What Are Nootropics?
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Medically reviewed by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD
Nootropics—commonly known as "smart drugs"—are a diverse group of medications and supplements that boost your cognition (thinking) and overall brain health. This class of drugs affects the nervous system—but each type of medication or supplement can have slightly different effects on your brain.
Scientists have mostly studied nootropics in the context of Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and other conditions that cause cognitive decline. A group of prescription nootropics can also treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, many people are also interested in using nootropics temporarily or long-term to enhance their memory, attention, and mental sharpness via nootropic supplements.
What Do Nootropics Do?
Nootropics work in lots of different ways and may offer one or more of the following effects:
Improving the brain’s supply of blood, glucose (sugar), and oxygen
Protecting the brain from ongoing damage
Stimulating the production of certain proteins found in the brain
Positively affecting your body’s stress response system
Increasing available amounts of certain neurotransmitters, such as acetylcholine or dopamine
Neurologists (or doctors who specialize in the brain and spinal cord) can prescribe nootropic medications to people who live with cognitive conditions, memory problems, and learning disabilities. Examples of these conditions include Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, or a traumatic brain injury. It's also worth noting that nootropics for these conditions can take weeks or months to see real results.
A specific group of nootropics (called stimulants) are very commonly prescribed to treat ADHD, but they aren’t used as often for other brain conditions. Stimulant drugs affect the brain much more quickly. In fact, you may notice an improvement in ADHD symptoms within a few hours or days.
Many people without underlying health conditions also choose to take over-the-counter nootropic supplements. You might do this if you want a supplement to help improve memory, focus, and concentration. But keep in mind: nootropic supplements haven't been studied extensively and it's essential to ask your healthcare provider if taking this supplement is safe for you.
Types of Nootropics
Not everyone agrees on what types of substances should be categorized as nootropics—and scientists have also categorized nootropics in different ways. However, the types of nootropics listed below are some examples of broad categories of nootropics.
Prescription Nootropics for ADHD
One group of nootropics is stimulant drugs, which are a commonly used medication to treat ADHD. These drugs increase the availability of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine, both of which help improve attention and academic performance. Common prescription nootropics for ADHD include:
Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine salts)
Ritalin (methylphenidate)
Provigil (modafinil)
Some people also use these drugs off-label to help them study. But the overall benefits aren't clear, and experts don't encourage this approach.
Prescription Nootropics for Cognitive Decline
Some other prescription nootropics are available for cognitive decline and dementia. The most common nootropics for cognitive conditions are Artocoron (Naftidrofuryl) and Hydergine (ergoloid mesylates). Experts suggest that these medications can increase blood flow to the brain to improve cognitive skills and slow down cognitive decline.
Nootropic Supplements That Affect Acetylcholine Levels
Acetylcholine is the most important neurotransmitter for learning and memory. Certain nootropic supplements can increase the amount of acetylcholine in the brain. Most of these nootropics are sold in the U.S. as dietary supplements. In other parts of the world, they are only available as a prescription medication.
Common nootropics in this group of supplements are Deanol (DMAE) and Lucidril (meclofenoxate), which have some evidence of improving memory. Another example is lecithin, which is often found in foods like egg yolks. This supplement helps produce acetylcholine in the brain and improves memory. CDP-choline (citicoline) is another supplement that helps your brain make acetylcholine. This supplement in particular can help people who live with dementia.
Herbal and Plant-Based Supplements
Many different herbs and plant-based compounds have been used as nootropics. Some herbal nootropics were used even hundreds of years ago. But modern studies have definitively found how effective these supplements really are.
Herbal nootropics can vary in their effects. Some supplements promote sharper thinking, improved memory, better concentration, and increased energy. Others may help improve symptoms of insomnia, depression, anxiety, and sexual dysfunction. These supplements are known as adaptogens, which affect cortisol levels (your stress hormones) to promote overall physical resilience.
Some common herbal nootropic supplements include:
Gotu kola
Water hyssop
Guarana
Rhodiola
Five-flavor berries
Huperzine A
Vinpocetine (synthetic nootropic, but derived from the periwinkle plant)
Amino Acids, Vitamins, and Food Supplements
Some people classify products that you might get from foods as possible nootropics. For example, some health companies market individual amino acids (the chemical components of protein) as nootropics. These amino acids may increase the amount of certain neurotransmitters in your brain, like acetylcholine. Examples of amino acid nootropics include:
L-tyrosine
L-taurine
Some experts consider certain vitamins to fall under the category of nootropics. These vitamins may improve thinking and decrease anxious thoughts. Some examples include vitamin B6 and pyritinol.
Certain products derived from foods are also sometimes promoted as nootropics. For example, omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in certain kinds of fish, are important for overall brain health and preventing cognitive decline. Additionally, resveratrol (found in grapes) and carnitine (derived from some animals) may help improve cognition and benefit people with Alzheimer's disease.
Caffeine and Nicotine
While you may not think of caffeine and nicotine as nootropics, some experts categorize these substances as nootropics. Caffeine can enhance attention and promote sharper thinking, at least for a limited time period. Nicotine, however, affects acetylcholine levels, which in some cases may enhance memory and mental sharpness. But smoking or chewing tobacco products can severely affect your lung health and greatly increase your risk of cancer.
How To Take Nootropics
Nootropics are almost always available in the form of pills. However, nicotine is mostly consumed through cigarettes and chewing tobacco and sometimes through the form of nicotine gum or a patch. While caffeine pills do exist, most people who consume caffeine ingest the substance via coffee, tea, cola, and even chocolate.
If you receive a prescription nootropic for a chronic health condition like ADHD or dementia, your provider will recommend long-term use. But those using nootropics for a brain boost may choose to take supplements daily or in certain situations (such as studying for a test). Remember, if you want to use a nootropic and do not have an underlying condition that warrants the use of a drug, as your provider if a supplement is safe for you before using.
Potential Side Effects
Generally, nootropics seem to have a relatively low risk of side effects. But it's worth noting that not all nootropics have been well studied. When side effects do happen, they tend to be mild. The side effects you experience will also often depend on your age, any underlying health conditions you have, and which nootropics you use. Side effects may include:
Restlessness
Insomnia
An upset stomach
Reduced appetite
Increased anxiety
Higher blood pressure
Risk of developing an irregular heartbeat
Keep in mind: if you stop taking nootropics suddenly, you may also experience symptoms of withdrawal.
Researchers also recommend that people with high blood pressure, liver disease, kidney disease, and heart disease should avoid nootropics altogether or only use low doses. Allergic reactions are also possible, in more severe cases. If you get a rash or other allergy symptoms after taking a nootropic, it might not be the right approach for you and experts recommend stopping taking the medication or supplement.
If you're on the fence about whether a nootropic is for you, consider asking your healthcare provider or pharmacist for recommendations and to learn whether these supplements and medications are safe for you.
Things to Consider
Before you start taking nootropics, consider the following:
Dosage: The risk of side effects may increase with higher doses, so it's essential to ask your provider which dose is right for you
Complications: If you are pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding, experts recommend not taking nootropics unless your healthcare provider has prescribed one to you as it can increase the risk of complications
Safety: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not evaluate the safety or effectiveness of over-the-counter supplements, including nootropics, so it's important to take these supplements under the guidance of your healthcare provider
When to Contact Your Healthcare Provider
Before you decide to take a nootropic, it's a good idea to talk about it with your healthcare provider. They can help you identify whether taking a nootropic might have risks for you, given your underlying health conditions, prescriptions, and lifestyle habits.
Additionally, if you experience side effects from a prescribed nootropic, like headache or insomnia, check in with your healthcare provider. They may recommend lowering your dose, stopping the medication altogether, or prescribing a different medication. However, if you develop life-threatening symptoms like shortness of breath or a severe allergic reaction (like anaphylactic shock), seek medical attention immediately by calling 911.
A Quick Review
Nootropics are a broad class of compounds that may improve memory, focus, mental sharpness, and concentration. Some people use nootropics to treat conditions like dementia and ADHD. But people without health conditions may also use them for their potential health benefits in the form of over-the-counter supplements. Before taking a nootropic, ask your healthcare provider if these medications or supplements are safe for you.
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