. I was a broke college student and tried to examine organic nootropics as it is much reasonable than synthetic nootropics. The only synthetic nootropics I took were Piracetam, as it was the cheapest in my prescription. Then in 2019, as I got another accident, I immediately took Piracetam to lessen the shock's impact. Later that night, I was still accepted into the emergency room and had to use a respirator. An hour after that, the physician asked me to get a brain scan, and I told them that this was my third accident. I told them that I took Piracetam, and he asked me if I still have it. I said yes, and he only added vitamin B complex in high dosage. He told me to take the Piracetam and the vitamin B until my symptom clears out and get myself a new brain scan. This personal experience led me to explore neuropharmacology and nootropics. Unlike most recreational users, I believe that many brain injury sufferers and I can significantly mitigate the recurrent symptoms such as fatigue and brain fog with nootropics.
Anyhow, without further adieu, I am going to show you the most generic stack for energy and focus improvement; caffeine and L-theanine.
Caffeine is the most widely used drug worldwide. It makes one addicted and even having a withdrawal symptom. As a former caffeine addict, I can say there is quite a difference between taking the pills and getting caffeine from the coffee. Gail Owen et al. asserts that the previous suggestions that taking caffeine combined with L-theanine help improve cognitively demanding tasks2. This research is not the only research available out there. There is plenty of meta-research on these compounds. Another study showed that taking beverages containing L-theanine with caffeine has a different effect than only a beverage containing caffeine. The effects mentioned in the research include faster simple reaction time, faster numeric working memory reaction time, and improved sentence verification accuracy. The crash that normally felt while taking caffeine is reduced, and the combination of both compounds showed more positive than negative results. 3. However, it is best to keep in mind that these compounds may have different reactions individually.
A lot can factor into play from my personal experience—sleep, diet, and exercise. If you have a night of poor sleep, poor eating choices, and not exercising, you may not reach your desired peak performance. I got this nootropic from a SOHO Nootropics online shop. They sell various nootropics to enhance Mood, Vitality, Focus, Memory, and Energy ( MoViFoMe).
The packaging is excellent, and even the repacking version is sealed neatly. Inside the package, there are two brochures. The first one is generic information about nootropics, and the other one is about fish oil products.
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In the brochure, there will be some necessary information, such as what is cycling? what is a stack, And how to consume nootropics?
According to the brochure, the best way to cycle is to continuously consume the nootropics for seven days and off for 1-2 days. The other way is to drink it for 14 days and take 3-4 days off. Meanwhile, the best way to consume it is through a method called sublingual instead of oral. I prefer taking it orally with water. I will tell you again the effect of it after 7 days since I am planning to start taking it seriously instead of dragging myself into an addiction zone. If you are interested in nootropics, leave a comment in the comment section.
Reference
Cohen PA, Zakharevich I, Gerona R. Presence of Piracetam in Cognitive Enhancement Dietary Supplements. JAMA Intern, Med. 2020;180(3):458–459. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2019.5507
Owen GN, Parnell H, De Bruin EA, Rycroft JA. The combined effects of L-theanine and caffeine on cognitive performance and mood. Nutr Neurosci. 2008 Aug;11(4):193-8. DOI: 10.1179/147683008X301513. PMID: 18681988.
Crystal F. Haskell, David O. Kennedy, Anthea L. Milne, Keith A. Wesnes, Andrew B. Scholey, The effects of l-theanine, caffeine and their combination on cognition and mood, Biological Psychology,
Volume 77, Issue 2,2008 Pages 113-122,
ISSN 0301-0511,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2007.09.008.
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