Unleashing your brainpower: a guide to nootropics for students

Test-driven, results-oriented and mired in competition, many students who are feeling overwhelmed by academic expectations are on the lookout for cognitive enhancers that will help them above and beyond what is available through natural means. Enter nootropics: chemicals that enhance brain function, sharpen memory and boost concentration. What are nootropics, and can they help students unleash their brain power? How effective are they? Are they safe? Do they have a role to play in the pursuit of educational success?

What are nootropics?

The term ‘nootropic’ was originally coined by Corneliu E Giurgea, a Romanian psychologist and chemist who synthesised piracetam, one of the first nootropics, in 1972. He went on to define nootropics as: ‘compounds or agents that enhance learning capability and memory and protect the brain against physical and chemical injury, and possess few or no side effects and extremely low toxicity’.

The term now covers a large assortment of natural and artificial substances that are claimed to enhance cognitive abilities. These can be herbs, amino acids, vitamins, minerals and pharmaceuticals. Examples include:

• Caffeine
• L-theanine
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Bacopa monnieri
• Ginkgo biloba
• Racetams (e.g., piracetam, aniracetam)
• Modafinil

Mechanisms of cognitive enhancement

Some nootropics affect multiple pathways in the brain, while others have a clearer mechanism of action that offers insights into how the substance works, and why the experience can be different from one person to the next.

Neurotransmitter Modulation: numerous nootropics function by modifying neurotransmitter systems. Caffeine obstructs adenosine receptors thus doubling dopamine and Noreprinephrin release;¹ racetams may boost cholinergic transmission, benefitting memory²

Mitochondrial Function: Coenzyme Q10 and pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) are nootropics known to boost mitochondrial function, and might increase energy turnover throughout the brain.

Stress Reduction: Adaptogens such as Rhodiola rosea might bolster cognition by buffering against the psychobiological effects of stress, which can reduce cognitive performance.³

Hormone Regulation: e.g., Bacopa Monnieri has been associated with an influence on cortisol regulation that may have an indirect effect on cognitive function.⁴

A better understanding of these mechanisms could inform drug selection for individuals with specific needs and goals. On the other hand, the complexity of these reactions also emphasises the need to proceed with caution – and under professional medical supervision – because making smart choices is vital in the realm of cognitive enhancers. 

Dosing protocols and regimens

Optimising dosing is much more important, as this will maximise efficacy while decreasing the incidence and severity of side effects. Yet when we take into account the wide interindividual variation caused by body weight, metabolic rate, and individual neurochemistry, even an optimal dose can vary tremendously from one person to the next.

Caffeine is most commonly dosed between 50-200 mg with an effect duration of 3-5 hours⁵ because L-theanine is usually taken at a 2:1 ratio and facilitates the effects, a typical dose would be 100-200 mg of L-theanine with 50-100 mg of caffeine.⁶

Bacopa is normally taken in doses of 300-450 mg per day, standardised to contain 50 per cent bacosides. It is believed to take 4-6 weeks before its beneficial effects become apparent, thought to be due to the activity of Bacopa in encouraging the growth of new neuronal branches, an essential factor in neurodegenerative decline prevention.⁷

For the omega-3 fatty acids, 1000-2000 mg of EPA+DHA (EPA = eicosapentaenoic acid; DHA = docosahexaenoic acid) is often suggested each day but, in certain cognitive outcomes, higher doses may even be preferable.

Piracetam (‘racetams’), the grandfather of nootropics has an enormous dosing window; one protocol calls for 1600-4800 mg/day divided 2-3 times per day. 

This means starting with small doses, ratcheting up if need be, and watching for adverse effects. Cycling alternating periods of use with downtime also helps a number of nootropics avoid the tolerance problem.

Others, such as modafinil, are prescription drugs that should be taken only under medical supervision. Typically, Modafinil is prescribed at a dose of 200 mg once a day.

Finally, these are sweeping directions, and your response can be distinct. Always consult with a physician before beginning any nootropic regimen, especially one involving multiple substances.

Additional cognitive benefits

Whereas plain old reliability of memory, attention and general keeping-it-together-ness seem to be the ultimate aims of nootropic use, many of the agents employed for that purpose support a host of other cognitive advantages that might come in especially handy for students.

Neuroprotection: Some nootropics are neuroprotective in their effect, essentially extending the brain’s life by protecting it from age-related cognitive decline and neurological disease. Several members of the racetam family in particular have shown promise as neuroprotective agents in such contexts. Piracetam, for example, has been demonstrated to protect neurons against oxidative stress – a prime potential culprit in neurological disease – and to enhance mitochondrial function.

Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA, are critical for the integrity of neuronal membranes and have neuroprotective effects, as discussed in numerous studies. These effects led Dyall to state in a 2018 review that ‘Dietary provision of omega-3 fatty acids seems likely to reduce risk of both cognitive decline and dementia’.⁸

 Mood Elevation: Many nootropics have mood-enhancing effects that may indirectly improve cognitive performance by lowering stress and anxiety. L-theanine, for instance, provokes feelings of relaxation without sedation that might help counter stress-induced cognitive impairment.

Creative boost: Some say that some nootropics boost creativity. It is worth noting that creativity is notorious for having little effectiveness and face validity when it comes to objective measures; that’s why I found the 2015 results by Goel et al that looked at the effects of modafinil on ‘task-oriented motivation and creativity in healthy volunteers’ quite interesting [briefly mention findings as it provides a basis for the claims that the results are interesting].⁹

Improvement In Quality Of Sleep: Deep and restful sleep is instrumental for memory consolidation and healthy cognitive function. Improvement in sleep quality is a proposed mechanism of specific nootropics such as magnesium L-threonate. 

Adaptogen: Rhodiola rosea could increase the body’s resistance to psychological stress This plant is classified as an adaptogen and has been used in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. An early published study on Rhodiola rosea by a Russian research team demonstrated its potential to reduce mental fatigue and enhance work performance during stressful periods.¹⁰

These extra benefits suggest that nootropics can support cognitive health and optimise performance in the long term, rather than just boosting isolated cognitive functions. 

Natural nootropic alternatives

While these synthetic nootropics can be effective, most students would rather take more natural alternatives for safety and availability reasons, so let’s go through some natural substances already demonstrated to enhance cognition: 

Ginkgo Biloba: Long used in traditional medicine, ginkgo biloba extract is likely to offer modest benefits to patients with mild cognitive impairment, according to a 2016 meta-analysis by Zhang et al.¹¹

Lion’s Mane Mushroom: This fungus has been touted for its potential to enhance cognition. In a modest 2009 study by Mori et al 29 of 30 men and women between the ages of 50-80 with mild cognitive impairment, lion’s mane supplementation had a positive effect on cognition.

Ashwagandha: An adaptogenic herb from Ayurvedic medicine, ashwagandha has shown some potential for improving memory and cognition. For example, in adults with mild cognitive impairment, ashwagandha root in a double-blind study by Choudhary et al in 2017 improved memory and cognitive function.¹²

Panax Ginseng: Traditional Chinese medicine has been using this medicinal herb for centuries. In 2018, Bak et al. conducted a systematic review and concluded that Panax ginseng could significantly improve cognitive function, especially in working memory. It is worth noting that the included studies preferred the Asian strain of ginseng for more pronounced effects.

Blueberries: Hailed for its antioxidant capacity, blueberry consumption has been shown to enhance cognitive function. Miller et al found that daily blueberry consumption was associated with improved memory in the older population in 2019.¹³

Such natural alternatives also promise cognitive benefits but, like those previously mentioned, their known side-effect profile for the most part is mild. Alone and together, they represent a promising set of nootropics for everyday use. So-called ‘natural’ products aren’t without risks though – some people are sensitive to touches of poison that others can handle – so it’s worth checking with a doctor before you begin a regime.

Safety considerations

You can usually use most nootropics safely, when following directions of use, but proceed with caution nonetheless, given the following:

Side effects: Even natural substances can cause adverse reactions in some individuals.

Interactions: Nootropics may interact with medications or other supplements.

Quality control concerns: the supplement industry is largely unregulated, and products are not always accurately labelled.

Long-term effects: The long-term impacts of many nootropics are not well understood.

Dependency: Some substances, like caffeine, can lead to physical dependence.

To that end, I urge students to consult with a healthcare professional before any study of nootropics, and especially before beginning a regimen. This is particularly important if any of the aforementioned conditions exist, and medication is currently being taken. 

Ethical Considerations

If cognitive enhancers are banned in academic life, it raises questions about fairness: should some students be precluded from entering the race while others chug down their Red Bull to cross the line? Or would ‘doping’ with nootropics be cheating? For the time being, universities remain divided; they’re wrestling – as is wide society – with moralities.

In a 2013 survey of US college students, 18 per cent reported non-medical use of prescription stimulants, most often to improve academic performance amidst rising anxieties and depressions within this generation_.¹⁴ This is an ideal situation in which to have a frank debate about the ethics of nootropic use.

Summary

Nootropics, also known as cognitive enhancers, are substances that improve brain function, memory, and concentration. These can be natural (e.g., herbs, vitamins) or synthetic (e.g., pharmaceuticals). Popular examples include caffeine, L-theanine, Bacopa monnieri, and modafinil. Nootropics work through various mechanisms like neurotransmitter modulation, mitochondrial function, stress reduction, and hormone regulation.

Effective dosing is crucial, as responses to nootropics vary by individual. Natural nootropics, such as Ginkgo biloba and Lion’s mane mushroom, offer cognitive benefits with mild side effects. However, synthetic options like modafinil should be taken under medical supervision.

While nootropics show promise for improving cognitive performance, their long-term effects are not fully understood, and they can interact with medications. Ethical concerns arise about their use in academics, as some students may have an unfair advantage. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting a nootropic regimen.