In recent years, “smart drugs” have shifted from science fiction to Silicon Valley staple. Entrepreneurs, students, and even aging professionals now turn to nootropics—substances that claim to boost brainpower—for an edge in memory, focus, and productivity. Biohackers have especially become fond of implementing the substance into their daily routine. But do nootropics really work? Or is the nootropics movement just a well-marketed placebo?
Let’s take a closer look at what nootropics are, what the science says, and whether they’re worth adding to your daily routine.
What are nootropics?
Nootropics have been around for thousands of years as natural remedies born from the earth. The purpose of nootropics is to serve as cognitive enhancers; substances that may improve mental functions such as learning, memory, creativity, or motivation. The term wasn’t first coined until the early 1970s by Romanian chemist Dr. Corneliu Giurgea after he synthesized Piracetam–a synthetic nootropic compound. His purpose was to create a substance that supported cognitive functioning without including stimulating or sedating effects. His notion of how a true nootropic should exist was outlined in 5 key characteristics, including enhancing learning and memory while being non-toxic.
Nootropics can be dissected into 3 broad categories:
- Natural Compounds: Natural nootropics are derived from herbs, mushrooms, roots, teas, and other substances found in nature. Most natural nootropics have a lower risk of side effects compared to synthetic alternatives.
- Common natural substances include: caffeine, L-theanine, and Lion’s Mane Mushroom
- Synthetic substances: Are man-made compounds created for targeting specific functions in the brain with commonly higher potency. Synthetic nootropics can be characterized by their fast-acting cognitive effects. Because many come with these effects, they can pose higher risks, especially with off-label use. Many are used to treat cognitive disorders like ADHD and dementia.
- Common synthetic nootropics consist of Modafinil, Racetams, and Adderall
- Combined Formulas: Blends multiple ingredients for synergistic effects. It can include a mixture of vitamins and minerals or a blend of natural/synthetic ingredients. The purpose of combining is to cover multiple cognitive domains.
- Example stacks: Caffeine + L-tyrosine, Rhodiola Rosea + Lion’s Mane
What the Research Says About Nootropics and Their Efficacy
There is some solid supporting evidence that nootropics benefit as designed; however, there are other studies that haven’t shown the same.
Some nootropics backed by solid evidence include:
- Caffeine + L-theanine, which are naturally found in tea, have been shown to enhance alertness and attention without the jittery effect that consuming caffeine alone has shown. A 2008 study was conducted using test groups to examine the combination and isolation of caffeine and L-theanine. The study concluded that participants in the combination group performed better in attention, reaction time, and overall cognitive functioning.
- Lion’s Mane Mushroom is a naturally growing mushroom that has made a name for itself over the past few years. It is commonly referred to as a nootropic that is effective in terms of improving brain health and enhancing memory. Researchers at the University of Queensland were able to identify active compounds that promote neuron growth and memory formation. Additionally, their research confirmed that the active components of the mushroom increased the size of growth cones. These were emphasized in their function of establishing connections with surrounding neurons in the brain.
- Creatine is also known for its nootropic properties, as the compound has been heavily studied over the last decade. Used by many athletes and bodybuilders, it has also shown significant results in cognitive functioning. A study published in 2022 found that creatine improved brain energy, providing enhanced memory for healthy individuals and a significant improvement in those of older age.
More studies on plant-derived nootropics and their performance
A well-documented systematic review was published to determine whether relevant plant-derived nootropics correlate with cognitive benefits, based on the extensive research that had been established. Many of the studies performed were placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized studies to provide legitimate credibility in their research.
Ashwagandha: Was found to show outstanding results in diminishing anxiety and boosting social cognition. Cortisol levels were found to tank drastically in the patients over several weeks, reducing stress in the patients. Visual and verbal recollection was significantly improved in the elderly. Even more, this substance is thought to be highly productive in treating mental illnesses and managing body weight for adults under chronic stress.
Bacopa Monnier (Bm): Found significant evidence of enhanced immediate recall and working memory in younger, healthy individuals. Processing visual info, learning rate, and memory consolidation were also noticeably improved for most age groups. Furthermore, higher doses led to findings of enhanced attention and verbal memory in the elderly with normal cognition.
Gingko biloba (Gb): Clinically demonstrated that it improves depression and anxiety, along with its ability to restore neurological functioning. Gb was also found to improve mood and sleep in post-menopause women.
Other nootropics mentioned in the article such as turmeric, sage, and flavonoids all appeared to have some effects during the study, but not enough to conclude that it was solid evidence. Digressing from that particular study, many of the synthetic nootropics that have not fully proved their efficacy tend to be the ones that are stimulants and not FDA-regulated.
Anecdotes vs. Evidence
Biohackers and productivity influencers often express dramatic results from nootropic use, but anecdotes can only say so much. You might have heard from celebrities testifying about their experiences with different kinds of nootropics and how it has helped them. For example, Joe Rogan is a well-known figure who has frequently discussed taking AlphaBrain on his podcasts. Joe claims that AlphaBrain aids in consolidating his memory and social cognition, boosting interactions with other people. Another example is Hailey Bieber, Jennifer Aniston, and Shannon Sharpe all endorsing NAD+, supposedly an anti-aging nootropic.
It is known that human cognition can be highly susceptible to placebo effects. In one example study, Frontiers in Psychology found that participants who believed they had taken a cognitive enhancer performed better, even when they had only taken a placebo. This highlights the importance of distinguishing between perceived effects and measurable outcomes. Although the article only refers to stimulant prescriptions, it supports the notion that the placebo effect is a hard variable to get around when studying cognition. It can also serve as a good source for discouraging college students from non-medically taking adderall to perform well in their classes..
Analysis on if Nootropics Can Be Useful
So, do nootropics work? The most appropriate answer isn’t a simple yes because it depends on different factors about the person and which ones they plan to take.
For example:
People of older age or with cognitive deficits may benefit more significantly from nootropics like Citicoline, Lion’s Mane, and Gb than healthy individuals
Sleep-deprived or stressed individuals might see greater benefits from substances that support energy metabolism and balance mood, such as Rhodiola Rosea and Ashwagandha.
Healthy individuals may see mild benefits in adding caffeine with L-theanine and omega-3s to their daily routine.
Do nootropics work for young people?
It appears that nootropics can potentially be promising for the middle-aged and elderly. So, do nootropics work for young people too? Bm is an example of one substance researched that was found to work effectively with younger populations regarding their learning and brain development. This substance may be particularly well-suited for young adult college students seeking a natural way to enhance their academic performance.
Risks and Side Effects
While natural nootropics are generally well-tolerated, some synthetic options carry more significant risks:
- Modafinil can cause insomnia, anxiety, and headaches.
- Adderall (amphetamine-based stimulants) may enhance focus but also pose addiction and cardiovascular risks when used off-label.
- Supplements can interact with medications or worsen underlying health issues.
Smart Supplementing: What to Know Before You Try
If you do think that nootropics can potentially help you out in an important area of your life, there are a few rules you should keep in mind.
- Start with a simple list of nootropics. Starting with well-researched options such as caffeine with L-theanine, and Lion’s Mane are some good natural starting points that can provide focus and clarity.
- Use a journal to write down how you feel throughout the day as you start taking doses. Many people may not write down their thoughts and activities during the day, but it’s especially good when trying something new. Tracking down mood, energy levels, memory, and focus are all good things to jot down and reflect on.
- Don’t stack multiple nootropics at once; try one at a time so you can see how one might work or not work out for you
- Buy from trusted brands. It is always in a customer’s best interest to buy from reputable brands. Additionally, the brands should have products backed by well-contented customers.
- It’s not a magic potion. Healthy habits are still important to keep for nootropics to work as designed. Foundational habits should be maintaining good sleep, getting exercise, eating the right foods, and healthily managing stress. Nootropics should be used on top of all of these to achieve a greater addition of everyday benefits.
Conclusion
So, do nootropics really work? In many cases yes, but it isn’t a guarantee. The answer isn’t black and white.
Some compounds, particularly those found in nature and supported by clinical trials, can noticeably enhance focus, memory, and mood. Others may only work under certain conditions, or not at all for some people. And some may be overhyped with more risk than reward. Although there is significant evidence available for some particular nootropics, there still needs to be more research done on the others to get a clear answer.