Everything about Nootropics | Introduction | Nootropics Press
Everything you need to know about Nootropics from the Best Nootropics Site
What is a nootropic and what are the best nootropics?
Nootropic is a classification that can include a number of cognition-enhancing drugs, vitamins, and supplements. A number of pharmaceuticals and recreational drugs have nootropic benefits and can be taken as nootropics, for example, LSD (acid) as a microdose, and modafinil a narcolepsy medicine.
Do Nootropics Work? Or are they Snake Oil?
Some sophisticated nootropics cross the blood-brain barrier and some are used to treat people who have suffered traumatic brain injuries or who have been long-time alcoholics.
Can They Cross the Blood-Brain Barrier?
The blood-brain barrier is a semi-permeable border that separates the blood from the extracellular fluid in the central nervous system (CNS). Glucose, water, amino acids and a handful of other chemicals can travel through. Since most nootropics are herbs or supplements they contain chemicals of which some can pass through the blood-brain barrier.
For example, Ashwaghandha (Withania somnifera or Indian Ginseng) contains withanolides which are known to pass the blood-brain barrier.
It’s important to read about clinical tests on nootropics and pay attention to if the results are significant, how big the sample size is (number of humans involved in the trial) and who conducted the research, i.e. a scientific institution? a pharmaceutical company or one under their umbrella? In the funky world of nootropics, there’s a lot of enjoyment and enhancement to be found. There’s sadly a lot of dodgy vendors and snake-oil sellers in the nootropic world. Make sure to be discerning.
What’s the best website to research them?
We recommend Gwern’s website, Erowid and our own website for nootropics in particular- that’s not to say that there aren’t more reputable sources. These 3 are open about their sources, create original content and have a lot of sources. They use the scientific method and clearly state what parts of their content is experiential, what is scientific and so on.
How to take them?
Most nootropics are available in capsule and powder form, definitely use powder as it’s often cheaper than capsules, and you can measure out your dose to find one that works for you. Capsules have standardized doses at concentrations which might work for some but not others.
Get yourself a jewlers scale capable of measuring small weights and then set about creating a notebook with your dosage for the day, and measure the effects with a couple of indicators.
For example, subjective sleep, subjective well being, objective memory testing using a dual n-back application on your phone or perhaps work out.
We hope you have enjoyed our article, written by site admin Esmé Pavliflovakis.
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