Hi, it’s the Little Owl here! Nootropics are something many of us will have seen out there, especially those of us who take vitamins or any kind of sporting supplements. In many places, the supplement industry is completely unregulated. This gives companies the right to put things forward as miracle cures without any real basis to those claims.
Now, most people would probably want to be more focused and more successful when it comes to brainwork. Indeed, it could be said that more and more technological innovation has led to anxiety in the population. A faster pace of living has, potentially led to higher instances of stress- as well. But never fear! All these miracle advances in nootropics also mean that weird and wonderful herbs and potions can be flown in from labs all over the globe to treat your brain fog. Thing is, will any of them actually work?
In this article I’ve decided to cover some of the more popular nootropics on the market currently. I will look into the research that has been conducted on them, and investigate the background connected to them. Then, you can make your decision for yourself as to whether you would purchase any of these.
Nootropic #1: Lion’s Mane
This popular nootropic supplement has a long and dignified history of consumption by humans, and usage as medicine. It is utilized in Traditional Chinese Medicine, where it is known as Hou Tou Gu. In this system it is noted as being of sweet and neutral nature- which (I could be wrong) suggests a more yin or calming effect, generally beneficial for the internal organs.
Research studies on the actual cognitive effects of lion’s mane extract in humans are quite limited. What we do know is what it has the potential to do, and that is to accelerate neuronal growth. That means, it can help you build new bits of brain- very very loosely speaking! We know that the compounds in the mushroom are capable of doing this, and studies in mice and rats have proven this to be the case.
Now, cultivating neural growth can be helpful! If we are suffering from anxiety or depression and take such a supplement at the same time as building helpful and healthy mind habits (mindfulness, exercise, gratitude, positivity) we could potentially see a boost in our results. For those habits are new pathways that we are making. BUT if we take the mushroom and expect it to do all the work for us, we may not see the same results. Those are just my thoughts, however- and that would be my recommendation if you were looking to try the mushroom. Take the lion’s mane, but with intent and with practice. Nootropics are no substitute for your own mind power.
Click the link below to read more!
Nootropic #2: Panax Ginseng.
This is another herb well known in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and a well-known nootropic to us Westerners. This is a yang-restoring herb in TCM- meaning (very loosely) that if you are exhausted and tend towards depression or burnout, this would be helpful for you. However, it may not have the best effect if you are highly outward, energetic, active. These are all “yang” properties and if you are already pretty dang yang, you may not want to be more yang without being careful.
Indeed, much like its “yang” nature in TCM, the nootropic benefits of ginseng seem to be significant, but in some cases only in short bursts. Studies show that people who take this herb report an improvement in cognitive function that soon tapers off. It may be handy to have a bottle nearby around exam time, but to keep it for those events only. In cases of people with Alzheimer’s, the beneficial effects have been noted to be negligible after ceasing supplementation. Yet it was a very strong improvement during the time of the study. A study focusing on healthy adults showed no real improvement in mood or affect in the ginseng group as opposed to the placebo group.
There are a lot of factors at play here. To me, after my layman’s interpretation- ginseng seems to be something like a good cup of coffee. It looks good in the short term, and good for those who really need it. It is one of the better nootropics out there. However, for those who are already mentally strong and healthy, it may not be as effective.
Nootropic #3: Gingko Biloba.
I remember reading about this nootropic when I was a kid- this genus was apparently around at the time of the dinosaurs, or thereabouts. It is a living fossil, much like the tuatara or the horseshoe crab. It is native to China, and has also been used in TCM as a heart and lung tonic. This is a neutral herb in that system, meaning that it is not liable to upset the balance of yin and yang. Also, for Chinese, the heart is closely related to the mind.
This herb has been shown to improve memory, cognition and mood in people recovering from brain surgery. Also, many studies suggest that it can be helpful for people suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s (link here, here and here). For healthy people the effects are more moderate. It seems like it can be effective in reducing stress and in improving some aspects of cognitive function. However, the quality of these results decrease over time.
My recommendation? Harvest some fresh leaves, dry them, then keep them on board for when you have an important exam or project. Use when needed, except for if you have a specific memory concern. Then, check with your doctor around more long-term supplementation. This is one of the nootropics that can be useful for any of us.
Nootropic #4: Binaural Beats.
Okay this isn’t a herb. But you do need a good set of headphones! They’re great to have for other reasons as well. The quality has improved amazingly in recent years, I must say.
Binaural beats are sound frequencies that are said to have a certain effect on the brain. Certain levels of frequency can be employed in order to evoke certain brain states- Alpha and Beta for alertness and focus, Gamma for creativity, Delta and Theta for deep sleep and deep relaxation. These are freely available on YouTube and through various apps, although quality can be hit and miss.
Studies have indeed shown that binaural beats can be effective in evoking targeted states. However, it seems that it is important to choose the right frequency for the right task. It goes without saying, but it is always wise to be mindful and sparing with headphone use. Tinnitus and other damage can be insidious!
Studies to check out:
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0166630
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/acm.2006.6196
Nootropic #5: Omega 3 Fish Oil.
This is a funny one. A lot of people say to go for hemp oil because it has Omega 3 and 6, but to actually receive much benefit you need to consume a lot more of it. It’s like plant protein, it’s there in theory- but the body doesn’t receive the goods as easily.
Omega 3 has shown some promising potential in reducing symptoms in cases of moderate ADHD. It has also displayed effectiveness in reducing symptoms of depression in certain instances of major depression, although it could actually make things worse for some individuals.
My thoughts? Give it a go. Don’t try and use it to replace any prescription medication. If is helpful for you, then keep going! If not- by all means, there is no harm in stopping.
I hope you enjoyed this article!
Please, please remember to check with your GP before playing around with supplements- as they can be quite potent. I am not a doctor, remember that.
Stay awesome,
The Little Owl.
Green Lady Astrology 