OUGD602 - PPP - DBA - Types Of Nootropics

The decision was made to partake in research of which pertains to different types of nootropic drugs and their applications...

Types of Nootropics:

Racetams

• Most popular type of Nootropic drug
• Most readily available
• The first kind of Nootropic developed in the 1960's
• Made up of nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen
• Clinical tests show many improvements in cognitive ability
• Affects the neurotransmitter called acetylcholine

Examples include: Piracetam, Pramiracetam, Oxiracetam, and Aniracetam

Vitamin B Derivatives

• Smaller group of nootropic in comparison to Racetams
• Comes as Sulbutiamine (derivative of Thiamine) 
• Thiamine is Vitamin B1
• First synthetized in Japan in order to solve a health crisis after WWII (due to rice based diet, lack of nutrients)
• Improves memory
• Makes user more alert
• Affects choline, glutamate, and dopamine levels in the brain
• Good for treating/preventing Alzheimer’s
• Can be used to treat mental and physical fatigue or to improve memory retention

Choline Nootropics

• Similar high strength as Racetams
• Replenishes choline levels in body
• Directly affects brain’s production of acetylcholine neurotransmitters
• Noticeably positive effect on memory and learning
• Not as noticeable in comparison to other nootropics
• Commonly taken with Racetams to increase effects of both
• Combining with above encourages healthy acetylcholine transmission in the brain
• Increased memory and learning
• Elevated dopamine levels (Lightens moods)

Examples include: Citicoline, Centrophenoxine, and Alpha GPC

Peptides

• Naturally-occurring biological molecules
• Short chains of amino acids linked by covalent chemical bonds
• Uncommon except of one example: Noopept
• Noopept is prescribed for certain psychological conditions, like poor memory or focus
• Popular dietary supplement
• Affect both glutamate and acetylcholine — racetams only affects acetylcholine
• Considered x1000 more potent than Piracetam (Racetams)

Example: Noopept

Ampakines

• One of newest types of nootropics
• Considered to be one of the strongest
• Affects glutamate receptors in the brain
• Targets learning and memory
• Cross between caffeine supplements and racetams
• Doesn't have dangerous side-effects like what is associated with caffeine

Example:  Sunifiram (Much stronger than Piracetam)

Smart Drugs

• Smart drugs are supposedly different to Nootropics
• They contain stimulants — Nootropics don't
• Combines stimulants with other nootropic compounds
• Treats chronic fatigue and thought to increase the neurotransmitter hypocretin
• Can cause complications if you have a weak heart, due to containing stimulants

Example include: Adrafinil and Modafinil

Natural Nootropics

• Often plant-based and yield natural benefits
• Typically considered as safe to use
• Avoids the use of artificial chemicals and compounds
• Less effective in comparison to chemical based nootropics
• Non-natural variations are still natural but are synthesised and purified (extracted)
• Requires larger doses
• Difficult for body to absorb

Examples include:  Ginkgo Biloba and Bacopi Monnieri (Note how they use latin names rather than the more pharmaceutical styles mentioned above)

From this research pertaining to noo-tropic drugs the first and major characteristic of which becomes immediately apparent is the fact that they are widely used as a method of cognitive enhancement. In which they boost levels of many positive trains such as verbal fluency, attention, concentration, memory capability and even  the potential for learning.