A History of Nootropics

Discovering Modern
Nootropics

Over time, the more familiar we became with certain compounds and the more science advanced, we were able to refine plants like tobacco into more potent substances like nicotine [3].

Cultures around the world have had their own version of nootropic like substances: the Chinese are known for Ginkgo Biloba while Indians are known for Ayurvedic adaptogens. Yet in those thousands of years that we have been advancing in the science of psychotropes, advances in the effectiveness and use of these ancient brain supplements seemed to crawl along.

While these compounds have had a long-standing and important role in the history of humanity, it wasn’t until recently that we were able to create and optimize nootropics for thought enhancement, memory, and mental improvements.

As much scientific advancement seems to happen, this came by way of a giant leap forward during the 1960s. While Timothy Leary was working with the theory that psychedelics were man’s answer [4], chemists in Belgium were working to expand consciousness in their own way. They hoped to do so by synthesizing a derivative of the body’s major inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. In that moment, piracetam was born.

On the surface, Piracetam was a failure. These scientists were trying to create a GABA like compound that could cross the blood-brain barrier. The goal was to induce GABA-like effects, such as relaxation and a reduction in stress.

Dr. Giurgea coined the term nootropics. It comes from the Greek ‘noos’ meaning mind and ‘tropein’ meaning towards or to bend. This is an appropriate name for something capable of changing the shape of the mind and its very thoughts.

Since that genesis, scientists examined piracetam, the prototypical racetam, in countless studies. Outside of the US, it is often used as a pharmaceutical for the treatment of cognitive impairment [5]. Scientists have since created aniracetam and oxiracetam, both analogues of piracetam and members of the racetam family. Most studies done on nootropics have involved these three smart drugs. However, they are just a tiny portion of the nootropics studied since piracetam was first discovered. There are several other members of the racetam family such as pramiracetam and coluracetam, as well as several other families including acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.

Thanks to having the ability to access a world of information at our fingertips, more and more people are becoming educated about these once obscure compounds and using them to improve their lives.

Do Nootropics Work?

Research on nootropics is ongoing, but the vast majority focuses on newer compounds. In the studies that are available, there is an abundance of research on substances like piracetam. However, there are plenty of compounds that could use a few more studies.

Because of that, discovering the full potential of nootropics falls on the shoulders of biohackers—people looking to “hack” their mind in the pursuit of mental and physical optimization.

If you visit nootropic forums, somebody usually digs up an old study about a promising compound, and interest sparks like wildfire. If there are enough benefits to negate any concerns, somewhere down the line the compound makes its way into the subjective world of research for newer nootropics.

Potential benefits, side effects, and optimal dosages are taken from scientific research. Unfortunately, they can’t be perfected until enough people take the compound and report their experiences.

Even with the limited research, there is enough evidence and user experience available to say the consensus is a resounding yes.

Explore the ever expanding world of nootropics and discover what benefits are waiting for you.

Nootropics
in Pop Culture

Thanks in part to the movie Limitless and today’s competitive culture, nootropic has become quite the buzzword online. It seems the momentum is increasing more and more what with the attention from publications like The Atlantic as well as support from popular personalities including UFC commentator Joe Rogan and best-selling author Tim Ferris.

Unfortunately, people still tend to associate the term “smart drug” with prescription medication like Adderall. However, with a fan-base comprised of highly-competitive young adults, it’s only a matter of time before this demographic boosts the demand for smart drugs and helps usher nootropics into the mainstream and into a category all its own.