The Science of Nootropics: What They Are, How They Work, and Your Best Pick

Have you ever had those days when your brain feels a bit sluggish, and you wish you could tap into its hidden reserves of focus, memory, and creativity? Well, we've all been there. And you might be surprised to learn that there's a world of solutions waiting for you. Sounds fancy, right? Don't worry; we're here to make it crystal clear.

 

In your lifetime, you might use just a fraction of your brain’s true potential. So, have you ever wondered why you can't access the full potential of your brain? It's like owning a supercomputer and only using it to play solitaire. What if I told you that you could optimize your brain and tap into its hidden capabilities to become, in a sense, superhuman?

 

Take the example of the brilliant scientist Albert Einstein. He was not endowed with a super-sized brain; it was the same size as most. The secret behind his genius lay in the way he harnessed his brain's full potential. It's like having a high-performance car and knowing how to drive it to its limits while keeping it safe.

 

In our quest to grasp the mysteries of human intelligence, we often stumble upon nootropics, a fascinating area of study. Nootropics are like the superheroes of the brain world, swooping in to save the day when your cognitive powers need a boost.

 

At its core, the science of nootropics revolves around the idea of enhancing brain functions. They work like a fine-tuned orchestra, harmonizing various mental processes to create a symphony of enhanced brainpower. They're like your trusty sidekick, enhancing your memory, concentration, and more. But how do they do it? What's the secret behind their brain-boosting abilities?

 

Understanding how nootropics work is like having the key to unlock the full potential of your cognitive abilities. But before we get into the nitty-gritty of how nootropics work, it's crucial to understand the intricate chemistry of the brain.

 

Your brain is a complex web of neurons, chemicals, and electrical signals, constantly interacting to facilitate your thoughts, memories, and actions. So, how do different nootropics fine-tune this intricate mechanism, and what processes or chemicals do they affect to achieve such profound results?

 

Before we dive into the specifics of how different nootropics can supercharge your brain and boost your cognitive abilities, let's first uncover the inner workings of the brain and its amazing chemistry. It's a journey that will equip you with the knowledge you need to make informed choices about enhancing your cognitive powers.

 

 

 

The Brain: Your Master Controller

Imagine your brain as the ultimate master controller of your body, much like the conductor of an orchestra. It directs everything, from your breathing to your deepest thoughts. It's where your dreams, memories, and decision-making happen. In essence, it's the captain of the ship that is you.

Understanding these basic elements of brain function and chemistry is like peering into the inner workings of a complex machine.

 

1. Neurons: The Building Blocks of Your Brain

Think of your brain as a bustling city filled with neurons—tiny, interconnected cells that are like the workers of this magnificent metropolis. They communicate with each other by sending electrical signals and chemical messages, allowing you to think, feel, and experience the world around you. These neurons work in harmony, forming a complex network that governs your every thought and action.

 

2. Neurotransmitters: The Brain's Messengers

Within this intricate network, neurotransmitters are like the postmen delivering messages between neurons. These chemical messengers transmit signals responsible for various brain functions. For example, dopamine is your brain's pleasure and reward messenger, serotonin is involved in mood and sleep regulation, and acetylcholine is all about memory and learning. The balance of these neurotransmitters is vital for optimal brain function.

 

3. Synapses: The Communication Hubs

Now, picture synapses as the bustling hubs where neurons connect and exchange information. These microscopic gaps are where the magic happens. When one neuron sends an electrical signal, it triggers the release of neurotransmitters into the synapse, which then bind to receptors on the receiving neuron. This interplay between neurons, taking place in synapses, is the very essence of how your brain thinks, learns, and remembers.

 

4. Plasticity: Your Brain's Adaptive Superpower

One of the brain's most incredible features is its plasticity, or neuroplasticity. This is your brain's ability to adapt, rewire, and change over time. It means that your brain can form new connections, strengthen existing ones, and even regenerate brain cells, contrary to the old belief that we lose brain cells with age. This adaptive superpower is at the heart of cognitive enhancement and offers hope for maintaining and even boosting cognitive functions as we age.

 

 

 

The Brain's Symphony

Now, here's where things get interesting. Your brain orchestrates a complex symphony of electrical signals and neurotransmitters to control various aspects of your cognition, memory, focus, and more. Imagine your brain as the conductor, directing the orchestra of neurons, ensuring they play in harmony.

 

When everything is working smoothly, you experience peak cognitive performance—sharp memory, laser-like focus, and creative thinking. However, sometimes this symphony can get out of tune due to stress, fatigue, or other factors, leading to brain fog and forgetfulness.

 

This is where nootropics come into play. They're like the maestros of the orchestra, fine-tuning the brain's performance. Nootropics can enhance the production, release, and effectiveness of neurotransmitters, helping your brain reach its full potential.

 

As we proceed through this blog, we'll explore how various nootropics interact with these elements to optimize your brain's performance. We'll uncover how they can fine-tune your memory, boost your focus, and unleash your intelligence. It's a fascinating world, and we're here to guide you through it.

 

 

Elevating Brain Performance with Nootropics

We've been on a journey to uncover the incredible potential of nootropics, and it's time to demystify how these brain-boosting substances actually work. Nootropics can have a profound impact on your brain, affecting various aspects like blood flow, cellular energy, hormones, neurotransmitters, and even your brain's adaptability.

 

This section will break down the science behind nootropics in a way that's easy to grasp, focusing on how they enhance alertness, cognition, memory, and can alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression.

 

Different Mechanisms, Different Nootropics

Nootropics come in many shapes and forms, both natural and synthetic, and they each fall into specific categories based on how they influence your brain. Let's take a closer look at these categories, what they do, and how they work:

 

 

1. Brain Energy

Your brain is a powerhouse, using more energy than any other organ in your body. It's a mere 2% of your body weight, but it consumes 15% of your cardiac output, 20% of your total body oxygen, 25% of your total body glucose and 20% of your total body energy [1].

 

When you find yourself mentally fatigued or struggling with brain fog, it may be because your brain is running low on energy. Research shows that two-thirds of your brain's energy is devoted to enabling neurons to fire or send signals, while the remaining third is used for brain maintenance [2].

 

The primary source of cellular energy is adenosine triphosphate (ATP). During periods of inactivity (like when you're asleep), ATP is allocated to maintenance tasks. However, when you're awake and actively using your brain, two-thirds of your ATP fuels its functions, leaving the other third for maintenance.

 

Nootropics that can increase ATP levels include cordyceps mushrooms, ginseng, CoQ10, Vitamin B1 (thiamine), and Sulbutiamine [3].

 

These nootropics essentially act as a fuel booster for your brain, helping to combat mental fatigue and maintain optimal brain function.

 

2. Enhancing Brain Cell Signaling

Imagine your brain as a bustling city, with neurons communicating through a network of roads (synapses) by passing messages. These messages are carried by neurotransmitters, which are like couriers delivering information. When a neuron sends a neurotransmitter across a synapse, it binds to receptors on the receiving neuron's dendrites, initiating the entire process again.

 

Wrap your head around this: Your brain is home to about 86 billion neurons, and each neuron can form connections with up to 40,000 synapses [4]. It's a staggering level of complexity, and no matter how many nootropics you take, the brain remains a marvel to comprehend.

 

Efficient signaling between neurons is vital for a highly optimized brain. When this signaling system falters, it can lead to health issues. Nootropics come to the rescue, helping maintain optimal brain function by assisting specific neurotransmitters:

 

• Serotonin plays a role in mood, appetite, and sleep. Insufficient serotonin levels can result in depression or low moods.
• Dopamine is involved in controlling body movement and facilitating the flow of information in your brain. It's linked to thought and emotion. A shortage of dopamine can lead to conditions like ADHD, Parkinson's disease, or schizophrenia.
• Glutamate is the most common neurotransmitter, and it increases the likelihood of a neuron firing when released. Glutamate enhances cellular energy and supports learning and memory. Problems with glutamate have been associated with conditions such as autism, OCD, schizophrenia, and depression.
• Norepinephrine, a stress hormone in parts of your brain, plays a role in attention and the fight-or-flight response.
• Acetylcholine, derived from choline in your diet, plays a crucial role in learning and memory. It also contributes to the creation of healthy synapses, which maintain brain plasticity.

 

Nootropics can influence or modulate each of these neurotransmitters. For instance, Huperzine-A inhibits an enzyme that hinders acetylcholine from attaching to acetylcholine receptors. Other nootropics, like tyrosine, magnesium, turmeric, ginkgo biloba, and L-Theanine, can boost dopamine levels. Similarly, 5-HTP and L-Tryptophan can increase serotonin and melatonin production.

 

3. Brain Cell Health & Longevity

It's a common belief that as we age, our brain cells die off, never to recover. However, in 1998, scientists at the Department of Clinical Neuroscience at University Hospital in Sweden made a groundbreaking discovery that human adult brains can generate new neurons throughout life [5]. This process, known as neurogenesis, plays a vital role in encoding memory, reducing the overlap between different memories, and adding time-related information to memories.

Moreover, neurogenesis ensures that neurons are repaired and multiply during your brain's maintenance mode. Nootropics like piracetam [6], taurine [7], Lion's Mane Mushroom [8], L-Theanine [9], and Citicoline assist in this process, promoting brain cell health and longevity.

 

4. Optimizing Brain Blood Supply

Think of your brain's blood supply as its plumbing system, ensuring a steady flow of blood to fuel its activities. This remarkable organ receives 15% of the blood pumped from your heart. The blood coursing through your brain delivers essential components like oxygen, glucose, and other nutrients to sustain its functions.

 

Simultaneously, it removes waste products like carbon dioxide and lactic acid. Any slowdown in blood flow or a stroke that completely cuts it off can lead to vascular dementia.

Nootropics such as Vinpocetine, Pine Bark Extract, Bacopa Monnieri [10], and Ginkgo Biloba are frequently used to enhance blood flow to and within your brain. By improving blood circulation, these nootropics can help ensure that your brain receives the vital resources it needs to operate at its best.

 

5. Tackling Brain Fatigue

Ever experienced that overwhelming mental exhaustion after a long study or work session? It's what we call "mental fatigue," and it wears many different hats. This fatigue can manifest as memory lapses, depression, a lack of motivation, poor focus, and difficulty concentrating. In severe cases, it can even lead to chronic pain and a mental breakdown.

The causes of mental fatigue are diverse, but they can often be traced back to factors like insufficient brain oxygen, unstable blood glucose levels, and chronic stress or overwork. Your brain isn't an isolated entity; it's deeply connected to your endocrine system and linked to your gut through the vagus nerve.

 

In recent years, experts have boldly stated that healing your gut can lead to healing your brain. A diet that resembles the Paleo diet, rich in healthy fats and organic vegetables, can be a great starting point. Additionally, certain nootropics like Bacopa Monnieri, Berberine, Rhodiola Rosea, and Ashwagandha can support both your endocrine system and your brain.

 

By addressing these underlying factors and incorporating nootropics as part of your brain-boosting arsenal, you can combat brain fatigue, maintain mental clarity, and pave the way for optimal cognitive performance.

 

 6. Revitalizing Brain Repair

Your brain is a remarkable entity that never stops working. Think of it as a city that constantly needs maintenance and cleaning. Blood, like a fleet of delivery trucks, brings essential nutrients and oxygen to fuel your brain's operations. It also acts as the garbage trucks, carrying away waste like carbon dioxide. This continuous flow keeps your brain in good shape.

 

But what happens when there's damage? The extent, severity, and type of damage determine whether nootropics can assist in the repair process. For instance, brain aging can be accelerated by oxidative stress, which is caused by unruly free radicals. These free radicals are like troublemakers damaging brain cells, or neurons. Some nootropics, especially those that increase choline in your brain, may help prevent this damage. Research even suggests that Noopept can assist in repairing oxidative damage [11].

 

7. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)

BDNF, a mouthful of a term, is a protein that acts like a guardian for your brain. It prevents the death of brain cells, encourages the growth of new neurons (neurogenesis), and supports the creation of synapses, those essential connections between neurons. Maintaining optimal levels of BDNF is vital for overall cognitive function. When BDNF levels are low, it's associated with various diseases, including Alzheimer's, accelerated aging, obesity, depression, and schizophrenia.

 

Remember our discussion about nootropics that improve blood flow to your brain? This also has a positive effect on BDNF. In addition to that, you can boost your BDNF levels through high-intensity exercise [12], as well as practices like intermittent fasting or caloric restriction [13]. These lifestyle choices act like fertilizer for your brain, promoting its health and resilience.

 

Another natural nootropic, Lion's Mane Mushroom, has shown the ability to boost Nerve Growth Factor (NGF). Adequate levels of NGF are essential for healthy brain maintenance and repair.

 

 

 

REFERENCE:

 

1. Magistretti P., Pellerin L., Martin J.L. “Brain Energy Metabolism” Neuropsychopharmacology: The Fifth Generation of Progressorg Retrieved February 3, 2016

 

2. Swaminathan N. “Why Does the Brain Need So Much Power?” Scientific Americancom April 29, 2008 (source: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-does-the-brain-need-s/ )

 

3. Balon T.W., Jasman A.P., Zhu J.S. “A fermentation product of Cordyceps sinensis increases whole-body insulin sensitivity in rats.” Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2002 Jun;8(3):315-23.

 

4. Azevedo F.A, Carvalho L.R., Grinberg L.T., Farfel J.M., Ferretti R.E., Leite R.E., Jacob Filho W., Lent R., Herculano-Houzel S. “Equal numbers of neuronal and nonneuronal cells make the human brain an isometrically scaled-up primate brain.” The Journal of Comparative Neurology2009 Apr 10;513(5):532-41.

 

5. Eriksson, P., Perfilieva, E., Björk-Eriksson, T. et al.Neurogenesis in the adult human hippocampus. Nat Med 4, 1313–1317 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1038/3305

 

6. Taupin P. “Nootropic agents stimulate neurogenesis. Brain Cells, Inc.: WO2007104035.” Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Patients. 2009 May;19(5):727-30

 

7. Gebara E., Udry F., Sultan S., Toni N. “Taurine increases hippocampal neurogenesis in aging mice.” Stem Cell Research. 2015 May;14(3):369-79. 

 

8. Wong K.H., Naidu M., David R.P., Bakar R., Sabaratnam V. “Neuroregenerative potential of lion’s mane mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Bull.: Fr.) Pers. (higher Basidiomycetes), in the treatment of peripheral nerve injury (review).” International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms. 2012;14(5):427-46. 

 

9. Takeda A., Sakamoto K., Tamano H., Fukura K., Inui N., Suh S.W., Won S.J., Yokogoshi H. “Facilitated neurogenesis in the developing hippocampus after intake of theanine, an amino acid in tea leaves, and object recognition memory.” Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology. 2011 Oct;31(7):1079-88.

 

10. Kamkaew N., Norman Scholfield C., Ingkaninan K., Taepavarapruk N., Chootip K. “Bacopa monnieri increases cerebral blood flow in rat independent of blood pressure.” Phytotherapy Research. 2013 Jan;27(1):135-8.

 

11. Pelsman A. et. Al. “GVS-111 prevents oxidative damage and apoptosis in normal and Down’s syndrome human cortical neurons” International Journal of Developmental NeuroscienceVolume 21, Issue 3, May 2003, Pages 117–124

 

12. Erickson K. et. Al. “Exercise training increases size of hippocampus and improves memory.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA2011 Feb 15;108(7):3017-22.

 

13. Mattson M.P. “Energy intake, meal frequency, and health: a neurobiological perspective.” Annual Review of Nutrition2005;25:237-60.