What you need to know about nootropics
Nootropics: A brain boost thanks to the “Limitless” effect
At the latest since the movie “Limitless” with Bradley Cooper, it’s clear: Nootropics – also known as Nootropics – promise a real boost in brain performance.
💊 What are Nootropics?
Nootropics are dietary supplements designed to enhance your cognitive performance. While medications are used to treat illnesses, nootropics help you reach the next level even in a healthy state.
Since every substance works differently and every brain is unique, you can use different nootropics for different goals – from focus to mood, from energy to creativity.
✨ Possible effects at a glance:
- ⚡️ Boost productivity & motivation: ideal before exams, projects, or creative tasks.
- 🗣 Enhance social skills: more confidence, flow in speech, and extroversion – perfect for presentations or parties.
- 💪 Mental strength in training: as a workout booster for endurance and focus.
- 🧬 Neuroprotection: supports the formation of new neurons – for lasting mental performance.
In the short term, nootropics improve your learning ability and energy; in the long term, they promote the so-called LTP effect (“Long-Term Potentiation”) – a cellular mechanism for sustainable memory formation.
💊 Smart Drugs vs. Nootropics
While nootropics are usually natural dietary supplements, so-called smart drugs typically contain medicinally active substances and are subject to pharmaceutical regulations.
According to studies, up to 25% of students at elite UK universities use the prescription drug Modafinil to enhance their mental performance. In Silicon Valley, people even experiment with everything from Adderall to LSD.
👉 I’ve personally tested many nootropics – I can highly recommend some, but advise caution with others.
⚠️ The term “nootropics” is problematic because it’s used too broadly: Caffeine and cocaine are both considered nootropics – yet they couldn’t be more different.
🚀 1. Modafinil, Armodafinil & Adrafinil
These three substances are among the most well-known pharmaceutical nootropics for boosting focus, motivation, mental clarity, and memory performance.
I first encountered Modafinil in 2017 – during a stay in Silicon Valley. (Fun fact: nearly every founder there knows it.) The effect was impressive: clear thoughts, energy without a crash, no sense of hunger.
I used it for several months – at varying doses – until I realized: Something feels missing when I don’t take it. And that’s the crux: 👉 Addiction potential!
💡 Better alternative?
A good natural substitute: Bulletproof Coffee. It delivers similar alertness and focus, but is easy to get, healthy, and completely legal.
🧪 How does Modafinil work?
Modafinil affects the dopamine system, but differently than cocaine or amphetamines. As a result, many of the typical side effects are avoided. It enhances:
- 🧠 Focus & concentration
- 🔍 Problem-solving ability
- ⏱ Alertness f
🧩 2. NeuroMaster by Bulletproof
NeuroMaster is a nootropic based on coffee fruit extract – not the bean itself, but the red fruit flesh surrounding it. Sounds unimpressive, but it’s surprisingly potent:
The extract boosts BDNF levels (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) in the brain – significantly more than exercise. BDNF acts like fertilizer for your brain: it promotes neuroplasticity, memory formation, and the ability to form new neurons.
🎯 What does it do?
- 🧠 Improved memory
- 🔁 Better cognitive adaptability (neuroplasticity)
- 📈 Increased learning ability & focus
Especially relevant for older adults or anyone noticing that “mental leaps” are becoming harder. Because: Low BDNF is linked to brain aging, hippocampal shrinkage, and memory loss.
📊 Scientific studies:
100 mg of coffee fruit extract increased BDNF levels by up to 140% in several studies – and the effect lasted for several hours.
🌿 3. Bacopa Monnieri – Stress, Focus & Memory
Bacopa Monnieri is a small aquatic plant from India. As an adaptogen, it helps the body cope better with stress. At the same time, it improves memory, mood, and attention – especially in people over 65.
Its effects build up gradually: Studies showed initial improvements after about 4 weeks of daily use. Important: consistency pays off!
Many nootropics include Bacopa – but often not in effective doses. For noticeable results, you need at least:
✅ Dosage: 750 mg Bacopa daily – ideally taken with a fat source (e.g., MCT oil)
⚠️ 4. Amphetamine (Adderall) – Focus with side effects
Adderall is medically used to treat ADHD – under prescription and supervision. But among students (especially in the US), it’s widely used as a “performance tool” – even without medical diagnosis. Problematic? Yes.
Adderall may boost focus, work motivation, and short-term memory, but it acts directly on dopamine and norepinephrine release in the brain.
- ⚡️ + Benefits: Alertness, drive, learning power
- ⚠️ – Downsides: Nervousness, anxiety, sleep problems, high addiction potential
Taking Adderall without medical supervision is risky and can lead to dependency. Withdrawal symptoms have also been documented. 👉 It belongs in medical hands – not in schoolbags or university backpacks.
🌿 5. Forskolin & Artichoke Extract – Learning & Motivation
Looking for a natural alternative to Modafinil, Adderall, or nicotine? 👉 Then Forskolin and artichoke extract might be your thing.
Forskolin is a traditional compound from Ayurvedic medicine that increases levels of cAMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate) – a key messenger for learning and memory formation.
When combined with artichoke extract, an exciting synergy occurs: Artichoke inhibits the PDE4 enzyme, which breaks down cAMP – extending the effect.
🚀 Key benefits at a glance:
- 📚 Improved learning & memory
- 🎯 Greater motivation & drive
- 🛡 Safe & OTC (e.g., in CILTEP, SmartMode, Forbose)
This combo has been used for years in the biohacking scene – well tolerated and crash-free.
🍵 6. L-Theanine – Calm & Focus in One
L-Theanine is a natural amino acid found mainly in green and black tea. It creates a state of calm alertness – mental clarity without jitteriness.
Especially effective when combined with caffeine: Together they enhance reaction speed, mental endurance, and memory performance – without the typical caffeine jitters.
🌱 Usage Tip:
✅ Two cups of high-quality green tea (shade-grown!) already provide noticeable amounts – or just use a nootropic like Zen Mode which contains targeted L-Theanine.
🧠 What Else You Should Know About Nootropics
Many expect an instant “superbrain” effect the first time. But often, nothing dramatic happens. The trick: You notice it only when it’s gone. The brain just works smoother – so naturally, you might not notice. Until you stop.
On the other hand, there are nootropics that cause a strong mental push immediately – for better or worse. Because: They amplify your current mental state. If you're focused, you become razor-sharp. If you're distracted, maybe just hyperactive.
⚠️ Not Everything Works for Everyone
Example: Lucidril. Some report brilliant mental clarity, others experience deep sadness and emotional emptiness – sometimes after just three days of use.
With illegal substances like LSD, the risk of psychotic reactions increases. With legal plant-based substances (e.g. with cholinergic effects), side effects tend to be headaches or irritability.
Many nootropics, however, have neuroprotective effects – they make the brain more resilient to environmental stressors and improve long-term quality of life.
✅ How to Start Best
The best start doesn't begin with substances – but with what you can eliminate:
- 🚫 Avoid anything that lowers your cognitive performance (sugar, alcohol, chronic stress, dopamine traps)
- ⚡️ Add energizers like Brain Octane (e.g., in Bulletproof Coffee)
- 🌱 Integrate natural nootropics such as L-Theanine, caffeine, Bacopa, or mushroom extracts
Only then – once you're clean, stable & mentally clear – does it make sense to use stronger substances. But please: Only after thorough research or consulting with a doctor.
🧪 My personal favorite: NEUROFUEL – but Alpha Brain also offers exciting effects, like enhanced lucid dreaming.
Comments (0)