Smart drugs, also known as nootropics, are drugs that although used to deal with certain symptoms and health complications, can help people achieve a higher level of concentration and improve their brain performance, thus, the reason behind its name, and there are people calling them cognition enhancers as well.
The thing about nootropics is that they are primarily used to deal with other problems, yet people are using them to improve their productivity and increase their focus, memory, and creativity.
For example, Adderall is one of the alternatives on the market, as well as Modafinil. The first one is used to improve focus and is aimed towards people with ADHD or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. The second one is used to help people with sleep apnea conditions and narcolepsy, which are conditions that might cause sudden problems with excessive drowsiness and sleepiness.
Just so you know, both medicaments are categorized as stimulants, and they are meant to increase brain activity and stimulate consciousness to avoid drowsiness and lack of attention, which ends up improving brain function.
Why and Who Might Be Interested
It’s especially popular among students since it improves their efficiency while studying, helping them retain information faster and more effectively, but there are people who use them for other reasons.
For example, programmers might use them to improve the speed of their coding skills, whereas a writer might use it to come up with faster and more engaging content, although there’s much to know about whether it works or not.
Some people might require them to deal with sleep deprivation though and it’s particularly popular among those who work in irregular schedules, mostly linked to midnight turns, like doctors, truck drivers, among others.
At some point during the last few years, it became pretty popular among entrepreneurs and people who wanted to make something of themselves, since it was proclaimed as a miraculous drug that could help you achieve your dreams through cheer brain bower, focus, discipline, and creativity.
Overall, people who’d like to improve their performance in life might want to use them, but there are things to consider before even wanting to try them out: having a healthy lifestyle. As a recommendation, you shouldn’t engage in using smart drugs if you don’t, at least, have healthy sleeping routines, a good diet, and perform regular exercise. Being healthy, both mentally and physically, are important steps to benefit from nootropics.
The Huge Amount of Variations
Okay, I’ve mentioned Modafinil before. It’s one of the many types you can find in the market, and if you are interested, you can check more detailed information over here:
https://www.modafinilnow.net/, but, there are, indeed, other alternatives.
In fact, you might have consumed some without even knowing it. I’m certain that at least 90% of the people have at least tried one of the many natural types of cognition enhancers out there: coffee. Although coffee is considered a short-term cognition enhancer, it still enters the category.
Surprisingly, some vitamins and compounds we can find in things we consume regularly are also cognitive enhancers. For example, Omega-3 fatty acids are a compound you can find in fish, and you can even get yourself pills of this compound for regular consumption.
The thing is, natural compounds that can improve your brain activity are often harmless and are actually very good for your body. Omega-3 fatty acids are greatly recommended by professional swimmers, and even coffee is healthy as long as you don’t go overboard with it on a daily basis.
There are some herbs that contain similar benefits, and you can make tea with them to gain these advantages as well. Ginkgo Biloba and Panax ginseng are two great examples. You can read all of the different types in this guide over here.
Now, before we beat around the bush, let’s talk about the synthetic versions of cognition enhancers (nootropics) like Modafinil and Adderall.
That’s why people often take smaller doses and make sure to not use it on a regular basis, so they can avoid this because as long as your body gets accustomed to the compounds found in the synthetic versions of cognitive enhancers, you won’t be able to benefit from it for a long time.
How to Use It
I advise not going overboard with it and only using it when required. I see smart drugs, not as an everyday saver, but as a secret weapon for days were I absolutely require to focus on my tasks and make sure I’m efficiently using my time.
A good example is test periods where you need to cram as much information on your brain as possible in the quickest way available, or when you are near a deadline in your work and you know for sure you need to perform at your 100%.
This helps you avoid becoming tolerant to the drug, and avoid the huge problem of the drug turning ineffective. The key is to not be used habitually but on special occasions.
You should also avoid using it along with other substances such as caffeine, since it can cause harmful side-effects, and even disrupt your sleep. In some people, it might cause physical problems like tachycardia and headaches, so take that into consideration.
Natural Ways to Improve Cognitive Performance
Believe it or not, part of the problem a lot of people face when studying or dealing with focus-related activities is that they haven’t trained themselves to remain focused on a single thing for a long period of time, myself included in the batch.
That is why I started to practice a few things that have been helping me a lot during the last few months, and it might help you out. First of all, I’d like you to try meditating every day for at least 10 minutes. You can do 5 minutes in the morning and 5 at night. Then, double that time once you feel comfortable with the idea. Your ultimate goal is to try meditating at least 1 hour per day.
I like to say that meditation is the cure for brains that seem to be high on scorpion poison on a regular basis. At least, that’s how I see it, considering how difficult it is for me to control my thoughts and focus myself on certain activities. It has helped me live the present and focus on what’s before my eyes, and not on things that are not present, or that are unrelated to my current activities.
Secondly, sleeping well enough, and having a routine has helped me remain disciplined with my work. I’ve been trying to sleep at least at 11 p.m. and 12 a.m. to wake up around 7 to 8 a.m., and once I wake up, I put my cactus on the sun, make myself a single cup of coffee for the day, and bathe in the sun for around 5 minutes.
Then, I wash my mouth with some water, eat breakfast, take a bath, clean my teeth, and organize myself depending on my activities for the day. Now I’ve added fish oil supplements to my routine for those juicy omega-3 fatty acids, and I try to train my brain with exercises and riddles every now and then.
