Brain function is dependent on many basic processes such as the usage of ATP, removal of waste, and intake of new materials. Improving blood flow or altering these processes can benefit brain function ...
Stress (specifically elevated levels of circulating corticosteroids) has been associated with the cognitive deficits seen in human aging. Many studies show that stress and fatigue negatively impact co ...
Sleep is known to be important in memory consolidation, mood, anxiety, appetite, and numerous other physiological processes. Drugs that improve sleep may therefore have an indirect nootropic effect.Se ...
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter with various effects on mood and possible effects on neurogenesis. Serotonergics are substances that affect the neurotransmitter serotonin or the components of the nerv ...
Ligands and modulators of the AMPA receptor, an ionotropic glutamate receptor, are being researched for a myriad of conditions, from Alzheimer's to ADHD. Although there are many AMPAkines being resear ...
The GABAA α5 receptor site has recently displayed memory improvements when inverse agonized.α5IA—α5 inverse agonist. A number of α5IA analogues exist that, like α5IA, selectively and partially a ...
Cholinergics are substances that affect the neurotransmitter acetylcholine or the components of the nervous system that use acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is a facilitator of memory formation. Increasin ...
Stimulants are often seen as smart drugs, but may be more accurately termed productivity enhancers. These typically improve concentration and a few areas of cognitive performance, but only while the d ...
B Vitamins—may influence cognitive function through an effect on methylation and homocysteine levels, as excess homocysteine has been associated with cognitive impairment and the B vitamins work to r ...
The word nootropic was coined upon discovery of the effects of piracetam, developed in the 1960s. Studies of the racetams have revealed that these structurally similar compounds often act via differen ...
The main concern with pharmaceutical drugs is adverse effects, and these concerns apply to cognitive-enhancing drugs as well. Cognitive enhancers are often taken for the long-term when little data is ...
In academia a Nootropic called modafinil has been used to increase productivity, although its long-term effects have not been assessed in healthy individuals. Stimulants such as methylphenidate, a cog ...
