Why You Need Nootropics

Have you heard of Nootropics? Odds are you haven’t and they're something everyone needs in their life.

Nootropic sounds like a very complicated word but it is really quite simple -- nootropics are a substance that enhances cognition and memory and facilitates learning. Basically, nootropics are brain vitamins that positively impact short and long-term brain function.  

I know, why haven’t you heard about this sooner!  We drink healthy tonics and take vitamins for our skin, hair and even our gut, but what about our brain, arguably the most important organ in our body?

That’s why we created Higher Mind, to be the the first and best natural nootropic drink for your brain health.

A Quick History

Nootropics have been used for centuries. From green tea in Asia to cocoa leaves in Peru -- there are over a hundred of natural herbs, vitamins, minerals, & compounds that occur in mother nature that humans have been using throughout time.

Formally, nootropics were introduced to the medical world in 1972 by Dr. Corneliu Giurgea. He was trying to cure motion sickness when he observed safe brain-enhancing effects. Eureka! The clinical study of nootropics was born.

For a compound to be considered a nootropic it must meet the following 5 criteria:

  1. Enhance memory and ability to learn.
  2. Help the brain function under disruptive conditions.
  3. Protect the brain from chemical and physical assaults.
  4. Increase the efficacy of neuronal firing control mechanisms.
  5. Possess few or no side effects and be virtually non-toxic.

Since Dr. Giurgea’s announcement, there have been hundreds of studies of natural and synthetic nootropics. We are always trying to improve and perform at our best, so no wonder this is has become a hot topic for scientific research.

How Do They Work

Natural nootropics are proven in boosting the brain function while at the same time making the brain healthier.  

  • Increases blood circulation to the brain and provides important nutrients, increased energy, and oxygen flow to the brain.
  • Protects the brain from toxins and minimizes the effects of brain aging.
  • Improves brain function by stimulating new neuron cells.
  • Activity of the brain is increased, enhancing thinking and memory abilities, thus increasing neuroplasticity.

Some people refer to nootropics are “smart drugs;” however, nootropics truly only enhance your existing mental function. Sorry, the movie Limitless with dreamy Bradley Cooper is all fiction.

If you want to dive in deeper, you can learn more from Higher Mind’s Science section.

Common Natural Nootropics

Nootropics can be natural or man-made. You can find natural nootropics in food sources, amino acids, herbal sources, essential fatty acids, and more. We prefer natural nootropics because they are effective, without any associated risks or side effects.

  • Caffeine: Mostly found in coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate and many more. It is commonly used to improve mental alertness.
  • Ashwagandha: Is a root and clinical studies have shown that it can reduce anxiety, improve attention and thinking ability. In a study, participants who took ashwagandha for 60 days lowered their cortisol levels by almost 30 percent.
  • Ginkgo Biloba: Found to be an effective natural brain booster - improves memory, learning, and concentration while alleviating mood and reducing anxiety. This article provides a detailed review of ginkgo biloba.
  • L-theanine: Commonly found in green tea, positively affects memory, mood, focus, and learning. Taking L-theanine supplement induces a state of relaxed concentration just like when you’re meditating sans the drowsiness. You can learn more by reading the human clinical trials and studies.
  • Ginseng: Described as the “king herb,” is another root that has shown to enhance memory, feelings of calmness and mood.
  • Omega-3 Fatty Acids: When we hear Omega-3 we often think of fish but you can also find it in plant sources such as nuts, seeds and algae oils.  Omega-3 has many health benefits and has been found to help cognitive decline in older adults and help people of all ages improve their mental skills, like thinking, remembering, and learning.
  • Bacopa:  A herb that improves memory, concentration, and focus It can also reduce stress by balancing various neurotransmitters and reducing stress hormones.  You can learn more here.
  • Rhodiola:  A natural adaptogen native to Siberia, this herb has been studied heavily and widely used in Russia for memory and learning. It is also thought to help with mood and energy levels.

How to Include Nootropics in Your Day to Day

You might be thinking that including nootropics into your lifestyle will be a challenge and very regimented.  As always, there are many paths you can take and overall it depends on what your goals are and what’s realistic.

To start, we recommend visiting a local and reputable natural goods store to discover and explore the options available to you. You can find nootropics in pill, shot and beverage form.

If you are results oriented, as many of us are, track your progress.  What does doing the same tasks feel like a week after your new regimen? Two weeks? Writing down and noticing differences in the way feel and how you perform helps demonstrate the benefits you are receiving with consistent use of nootropics. 

We made Higher Mind to make nootropics accessible and easy for you to incorporate brain health supplements into your life, without the hassle and fear of too many choices or products that don’t work.

We hope this article has helped demystify nootropics and shown you a path to a healthier brain. Once we take care of the mind, the body tends to follow. In adopting a healthy brain lifestyle, we can perform at our best and be our best selves.