It's a wonderful time to be alive if you live in an industrialized or first-world nation. The quality of life and standards of living are far more luxurious and comfortable than at any point in history, and life spans are as high as 80 years in some places and continuing to rise. Still, for all these benefits, longer lives tend to be more complicated affairs, as modern adulthood is very stressful and challenging, and maintaining or boosting individual health while alive for a long time is something more and more individuals are trying to do.
Diet and exercise are often touted as the primary answers to this, but with all the research and development, science and technology, and medical advancements happening, many consumers know that there are more options than just eating right and working out regularly. So, they start looking for supplements to help out their minds, the bodies, or both. Nootropics are something that many believe helps out their mind.
Nootropics are a relatively new thing over the course of human history. The word 'nootropic' did not even exist prior to 1972 when it was phrased initially by a Romanian, Corneliu E. Giurgea. The chemist and psychologist put together two Greek words that individually mean 'mind' and 'to bend or turn.' Nootropics are also known these days as cognitive enhancers or smart drugs, which are supplements that are assumed to improve the cognitive functions of the user. In particular, healthy individuals should see increases in their executive functions, motivation, creativity, and memory. The once-fledgling sector is now a multi-billion dollar industry within the United States with international demand growing.
Given how new and somewhat unregulated nootropics are, there is a lot of concern surrounding the question of whether or not nootropics are addictive or not. The lines between supplements and drugs tend to blur in a lot of cases, and since nootropics are designed or at least intended to alter the mind of the user, even if in a positive way, they are sometimes thought of as drugs by experts and authorities.
Much of the confusion stems from the fact that nootropics have a wide variety of sources for their ingredients. Many are composed of natural nutrients and vitamins, and as such are relatively safe at moderate volumes of intake, although many individual vitamins can have side effects at high dosages. On the other hand, some nootropics actually have ingredients that are similar to prescription drugs, or substances that are regulated in some countries. These cases are more likely to possibly be addictive, but research is still ongoing.
As stated earlier, it's completely understandable if you want to take advantage of what modern science and research has to offer to enhance your health and functionality. Still, as with all things related to your body, it's always a good idea to do thorough research and read review sites on your own and talk to your doctor or primary care physician before starting any new health habit or regimen.
