What are nootropic drugs, and what do they do?
The human desire to think faster and remember more is hardly new. Ask any coffee drinker you know, and they are likely to tell you they can’t think until they’ve had their morning coffee. Caffeine is part of a group of substances known as nootropics, compounds that people have long turned to in hopes of sharpening focus and boosting memory.
Nootropics are defined broadly as any natural or synthetic substance that may improve brain function. They generally fall into three categories: dietary supplements, synthetic compounds, and prescription medications. Some are prescription substances used by people with conditions such as ADHD, dementia, or narcolepsy, while others are marketed to healthy individuals hoping to gain a mental edge.
An assortment of nootropic supplements (1).
The most familiar nootropic is caffeine, found not only in coffee but also in tea and soft drinks. By stimulating neurotransmitters—chemicals that transmit signals between brain cells—caffeine increases alertness and boosts short-term memory and learning. Green tea contains another nootropic substance: L-theanine, an amino acid that enhances caffeine’s effects and counters its jittery side effects. Other nootropics have shown promise in smaller studies. Creatine monohydrate, which is taken for building muscle, has been shown to supply brain cells with extra energy, improving reasoning and short-term memory. CDP-choline has been linked to improved memory in dementia patients, while the Indian herb Bacopa monnieri may speed information processing by promoting nerve cell growth (1).
Caffeine, one of the oldest nootropics (2).
Prescription nootropics are more controversial. Stimulants such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse), and Adderall can improve focus in people with ADHD, but misuse by students and professionals has raised concerns about side effects like insomnia, rapid heart rate, and addiction (2). Modafinil, approved by the FDA for narcolepsy, sleep apnea, and shift work disorder, has been studied for potential benefits to learning and memory, though evidence in healthy individuals remains limited (3).
Scientists are still unraveling how these enhancers work. Some appear to increase blood flow to the brain, while others may act on neurotransmitters or mimic adrenaline to extend wakefulness. What complicates matters is that each person’s brain chemistry is unique; a compound that sharpens attention in one individual may cause anxiety or restlessness in another (2).
Researchers remain divided on the overall value of nootropics. Barry Gordon, MD, PhD, of Johns Hopkins Medicine, has stated that “it’s not clear that they work and not clear that they’re safe.” Others, like Chris D’Adamo of the University of Maryland, argue that nootropics can provide genuine improvements when combined with adequate sleep, nutrition, and stress management (1).
It may be too soon to know how transformative nootropics will be, but they are hardly new. Their potential to help people stay alert in demanding situations is clear, yet the allure of a “smarter pill” should not overshadow self-care.
References
- Brody, B. (2019, July 30). What Are Nootropics? WebMD; WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/features/nootropics-smart-drugs-overview
- Kapner, D. (2008). Recreational Use of Ritalin on College Campuses. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED537616.pdf
- University of Oxford. (2015, August 20). Review of “smart drug” shows modafinil does enhance cognition [Review of Review of “smart drug” shows modafinil does enhance cognition]. https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2015-08-20-review-%E2%80%98smart-drug%E2%80%99-shows-modafinil-does-enhance-cognition
- Alcohol and Drug Foundation. (2021, November 10). Cognitive enhancers – Alcohol and Drug Foundation. Adf.org.au. https://adf.org.au/drug-facts/cognitive-enhancers/
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