Nootropic

Overview

Nootropic, popularly referred to as "smart drugs", "smart nutrients", "cognitive enhancers" and "brain enhancers", is a class of drugs that improve impaired human cognitive abilities (the functions and capacities of the brain). This article covers all substances, including drugs, nutrients, and herbs, that have purported cognitive enhancing effects.

The word nootropic was coined in 1964 by the Romanian Dr. Corneliu E. Giurgea, derived from the Greek words noos, or "mind," and tropein meaning "to bend/turn". Typically, nootropics are alleged to work by altering the availability of the brain's supply of neurochemicals (neurotransmitters, enzymes, and hormones), by improving the brain's oxygen supply, or by stimulating nerve growth. However the efficacy of alleged nootropic substances in most cases has not been conclusively determined. This is complicated by the difficulty of defining and quantifying cognition and intelligence.

Availability

Nootropic drugs are generally only available by prescription or through personal importation. The other nootropic substances listed below are either nutritional supplements or plant components (herbs, roots, beans, bark, etc.), and are generally available over the counter at health food and grocery stores, and are used as nutritional supplements.

The drugs are used to treat people with cognitive learning difficulties, neural degradation (Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease), and for cases of oxygen deficit to prevent hypoxia. These drugs have a variety of human enhancement applications as well and are marketed heavily on the World Wide Web. Nevertheless, intense marketing may not correlate with efficacy; while scientific studies support some of the claimed benefits, it is worth noting that many of the claims attributed to most nootropics have not been formally tested.

Therapy or enhancement

Some argue that nootropics may theoretically be used for human enhancement, boosting mental function in otherwise normal healthy people. However, there is much controversy over the legitimacy (efficacy) and ethics of such applications. This may contribute to the lack of research on such effects.

Examples

The term "drug" here is used as a legal designation, and does not indicate greater efficacy. With nootropics, the effects, effectiveness, and potency differ from substance to substance and from individual to individual. See the substance descriptions below for more detail.

Replenishing and increasing neurotransmitters

As the brain ages, its ability to produce and maintain youthful levels of neurotransmitters declines. There are various reasons for such an insufficiency. For instance, there might be a lack of enzymes involved in the neurotransmitter synthesis. Nevertheless, in many cases, providing the brain with ample raw materials necessary to make neurotransmitters can restore them to more youthful levels and thus help maintain cognitive function at vigorous youthful levels. Furthermore, there are declines in immune and endocrine functioning. Certain nootropics enhance immune and endocrine functioning.

Cholinergics

Cholinergics are substances that affect the neurotransmitter acetylcholine or the components of the nervous system that use acetylcholine. Acetylcholine facilitates memory, concentration, focus, and high-order thought processes (abstract thought, calculation, innovation, etc.). Increasing the availability of this neurotransmitter in the brain may improve these functions and increase the duration in which they may be engaged without slowing down or stopping. Oversupplying the brain with acetylcholine may have the opposite effect, temporarily reducing rather than improving mental performance. Cholinergic nootropics include acetylcholine precursors and coors, and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors:

Piracetam

Main article: Piracetam

Piracetam (Nootropil) - Prescription drug (in Europe). The original (first), and most commonly taken nootropic drug. It is a cholinergic agent, synergistic with DMAE, Centrophenoxine, choline, and Hydergine. Increases brain cell metabolism and energy levels, and speeds up interhemispheric flow of information (left-right brain hemisphere communication). Increases alertness, improves concentration, and enhances memory. Protects neurons from hypoxia, and stimulates growth of acetylcholine receptors. May also cause nerves to regenerate. Piracetam markedly decreases the formation of neuronal lipofuscin. It improves posture in elderly people. It is not regulated in the US. It is a pyrrolidone derivative.

Aniracetam

Main article: Aniracetam

Aniracetam is a pyrrolidone derivative drug, analogous of piracetam, and considered more potent. Like piracetam, aniracetam protects against some memory impairing chemicals, such as diethyldithiocarbamate and clonidine. Also like piracetam, aniracetam may enhance memory in aging adults by increasing levels of brain biogenic monoamines, which are beneficial to learning and memory. Both racetams have possible therapeutic use in treating fetal alcohol syndrome. Aniracetam increases vigilance. Aniracetam has shown to positively potentiate AMPA receptors.

Oxiracetam

Main article: Oxiracetam

Oxiracetam is a drug of the racetam family. It is similar to, but far stronger than piracetam and aniracetam.[citation needed] Several animal studies suggest that the substance is safe even when high doses are consumed for a long period of time. However the mechanism of action of oxiracetam is still a matter of research.

Other cholinergic

• Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR) - Amino acid. Precursor of acetylcholine (donating the acetyl portion to the acetylcholine molecule). It is synergistic with lipoic acid.
• Choline - precursor to acetylcholine (an essential component of the acetylcholine molecule).
  • Alpha-GPC (L-alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine, Choline alfoscerate) - most effective choline precursor, readily crosses the blood-brain barrier.
  • CDP-Choline (Cytidine Diphosphate Choline) - choline precursor, tends to be less expensive and similar in effect to Alpha GPC.
  • Choline bitartrate - precursor of acetylcholine, anti-depressant.
  • Choline citrate - precursor of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, anti-depressant.
  • Citicoline The choline compounds PC and citicoline are thought to promote synthesis and transmission of neurotransmitters important to memory.
• DMAE - approved treatment for ADD/ADHD, precursor of acetylcholine, cholinergic agent, removes lipofuscin from the brain, anti-depressant.
• Galantamine - acetylcholinesterase inhibitor made from chemical synthesis or extract from plants such as Red Spider Lily (Lycoris radiata).
• Huperzine A - potent acetylcholinesterase inhibitor derived from Chinese club-moss.
• Ispronicline - recently developed selective α4β2 partial agonist
• Lecithin - contains phosphatidylcholine, precursor of acetylcholine.
• Other pyrrolidone derivatives:
  • Etiracetam - It increases vigilance.
  • Nefiracetam - Drug. Analog of piracetam, and facilitates hippocampal neurotransmission.
  • Oxiracetam - Drug. Analog of piracetam, and 2 to 4 times stronger. Improves memory, concentration, and vigilance. When fed to pregnant rats, the offspring of those rats were more intelligent than the offspring of rats fed a saline solution placebo.
  • Pramiracetam - Drug. Analog of piracetam.
  • In animal studies, nootropics such as piracetam, oxiracetam and aniracetam are known to facilitate the formation of long term memory traces and to restore object recognition in aging rats. There is evidence that the beneficial effect of racetams may result from an interaction with the central glutamatergic receptor function.
• Vitamin B5 - cofactor in the conversion of choline into acetylcholine, cholinergic agent, increases stamina (including mental stamina).

Excess acetylcholine is considered by many to be potentially harmful; see cholinesterase inhibitor.

Dopaminergics

Dopaminergics are substances that affect the neurotransmitter dopamine or the components of the nervous system that use dopamine. Dopamine is produced in the synthesis of all catecholamine neurotransmitters, and is the rate limiting step for this synthesis. Dopaminergic nootropics include dopamine precursors and cofactors, and dopamine reuptake inhibitors:

• Mucuna pruriens - Seed powder contains high concentrations of levodopa (L-dopa), a direct precursor of the neurotransmitter dopamine.
• Lazabemide is a MAO-B inhibitor and has potent membrane lipid antioxidant activity. The antioxidant effects of lazabemide are attributed to its chemical structure and direct physicochemical interactions with the membrane lipid bilayer. It is a potent antioxidant, even more powerful than selegiline (deprenyl) or vitamin E, and is used to treat Alzheimer’s disease.
• L-dopa - Prescription drug and dietary supplement. Precursor to the neurotransmitter dopamine, anti-depressant.
• Phenylalanine (requires Vitamin B6 and Vitamin C) - Essential amino acid. Precursor to dopamine, anti-depressant, sleep reducer.
• Theanine - Found in tea. Increases serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain. Increases alpha-wave based alert relaxation.
• Tyrosine (requires Vitamin B6 and Vitamin C) - Amino acid. Precursor to dopamine, anti-depressant, sleep reducer.
• Vitamin C - improves cardiovascular elasticity and integrity, membrane stabilizer and major anti-oxidant (protects brain cells and prevents brain cell death), cofactor in the production of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin.
• Vitamin B6 - co-factor used by the body to produce dopamine.
• Yohimbe - Bark. Boosts dopamine levels, though how it does this is not yet understood. Aphrodisiac. Yohimbe poses some health risks through its side-effects: it is a neuro-paralytic which slows down breathing and induces acidosis, some symptoms of which are malaise, nausea, and vomiting. Contraindicated for users of megadoses of acidic vitamins or nutrients.
• Deprenyl - (selegiline) L-Deprenyl is an irreversible MAO-B inhibitor, an enzyme that breaks down dopamine. Thus, it is used to treat Parkinson's disease, and to delay the progression of Alzheimer's disease. It protects against the genotoxin AraC, provides neuroprotection against growth factor withdrawal in PC12 cells, protects against oxidative stress in mesencephalatic neurons, and delays neuronal cell death in the hippocampus after global ischemia.
• Tolcapone - Inhibits COMT (an enzyme that breaks down the neurotransmitters dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine) and increases performance in tasks depending on working memory in individuals with the val/val and val/met genotype of the val158Met polymorphism of the catechol-O-methyltransferase gene, while decreasing it in presence of the met/met version. Tolcapone presents the risk of deadly side effects.

Serotonergics

Serotonergics are substances that affect the neurotransmitter serotonin or the components of the nervous system that use serotonin. Serotonergic nootropics include serotonin precursors and cofactors, and serotonin reuptake inhibitors:

• Griffonia simplicifolia a natural source of 5-HTP (an alternative in countries where 5-HTP not legal, freely available.)
• Tryptophan (requires Vitamin B6 and Vitamin C) - Essential amino acid. Precursor to serotonin, found in high concentration in bananas and meats, also in milk, promotes relaxed poise and sound sleep. 5-HTP is a form of Tryptophan.
• 5HT_2A agonists such as LSD and 2C-T-7 have been shown to produce nootropic effects when used at a dose much lower than a hallucinogenic dose. (e.g. 10 μg for LSD and 1 mg 2C-T-7, 1/25 of a normal recreational dose )
• SSRIs - Class of antidepressants that increase active serotonin levels, ie, in the synaptic junction, by inhibiting its reuptake. Have also been shown to promote Neurogenesis in the hippocampus.

Anti-depression, adaptogenic (antistress), and mood stabilization

Stress, Depression, and depressed mood negatively affect cognitive performance. It is reasoned that counteracting and preventing depression and stress may be an effective nootropic strategy.

Below are a list of substances purported to function as nootropics, and claimed effects:

• Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) - Root. Also known as Indian ginseng. Adaptogen used as a tonic to normalize body processes and reduce stress and anxiety.
• Inositol - Is a B-vitamin like substance with anti-anxiety effects. It is believed to produce its anti-anxiety effects by improving the binding of gabaergics to GABA_A receptors. Inositol is a sugar, and is therefore an alternative energy source for brain and muscle tissues. It produces a sugar high without a sugar low, making it especially suited for sweetening tea (instead of sugar). It is also a membrane stabilizer which can strengthen (and therefore help protect) neurons.
• Kava-kava - The roots of the Kava-Kava plant contain Kavalactones which have GABAergic properties and are used to combat anxiety.
• Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) - Herb. Anti-depressant.
• Passion Flower is used to treat depression. It is commonly combined with St. John’s Wort and Valerian, which work synergistically to reestablish the patients emotional balance without causing tachyphylaxia, hangovers, or addiction.
• Rhodiola Rosea - Herb. Adaptogen; elevates mood, alleviates depression. Promotes mental energy and stamina, reduces fatigue.
• St John's Wort - Herb. The active components: hypericin and hyperforin, are clinically indicated to be effective in cases of mild to moderate depression, on par with synthetic drugs. However, St John's Wort is not suitable for the treatment of severe depression or suicidal tendencies. Side effects include gastrointestinal complaints and allergic reactions such as pruritus and phototoxicity.
• Ginseng, Siberian (Eleutherococcus senticosus) - Root. Anti-anxiety adaptogen that normalizes physical stress and mental consequences.
• Selegiline (Deprenyl) - Along with Piracetam and Meclofenoxate, Deprenyl decreases the amount of lipofuscin pigment and ceroid pigment accumulations in the brain by improving cellular recycling activities. Therefore, these nootropics may slow age-related diseases in the brain. Selegiline, an MAO-B inhibitor, is used as an antioxidant for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
• Sutherlandia frutescens - Herb. Adaptogen, blood detoxifier.
• Tea - Herb. Contains theophylline and theanine. Increases alpha-wave based alert relaxation (relieves stress).
• Theanine - Amino acid. Found in tea. Increases serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain. Increases alpha-wave based alert relaxation. Also stimulates the GABAergic system.
• Tianeptine - Anxiolytic anti-depressant. It enhances working and reference memory in rats.
• Vasopressin - Drug. Memory hormone produced by the pituitary gland which improves both memory encoding and recall. Rapidly counters chronic apathy syndrome and drug-induced vasopressin depletion.
• Nicotinic acid (vitamin B3) - Essential nutrient. Mild enhancer of concentration and memory. Vasodilator - Mood stabilizer, with a powerful anti-anxiety effect — perhaps the best and most immediate stress reliever available (note that other forms of vitamin B do not have this effect). Side effects: gastric upset (which is easily prevented and relieved with antacids), reduced blood pressure and flushing of the skin (caused by vasodilation), and itchy sensation in the skin caused by histamine release.
• Vitis vinifera (Grape Seed) Grape seed has antistress (adaptogenic) activity, protects against memory loss induced by scopolamine, is an antioxidant, has nootropic activities, and supports the traditional claims for the use of grape fruits and seeds in stress induced disorders.

Brain function and improved oxygen supply

• Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR) - Amino acid. Transports fatty acids through cellular membranes and cytosol into cells' mitochondria, where the fats undergo oxidation to produce ATP, the universal energy molecule. Synergistic with lipoic acid.
• Chromium- stabilises blood sugar levels promoting concentration.
• Coenzyme q-10 syn. Ubiquinone - increases oxygen transport through the mitochondria of the cells.
• Creatine - increases brain energy levels via ATP production.
• Inositol - B vitamin which synergizes with other nootropics
• Lipoic acid - synergistic with Acetyl-L-carnitine.
• Piracetam - improves alertness, blood flow, oxygen supply, and stroke recovery.
• Pyritinol (Enerbol) - Drug. Enhances oxygen and glucose uptake in the brain, and allows glucose to pass more easily through the blood-brain barrier. It is also a powerful anti-oxidant which scavenges hydroxyl radicals created in the very processes it is involved in.
• Vinpocetine - Vinpocetine increases blood circulation and metabolism in the brain. Animal studies have shown that vinpocetine can reduce the loss of neurons due to decreased blood flow.
• Prazosin - Alpha-blocking blood pressure medication also prescribed as an anti-PTSD medication, appears to block the increase of steroid hormones known as glucocorticoids, Oregon Health & Science University and Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center researchers have found. Elevated levels of glucocorticoids are associated with atrophy in nerve branches where impulses are transmitted, and even nerve cell death, in the hippocampus.

Mental agility, concentration, stamina, and focus

• Adrafinil (Olmifon) - Drug.
• Caffeine - Drug. improves concentration, idea production, but hinders memory encoding. Also produces the jitters. Caffeine is the most widely used psychoactive substance in the world, and may be susceptible to strong levels of tolerance.
• Coffee - Bean. Contains caffeine; brewed coffee is high in antioxidants.
• Nicergoline - Drug. Nicergoline is an ergoloid mesylate derivative used to treat senile dementia. It has also been found to increase mental agility and enhance clarity and perception. It increases vigilance. Increases arterial flow and use of oxygen and glucose in the brain.
• Nicotine - stimulus barrier (aids in concentration). Stimulus barrier rebound effect (an unpleasant side effect).
• Cocaine - Drug.
• Methylphenidate (Ritalin) - Drug
• Dextroamphetamine - (Adderall, Dexedrine) - Drug.
• Modafinil - (Provigil) - Drug.
• Piracetam - improves alertness, socialization, and co-operation in the brain impaired from age, dementia, and reduced blood flow.
• Phenibut -
• Theophylline -
• Amphetamine - aids in concentration, focus and stamina. Prescribed for ADD/ADHD
• Carphedon (Phenotropil) -

Purported memory enhancement and learning improvement

All of the "nergics" listed above are purported to improve memory (encoding and recall), as do all nootropics which improve general brain performance in categories such as the brain energy and oxygen supply, and nerve growth stimulation and protection. Other agents purported to have these specific benefits are mentioned in their own sections.

Other nootropics with specific effects on memory encoding and recall include:

• Bacopa monniera (Brahmi) - Herb. Elevates curiosity, enhances memory and concentration. Brahmi also protects against amnesia inducing chemicals such as scopolamine or loss of memory due to electro convulsive shocks. It is a traditional ayurvedic medicine.
• Piracetam - improves memory. Used to treat Alzheimer's, dementia, dyslexia and Down's syndrome
• Rosemary - Herb. Rosemary has a very old, albeit unverified, reputation for improving memory.
• Vasopressin - Hormone, prescription drug.
• Dextroamphetamine- Adderall, Dexedrine.
• Nicotine - Improves working memory and learning

Nerve growth stimulation and brain cell protection

• Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR) - Amino acid. Inhibits lipofuscin formation.
• Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi) - Herb. Improves protein synthesis in brain cell repair and new dendritic growth.
• Selegiline (Deprenyl) - Drug. Brain cell protectant, delays senescence of brain cells, proven to increase maximum life span in laboratory rats.
• Ergoloid mesylates (Hydergine) - Drug. Mimics nerve growth factor (NGF), and is a powerful anti-oxidant capable of delaying brain death in cases of heart failure and stroke by several minutes with regular use. It increases vigilance.
• Idebenone - stimulates nerve growth, and has same effects as Coenzyme q-10.
• Inositol - Membrane stabilizer. Strengthens neurons, making them less susceptible to damage.
• Pyritinol (Enerbol) - Drug. Powerful anti-oxidant which scavenges hydroxyl radicals.
• Rasagiline (Azilect) - Drug. Treats Parkinson’s disease either as monotherapy (by itself) or in addition to levodopa therapy. Promotes increased and sustained levels of dopamine by selectively inhibiting an enzyme, monoamine oxidase-B.
• Vitamin C - Membrane stabilizer, involved in collagen synthesis. Vitamin C is also a co-factor in the brain's production of dopamine.

Recreational drugs with purported nootropic effects

• Amphetamine-type stimulants (such as Adderall, Dexedrine, Desoxyn, etc.) are Schedule II controlled substances in the United States, and Class B drugs in the United Kingdom, with comparable legal controls in effect in most countries throughout the world. They are prescribed for attention-deficit disorders, narcolepsy, and certain cases of obesity; and are issued to counteract fatigue and to enhance performance for pilots in the armed forces of the United States of America. These also heighten alertness, mental focus, vigilance, stamina, and sex drive. They tend to be habit-forming, and exhibit side effects with prolonged or heavy use. Personal importation of amphetamine-class drugs is prohibited in many countries, and their use for recreation or for performance enhancement without a medical prescription is likewise illegal in most countries.
• LSD - Schedule I / Class A drug. At higher doses, the impact of the senses on one's mind are expanded to such an overwhelming degree that what is being sensed seems qualitatively different. Many psychedelic drugs are known to produce this overwhelming effect on the mind. Aldous Huxley called this state of mind "Mind at Large". Activity in the Raphe Nuclei and Locus ceruleus increases dramatically following administration of LSD to produce extremely heightened creativity in many users. This effect on the creative process is a phenomenon that may be due to ascending traffic in the reticular activation system, which can result in stimulus overload. The longest single research project with LSD, at Spring Grove Hospital, Maryland, showed an average 10% increase in linear IQ alone. Also produces hallucinogenic and entheogenic effects at doses as low as 30–40 μg (micrograms), with the likelihood of having a bad trip increasing as dose is increased if these effects are undesired. May also cause cognitive shifts, synesthesia, and flashbacks. The drug sometimes spurs long-term or even permanent changes in a user's personality and life perspective. (For more details, see Albert Hofmann: LSD - My Problem Child.)
• 4-methylaminorex
• Pemoline (Cylert)
• Psilocybin and Psilocin
• MDPV
• Mescaline

Dietary Nootropics

Some regular food items are rich sources of substances with alleged nootropic benefits:

• Nuts, in particular walnuts, are rich sources of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a type of omega-3 fatty acid. A mixture of walnuts served with dried fruit pieces is known in some regions as student food (orig. German: Studentenfutter) and is popularly recommended as a snack for students.
• Oily fish, such as salmon or fresh tuna (not tuna canned in oil) are also good sources of omega-3 fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, whose lack in diet has been associated with increased risk of mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, aggressive behavior, schizophrenia, or hyper-activity in children (see omega-3 fatty acids article)

Other nootropics

• Adafenoxate - Has an anti-anxiety effect for rats and possibly the same for humans.
• Moderate use of alcohol - Moderate drinking has been associated with better cognitive ability than both abstention and heavy drinking.
• Butea frondosa - "The plant Butea frondosa has been indicated in the Indian system of medicine as a plant augmenting memory and as a rejuvenator. ... B. frondosa possesses anti-stress and weak nootropic activity."
• BMY 21502 - Injured animals treated with BMY-21502 at one week post-injury showed significant improvement in post-injury learning ability compared to injured animals treated with vehicle. Paradoxically, in uninjured control animals BMY-21502 treatment appeared to worsen learning scores. The results of this study indicate that BMY-21502 may be useful for attenuating the dysfunction in learning ability that occurs following traumatic brain injury.
• Cabergoline (Dostinex) - A lysergic acid amide derivative, is a potent dopamine receptor agonist on D2 receptors. Maybe carcinogenic.
• Celastrus paniculatus - Oil made from the seeds of this shrub are used in Ayurvedice medicine to increase memory and facilitate learning. It allegedly induces a feeling of well-being and has reported aphrodisiac effects.
• Cerebrolysin - A neuroprotective nootropic agent, might affect Alzheimer's disease pathology. Currently in clinical trials
• Clausenamide - Facilitated learning and memory acquisition in step down and step through tests and increased thickness of cerebral cortex and synapse density significantly in the dentate cells over pyramidel cells in hippocampal region in mice.
• Coluracetam - It may also have potential use in prevention and treatment of ischemic retinopathy and retinal and optic nerve injury
• Desmopressin (DDAVP) - Analog of vasopressin, a neuropeptide responsible for memory.
• DHEA - Hormone created by the adrenal glands; Precursor to Estrogen and Testosterone
• Dostinex - (see Cabergoline above)
• Fasoracetam - A nootropic drug of the racetam family.
• Essential Fatty Acids- Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are the best known. EPA in particular, has an anti-depressant function and is positively indicated in trials with autism and learning difficulties
• Fipexide (Vigilor) - It protects against some memory impairing chemicals, such as diethyldithiocarbamate and clonidine.
• Gerovital H3 - Romanian anti-aging formula containing procaine hydrochloride, but which breaks down into PABA and DMAE.
• Ginkgo biloba - Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), a root, is used to treat a variety of problems, including chronic cerebrovascular insufficiency, tinnitus, vertigo and peripheral arterial disease. Patients with dementia treated with ginkgo showed significant improvement of symptoms like memory loss, concentration difficulties, fatigue, anxiety and depressive mood. However, because Ginkgo is a vasodilator, it ought not be taken with Aspirin, for doing so could increase the risk of bleeding. Ginkgo is widely used in Europe to treat subjective tinnitus, however, there is as yet no hard evidence supporting this assertion. Ginkgolides are extracts from the leaves of the tree. They produce a beneficial effect for Alzheimer’s disease, and for amyloid-B, the toxic prion protein, which suggests they could be relevant to treating those diseases.
• Gotu Kola - Herb and root.
• Meclofenoxate - Has an anti-anxiety effect for rats and possibly the same for humans. Like Fipexide, it protects against some memory impairing chemicals, such as diethyldithiocarbamate and clonidine. Like many racetams, it may treat fetal alcohol syndrome.
• Milacemide - A glycine prodrug which is both an inhibitor and a substrate for monoamine oxidase-type B (MAO-B) and also an inhibitor of MAO-type A (MAO-A).
• Nimodipine - A dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker originally developed for the treatment of high blood pressure.
• Ondansetron (Zofran) - A serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonist used mainly as an antiemetic to treat nausea and vomiting following chemotherapy.
• Phenytoin (Dilantin) - A neuroleptic and anti-siezure medication advocated by Jack Dreyfus for a variety of psychological conditions.
• Phosphatidylserine- In animals, PS has been shown to attenuate many neuronal effects of aging, and to restore normal memory on a variety of tasks.
• Picamilon or Pikamilone - Compound of Niacin and GABA. It can pass the blood-brain barrier and increase amount of GABA in the brain.
• Pregnenolone - Hormone; Precursor to DHEA;
• Pyroglutamate - An amino acid shown to improve learning.
• Royal Jelly - Produced by bees for the Queen. Can cause fatal allergic reactions in rare cases
• Sapunifiram
• Semax - A neuropeptide (stimulator of the nervous system) developed from a short fragment of ACTH, Pro8-Gly9-Pro10 ACTH(4-10). Claims of significant increase in salvation of neurons are made
• Somatotropin - Growth hormone, a polypeptide containing 191 amino acids, produced by the anterior pituitary, the front section of the pituitary gland. It acts by stimulating the release of another hormone called somatomedin by the liver, thereby causing growth.
• Sulbutiamine (Arcalion) - Drug - derivative of thiamine (vitamin B1) that can cross the blood-brain barrier and work as anti-fatigue and cognitive support agent.
• Sunifiram
• Turmeric - has possible benefits in Alzheimer's disease, cancer and liver disorders. Turmeric, under the name Avea, is becoming popular to treat depression.
• Unifiram
• Xanthinol Nicotinate (Complamin) - A drug that has been shown to stimulate memory and concentration, by improving blood flow to the brain.

See also

Brain and neurology

Action potential Aging and memory Brain Central nervous system (CNS) Dendrite Human brain Long-term potentiation Nervous system

Neurite Neuron Neuroplasticity Neuroscience Neurotransmitter Sensory neuroscience Synapse Synaptic plasticity List of nootropics (smart drugs)

Thought and thinking (what nootropics are used for)

Abstract thinking Attention Attitude Brainstorming Cognition Cognitive science Creative thinking Critical thinking Curiosity Decision Decision making Eidetic memory Emotions and feelings Emotional intelligence Goals and goal setting Idea Imagination Intelligence Introspection

Lateral thinking Learning Memory Memory-prediction framework Mental calculation Mind's eye Mindset Mood Motivation Perception Personality Picture thinking Problem shaping Problem solving Reason Recollection (recall) Self-reflection Thought Visual thinking

Health

Anxiety Cognitive psychology Clinical depression Confusion Cosmetic pharmacology Drug Parasympathomimetics Prescription drug Prohibition (drugs) Psychoactive drug (aka psychotropic drug) Psychedelic drug

Human enhancement Ergogenic aid Life extension Neurodegenerative disease Alzheimer's disease Parkinson's disease Nutrition Sleep disorders Stress Stress management

External links

• Society for the Advancement of Cosmetic Pharmacotherapy
• Business Week Online - "I Can't Remember" September 1, 2003
• Slashdot Cognitive Enhancement Drugs
• HedWeb
• List of Nootropic drugs at Erowid.org
• List of Neurobiology Links Relevant to Nootropics