Being smart doesn’t mean you need to burn the midnight oil. Technological advancements have given us access to information and products well within our reach to improve our cognitive mental functions. If you want to boost your memory, its high time you acquainted yourself with nootropics. In simple terms, nootropics are smart drugs or “cognitive enhancers,” as referred to in the science realm. They are supplements aimed at enhancing brain functions such as creativity, memory, and learning. Aside from that, they help those suffering from motor function and cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and ADHD.
Are Nootropics Safe Or Pose Long Term Risks?
But the question remains, how safe are nootropics? Determining safety is more complicated than meets the eye. It’s not advisable to take safety at face value. First off, nootropics typically get categorized as food supplements. They don’t get subjected to clinical trials compared to pharmaceutical drugs. After tests, pharmaceutical drugs can be considered safe and sold with a doctor’s prescription. On the flip side, nootropics are always regarded as safe until proven otherwise and sold over the counter or online.
Some nootropics may not meet the safety criteria due to mega-dosing, low-quality manufacturing, and harsh combinations, yet they still get regarded as safe. Hence, a nootropic is only as safe as the manufacturing process that makes it.
Difference Between Natural and Synthetic Nootropics
Natural nootropics are known to be harvested from animal and plant sources and undergo minimal lab processing. They usually don’t come with dosage restrictions since they are natural and have minimal to zero side effects. Commonly known natural nootropics include Ginko Biloba, Nicotine or caffeine, Ashwagandha, and Panax Gingseng. Such natural plants come with stress-relieving or adaptogenic compounds that aid in achieving focus and relaxation.
On the other hand, their counterpart, synthetic nootropics, are manmade pills aimed at boosting cognitive functions through the use of chemical ingredients. Such lab manufactured attain the desired effects but come with their share of side effects. Common drugs such as Ritalin used by ADHD patients are known to insomnia, hallucinations, heart trouble, seizures, and even sudden death in otherwise healthy individuals. Due to the side effects associated with synthetic nootropics, an increasing number of potential users are shifting their allegiance to more natural-based nootropics.
Nootropics Known to Be Unsafe
With the growing popularity and research-backed evidence showing that some nootropics can boost brainpower, some unscrupulous brands have taken advantage of such repute to peddle fake products that pose a health risk to consumers. Such brands include; DHEA Steroids- Globally and by WADA (Worldwide Anti- Doping Agency). It got heavily marketed as enhancing mental acuity and slowing aging. Potential side effects include the deepening of the voice and facial hair in females, fatigue, high blood pressure, changes in the menstrual cycle, and stomach upset.
Other nootropics with potential side effects include Huperzine A, Noopept, Vinpocetine, Modafinil, and Apoaequorin. Several side effects associated with such nootropics include but not limited to;
- Seizures and strokes
- Depression and suicidal thoughts
- Low libido and erectile dysfunction
- Nausea, flushing of the face, sleep distraction and headaches
- Irregular heartbeat and chest pains
Amid all the side effects associated with synthetic nootropics that have heightened people’s awareness, are there safe, natural nootropics out there?
Safe Natural Nootropics
Despite limited information about organic or natural nootropics out there, there still exists renowned research that highlights promising results prompting the research fraternity to look into the matter more keenly. The best part is they require no prescription due to their safety.
Panax Ginseng
It’s a traditional herb used in Chinese medicine used to treat ailments associated with cognitive dysfunction. It’s quite notable in improving memory in grown adults as well as combating Alzheimer’s disease.
Bacopa Monnieri
It’s a common weed found in rice fields, donning long leaves with a characteristic purple flower. It’s a proven source of ayurvedic medicine, and despite being used to treat Alzheimer’s disease, it also treats anxiety, insomnia, and epilepsy.
Rhadiola Rosea
The golden root, as its referred to, is found in the arctic regions of Asia and Europe. Its application is in the treatment of high altitude sickness and depression. Further, it reduces mental fatigue in healthy adults.
Despite the adverse effects associated with synthetic nootropics, are nootropics regarded as safe?
Synthetic Nootropics
For most people out there, Mind Lab Pro serves as the best synthetic nootropic. In the last 20 years of experimentation with nootropics, Mind Lab Pro is the product that checked all the boxes. It’s hailed as the product that promotes proliferation and promotion of neuron growth, promotes the formation of brain cells and neuron dendrite branching. Its effects last long even after discarding its use.
Termed as the best nootropics of 2019, it efficiently manages to cover all the vital bases with just a handful of extremely high-quality ingredients. Such ingredients usually get dosed well, meaning that there’s no aspect of wastage redundancy or filler. A noticeable aspect of this product is that it can easily be stacked, meaning that it gets formulated with the use of other lab performance products in mind.
It’s a simple yet powerful nootropic formulate with extremely pure compounds that are GMO, Soy and Gluten-free, and wrapped in a 100%, probiotic, and vegan capsule.
Mind Lab may come as the best synthetic nootropic, but still, the inclination towards natural nootropic holds more weight when it comes to safety issues.
I have also discovered a company that has been operating for close to a decade who deveopes a range of high quality supplement stacks with a good long standing name that has a formula that makes a great impression in nootropic formulas seen at this nootrogen review.
Why Natural Nootropics Are Safe And Long term
Natural nootropics usually get as safe, with minimal side effects, since their composition gets used in their purest form without any alterations. They are much safer and standardized or use certain features such as GMP, referring to good manufacturing practices. Since they occur in their purest form, attaining their desired effects takes longer. For one to register the desired outcomes, their usage usually is for more extended periods as compared to their lab manufactured counterparts.
The safe rule of thumb for nootropics is that if it feels good after consumption, the chances are that they aren’t suitable for long term use. Natural nootropics work subtly, requiring long term use and daily effort to establish the necessary effect. . How safe are nootropics? This is a question that evidently won’t seem to relent on consumer’s minds. Your best bet will be to go all natural.