Nootropics are 'brain drugs' also sometimes called 'brain steroids' or 'smart drugs'. Quite simply these are tablets, drugs and other supplements designed to enhance your cognitive performance and also make you smarter, more alert and more focused. They may also boost mood or memory or another facet of psychological performance. These work in several distinct ways and their mechanism of action a part of what orders their effects.

Many nootropics are only 'stimulants' across the traces of caffeine, guarana or thermogenics. These operate by speeding up the metabolism and so increasing wakefulness and energy thereby increasing awareness and memory. Others are receptors that work by aiding the communication of the nerves and thus speeding up the communication between brain cells and those include such nootropics as those who include dopamine or dopamine.

Others indirectly boost the quantity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain by blocking their usage. These include serotonin re-uptake inhibitors such as Gaba, or nicotine, which imply there is more of the 'loose' neurotransmitters spare inside the mind. Finally others will work by increasing the production of certain hormones that can influence mood and boost awareness and productivity.


Many nootropics can be bought over-the-counter, while others are going to be prescription only and are intended for use by people with ADD or other mental conditions. Many are being developed by the military for use by soldiers to improve reactions and other mental faculties throughout combat.

Those interested in transhumanism and self advancement will often use combinations of nootropics so as to maximise their effects, though the long-term side effects of several are not completely known.