Honorable mention: caffeine and nicotine
Caffeine, a universally consumed nootropic, is commonly known for its presence in coffee and tea, and its benefits of wakefulness and alertness. It is available as a supplement in various forms, including tablets, gels, and energy-boosting beverages.
Nicotine is an alkaloid derived from the leaves of tobacco plants and is used for its moderate psychoactive (nootropic) properties. While nicotine has historically been ingested by smoking and chewing, extracts of nicotine are available in nootropic supplements.
How they work:
Caffeine, a mild stimulant, increases wakefulness and improves performance in fatigued individuals by suppressing the relaxing neurotransmitter adenosine and increasing the release of glucose into the blood.
Nicotine primarily works by “upregulating nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) in the brain,” according to NootropicsExpert. This increases the neural signaling of neurotransmitters to boost cognition, alertness, and memory.
What they can do:
- Caffeine has been shown to prevent cognitive decline in healthy subjects (NIH). In tests among Navy SEALs under adverse circumstances, moderate doses of caffeine improved cognitive function, including learning, memory, vigilance, and mood state.
- Nicotine was found in studies reported by the NIH to improve attention and immediate, longer-term memory among healthy volunteers. It has also been shown to improve attention among a group of probable Alzheimer’s patients.
- Caution: Nicotine consumed in any form can be addictive and may cause side effects, including elevated heart rate, increased blood pressure, and gastrointestinal disorders. It may also promote the growth of tumors.
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