Knowledge

The world is getting more competitive by the second. Everyone wants to be smarter and faster to be able to cope with the pace. If you’ve watched the movie ‘Limitless’, you’ll probably want a pill similar to the drug that makes Bradley Cooper invincible!  While the pill in the movie doesn’t really exist, there’s something that comes pretty close to it - nootropics. Nootropics are smart drugs that come in numerous variants, each offering a plethora of benefits like improved cognitive function, better memory, higher energy levels, enhancing concentration, and so on. Some of the main categories of nootropics include: Anxiolytics, meaning they prevent anxiety Eugeroics where they help a person to stay awake for longer periods. Examples include Hydrafinil, Flmodafinil, and Adrafinil Mood Lifters Attentiveness Boosters Antioxidants Stimulants (Energy Boosters) Understanding ‘Eugeroics’: The Wakefulness Enhancers Eugeroics help a person stay awake for longer periods - preventing the side effects of sleep deprivation. They work differently from other known stimulants. Stimulants cause focus and alertness, while eugeroics essentially cause ‘wakefulness’ and a feeling of being ‘well-rested’. Let’s take a look at some of the popular eugeroics…  1. Adrafinil Adrafinil, which was developed in France, is a biologically inactive compound and a prodrug, which means that it needs to interact with the body’s metabolic processes to start providing benefits.  [1] Prodrugs may take a longer time to become active, but their effects last longer too. Hence, prodrug analgesics are usually preferred, as they relieve pain for extended periods. Some prodrugs used in pain relievers are aspirin (converted into salicylic acid), prednisone (converted into prednisolone) and codeine (converted into morphine).  Adrafinil is metabolized in the liver and transforms into its active metabolite, modafinil. Medical Benefits of Adrafinil 1. Wakefulness Without Side Effects   Adrafinil induces a balanced state of focus and wakefulness. It does not have the common side effects like anxiety, hyperactivity or other stereotypical behavioral patterns experienced on taking stimulants. [2]  Various animal studies have proved the efficacy of adrafinil in inducing alertness, without escalating the motor activity and causing other side effects that are atypical among general stimulants. [3], [4]  A US Army test demonstrated that aviators on modafinil for 40 hours, performed demanding tasks well and were more alert. [5] 2. Enhancement of Cognitive Ability Adrafinil, through its active metabolite modafinil, helps to enhance cognitive abilities and facilitates clarity of mind.[6]  It is beneficial for people with neuropsychiatric disorders as well.[7]  Adrafinil is also helpful in reversing age-related mental degeneration. In a study conducted among aged canines (they were segregated into two categories, namely older vs. younger dogs), the older dogs that were on adrafinil were able to perform better in terms of learning new tasks faster as compared to the younger dogs who were not on adrafinil. [8]  3. Memory Booster Drug Adrafinil is an excellent ‘study drug’. It is a cerebral stimulant that leads to increasing the level of functioning of hypocretin neurons (neurons responsible for wakefulness) in the brain, thereby initiating a spike in neurotransmitters, namely dopamine, histamine, and norepinephrine. [9]  This leads to more alertness and better focus, thereby boosting the mental abilities. 4. Acts as an Antidepressant A two-month study that involved 70 patients suffering from depression showed that adrafinil treated depressive symptoms, as effectively as other known antidepressants. [10]  5. Helps in Narcolepsy Adrafinil is often prescribed for patients with narcolepsy (a neurological disorder that causes chronic sleepiness due to reduced levels of hypocretin neurons in the brain). Adrafinil helps in keeping such patients awake for longer periods. [11], [12] 6. Augments Nocturnal Behaviour Adrafinil helps augment nocturnal behavior (being active at night) by delaying the feelings of sleepiness and boosting energy levels. The use of adrafinil on monkeys revealed an improvement in their behavioral patterns at night by doubling their nocturnal activity.  The primates generally acted as they would perform during the day, thereby promoting the fact that adrafinil delays sleepiness. [13] 7. Neuroprotector Adrafinil’s active form acts as a powerful neuroprotectant, by slowing the degeneration of cells associated with Parkinson's disease and keeps the brain healthy. [14] It also helps neutralize the neuroinflammation caused by the use of methamphetamines.‍[15]  This neuroprotection factor associated with the active form of adrafinil plays a vital role in the management of multiple sclerosis as well. [16] How does Adrafinil Work?  A. Concentrates only on two sections of the brain…  Adrafinil, post its metabolism in the liver, acts on two main sections of the brain, namely: The hypothalamus - (an area of the brain that controls hormones, sleep cycles, blood pressure, heart rate, body fluid balancing, digestive juices and more) and The amygdala -  (a section of the brain located on either side of the brain responsible for emotions, survival instinct factors, and memory). This differentiates it from other psychostimulants that promote wakefulness by widespread activation of all the neurons in the brain as opposed to selective neuronal activation done by adrafinil. This factor explains the ability of adrafinil to stimulate wakefulness without any side effects associated with other such stimulants.[17] B. Adrafinil processes its job via a two-fold action…  First, it helps to augment the production of the neurotransmitter called hypocretin (the main chemical produced by the hypothalamus section of the brain that helps to sustain alertness and prevent sleep from occurring at the wrong times). Hypocretin helps in promoting alertness. Higher doses will also help reduce fatigue. Second, it increases the release of glutamate, the most abundant ‘excitatory neurotransmitter’ in our body. This helps in increasing cognitive performance and improving memory. Disadvantages of Adrafinil Adrafinil being a prodrug, needs to be processed by the liver. During this metabolism, the liver transforms adrafinil into two compounds, namely modafinil and modafinilic acid with a metabolic rate of 50% each.  Of the two, the latter is not of much use and circulates in the bloodstream for a few hours before being eliminated from the body resulting in wastage of half of the adrafinil dose. This requires an intake of more adrafinil to achieve the desired results. [18] Also, adrafinil takes longer to be absorbed by the body - say around 45 minutes to an hour as against modafinil that requires just 25 to 40 minutes. Not only does adrafinil have a longer absorption time, but it also stays in the body for a longer time. While one may think this is beneficial… It actually is not. This is because the half-life of adrafinil is very long, at 60. By half-life of 60, we mean it takes around 60 minutes for half of the adrafinil to be processed into its active metabolite modafinil and enter the bloodstream and then a couple or more hours for it to produce enough modafinil to start giving results. This results in wastage of a substantial portion of the day to attain the benefits. This, in turn, creates another cascading problem mentioned next below. Adrafinil takes a long time to break down (as it has to get converted into modafinil and modafinilic acid before working on the body), and hence it tends to stretch into the early hours at night leading to a common side effect of a severe form of insomnia.  Therefore it is ideal to take it early in the morning to have the optimal effect during your work hours.  Adrafinil and the liver To process adrafinil, the liver has to secrete more enzymes. This can be problematic when one is consuming high doses of adrafinil, or is taking the drug for an extended period of time. Hence it is best to take adrafinil for a shorter duration and in recommended doses. Also, people on other medications that require some processing by the liver and people with liver problems are advised to use this drug with care, as it will put an additional burden on the liver. Adrafinil and hormonal contraception Use of  Adrafinil may interfere with the efficacy of birth control by decreasing the effectiveness of contraceptives. [19] Usage of adrafinil (active modafinil) stimulates the production of certain liver enzymes that are required to break down adrafinil, and these are the same enzymes that break down the birth control hormones. [20]  Adrafinil and Orofacial Dyskinesia Certain studies [21] have proved that adrafinil may lead to orofacial dyskinesia (a disorder that leads to repetitive movements in the body like sticking out the tongue, smacking lips, etc.) 2. Flmodafinil / Lauflumide Flmodafinil is a derivative of modafinil. A first derivative means that a compound must be derived from the parent compound with some adaption to make it better. Flmodafinil is derived from modafinil and is very similar to modafinil, but it has two fluoro-groups attached to it. [21] The addition of two fluoro-groups paves the way for enhanced bioavailability, which means that a higher percentage of the drug gets absorbed in the digestive tract, thereby permitting intake of smaller doses. This gives it an edge over adrafinil. Medical Benefits Of Flmodafinil 1. Acts as a Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitor A dopamine reuptake inhibitor helps in alleviating certain physical and mental disorders through the brain’s neurotransmitter chemical dopamine. Flmodafinil works with the brain's dopamine system (that part of the brain responsible for feelings of motivation, pleasure, etc.) by making full use of the chemical dopamine and thereby improving mental disorders like depression, narcolepsy, and ADHD.  Further, it also helps get rid of certain addictions like cigarettes, drugs, binge eating and the like. [22] 2. Acts as an Antidepressant and Anti-aggressive Medication: The decrease in dopamine levels on account of lesser dopamine receptors may cause depression and anxiety. [23] Flmodafinil, by acting as a dopamine reuptake inhibitor, helps to make use of dopamine to the fullest extent possible and thereby offset depressive symptoms and anxiety levels and also makes a person less aggressive.  However, the drug is still in the clinical trial phase, and hence, there has been no conclusive evidence on its efficacy over modafinil. Hydrafinil / Fluorenol Hydrafinil, also known as fluorenol, is a next generation cognitive stimulant. It is less addictive compared to modafinil while at the same time being 40% more effective than modafinil. [24]  Also, it does not last long in the body, thereby aiding a good night's sleep. It is more potent than modafinil. Fluorenol is a 5-HT6 antagonist, in that it helps to increase dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain’s hippocampus section leading to a mild boost in cognition and mood due to its serotonergic effects.  Increased serotonin levels, coupled with increased dopamine and norepinephrine levels, help to alleviate depressive symptoms and gives a modest boost to the mood. [25] However, this drug is unregulated in the market. [a] https://www.phcoker.com/crl40940-flmodafinil-vs-modafinil/ [a1] https://modafinil.org/modafinil-vs-flmodafinil/ [b] https://nootropicsandglitches.wordpress.com/2015/03/11/fluorenol-going-beyond-caffeine-and-modafinil/ [b1] https://mentalhealthdaily.com/2015/12/23/hydrafinil-fluorenol-a-modafinil-analogue-with-questionable-safety/ [c] https://healthtrends.com/adrafinil/ [c1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modafinil It is important to note that adrafinil, and its active metabolite, were added to the list of prohibited substances for athletic competitions by the World Anti-Doping Agency in 2004. Eugeroics can be extremely useful, when consumed in moderation, to help you achieve a state of wakefulness that helps you get through the day and perform with a lot more alertness than usual. Whichever eugeroic you choose, make sure you do so only after consulting a doctor.  To know more about, and purchase nootropics, head here!

The Chinese have for long used mushrooms in health foods, as well as in their Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to treat various ailments. They are revered as ‘spirit plants’ that promote longevity and good health.

Berberine is a chemical found in plants such as Goldenseal, Goldthread, and Phellodendron, that has been used extensively in traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine.  It is known to control blood sugar in people with diabetes. When taken in the right dosage, Berberine can be as effective as metformin or other drugs commonly used to treat the disease. In addition to diabetes, Berberine is also considered to be a possible remedy for a host of other health problems. Let’s take a look at some of them. What Makes Berberine HCL An Effective Nootropic 1. Helps Treat Metabolic Syndrome: Metabolic Syndrome is what is now termed as a ‘civilization disease’. It is a combination of conditions that occur simultaneously, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.  According to research, Berberine can help reduce BMI (Body Mass Index) that contributes to obesity, one of the major causes of heart-related ailments. Additionally, it helps reduce systolic blood pressure, the level of triglycerides, along with blood sugar levels - effectively contributing to your overall metabolic health. [1] 2. Normalizes Blood Sugar: Berberine has been found to reverse insulin resistance and restore the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar. Berberine works a little differently when compared to supplements that cause the secretion of insulin. According to some investigations, Berberine’s ability to control blood sugar is linked to ‘its inhibition of the electron transport chain in the mitochondria of the cell’. [2]  Essentially, the intake of Berberince perturbs the cell’s uptake of glucose and doesn’t let insulin resistance occur at all. 3. Helps Women Suffering From PCOS: PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) is a hormonal disorder that can cause infertility and increase the chances of being afflicted with other health problems like high blood pressure and diabetes.  Berberine helps counter the consequences of PCOS, by improving fertility, aiding weight loss, and also lowering the risk of metabolic ailments like high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes.  4. Improves Learning and Memory: Berberine works as an anti-oxidant and is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor.[3] Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are a bunch of medicines that block the breakdown of acetylcholine, which plays an important role in learning and memory.  Berberine may also help prevent Alzheimer’s disease as well as long-term dementia. It may also provide anti-aging benefits by extending the life of telomeres, which essentially protect DNA from any damage. 5. Helps in Weight-Loss: Berberine increases adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), an enzyme that can be called the master metabolic switch in each of your cells. It is found in the cells of various organs, like the muscles, heart, kidney, brain and liver.  An increase in AMPK levels boosts energy, regulates blood glucose, improves insulin sensitivity, and reduces the level of triglycerides. Berberine supplements along with regular exercise and a healthy diet can help support weight loss amongst individuals.  In one of the studies undertaken on obese individuals for 12 weeks [4], 500 mg of Berberine taken 3 times per day lead to weight loss by around 5 pounds on average. The participants also lost 3.6% of their body fat. 5. Acts As An Antidepressant: According to a number of studies, Berberine is extremely useful against anxiety and depression. Berberine inhibits an enzyme called monoamine oxidase, which breaks down serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine in your brain, all of which play an important role in regulating moods and have been implicated in depression.  One of the studies in 2008 [5] confirmed that Berberine has antidepressant effects, reversing ‘behavioural despair’ in stressed rats. Berberine also benefits brain health and psychological well-being by increasing key neurotransmitters. 6. Lowers Cholesterol and Risk of Heart Diseases: Heart disease is one of the most common diseases in the world today, often resulting in premature death. Research has found many factors in the blood associated with an increased risk of heart disease. Berberine improves many of these factors. It helps lower cholesterol levels in the body.  In addition to these, with sufficient research to support its benefits, Berberine may also be used to treat other disorders, like glaucoma, stomach ulcers, trachoma, injuries caused by radiation during cancer treatments, and osteoporosis.  Ideal Dosage Of Berberine HCL Berberine has a short half-life (time taken for the concentration of the drug in the plasma or the total amount in the body to be reduced to 50%), so it is important to take it several times per day to achieve stable blood levels. It is necessary to take 500 mg, three times per day, before meals, making the dosage a total of 1500 mg per day. It is ideal to take a doctor’s advice before consuming Berberine, if already on medication for any disorder. Berberine may interact unfavourably with these medicines, and give rise to complications. One important rule is to avoid Berberine during pregnancy as it can harm the fetus. It is also strictly prohibited while breastfeeding an infant.  Berberine is an excellent nootropic supplement with varied health benefits. Consuming the right dose, after having consulted a doctor, can help you live a long and healthy life.      

To be able to reach one’s full potential, it is essential to have proper coordination between body and mind. Agmatine Sulfate is one such nootropic supplement that helps boost one’s overall state of being and help achieve better coordination.  A derivative of the L-Arginine amino acid, Agmatine Sulfate is also a biogenic amine.  Discovered in 1910 by a German biochemist, it took almost 100 years to discover the complete benefits and uses of Agmatine Sulfate as an element. It is one of the important players in improving the functions of the nervous system by working both as a neurotransmitter and neuromodulator.  Apart from being naturally present in the brain and spinal cord, Agmatine is also present in food sources like fermented foods, beer, coffee and wine. Dubbed by many as the “Super Arginine”, this powerful nootropic can also be consumed in powder or capsule form as well. Agmatine Sulfate is extremely beneficial in its nootropic benefits as it helps promote mental clarity and reduce stress levels. It also helps recover from a spectrum of complex diseases like diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, drug addiction, mood disorders and cancer.  Let’s understand in detail why including Agmatine Sulfate as a part of your everyday intake may prove to be a great idea for anyone, healthwise. A Few Benefits of Agmatine Sulfate 1. Helps Fight Depression: Agmatine has shown antidepressant effects along with promoting an upliftment in the mood. It reduces anxiety and promotes a sense of well-being. It negates depressive behaviour by protecting brain cells from high levels of stress hormone cortisol. Agmatine reduces the levels of monoamines in the brain, which are often associated with depression.  A pilot study done on three patients suffering from depression revealed complete disappearance of depression with the intake of Agmatine supplement. 2. Reduces Pain Sensitivity: Agmatine is an effective supplement for pain relief. Especially in the case of a condition called thermal hyperalgesia, where the body becomes hypersensitive to heat or cold. In fact, it appears to be a promising supplement in terms of neuropathic pain, drug addiction, stroke protection and even general cognitive health.  It works in synergy with painkillers like morphine and fentanyl. 3. Helps Maximize Performance: Agmatine is consumed by athletes and bodybuilders to maximize their performance. An essential supplement in sports medicine, Agmatine functions to enhance strength and energy before, during and after a workout.  Agmatine is used by many body-builders to achieve more stamina, improve muscle growth, and minimize pain during workouts. Intake of Agmatine helps increase endorphin levels which in turn may help the pancreas to produce insulin.  More insulin can lead to more glucose being absorbed by the muscles, thereby providing the body with further fuel for exercise and enhancing muscle repair. 4. Helps Relieve Stress: Agmatine Sulfate is noted to positively influence the production of nitric oxide, increasing levels in your bloodstream, which ultimately improves the delivery of oxygen and other nutrients to your muscles. It is highly valued as a nootropic as it helps promote better cognitive performance and mental function.  It helps fight the effects of stress and minimize anxiety levels through regulating cortisol in one’s body. It is also helpful in improving one’s mood and fight depression, as mentioned above. 5. Helps Lose Weight & Gain Weight: People who struggle to gain weight can benefit from Agmatine supplements. In some studies, subjects showed signs of increased food consumption rates by 44% to 54% in 24 hours. In certain other studies,  Agmatine shows an increase in fat burning, a decrease in fat composition and an increase in muscle mass. 6. Supports Muscle Growth: Agmatine helps stimulate the production of luteinizing hormone, increase in which also leads to an increase in testosterone levels. By increasing testosterone levels, Agmatine contributes to an optimal hormonal environment for muscle growth, enhances athletic performance and fastens recovery.  Agmatine also causes a rise in insulin sensitivity and the uptake of glucose into the muscle. Increasing insulin sensitivity leads to improved movement of glucose as well as amino acids into the tissues for growth and repair. 7. Helps Erectile Dysfunction and Infertility: L-arginine supports cell replication and enhances blood circulation, thereby improving both sperm production and motility. Low levels of Nitric Oxide in the blood leads to erectile dysfunction and other fertility problems. This is because an erection requires the relaxation of smooth muscles, and Nitric Oxide helps achieve this. A large number of cases of male infertility, almost as high as 92% are treatable with the help of L-arginine supplements. Research shows that stress lowers L-arginine levels in the sperm production pathway. Therefore, taking L-arginine supplements can help men suffering from chronic stress. 8. Helps With Alzheimer’s Disease: Some very evident signs of Alzheimer’s disease are an increase of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain, which are caused by insulin resistance. Agmatine helps during Alzheimer’s disease by preventing cognitive decline by rescuing insulin signalling and avoiding the potential accumulation of those tangles. 9. Acts as a Neuroprotectant: Agmatine works as an anti-oxidant and is still being tested for its anti-ageing properties. It exhibits neuroprotective effects against oxidative damage and injuries to the Central Nervous System. Because of the various mechanisms through which Agmatine reacts with our body, it helps protect our brain against any damage from stroke. Agmatine Sulfate is a very effective nootropic supplement that is essential for individuals looking to maximize their performance, especially involved in heavy physical training and for those who want to have a well-functioning mind and body.

Uridine plays a very important role as one of the building blocks of RNA, which your brain needs to store memories. RNA is important for various biological roles in the body such as coding and decoding genes and even the regulation and expression thereof.

Simply put, Nootropics are supplements, compounds, foods and nutrients with the main function and aim of improving brain health and cognition. Nootropic's aim, in general, is to enhance an individuals attention, mental acuity, short and long term memory and even aspects of right and left brain thinking.

It is a modern-day epidemic. Whether the stress is a constant, nagging pain in the gut or a barely-there feeling, it wrecks your body. For some, it’s fistfuls of hair falling out; for others, it’s the entire immune system going haywire.

Aniracetam has a fat-soluble compound and is absorbed by the bloodstream in a brief time. Hence, its effects become visible rapidly, even with a small dosage.

No wonder, attaining this elevated consciousness has been the secret sauce of dozens of artists, daredevils and successful people. Now through nootropics and physical activity, you can readily achieve the state of flow to be more productive and inventive in your work!

Choline helps your brain, muscles, liver, nervous system and overall metabolism function. It is critical for day-to-day functioning of the brain, particularly in the areas of movement, learning and memory and sleep quality.

Our immune system helps us stand tall and fight against the bacterias or viruses that try to enter our bodies. So, it’s natural if we would want to boost our immune system and make it stronger than ever.

As humankind continues to push the boundaries of medical convention, the quest to become mentally better (and quicker) is one that has always led to newer discoveries. And this is truer for endeavours aimed towards the discovery of brain enhancers, and boosters of mental cognition.

Do you feel uncomfortable when obliged to meet new people or asked to address a crowd? Do you find yourself trembling, sweating, or suddenly going blank? You might be a victim of social anxiety!  But, fret not… you are not alone.

Simply put, Neurogenesis is the term used to refer to the creation of new neurons in the brain. Increased neurogenesis can help support memory, mental clarity, recall, reduce anxiety and even assist with depression. Let’s find out how to increase neurogenesis.

Caffeine and L-Theanine just happen to be one of those ‘perfect’ combinations in the chase of the perfect nootropic stack. Caffeine and L-Theanine is also a great choice for beginner nootropic user as it is very subtle yet a great way to drive focus and cognition during your busy day, either at work or while studying.

If the human body is analogous to a system, then tweaking the inputs should achieve a state of optimum wellness. Supplements, particularly nootropics, are one such input that can contribute to biohacking. Let’s explore the value of an individual nootropic, Coluracetam, on enhancing cognition and brain health.

You might be suffering from a condition called ‘brain fog’. It is a non-medical term which is also recognized as the clouding of consciousness or mental fog. Though most people suffer from it sporadically, there could also be some more frequent manifestations.

We had a look at the top nootropics which dominated in 2018. Nootropics stimulate neurons and increase blood and oxygen flow to your brain, leading to improvements in your attention span and other areas of cognitive functioning.

Nootropics, or smart drugs, are gaining popularity with entrepreneurs and executives who need to perform at a high level in the business world. 

Whether you’re looking for ways to enhance your brain for optimal wellness, or you have important exams coming up and need to optimize your cognitive functioning, using natural nootropics may be your answer. Natural nootropics offer a way of boosting your brain health, so you increase your concentration, focus, and mood, safely and effectively. For peak mental output, here are the best natural nootropics to use, as well as a natural stack you can consume for ultimate cognition.