Stress is one of the most damaging problems that the modern world faces. Becoming more complex and deep-rooted as the pace of the world quickens, the problem has caused many people to suffer, often needlessly. There are certain Nootropics that can be used to lessen the impact of stress.

Stress is simply the effect of the outside world and events upon the person. Sometimes stress can be a good thing, as in competitive sport stress for example. At other times, stress can cripple the minds and bodies of people who are usually rational, clear-thinking individuals.

Public speaking is one of the biggest stressors in modern life. The fact that one has to stand up and present ideas and concepts in front of strangers or even peers is enough to reduce most people to gibbering wrecks.

Studies have shown that stressors can actually cause a variety of neurotransmitters to be released into the body. These transmitters can cause a massive surge of adrenaline to be released, among many other physiological effects. Adrenaline causes a rise in heart rate, and can be quite a stressor in itself.

However, stress is suffered by everyone to some degree. Most times it is not a problem; in fact it is arguable that we all need some stress in order to keep safe. The symptoms of excess stress can cause problems. One of the milder symptoms of stress is that of headaches. Many sufferers of stress complain of headaches, which do not last very long, but can be quite strong.

The more complex symptoms of stress include muscle tension and fatigue. The effect of the adrenaline rush alone can be quite draining, causing tiredness. Then there are the emotional and mental problems that stress can cause. Irritability and mood swings are common problems associated with stress.

More problematic are the behaviours that people under stress can find themselves indulging in. People who suffer from stress are likely to, in the long term, abuse alcohol and drugs. These behaviours cause many problems to the sufferers and the people around them.

Severe medical problems can then result. Even if the sufferer does not indulge in drugs and alcohol, the physical changes that can result from stress can, over time, become quite damaging to the body. Luckily, the Nootropics group of drugs have some impact on stress.

Nootropics can be used to fight stress in one of two ways. The most common way is that of helping people to manage the symptoms of stress and perform better during stressful situations. Nootropics can also be used to lessen the effect of those harmful symptoms that have a capacity to damage the life of the sufferer.

Anxiety is slightly different to stress in that it does not have quite the same impact. Social anxiety is the most common type of anxiety felt. This is what occurs when people find it difficult to enter a crowded room, for example. Other examples are when a person is unable to talk in a social situation, and may require drugs such as alcohol to relax first. Some Nootropics drugs are able to lessen the effects of anxiety, leaving the user able to enjoy social situations without having to rely upon drugs that are less positive.

There are a number of Nootropics that people have found to be useful in the fight against stress. What follows is a short list of those one might want to try. Some people have found that using just one Nootropic is enough. However, others have combined more than one and found the effect to be more dramatic and lasting. Experiment with a variety of Nootropics and doses if you are trying to deal with stress and anxiety, until you find the mix that works for you.

Nootropics that are useful against stress and Anxiety:

• Inositol, which is a B vitamin sugar with anti-anxiety effects.
• Kava Kava, which is a very powerful Nootropic that helps with stress
• Theanine, another powerful Nootropic that helps to relax the body.
• Niacin, which is a mood stabiliser. This is generally viewed as the most powerful Nootropic available in the areas of stress management.
• Rhodiola Rosea, which may be effective for improving mood and alleviating depression.

Remember to always consult with your doctor before taking on any new course of drugs.

Herbal Nootropics, Nootropic Supplements, Nootropics, Smart Drugs

© admin for Nootropics Smart Pills and Cognitive Enhancers, 2009. | Permalink | No comment

Add to del.icio.us

Search blogs linking this post with Technorati

Want more on these topics ? Browse the archive of posts filed under Herbal Nootropics, Nootropic Supplements, Nootropics, Smart Drugs.

Arguably the most wide spread and popular nootropic, Caffeine is noted for its cognitive enhancement abilities. The clichéd phrase ‘don’t speak to me until I’ve had my first coffee’ and variants thereof are a testament to the power of this perfectly legal drug, which is unregulated in most jurisdictions. The Western world is a particularly large consumer of caffeine, with over 90% of North American adults consuming caffeine on a daily basis.

Some claim that caffeine is not a ‘true’ nootropic because it effects the whole body rather than just the brain, but this would seem to be an argument of semantics. Caffeine is well documented for its action as a psychoactive stimulant.

As a nootropic, Caffeine stimulates short term memory and suppresses long term memory. This means that users of Caffeine may have trouble remembering events which occurred years ago, but will be particularly mentally acute in the exercises they are currently engaging in.

Taken in moderation, caffeine is an excellent nootropic with a relatively gentle but potent effect on its user. Those utilizing caffeine as a nootropic should nevertheless take care to regulate their intake as prolonged heavy use can lead to unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, and extreme overdoses of caffeine can lead to sickness, psychosis and even death.

Caffeine Addiction

Withdrawal symptoms also become apparent in those who have become accustomed to taking regular doses of caffeine and then stop. Caffeine tolerance does not take long to develop. Within just four days of ingesting around four espressos per day will cause the body to develop a tolerance to the sleep disturbing effects of caffeine.

Regular caffeine intake leads to increased production of adenosine receptors. The result of this increased production is two fold. Firstly, the user no longer experiences the same effects from caffeine that she or he once did. Secondly, the user becomes more sensitive to adenosine, which is what causes the ‘withdrawal’ symptoms such as headaches, nausea and drowsiness. These symptoms can last for up to 5 days before abating.

The Dark Side of Caffeine

Of course, the effects of over indulging in caffeine can be severe. In nature caffeine protects plants by poisoning and paralyzing insects which try to feed on them. Humans can metabolize small amounts of caffeine without becoming ill, however in very large doses caffeine can cause sickness or even death.

Most people will experience unpleasant side effects long before they approach the point where they dangerously poison themselves or over stimulate their system, if they are ingesting caffeine in its most popular medium, coffee. Those taking high dosage caffeine pills may be less able to predict the effects of the dose before they take it.

The caffeine ‘jitters’ are a sign that an overdose of caffeine has already occurred. The technical term for this phenomenon is ‘caffeine intoxication’. Caffeine intoxication causes anxiety, muscle fluttering, rambling speech, sweating and a rapid heart beat amongst other symptoms. Extreme caffeine intoxication can even lead to psychosis and hallucinations. Lethal doses of caffeine are achieved in humans by consuming the equivalent of 80 to 100 cups of coffee.

Herbal Nootropics, Nootropic Supplements, Nootropics

© admin for Nootropics Smart Pills and Cognitive Enhancers, 2009. | Permalink | No comment

Add to del.icio.us

Search blogs linking this post with Technorati

Want more on these topics ? Browse the archive of posts filed under Herbal Nootropics, Nootropic Supplements, Nootropics.

The last survivor of an ancient tree family, Ginko Biloba holds a special place as a nootropic substance. For many years all forms of Ginko were believed to be extinct, that is until small plantations were discovered in Eastern China. It now appears that these Ginko Biloba trees were planted intentionally by monks over a period of a thousand years or more.

The foresight of those monks means that the world now has access to what is a truly prehistoric plant. Most forms of Ginko died out in the Pliocene era, between 1.8 and 5.3 million years ago.

The discovery of Ginko Biloba trees in Eastern China heralded a surge in popularity. Ginko trees can now be found throughout much of Asia where they have proven to be very hardy, especially in high population areas plagued with smog and other forms of pollution. Ginko Biloba trees are so hardy that they were among the very few survivors of the Atom bomb which was dropped on Hiroshima in 1945. In fact, those very same trees which withstood the incredible radioactive explosion that destroyed a generation are still alive and well today.

Ginko Biloba Benefits

Ginko Biloba is regarded by traditional herbalists as being an excellent nootropic capable of enhancing memory and concentration. For this reason it is an ingredient in many energy drinks the world over.

The Science of Ginko Biloba

The science around Ginko Biloba’s effects is murky however. Some studies indicate that it does indeed possess nootropic abilities, others assert that it has little to no effect on human cognitive abilities. Studies have been conducted to determine whether or not Ginko Biloba could be useful in combating Alzheimer’s, and in 2004 conference papers were released which referenced trials indicating that Ginko Biloba may have some potential to aid in the prevention of Alzheimer’s. In 2008 another study concluded that Ginko Biloba had no effect on existing dementia, however.

Of the studies which have returned positive results it would seem that Ginko Biloba has three potential mechanisms of action:

• Increasing blood flow
• Protection against free radicals (ionized agents which attack healthy brain matter and destroy the cells, slowly robbing a person of their cognitive abilities.)
• Blockage of platelet activating factors (ie, the agents which cause blood clots).

Ginko Biloba Warnings

Because of Ginko Biloba’s potential effects on the body, some people are not good candidates for Ginko Biloba. People who should avoid this plant include those with preexisting blood disorders, particularly those taking blood thinners. Ginko Biloba is also not recommended for pregnant women, nor anyone taking anti depressants.

Potential Side Effects

Though Ginko Biloba is generally considered to be relatively safe for the majority of the population, it can cause the following side effects:

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Stomach Ache
• Heart Palpitations

If any of these symptoms are experienced whilst consuming Ginko Biloba, stop immediately and do not resume. Some are more sensitive to Ginko Biloba extract than others.

Herbal Nootropics, Nootropic Supplements, Nootropics, Smart Drugs

© admin for Nootropics Smart Pills and Cognitive Enhancers, 2009. | Permalink | No comment

Add to del.icio.us

Search blogs linking this post with Technorati

Want more on these topics ? Browse the archive of posts filed under Herbal Nootropics, Nootropic Supplements, Nootropics, Smart Drugs.

With a wide range of nootropics available on the market and many of them posing a severe risk to human health, it can be difficult for a beginner to identify a suitable nootropic agent. This article is intended to outline the potential dangers of nootropic agents and to provide a starting point for those who wish to safely boost their memory function and cognitive abilities.

Nootropic Risks

Dangers of unregulated nootropics include:

Seratonin Syndrome

A condition resulting from reaction to or overdose of certain psychoactive drugs. Seratonin syndrome affects cognitive abilities, involves potentially severe physical symptoms and can even result in death.

Physical Effects of Seratonin Syndrome:

• High blood pressure
• Increased heart rate
• Tremors
• Twitching
• Hypothermia
• Death

Mental Effects of Seratonin Syndrome:

• Mental confusion
• Hallucinations
• Delirium
• Coma

Other possible reactions to various chemical and natural nootropic agents include organ failure, psychosis and of course, death.

Are ‘Natural’ Nootropics Safer?

When choosing a suitable nootropic, be aware that ‘natural’ or ‘herbal’ nootropics may not always be safer than chemical drugs. Some unapproved nootropic agents are even marketed as being ‘nutritional supplements’ in an attempt to avoid regulation. Be sure to research any nootropic agent carefully prior to starting treatment. It is also wise to consult with your GP, especially if you suffer from any pre-existing medical conditions.

Safe Nootropics

As illustrated above, the potential for disaster when using nootropics is very real, so it pays to be safe when it comes to selecting a nootropic. The following nootropic agents have all been approved as safe by regulatory bodies such as the FDA. Please note that this is not intended to be an exhaustive list, rather a starting point for those seeking safe, proven substances to improve their cognitive abilities.

Piracetam

A common and effective nootropic, Piracetam is used to treat Alzheimer’s and Downs Syndrome. Though there are potential side effects, and Piracetam is not suitable for people with kidney failure, liver impairment and cerebral haemorrage, Piracetam is generally regarded as being safe.

Caffeine

Caffeine is a psychotropic nootropic agent which is used around the globe to increase alertness and ward off drowsiness. Caffeine is addictive, and if ingested in extremely large quantities can be deadly, however reasonable use is considered to be safe. Users should be aware that regular use will result in a mild addiction which can be responsible for withdrawal symptoms such as headaches and nausea if the regular caffeine dose is missed.

Vitamin B5

An essential nutrient, Vitamin 5 (also known as pantothenic acid) is considered to have nootropic effects. These nootropic effects arise from its role in the synthesis of neurotransmitters which facilitate cognitive functions.

If Vitamin B5 is not present in required amounts, a person may experience impaired cognitive abilities, not to mention unpleasant physical symptoms. Vitamin B5 is essential for good health, both mental and physical. It can be found in broccoli, avocado and meat. It is also available as a supplement.

Vitamin B5 has no known toxicity level and is therefore regarded as being an extremely safe nootropic agent.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Found in fish, Omega 3 fatty acids are another essential nutrient. Omega 3 fatty acids have been proven to boost cognitive functions and memory recall. In reasonable amounts, Omega 3 fatty acids pose no risk to human health, though in large amounts they can increase cholesterol, reduce glycemic control in diabetics and, if taken in very large doses, can lead to hemorrhagic strokes.

Green Tea

It may surprise you to learn that the popular beverage, tea, is actually something of a miracle drink. Studies have shown that elderly adults who drink two cups of tea per day are 50% less likely to experience degeneration of their cognitive abilities when compared to similarly elderly people who do not drink tea. Tea is a source of anti oxidants, which have the ability to lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. It also contains a plethora of other beneficial chemicals which promote health on all levels.

Those wishing to slow mental aging would do well to drink tea as part of their regular cognitive health regimen.

Herbal Nootropics, Nootropics

© admin for Nootropics Smart Pills and Cognitive Enhancers, 2009. | Permalink | No comment

Add to del.icio.us

Search blogs linking this post with Technorati

Want more on these topics ? Browse the archive of posts filed under Herbal Nootropics, Nootropics.