Nootropics

What are nootropics?

The word "nootropics" sounds just as futuristic as the associated promise of effect: Nootropics are supposed to increase brain power. The term goes back to the neuroscientist Professor Corneliu E. Giurgea, who coined it in the early 1980s as part of his development work for the anti-dementia drug Piracetam (see Giurgea [1982]: "The nootropic concept and its prospective implications"). The actual origin of the word, however, is much older: in ancient Greek philosophy, "nous" had the meaning of "cognition" or "mental grasp." Alternative names for nootropics are "cognitive enhancers" or "brain boosters". 

Some stores also call nootropics "smart drugs" or "brain dopants," but this is misleading because these terms suggest that taking nootropics constitutes doping as defined by WADA. This is not the case, at least not generally. Although there are individual products within the nootropics category that can lead to a positive doping test result (see below: Is taking nootropics doping?), these are exceptions. 

Basically, nootropics naturally enable the brain to work better. Moreover, since they have no healing or metabolic effect, they are not drugs according to the definition of the AMG - consequently, anyone who wants to buy nootropics in Germany does not need to present a prescription. 

The individual products are mainly offered as capsules to swallow, but they are also available as powders.

Effect of Nootropics

The question "How do nootropics work?" cannot be answered in a general way, because there are different groups of nootropics. (Analogously, one could also not give a blanket answer to the question "How do drugs work?"). Nootropics can be roughly divided into 4 groups: 

1. Stimulant nootropics 
2. Mood enhancing nootropics 
3. Nootropics that promote concentration/learning performance 
4. Regeneration-promoting nootropics

It is impossible to say which of these should be considered the "best nootropics" because the effects overlap: Almost every nootropic product consists of a complex of active ingredients and accordingly cannot be assigned to just one category. For example, stimulant nootropics often also have a mood-lifting effect due to their composition, and many concentration-enhancing nootropics simultaneously make you awake, i.e. have a stimulant effect. If one wants to discuss the effect of nootropics, one must therefore analyze the common ingredients.

Common ingredients of Nootropics

Acetyl L-Carnitine 

The key substance in terms of improving brain performance is acetylcholine - it is the main player of the so-called cholinergic function. Simply put, this function ensures that absorbed impulses are transferred to long-term memory. Nootropics that stimulate acetylcholine synthesis therefore promote memory. Moreover, by making it easier for the brain to compare new and old ideas, they stimulate creativity. Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR), an artificial derivative of the amino acids lysine and methionine, has been shown to stimulate the formation of acetylcholine - the active ingredient is therefore the main component of brain boosters such as Genius Consciousness, Brain Gains or NZT Ultimate Eugeroic King. 

Alpha-GPC 

Alpha-GPC is a precursor of acetylcholine and is derived from soy lecithin. Just like acetyl-L-carnitine, it is one of the main active ingredients of learning performance enhancing nootropics. 

Ashwagandha 

Ashwagandha, the sleeping berry, is also called "Indian ginseng." The root of this herb has an adaptogenic (balancing) effect - in particular, it inhibits cortisol buildup. Stress-related limitations, such as concentration disorders, anxiety, upsets, etc., can be very well alleviated by Ashwagandha. Ashwagandha is therefore included in many regenerative nootropics (e.g. in Stress Relief), but you can also get Ashwagandha as a single substance. 

Citicoline 

Citicoline, also known as CDP-choline, is a neurotransmitter that stimulates acetylcholine transmission (similar to ALCAR). Citicoline can directly cross the blood-brain barrier and cause increased release of acetylcholine. 

DMAA, DMBA, DMHA. 

The three abbreviations DMAA, DMBA and DMHA each stand for a form of dimethylamylamine, a substance that stimulates the central nervous system. It is primarily a stimulant, but also has other effects. Since it mimics the effect of adrenaline, taking it causes increased alertness or mental wakefulness, as well as alertness and improved concentration. In addition, dimethylamylamine stimulates the circulation, which also results in better physical performance in the short term. WADA has therefore placed dimethylamylamine derivatives on the list of prohibited substances (to this extent, the term "brain doping" is accurate in the context of dimethylamylamine derivatives). Nootropics containing such derivatives include 4 X Quatro Speed or DMAA. 

GABA 

GABA stands for γ-aminobutyric acid and is a neurotransmitter substance. When it is released, it has a calming effect: to a certain extent, GABA prevents the overstimulation of nerve cells and therefore has an anxiety-relieving and slightly sedative or soporific effect. Nootropics containing GABA are therefore classified as regeneration-promoting nootropics. They include, for example, GABA plus from UNS Supplements, GABA from Krause Hof or Knock Out from Revange Nutrition. 

Rose Root (Rhodiola Rosea) 

Rhodiola Rosea is a mountain herb that belongs to the thick-leaf family. It primarily has an uplifting effect, which is why it is found primarily in mood-boosting nootropics. Various plant active ingredients (flavonoids, phenylethanoids and glycosides) are responsible for this effect. On the other hand, since rose root also increases stress resilience and can alleviate or dispel exam anxiety, rose root extract is also found in concentration aid products such as Jungle Essence Rhodolia Maxx. 

Phenibut 

Phenibut is a derivative of GABA and is synthetically produced from GABA. The substance is comparable to GABA in its effect - it thus improves the quality of sleep, puts you in a good mood and provides inner balance. As an anxiety-relieving substance, phenibut can be found in mood-lifting nootropics as well as in regeneration-promoting nootropics. You can also buy Phenibut as a single substance, e.g. as Pheni+ or as Phenibut from Revange Nutrition. 

Melatonin 

Melatonin is the "sleep hormone" - it controls the day-night rhythm and is secreted more in the dark to help people rest. If you have trouble falling asleep, supplementing with melatonin can be very helpful. Most sleep and relaxation promoting nootropics contain melatonin, such as Sleep Aid by ESN, Knocked the fuck out by 5% Nutrition or Sleep Plus by Krause Hof. 

In addition to these ingredients, there are a number of other substances that are typically contained in nootropics, such as caffeine or guarana, green tea extract, gingko, the vitamins of the B group, vitamin D and the amino acid L-tryptophan and its derivative 5-HTP.

Who should buy nootropics? 

Basically, every healthy person can use nootropics. However, one should have a concrete application goal, because as explained above, each nootropic has an independent focus of action. An "all-round" nootropic that generally gets the brain going does not yet exist. 

Nootropics are particularly useful for 

• Pupils and students - to improve learning ability 
• People who have to prove themselves in an exam situation (e.g. learner drivers, job applicants before a job interview) - to dissolve exam anxiety 
• People facing a big task (such as a difficult assignment) - to stimulate and increase self-confidence 
• Creative people - to stimulate the brainstorming process 
• Highly stressed people - to cope with stress 
• Hard training athletes - also for stress management (even hard training means stress) and to promote regeneration 
• Gamers/e-sportsmen or computer gamers - to dispel fatigue and improve alertness 
• people who are in a low mood and suffer from listlessness - to lighten moods 
• people who have trouble falling asleep at night - to help them fall asleep more easily

Where can I buy Nootropics in Germany? 

Where you can buy nootropics in this country depends on what kind of nootropics you want and what they should contain. 

Nootropics with purely herbal ingredients, such as gingko, green tea extract, rose root or sleeping berry, can be found in practically every store and also in drugstores in the public retail sector. 

Nootropics with synthetically produced ingredients, such as acetyl-L-carnitine or CDP choline (citicoline), are only available in specialized stores. However, the number of suppliers is relatively large because these products are completely legal nootropics. The sale is not restricted in any way. 

Nootropics with "problematic" ingredients - i.e., ingredients that fall under the Novel Food Regulation in Europe, for example - can only be obtained from a few suppliers via the Internet.

Can nootropics be addictive?

In principle, nootropics do not pose a major risk of addiction. However, it would be somewhat naïve to answer the question of whether nootropics can be addictive with a categorical "no". It is true that nootropics do not cause physical dependence. In this respect, they are in a completely different league than cocaine or prescription sleeping pills, for example. Nevertheless, long-term use is not advisable because frequent use can have negative effects on the psyche. Mood-altering nootropics literally "fire up" the brain with transmitters such as dopamine or norepinephrine; regular use can cause one to become numb to the effects and subsequently have difficulty getting back into a positive frame of mind at all. Synthetic nootropics with a cholinergic mechanism of action also target the same receptors that are also addressed by nicotine and are therefore suspected of promoting at least psychological dependence. Other possible side effects of nootropics include a mood "crash" after the effects wear off, increased fatigue or difficulty sleeping through the night, and diffuse anxiety.

Is taking nootropics doping? 

Whether taking a nootropic is brain doping or doping - i.e. can lead to a positive test result in doping-tested competitions - depends on the type of nootropic. Legal nootropics from the drugstore certainly do not constitute doping. However, caution is advised with stimulant nootropics: If they contain stimulants with amphetamine-like effects, such as modafinil or DMAAA (or DMBA or DMHA), then consumption does indeed constitute doping. Cadre athletes would do well in any case to study the list of ingredients before taking a nootropic and, if necessary, to compare it with the WADA list of prohibited substances.