Nootropics - Smart Drugs Cheat Sheet by [deleted]

Chemical released by neurons to stimulate neighb­ouring neurons, allowing impulses to be passed from one cell to the next throughout the nervous system. A nerve impulse arriving at the axon terminal of one neuron stimulates release of a neurot­ran­smi­tter, which crosses the micros­copic gap (see synapse) in millis­econds to the adjoining neuron's dendrite. For example acetyl­cho­line, dopamine, and serotonin.

Inhibitor of the enzyme monoamine oxidase B. MAO-B helps break down dopamine; inhibiting it prolongs the action of dopamine in the brain.

A substance that acts with another substance to bring about certain effects.

Huperz­ine-A

Has been used for its nootropic benefits for hundreds of years, it is only recently that we discovered the mechanism of action of this supple­ment. Huperz­ine-A blocks the production of acetyl­cho­lin­est­erase – a chemical which breaks down the neurot­ran­smitter Acetyl­choline when there is too much of it. By inhibiting certain receptors that control the amount of acetyl­cho­lin­est­erase produced, Huperz­ine-A is therefore able to indirectly affect acetyl­choline levels. Higher amounts of acetyl­choline lead to improved cognition and learning scores as well as better memory. Acetyl­choline also plays a role in protecting brain cells from dying as well as being necessary in the formation of new brain cells.

The Lion’s Mane

Mushroom (known by the scientific name of Hericium erinaceus) is an edible mushroom that grows in North America. Lion’s Mane is popular in tradit­ional Chinese medicine serving as an antiox­idant and helping to regulate blood lipid and blood glucose levels. Pills made from Lion’s Mane are even used to treat gastric ulcers. For those interested in the nootropic benefits of this mushroom, a 2009 study from Phytot­herapy Research found that taking this mushroom resulted in improved cognitive ability. Other studies have shown that Lion’s Mane increases nerve growth factor secret­ions. NGF is a protein that is vital to the growth and mainte­nance of neurons in the brain, contri­buting to long-term brain health.

B Vitamins, Omega - 3, Isofla­vones, Vitamin D

A)Amphet­amines: Amphet­amine (Adderall, Dexedr­ine), Lisdex­amf­etamine (Vyvanse), Metham­phe­tamine (Desoxyn) B)Adrene­rgics: Atomox­etine, Reboxe­tine, Synephrine (found in Bitter orange) C)Cholin­ergics: Arecoline, Nicotine D)Eugeroics ("Wa­kef­ulness Enhanc­ers­"): Adrafinil, Armoda­finil, Modafinil E)Xanthines: (reduces fatigue percep­tion): Caffeine, Paraxa­nthine, Theobr­omine, Theoph­ylline

Surito­zole, A5IA

Propen­tof­ylline, Rolipram, Mesembrine

Beta blockers, Lemon Balm, Passion Flower, Rhodiola Rosea, St John's Wort, Ginseng (including Siberian ginseng), Suther­landia frutes­cens, Kava—a­nxi­olytic herb, Tea, Theanine, Grape seed extract, Adafen­oxate, Phenibut, Picamilon, Valerian, Butea frondosa, Gotu Kola, Foti, Panax ginseng, Chinese herbs such as Polygala tenuif­olia, Acorus gramineus and Huperzia serrata, Bacopa monnieri, Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum, sweet holy basil)

histamine antago­nists : The H3, Ciprox­ifan, A-349,821, ABT-239

Vasopr­essin, Pregne­nolone, Orexin

Bacopa monniera (Brahmi), Clitoria ternatea (Shank­hpu­shpi), Fipexide, Gerovital H3, Sulbut­iamine, Royal Jelly, Curcumin

mexidol, hydergine, noopept, selank, semax, bifeme­lane. Nootropic combin­ation of artichoke extract + forskolin or other combin­ations of 2 or more substa­nces.

L-thea­nine, Caffeine, Ginseng, Gingko

Wikipedia site about nootro­pics.

Forum about cognitive enhancers.

Aniracetam

An ampakine and a fat-so­luble nootropic of the racetam chemical class purported to be consid­erably more potent than Piracetam. Aniracetam has the potential of enhancing what is already memorized within ones mind and allows the mind to reach a state of concen­tra­tion. Although Aniracetam is more potent than Piracetam, it has unique functions which allow more stimul­ation of the Acetyl­choline receptors and increased focus and energy within the human brain.

Phenyl­pir­acetam

Shown in a clinical study to have a wider and more effective range of benefits in comparison with Piracetam. Phenyl­pir­acetam was shown to improve memory functions, problem solving skills, and attention switching. Another study showed Phenyl­pir­acetam had a wide range of benefits including increased locomotion skills, antide­pre­ssant benefits, and memory enhanc­ement.

Alpha-GPC

Source of Acetyl­ech­oline and a fat-so­luble nootropic of the Choline chemical class. Alpha-GPC is widely used to help and to treat Alzhei­mer’s, to help in the recovery of victims of a Stroke, improve the memory and overall mood of people suffering from Dementia. Alpha-GPC is used as a Nootropic supplement to help improve and increase memory and cognition.

Centro­phe­noxine

Cholin­ergic compound that contains DMAE, and is lipid soluble. Centro­phe­noxine increases the uptake of oxygen and glucose uptake in the brain. Through the increase of glucose uptake, Centro­phe­noxine helps in rectifying the damage done to the brain from aging. The brain uses 20 percent of the body’s oxygen, if the oxygen levels become deficient the brain loses effici­ency. By increasing the flow of oxygen to the brain Centro­phe­noxine helps increase the produc­tiv­eness of the brain all around.

Sulbut­iamine

Fat-so­luble nootropic, that passes the Blood Brain Barrier more readily than Thiamine. Sulbut­iamine is known to be cholin­ergic, glutam­atergic and dopami­nergic. The potent­iation of glutam­atergic activity in the Prefrontal Cortex is believed to be one of the Mechanisms of Action that grants Sulbut­iamine the ability to increase memory functi­ona­lity. Sulbut­iamine is shown to cause an increase in cholin­ergic activities in the Hippoc­ampus, this area of the brain plays a pivotal role in the consol­idation of both short and long term memory as well as spatial navigation and memory. Another plausible cause of Sulbut­iamine improving cognition and memory is through the suppre­ssion and reduction of dopamine released in the Prefrontal Cortex. These various Mechanisms of Action make Sulbut­iamine an unders­tan­dable choice in improving cognitive and memory abilities.