Are Nootropics Safe?
What are Nootropics and are they safe? Nootropics may be a new term for you and you’re probably wondering if you should be taking them, and if they are beneficial or harmful.
We are here to breakdown everything Nootropics related.
What are they?
If you google it the first definition to pop up will say something along the lines of, “Nootropics are supplements, and other substances that claim to improve cognitive function, attention, memory, creativity or motivation in individuals.” While that definition is true, what is it in simple terms that is not a mouthful? Nootropics are substances that can boost brain performance, and are often referred to as “smart drugs”. [1]
Where do you find them?
Nootropics come in many different forms. There are prescription nootropics which help with medical conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (commonly known as ADHD), narcolepsy and Alzheimer’s disease. There are also non-prescription nootropics such as caffeine and creatine which do not treat diseases, but do aid in cognitive functions such as thinking and memory. [1]
Are they safe?
Nootropics are however a huge field to research and there are a few that have been thoroughly researched while there are also some that have not. Like with anything in life, it is safe as long as it’s taken in moderation, if prescribed for you and if your body agrees with it. [2]
Think about coffee - one cup may be fine, but five could cause you to become extremely jittery and anxious. At the same time, you could be sensitive to caffeine and one cup may be too much for you.
The well researched supplements include Caffeine, L-theanine, Bacopa Monnieri, Rhodiola Rosea, Ashwagandha, Choline sources like Alpha-GPC and CDP-Choline and a few other key ingredients. Let’s talk about a few of them separately.
Caffeine
Caffeine is extremely popular in this day and age, and is something that most people rely on to wake up in the morning and to get through the day. It is found in coffee, cocoa, tea, guarana and is added to most energy drinks and medication. It can be taken on its own or with other substances. It makes you feel less tired and more alert because it blocks adenosine receptors in your brain. FYI, a buildup of adenosine throughout the day is often called “Sleep pressure” - too much makes you tired. Too much caffeine can result in negative impacts and if the dose is not stated, we recommend staying away and not consuming the product. [1]
L-Theanine
This is an amino acid that is found in tea, but it can also be consumed as a supplement. Several studies have been done and the results have shown that consuming even 50 mg has an effect on creativity, and 200 mg has a calming effect without negative side effects. [2] There are no studies found that this amino acid has any harmful effects and is generally safe for consumption. [1]
Bacopa Monnieri
This is an ancient herb used to improve brain function. Studies have found these supplements can speed up information processing in the brain, reduce reaction times and improve memory. The effects are however not felt immediately and do take a while to show. It is recommended that doses of 300 - 600 mg are taken for several months to experience the benefits. It is generally safe, but common side effects include stomach cramps, nausea, and dry mouth. [4]
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is known for the benefits that it has on the brain, helping to ease anxiety and its stress-relieving properties. It can also help to prevent and repair damage caused by Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease. Research was done where a study group took a 300 mg capsule twice a day for 60 days and it was reported that cortisol levels were substantially lowered. [3]
A few key nootropics are relatively safe and have been well studied and researched. If you have a medical condition remember to always get advice from a licensed physician or doctor and to make sure that what you are consuming is beneficial for you. [2]
How do we ensure Neuratech Nootropics are safe?
We ensure the safety of each of our formulations through a 4-step verification process.
Step 1 - We spend months researching individual ingredients, looking at the scientific literature proving its safety and efficacy before including it in any of our formulations.
Step 2 - We look for high quality suppliers of ingredients that have done testing on their ingredients to ensure they are not contaminated in any way. We aim to use Australian suppliers as often as we can.
Step 3 - We conduct our own 3rd party testing for heavy metals and microbial matter in our finished formulations.
Step 4 - We complete internal testing with our final formulations for weeks to ensure no adverse events or reactions occur.
Our mission is to supply the top nootropics across Australia!
References
Berry, J., 2019. Nootropics: Types, safety, and risks of smart drugs. (online) Medicalnewstoday.com. Available at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326379 (Accessed 1 March 2022).
Brody, B., 2019. What Are Nootropics or “Smart Drugs” or Cognitive Enhancers?. (online) WebMD. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/features/nootropics-smart-drugs-overview#:~:text=Some%2C%20such%20as%20ginseng%20and,are%20another%20type%20of%20nootropic. (Accessed 1 March 2022).
Tomen, D., n.d. Ashwagandha – Nootropics Expert. (online) Nootropicsexpert.com. Available at: https://nootropicsexpert.com/ashwagandha/#how-things-go-bad (Accessed 1 March 2022).
Webmd.com. n.d. BACOPA: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews. (online) Available at: https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-761/bacopa (Accessed 1 March 2022).
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