Nootropics: The Pursuit of Cognitive Health
Nootropics are a category of pharmaceutical drugs, dietary supplements and herbs that are purported to improve cognitive function. Specifically, they are used to help boost memory, executive function, creativity, motivation and even help to reduce anxiety. Until recently, there has not been much light shed on these types of products in the mainstream marketplace.[1] Pharmaceutical Nootropics, such as Amphetamine, Methylphenidate, and Eugeroics, are heavily studied drugs that have specific functions within the human brain. Dietary supplements have much less information and clinical trials backing up their claims. [2]
Plant based remedies that make up the dietary supplement arm of Nootropics include bacopa, ginseng, ginko biloba, sage, and cannabidiols. While studies on many of these plant-based supplements are inconclusive there is some strong evidence to suggest that bacopa, ginseng, and cannabidiols may be effective alternatives to pharmaceutical drugs in some instances. Ginseng has shown to have a significant affect on memory retention and Bacopa has shown to positively increase general cognitive function and memory recall.[3] Clinical trials focusing on cannabidiol have shown that acute dosing can be an effective treatment for anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress syndrome.[4]
Plant based diets and dietary supplements are considered a megatrend by several food industry news organizations and marketing research firms. As people are trying to find ways to incorporate items that are closer to nature into their lives, it only makes sense that a search for herbal and plant based supplements to ease mental health issues would be a part of this trend. For many, there is a stigma associated with taking a pharmaceutical where there is virtually no stigma associated with an herbal remedy. While there is not as much clinical research available on the effectiveness of plant based nootropics as there is for pharmaceuticals, the market will drive the need for better information as the demand for more plant based alternatives rises.
