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How Do Nootropics Work?

How Do Nootropics Work?

Nootropics is a word you may have heard, but aren’t quite sure the meaning of. At JM Distro we offer a range of nootropics for you to try, but first, it is important that you understand what they are, how they work and whether or not they will benefit you.

What are nootropics?

Nootropics are brain health boosting supplements derived from natural resources. You typically administer them orally, through capsules or tinctures, and they work on the body to enhance brain function and cognitive awareness. 

Researchers have hypothesised that nootropics work across multiple brain pathways, so the benefits of nootropics are varied and can differ from person to person. You may need to experiment with nootropics before committing to one, and you certain will want to know in advance what you will use the nootropics for. 

Who benefits from nootropics?

Nootropics have been used by people to counteract the symptoms of various neurological disorders including:

  • Adhd
  • Narcolepsy
  • Alzeimer’s Disease
  • Memory Loss

It’s likely that you already use a nootropic and don’t know about it. For example, caffeine is a nootropic, which is used as a brain stimulant to combat tiredness and increase alertness. Caffeine also gives you access to multiple neurotransmitters that help with memory and learning. Caffeine is a good example of a nootropic at work, because it benefits the brain in multiple ways and is easy and safe to consume in small doses.

How Do Nootropics Work On The Brain?

The brain is the most complex structure in the human body and is still largely a mystery in science. Progress is being made to understand how the brain works in relation to nootropics. Everyone’s brain chemistry is unique but we do all have commonalities. For example, 80% of our total brain mass is made up of the cerebral cortex, which contains upwards of 100 billion neurons, all connected and interacting within a network. 

There are thought to be various brain pathways enhanced by nootropics within this complex network. Some of these are as follows:

Brain Energy

The brain takes up around 20% of the body’s total energy reserve. It is, undoubtedly, a demanding organ. It requires this much energy because it must maintain its neurons, which are constantly dying and regenerating / growing. And also because these neurons are constantly firing signals and ordering the body to do things. If your brain doesn’t have the energy needed to do this, then you experience ‘brain fog’ or a sense of fatigue and unwellness. Low brain energy can also contribute to sped up cognitive decline, which can lead to neurological diseases over time. 

Nootropics support your brain by:

  • Enhancing metabolic activity
  • Transporting fatty acids into brain cells
  • Increasing the uptake of oxygen and nutrients into the brain, giving it fuel. 

Brain Chemicals

The neurons within the brain talk to each other via a link between them called a synapse. This is a space between two neurons where transmitters (brain chemicals) can be given and received. Different neurotransmitters do different things, some examples are below:

  • Acetylcholine (ACh) - Transmit messages relating to learning, memory and basic cognition. 
  • Serotonin (5HT) - Transmit messages relating to satisfaction, happiness and relaxation.
  • Norepinephrine (NE) - Transmit messages relating to attention and focus. 
  • Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) - Transmit messages relating to calmness and sedation / tiredness.  

In a healthy functioning brain, each neurotransmitter is available in a healthy amount, and is transmitted around the brain network with ease. But an imbalance of any neurotransmitter can cause real problems such as depression, mood disorders, cognition problems and much more. 

Nootropics may optimise neurotransmitters by:

  • Enhancing neurotransmitter synthesis
  • Increasing receptor sensitivity
  • Inhibiting neurotransmitter breakdown

There are some nootropics such as L-Tyrosine that directly engage with particular neurotransmitters and these are the better option for people wanting to use nootropics for chemical imbalance. 

Brain Waves

Brain waves refer to the electrical activity of your brain. It can also be known as ‘neural oscillations’. Brain waves are directly linked to your state of consciousness and cognition. Some brain waves are listed below:

  • Gamma (38-40 Hz) - This brain wave is the highest frequency and transcends consciousness.
  • Theta (3-8 Hz) - This brain wave occurs as we wake up from deep sleep, assisting in this transition. 
  • Delta (0.5-3 Hz) - This brain wave is present during deep sleep and deep mediation.

Nootropics can increase the presence of certain brain waves. Sometimes they can enhance brain waves associated with wakefulness. Other nootropics enhance brain waves associated with deep sleep. 

Brain Regeneration

As we age, the brain ages too, and this is normal and healthy. But the brain is clever and is always trying to regenerate new brain cells (neurons). Nootropics can assist in this process, which essentially helps slow down the ageing process in the brain. 

They do this by boosting the natural growth factors within the brain, providing raw building block materials to help enhance cell growth, and also supporting the brain’s maintenance processes. 

Cognition

Cognition is a broad term that can refer to many different processes within the brain. Nootropics can work with various types of cognition, including:

  • Memory
  • Learning
  • Creativity
  • Focus
  • Attention
  • Composure under pressure
  • Processing
  • Verbal acuity

What is Nootropic Stacking?

Nootropic stacking is the process of combining different individual nootropics to create a personalised experience based on what’s happening with your individual brain. Some nootropics work well together, and enhance each other’s activity. But some don’t. So, it is important to get some health advice before stacking. Or, you can buy a nootropic where blends have been specially created to produce a certain outcome. 

At JM Distro, we provide a range of nootropics, and frequently add more to our inventory, all of which are designed to boost brain health in a variety of ways. Whether this be cognitive, to treat a brain chemical imbalance, or to keep the brain young and healthy. You can view our range by clicking here. You can also add nootropics to your dropshipping business if you are dropshipping with us. 

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