Nootropic supplements have earned the nickname “smart drugs” for their widely reported brain-enhancing properties. Their popularity is booming, and the global brain health supplements market is forecast to grow to $11.6 billion by 2024.
Seemingly everyone from students to scientists is turning to dietary nootropics to increase sharpness and stay ahead of the competition. But are nootropics the limitless pill that they’re reported to be? Can they actually make us smarter? Let’s find out…
What are Nootropics?
Put simply, nootropics boost brainpower. The term Nootropics was once limited to describing prescription medication for the treatment of conditions including ADHD and Alzheimer’s, which generally worked in one of two ways: directly via changes such as influencing energy metabolism or indirectly by protecting the brain from dysfunction and damage.
Nowadays, however, nootropics fall into three main categories:
- Dietary supplements
- Synthetic compounds
- Prescription drugs
It’s becoming more and more common for healthy individuals to add dietary brain supplements to their diet to boost cognition. This is because nootropics are reported to improve the following brain functions:
- Memory
- Alertness
- Decision-making
- Attention
- Creativity
- Faculties relating to intelligence
Caffeine is a key element of most dietary nootropic supplements, which is proven to increase alertness and improve performance. Other active ingredients of limitless brain pills include L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes relaxation without drowsiness and also aids focus and alertness.
When to use Nootropics
When you choose to take focus supplements will depend largely on how you spend your days (or nights). Nootropics are generally recommended during the morning or afternoon to keep performance at peak levels throughout the day. However, some people take a double dose: one in the day and one in the evening:
Daytime benefits include:
- Improved memory
- Better focus
- Heightened creativity
- Long-lasting motivation
Daytime benefits include:
- Focus-based relaxation
- Healthy sleep patterns
- Brain regeneration
- Stress reduction
As a general rule, the perfect time to take nootropic supplements is when you are in need of some brain enhancement. This will be different for everyone, so keep track of your day and make a note of any patterns that occur where you feel you would benefit from a boost. You might also want to tailor your doses to your activities.
In the Gym
The gym requires physical strength, not brainpower, right? Wrong: lifting weights, working out, and playing sports requires brains and brawn. Any bodybuilder worth their salt knows that if your mind isn’t in the game, your gains are going to suffer, and many team sports require concentration and lightning-fast reactions.
Consider taking nootropics as a pre-workout supplement for the following benefits:
- Focus – smashing targets requires laser focus. It’s easy to become distracted by work stress, family worries, or financial concerns, and these niggling thoughts can stand between you and your goals.
- Intensity – consistently performing at peak levels is the key to a successful workout, and many athletes agree that intensity separates the pros from the rookies.
- Motivation – the drive to be the best is a major ingredient in the recipe for success, and the ability to remain motivated will help you hit your targets quicker and easier.
At Work
Long hours in the workplace can drain energy and leave you feeling fuzzy, and it can be difficult to stay focused and motivated. Stress can also have a negative effect on your mood which can alienate colleagues and rub your boss up the wrong way.
Popping your brain pills at the following times can have a positive effect on your performance:
- Before a presentation
- Ahead of a high-pressure meeting
- When tackling a tight deadline
While Studying
Nootropics are hugely popular with students for their ability to boost the following:
- Learning ability
- Recall
- Attention
- Stress reduction
While nootropics can’t actually boost IQ, they can make you feel like they are. Stress reduction properties help remove the feeling of being overwhelmed and anxious, which can help students to focus. In addition, enhanced attention can help during long study sessions, and improved memory can be beneficial during exams.
Do Nootropics work for Long-term Performance?
Nootropics deliver a noticeable improvement to focus and performance, but to achieve long-term benefits you’ll need to add the following elements to your lifestyle:
- Brain exercise – puzzles and brain-training apps keep your mind in shape. Think of them like a gym for your mind.
- Physical activity – regular exercise is proven to improve memory and thinking skills, and aerobic exercise appears to actually increase the size of the hippocampus.
- Omega-3 fatty acids – fish like mackerel and salmon are literal brain food, and supplements are widely available.
- Relaxation – managing stress and getting enough sleep are important factors for brain function.
Are Nootropics Safe?
For the best and safest results, always source your supplements from trusted vendors with proven expertise and experience. All our Iron Brothers products are blended from the best ingredients and our nootropics supplement is one of the best brain supplements of its kind on the market.
Iron Brothers - Prodigy Advanced Nootropic
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As with all supplements, it’s important to make an informed decision. Speak with your doctor before you start taking natural nootropics to check that it won’t interfere with any medication you’re taking or conflict with any existing medical conditions.
It’s also important to note that pregnant women should avoid supplements that contain caffeine because a high intake is linked to a higher risk of pregnancy loss.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a student studying for exams, a professional with a heavy workload, or an athlete that needs to stay sharp, the idea of a supplement that can safely and effectively boost performance might sound too good to be true. But it’s entirely possible to sharpen your mind and enhance your creativity with a nootropic supplement.
Want to find out more about one of the best nootropic supplements on the market? Join the Iron Brotherhood to get advice and support from our Iron Brothers community.
When do you take nootropic supplements? Let us know in the comments.
Resources
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323144.php
- https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/wellness/a27815313/what-are-nootropics/
- https://examine.com/supplements/cognitive-function/
- https://time.com/5509993/nootropics-smart-drugs-brain/
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326379.php
- https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/features/nootropics-smart-drugs-overview#1
- https://www.mindlabpro.com/blogs/nootropics/nootropics-day-or-night
