Uses for Nootropics: Unlocking Your Brain’s Potential

by Scott Reid

Nootropics have proven themselves to be effective at improving a wide variety of cognitive skills. Some nootropics can improve your focus, attention, and motivation while others have been shown to enhance memory, wellbeing, and alleviate anxiety and depression.  Let’s answer any questions lingering in your mind concerning which nootropics improve which mental abilities.  

L-theanine

Modern life can be very busy and stressful and it seems like nearly all of us could use a little more energy and focus in our day to day activities.  Many people are ditching sugary or artificially sweetened energy drinks in favor of nootropics to give them a boost in energy and motivation so they can better meet the demands of the day.  If you find yourself experiencing a touch of fatigue or a lack of motivation during the day, the nootropic l-theanine could be exactly what you’re looking for.  L-theanine is a naturally occurring nootropic found in many plants including green tea.  You can take this calming and focusing agent in pill or powder form L-theanine is essentially odorless and tasteless so many people have started adding it to their post-workout shakes or morning coffee.  L-theanine causes a feeling of calm focus by itself but many find the effects are more pronounced if it is accompanied by caffeine.  

Aniracetam

Another useful nootropic for determination and motivation is Aniracetam.  Aniracetam works to moderately and gently increase levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain and is known for its anti-anxiety effects.  Dopamine and serotonin are often called the “feel good” neurotransmitters because they are linked to feelings of wellbeing and relaxation as well as fewer distracting thoughts.  Aniracetam is very popular among athletes and professionals with demanding jobs for these reasons.  Aniracetam can cause headaches if dosage recommendations are not followed.  The headaches can be alleviated or avoided altogether by including a choline supplement as part of your nootropic stack.  In order to perform well athletically or get those entrepreneurial juices flowing, you need to be in a relaxed, calm, and focused state.  Aniracetam can help you achieve these beneficial mental states.  

Phenibut

We all know the value of a good night’s sleep but with our busy lives and modern gadgets it is becoming increasingly difficult to get quality sleep every night..  Maybe you find yourself thinking about the work deadline you have coming up or perhaps the bluelight from your laptop and smartphone is causing your mind to think you’re living in perpetual daylight.  Either way, a restful night’s sleep isn’t on the menu.  Luckily, a nootropic called Phenibut can help.  Phenibut was developed in the 1960s in Russia to help cosmonauts reduce stress levels brought on by living in space for a prolonged amount of time.  An effective dosage of Phenibut can help you fall asleep quicker and achieve deeper levels of rest.  Some have even reported an increased incidence of lucid dreaming when using phenibut.  

Studies confirming the benefits of phenibut are a bit mixed with some reporting pronounced anti-anxiety and calming effects while others did not observe the same benefits.  It’s unclear exactly why the results of multiple studies are ambivalent but some have suggested that Phenibut simply doesn’t provide the same benefits to all people all the time.  

Other studies concluded that Phenibut for those people who have overactive neural processing.  In layman’s terms, it is very effective for people who think too much.  If you ever find yourself excessively thinking or obsessing over insignificant events or details, Phenibut may be able to help calm your mind and get some high quality sleep at the same time.  

Sulbutiamine

Nootropics have even shown themselves to be effective against the dreaded D-word, depression.  Maybe the most effectual nootropic agent in combating depression is Sulbutiamine.  Sulbutiamine is actually a derivative of the much lauded, and deservedly so, B vitamins.  This nootropic is a slightly modified version of the chemical thiamine.  Thiamine is well known for its mood boosting and anti-anxiety effects and in many countries it is prescribed to treat depression.  Double-blind scientific studies looking into the benefits of Sulbutiamine are currently lacking.  

Unfortunately we often don’t have the time to wait for every scientist go sign off on the potency of particular substances and have to see for ourselves.  Testimonials from those who have used Sulbutiamine report that the nootropic is effective in relieving their underlying depression without causing dependency or unwanted side effects like insomnia.  

While the efficacy of nootropics hasn’t yet received scientific consensus, numerous studies suggest they can enhance mental skills like focus, attention, learning, memory, and motivation while others have powerful calming and anti-anxiety effects.  We’re always looking to get just a little bit better because small changes become monumental differences over time.  Nootropics can definitely lead to a powerful cognitive upgrade.  

 

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