The following is a brief coverage of the small number of important categories within the broad fields of Nootropics. There are many more besides these. The legitimacy and veracity of many of the other agents in other categories is question. Outright fraud is indicated in several of other categories. For the purposes of this piece, I am only willing to discuss Racetams, stimulants and a few nutraceticals. I treat all other agents with suspicion rather than trust.
Racetams
Racetams are the most outstanding members of the Nootropic family. Many believe the Racetam genius kick-started the entire Phyla of agents we call Nootropics. It is fitting that I begin with the Racetams.
The first thing that must be understood about the the Racetams is that they are not stimulants. They do not increase your heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, body temperature, or adrenaline levels. Ergo, they cannot be classified as stimulants. Racetams will not wake you up in the morning if you are having a bit of trouble summoning the energy to get out of bed.
How do they work? The mechanism of the racetams is not completely understood. We believe they work by modulating the most important neurotransmitters in the brain; particularly acetylcholine and glutamate. Some strongly interact with glutamatergic AMPA receptors on your neurons. Because AMAP receptors are in the same location as cholinergic receptors they increase the firing rate of cholinergic receptors. This increases memory capacity. Racetams also optimize electrical communication across the corpus collosum; the neuro synapse that allows the right brain and left brain to communicate and cooperate.
When taken, the user feels enhanced mental clarity, focus, calmness, recall of facts and techniques, an easier time identifying patterns in data, or drawing distinctions between points of data. You simply feel an enhanced capacity to deal with mental work, analyze problems, and work out solutions. I would say it easier to combine analysis and creative work at the same time, due to a better functioning neuro synapse.
There are many members of the racetam family. Among them, four stand out for their Nootropic effect. In order of age and power (lowest power first, strongest power last) these four are:
- Piracetam: The Granddaddy of them all.
- Oxiracetam: The second generation water soluble improvement.
- Aniracetam: The third generation fat soluble improvement
- Pramiracetam: The fourth generation fat soluble improvement.
As you can surmise, the Racetam family has been getting more powerful with each new generation. The newest agent, Pramiracetam is the most powerful member of the family
All four of these agents are unique and distinct. All are similar in most ways. Broadly speaking, these four agents break down into two categories: water soluble and fat soluble. Piracetam and Oxiracetam are water soluble. Aniracetam and Pramiracetam are fat soluble.
Stimulants
Stimulants are agents that are said to enhance mental and/or physical function. They raise your metabolic rate, accelerate the Krebs cycle, raise energy levels, blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate, increase stress hormones such as Norepinephrine and Cortisol. They are called Uppers or 'Pick me ups' by many.
Stimulants include such agents as Caffeine, Nicotine, Amphetamines, MDNA, Cocaine, NRIs, NDRIs, and Dafinils. Some also attempt to place Ampakines in this class. I categorically reject that statement. Several of these agents are FDA Schedule-1 illegal drugs. MDNA and Cocaine are in this category. Several are absolutely legal and availible everywhere, such as caffeine and Nicotine. Some are prescribed for children with ADHD, such as NRIs and NDRI. Some are prescribed for individuals suffering from Narcolepsy, Sleep Apnea, and chronic fatigue syndrome. These are Dafinils.
While some would argue that all of these categories could be considered Nootropics in certain ways, I categorically reject that statement. I believe only two categories are of interest under the heading of Nootropics:
1. NDRI agents
2. Dafinil agents.
No member of either of these two families can be purchased in the United States (legally) without a Doctor's prescription. Just about any member of these two families can be purchased at your local drug store with a prescription. Most will be covered by your HMO or PPO.
NDRIs include the classic and ever popular Ritalin, Focalin, Concerta, and Wellbutrin. They all work by surpress the re-uptake and destruction of two key neurotransmitters: Norepinephrine an Dopamine. When the body re-uptakes and destroys Norepinephrine and Dopamine at a reduced rate, these two neurotransmitters tend to accumulate, and rise to higher levels. The result is a much higher overall energy levels, awakeness, alertness.
There are now two Dafinils: Modafinil and Armodafinil. Modafinil was first of these agents. It was originally designed and developed as an anti-narcolepsy drug. It is also approved for treatment of grogginess associated with sleep apnea. The purpose is to maintain wakefulness and alertness. It does so without most of the negative side-effects of a classic amphetamine. The Dafinils have been deployed again ADHD, depression, Cocaine addition, Parkinson's Disease, Schizophrenia, and even jet lag. The difference between these two prescription drugs is that one is the Right enantiomer formula and the other is the Left enantiomer formula. Modafinil is the lefty and Armodafinil is the righty. In most cases, the righty formula is better tolerated, with greater potency, and fewer side effects. Many HMOs and PPOs will no longer pay for Modafinil. Most will cover Armodafinil.
The importance of these substances is that they both elevate energy levels, which necessary for work. They are both Dopaminergics. A Dopaminergic agent is any substance that impacts the neurotransmitter dopamine, or components of the nervous system that use dopamine. Dopamine is associated with attention, alertness and certain forms of antioxiant activity.
Nutraceuticals
- 5-HTP a precursor to Serotonin. Helps to elevate Serotonin levels and may have a neurogenesis effect.
- Theanine: GABAergic activity. Increases brain serotonin and dopamine levels.
- Vinpocetine: A semisynthetic alkaloid reported to enhance blood flow in the brain.
- Ginko Biloba: Strictly speaking this a genus and species of a tree native to Zhejiang China. Has been popular for more than a decade. Shows some promise as an Alzheimer's treatment.
Many others
There are many other substances on the market. If you have a look at the Wikipedia article on Nootropics, you will find a large number of categories and subcategories. I regret to say that the article is poorly written. It is a case of poisoning, where each vendor of something had to get his substance listed in its category. Various vendors make various claims for the categories I omitted. I am not willing to discuse more than these. Next time we will discuse the Racetam family in some depth.
