Natural health supplements formulated to increase energy and metabolic rate are more popular today than ever before. Many individuals are wary of the side effects when taking pharmaceutically derived drugs. A number of vitamin and herb combinations have been shown to stimulate the adrenal systems in the body, help flush the body of toxins, partially block the absorption of fat, and even sharpen the senses. Health supplements for energy are available over-the-counter without the need for a doctor’s prescription.
Nootropics are among the most commonly used natural health supplements. These formulations are a sub-class of what is popularly known as smart drugs. Even though the name implies a pharmaceutical derivative, most of the nootropic health supplements on the market are 100 percent natural.
What Are Nootropics?
According to the federal government definition, nootropics are formulations of various compounds that help to increase the functional capability of the central nervous system, specifically the brain. Industrial names for these substances include neuro enhancers, intelligence enhancers, and nutriceuticals.
Nootropics are considered a sub-class of smart drugs because their function is primarily to stimulate the corpus collosum, the part of the brain that enjoins the left and right hemispheres. Other smart drugs and nutriceuticals work on stimulating the central nervous system as a whole, but nootropics are taken to enhance brain activity.
The specific characteristics of nootropics include their ability to positively affect other neurotransmitter systems, increase oxygen absorption by brain cells, and aid the workings of adenosine triphosphate – abbreviated as ATP – which is used by brain cells for producing energy at the cellular level.
How Nootropics Affect Brain Function
Most nootropic health supplements are formulated to improve memory, increase attention span, and aid the individual in focusing and concentrating. Most of the herbal formulations used in these supplements are combined in a way that makes for increased activity of brain receptors. For example, Piracetum is a commonly used herbal supplement that enhances concentration through the increased forming of glutamate receptors.
Popular Nootropic Formulations
Some of the herbal supplements listed as nootropic formulations are combinations of naturally occurring herbs. Others are natural compounds that are synthesized in the laboratory.
Some of the more commonly taken natural nootropics include Bacopa, Huperzia Serrata, Kratom extract, and Vinpocetine. Each of these is a special formulation of vitamins, herbs, and minerals. Synthesized nootropics include the products Piracetum, Noopept, and Racetams. These products are more likely to involve contraindications because the active ingredients are often combinations not found in nature. Therefore, consumers are encouraged to learn about possible side effects when taking so-called natural energy or neuro enhancer nootropics that are synthesized in the lab.
Possible Side Effects
Formulations that are created from naturally occurring herbs, combined with vitamins and minerals, and sold over-the-counter generally do not have any side effects. These products have been designated as food supplements by the FDA and are considered safe for consumption.
Some of the synthetically produced nootropic formulations may contain label warnings about side effects including headache, irritability, or distress in the gastrointestinal tract. These side effects are often the result of taking a very high dosage or the body’s inability to digest and absorb some of the inactive ingredients properly.
The Bottom Line
When considering the use of non-pharmaceutical energy boosters or nootropic formulations, do some research and see what others who have taken these products are saying. Generally, naturally derived nootropics have no side effects while at the same time producing a quite noticeable increase in attention span, reaction time, concentration, and focus. Since these are the intended effects of nootropics in the first place, consumers need only find those products that have been given the most positive reviews. Natural health supplements for energy or improved brain function are experiencing a popularity boom, but it is up to the individual to do some research to separate the verified products from the fakes and scams.