There are a number of different benefits associated with taking nootropics. Some have been thoroughly researched and discussed in scientific journals while others have not. Here we’re going to focus on 6 scientifically-backed aspects of your mental functioning that can be improved by nootropic substances.
1. memory
One of the most popular reasons people take nootropic substances is for their memory-enhancing benefits. Through a number of different pathways, nootropics likeginseng can help to boost cognitive functions like working memory and memory recall.
2. mood
There are also a number of nootropics that can aid in supporting your peace of mind. Some, in fact, can help you to more effectively deal with stress. Natural amino acids like l-theanine can help to alleviated feelings of nervousness and uneasiness, helping you to feel more relaxed.
3. motivation
Whether you’re a student, working professional or competitive athlete, people from all walks of life find themselves struggling to summon the inner motivation they need. Luckily, nootropics like 5-HTP help to boost your drive and will power through the regulation of brain chemicals like serotonin, which helps to produce a calm and focused state of mind.
4. creativity
The tech world has played a major role in the popularization of nootropics in the mainstream. For decades now, some of Silicon Valley’s most creative minds have been experimenting with all different kinds of nootropics to enhance their creativity and imagination — some of them legal, some of them not so much.
While there are some extreme practices, like micro-dosing LSD, there are plenty of more conservative (and legal) nootropics that can enhance your creativity. Huperzine-a (HPA), for example, is a natural substance derived from the Huperzia Serrata plant. Artists across many different disciplines have found that supplementing with HPAhelps to enhance their ability to think creatively.
5. attention
One reason prescription-based nootropics like Adderall are ubiquitous on college campuses across the U.S. is that they can dramatically increase your ability to concentrate and focus for extended periods of time.
While they may be effective, some synthetic substances may have unknown health risks. Certain herbal extracts and supplements like rhodiola rosea and choline, on the other hand, can also help to increase your productivity and don’t require a prescription. They also don’t pose any serious long-term health risks.
6. learning
In addition to enhancing cognitive skills like your working memory, some nootropics aid in other aspects of the learning process as well. From information processing to retention and storage, nootropics like l-tyrosine help to improve your cognitive capabilities both inside and outside of the classroom.