Nootropics: The Student Supplement

Whether one lacks the motivation to finish tasks, or struggles with juggling many subjects, or just feels overwhelmed, there are lots of reasons why a student’s grades can take a downturn. Lower energy is a huge factor that determines the motivation and drive of a student—so where does it come from? Average slackers and overachievers alike can benefit from brain boosters called Nootropics that improve mental agility and creative thinking. Here are some more specific ways that Nootropics can help up your academic game.

Memory

For an average student striving to memorize different formulas, theories, and definitions, the ability to remember something you’ve already learned is very important. Nootropics are known to enhance performance in practically all aspects of memory. Recall rate, or the ability to search and retrieve particular information, is maybe the most important process in memory. A study in 2016 looked at persons with age-related memory problems & impairment who would usually fail to remember where they had left their things. After being administered nootropics, researchers detected a significant improvement in their recall ability. Oxiracetam, a nootropic, appears to enhance recall by improving attention and semantic memory. These supplements don’t just help students remember where they left their phones—they will also determine a difference between good and excellent grades by aiding in remembering critical information for an exam.

Intelligence

Researchers have theorized that nootropics can enhance the activity of some neurotransmitters, which act as chemical messengers that relay important electrical signals (action potentials) to the neurons connected by synapses. A greater number of the neurotransmitters means a greater enhancement of the sensitivity of post-synaptic neurons by allowing signals to propagate with ease. A few nootropics have appeared to enhance levels of glutamate and acetylcholine in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus regions of one’s brain, which help neurotransmitters function more efficiently. Such areas are linked to memory acquisition and facilitate the learning of new information, especially in regard to working memory. Other types of nootropics are able to regulate levels of acetylcholine and norepinephrine, contributing to the improvement of information retention.

Focus & Concentration

Nootropics increases concentration in a variety of different ways. Incorporating nootropics to increase dopaminergic activity can modulate reward systems to aid in keeping focused on a specific task at hand. Likewise, some nootropics are cholinergic, which increase acetylcholine activity and focus attention. A few nootropics have mood increasing effects and helps the user concentrate by lessening their negative moods which can otherwise cause distractions.

Reducing Anxiety & Stress

A number of nootropics are known to have anxiolytic and other stress-reducing properties. Supplements like Picamilon and Phenibut are GABA derivatives which are broken down into GABA when they enter the body. This essential substance is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter of the brain that prevents action potentials from propagating. Such mechanisms help in calming an overstimulated brain & helps student to break anxious and negative thought cycles.

Social Acuity

In addition to helping with general anxiety and nervousness, Picamilon also lowers inhibitions that prevent us from making successful interactions out of fear and embarrassment. Lots of nootropics enhance various regions of the brain linked with verbal language skills, and while this doesn’t directly counter anxiety, being capable of communicating more effectively can give confidence. Furthermore, being able to think with much more logic and clarity is beneficial in helping young students get to know their peers better. A greater ability to analyze and empathize actually means students can more easily find out how to act in an appropriate manner.