A very brief history of nootropics
Nootropics have an interesting history as cognitive enhancers, dating back to ancient civilizations that used traditional plant extracts and herbs to enhance thinking and focus:
- Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine have traditionally utilized eleuthero, ginkgo biloba, Panax ginseng, guarana, maca, and many other natural plant-based therapies to address cognitive and mental disorders.
- Rhodiola rosea L. roots were used to combat fatigue, stress, anxiety, and depression.
- Ashwagandha, or Indian ginseng, is a highly prized herb in Ayurvedic medicine that has been used for more than 3,000 years.
Fast-forwarding to the early 20th century, research into brain-enhancing drugs gained momentum as scientists sought to understand the science behind their cognitive-improving effects.
In the 1960s, Romanian psychologist and chemist Corneliu E. Giurgea formulated the first nootropic, piracetam. In 1972, he coined the term “nootropic” and defined it as “a drug or supplement that enhances cognition, memory, and executive functions” (Wholistic Research). The term “nootropic” combines the Greek nöos, meaning “thinking,” and tropein, meaning “to guide.”
More recent research and increasing popularity propelled the nootropic market throughout the late 1990s and 2000s. A wide variety of nootropic supplements, including herbal extracts and synthetic compounds, became available online and over the counter at retail.So, which is better, natural or synthetic nootropics? To continue your reading journey, tap the button below.
