Nootropic is from the Greek words “nous” meaning mind, and “tropein” which means to bend.
Nootropics were first discovered by psychologists and Romanian chemist Dr. Corneliu Giurgea in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He discovered it along with his colleagues when they were trying to make a pill for sleep which turned out to be a piracetam. Dr. Giurgea made some insightful features that can be applicable to nootropics: tt should help enhance the memory, improve mood and behavior, and help to boost the cognitive function.
There are a lot of types of nootropics so at first decide which goals you want to beat by taking them. In the world of nootropics you may find some for anxiety, depression, stress, and memory as well as focus, which is very common in the market now and easy access for everyone. Also there are some anti-aging supplements, metabolism boosters, etc.
What are the common rules or the Do’s and Don’ts while taking nootropics
Before taking nootropics, make sure that you will opt-in for the high-quality supplement. You might want to consider checking if the supplement has a COA or Certificate of Analysis, that way you can be sure that it has been tested in a laboratory.
Make sure that you are taking the right supplement for your goal-reaching, especially when stacking nootropics as it may contradict each other’s benefits. Instead of helping it may cause some bad side effects.
Always keep in mind that you don’t have to be dependent on the nootropic that you are taking, it is different from getting addictive. Do not increase the recommended dosage and consult your doctor regarding any malaise.
Nootropics are not an alternative to an unhealthy lifestyle, you just have to be aware of certain nootropic risks. Sometimes because of overdosage or the immune system rejection you may face unwanted side effects, so do not make drastic steps at the beginning. Learn more about the safest nootropics here.
Basic nootropics for a certain goal
Stress:
Noopept is one of the most common and best seller nootropics in the market nowadays. The primary benefit of noopept is a cognitive enhancer, it is being used for people who suffer from depression, anxiety and it is believed to control the stress level and even enhance the mood but despite the good effects it does not make you high or give euphoria. Some study says that noopept is 1000 times more effective than piracetam.
The recommended dosage of noopept is 15-30mg for the powder and ½-1 for the tablet and it is 1-3 times a day. It is highly encouraged not to exceed the recommended dosage.
Another one is Phenibut. It was discovered in Russia in the 1960s and until now a lot of people are still patronizing it because of its benefits. It is mainly used for people who are experiencing depression and anxiety as it elevates the mood by boosting the dopamine level. It is also believed that Pehnibut enhances cognitive function.
Phenibut can be consumed in a form of powder or tablet. It is recommended to take 250-1000mg and do not surpass the recommended dosage. You may start from little then gradually add some if you may want. To emphasize, you have to wait for a few hours before noticing the effect.
Energy/Focus/Memory:
Basic nootropic that we all know is the Caffeine, it is the most widely consumed nootropic in the world. You can get caffeine on different products like coffee and tea, but there is an available supplement for this. The main benefit of caffeine is energy and memory. Some people also used this before going to the gym or as a pre-workout supplement. The recommended dosage for caffeine as a supplement is 50mg up to 200mg per day. Do not exceed the recommended dosage as there might be some side effects like jittery feeling, having a hard time falling asleep.
L-Theanine is another basic nootropic that you can start with. This nootropic has many great benefits that’s why people are loving it. The study says that it can help with mental focus, it may help with deep relaxation, and may increase cognitive function. On top of those benefits, it also claims that it may help with weight loss and help boost the immune system. Imagine one nootropic for all the benefits that it can give the mind and body. L-theanine is stackable with other supplements as well, just make sure to know what your body really needs. The correct dosage for this supplement is 100-200mg a day, twice a day. It will most likely take effect 30 minutes after taking it and can last for 8-10 hours. It is recommended to start with a small amount like 50mg per day then gradually increase it.
Sleep:
Melatonin is the most famous nootropic for sleep. It will basically help with the sleep-wake cycle of the body. This is a natural hormone that our body produces when the surroundings are dark. People who are experiencing insomnia are the most often who take this supplement, especially with the shift workers. Aside from helping the body to regularize the sleep and make you sleep soundly, it is also believed that it contains a high antioxidant, may support eye health, and many more. This nootropic is usually legal in many countries. It comes with a tablet and powder form. The recommended daily dosage for melatonin is 1mg per day and must take 30 minutes before going to sleep. You can start with a smaller dosage and increase after a few days.
Another nootropic that may help with sleep is the 5-HTP. This is an amino acid that our body naturally produces. It will help the body for deep relaxation thus it promotes a good quality of sleep. Researcher says that this supplement may also help people who suffer from anxiety and depression as it increases the serotonin levels in the body and can act as an effective supplement for weight loss too. It is highly suggested to take 200mg, 1-3 times a day and if you will use it for weight loss, you can take it before a meal as it will give you the desire of being full.
These are just some common nootropics for the beginners, and there is still a wide variety of them. However, please keep in mind to ask your physician if you are currently taking any medicine before trying any nootropics as a substitute or if you want to take both.
