Have you ever felt as if you needed something to enhance your mental function? Nootropics are any medications or supplements that treat the brain. Some examples of prescription medication nootropics include Adderall for ADHD or Axura for Alzheimer’s disease.
Are There Any Side Effects For Prescription-Level Nootropics?
Like all prescription-level medication, there are some side effects, depending on the individual.
● Increased heart rate
● Increased blood pressure
● Trouble sleeping
● Blurry vision
Are There Nootropic Supplements
If you feel you only need over-the-counter nootropic supplements, there are some common ones you may not have realized nootropics:
● Omega-3 fatty acids
● L-theanine
● Caffeine
● Panax ginseng
● Ginkgo biloba
● Creatine
Everyone’s heard of omega-3 fatty acids for its benefits for the brain, but not many people knew it was considered a nootropic. Omega-3 helps keep the brain cells healthy while providing the necessary fat for their production.
L-theanine is found in supplement form or in green or black tea. L-theanine helps focus the braining by increasing its alpha waves and works typically in tandem with caffeine. However, much like caffeine, it’s not recommended to take late in the evening before bedtime.
Ginkgo biloba is a relatively newer supplement to Western store shelves but has been around in East Asia. Research on ginkgo biloba is still in its early stages, but so far, it looks promising for brain health.
Nootropics can also be found in food such as fatty fish for omega-3 fatty acids. However, if you’re not getting enough nootropics through food, then it may be worth looking into supplements or prescription medication, depending on the condition you’re trying to treat.